Who enforces each one, what edition applies, and what changes next. 5 of 7 areas verified on primary sources. OSHA state plan: Tennessee Occupational Safety and Health Administration (TOSHA), Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development.
| Area | In force | Authority | Next |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fire | 2021 IFC with Tennessee amendments (Rule 0780-02-02), effective Apr 17, 2025, replacing the 2012 IFC adopted Aug 4, 2016Tennessee amendments let the local fire chief, with police and EMS, find radio coverage unneeded (IFC 510) and allow NFPA 13R in Group R up to four stories. State-adopted NFPA 101 (2021) now covers only small residential board-and-care. SourceVerified on the source | State Fire Marshal's Office (Dept of Commerce and Insurance) Codes Enforcement adopts; it reviews plans and inspects new buildings outside 50+ exempt jurisdictions (e.g., Nashville, Memphis/Shelby, Knoxville/Knox, Chattanooga), which enforce locally; SFMO inspects existing schools, day cares and state facilities yearly | In forceIn force; no 2024 IFC rulemaking or adoption notice found (SFMO codes news page lists none) |
| Building | 2021 IBC with Tennessee amendments (Rule 0780-02-02), effective Apr 17, 2025; also 2021 IEBC, IMC, IPC, IFGC, IPMC, 2021 IECC (commercial) and 2017 NECReplaced the 2012 I-codes in force since Aug 4, 2016. Amendments address the ASCE 7 edition, flammable gases (2024 IBC/IFC definitions) and IEBC storm shelters. Prior-code plans were accepted through Aug 15, 2025 (AIA Tennessee). SourceVerified on the source | SFMO Codes Enforcement (plans review, inspections) outside exempt jurisdictions; exempt local governments enforce their own codes, which must be within 7 years of the latest edition (T.C.A. 68-120-101(b)(5)(A)), subject to SFMO audit | In forceIn force; no 2024 I-code adoption or rulemaking notice found on SFMO pages |
| Elevators | Rule 0800-03-04 (authority T.C.A. 68-121-103): ASME A17.1-2016 and A18.1-2014, effective Jul 18, 2021; existing equipment ASME A17.3-1996 (LII mirror, REPORTED)Also A17.2-2017, A17.6-2017 and B77.1-2017. Owners must have each elevator, dumbwaiter, escalator and lift inspected and tested at six-month intervals (Rule 0800-03-04-.04(1), TDLWD help center, updated Mar 2026). SourceVerified on the source | Tennessee Dept of Labor and Workforce Development, Workplace Regulations and Compliance, Elevator Unit; Elevator and Amusement Device Safety Board adopts the code | In forceIn force; no newer ASME edition in rulemaking found (Jun 3, 2025 board transcript covers variances only) |
| Boilers | T.C.A. 68-122-101 et seq. + Board of Boiler Rules chapter 0800-03-03 (Secretary of State copy revised Apr 2026, REPORTED)Power boilers: internal and external yearly plus an external under pressure about six months later; low-pressure heating boilers and unfired vessels every two years (T.C.A. 68-122-110). Certificate of Boiler Inspection issued with expiration date. SourceVerified on the source | TDLWD Workplace Regulations and Compliance, Boiler Unit; state deputy inspectors or insurance special inspectors perform certificate inspections; Board of Boiler Rules issues rules, variances and interpretations | In forceIn force; Apr 2026 revision to 0800-03-03 not read (host blocked); recent board interpretation BI 26-01 covers pool heater inspections |
| Pools | TDH Rule 1200-23-05 Public Swimming Pools under T.C.A. 68-14-301 et seq. (Secretary of State copy revised Sept 22, 2024)Applies to hotel, motel, apartment, club and other public pools and spas; plan review before construction. Mirror text: $100 permit fee, renewals late after Apr 30; inspections at least monthly while operating; 100-point weighted scoring. SourceReported, in verification | Tennessee Department of Health, Environmental Health (permits, plan review, inspections) | In forceIn force; what the Sept 22, 2024 revision changed not read (Secretary of State host returned 403) |
| Lodging | TDH hotel permit and inspection, Rule 1200-23-04 under T.C.A. 68-14-301 et seq. (Secretary of State copy revised Sept 22, 2024); T.C.A. 68-120-112 hotel smoke and CO alarmsHotels inspected at least every six months, 100-point scoring, critical items corrected within 10 days. T.C.A. 68-120-112 (pre-2016 buildings): smoke alarm in every sleeping room; CO alarms within 10 ft of sleeping rooms where fuel-burning appliances exist. SourceReported, in verification | TDH Environmental Health (hotel permits, plan review, inspections); 68-120-112 violations are Class C misdemeanors, each day a separate offense | In forceIn force; no statewide hotel trafficking-training, balcony or sprinkler-retrofit law found (search brief) |
| Workplace | TOSHA State Plan (Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development)Covers private-sector and state/local government workers; federal OSHA keeps maritime, railroad, TVA, military bases, federal employers, USPS contractors. Initial approval Jul 5, 1973; final 18(e) approval Jul 22, 1985. SourceVerified on the source | Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development (TOSHA); federal OSHA retains private-sector anti-retaliation enforcement | In force |
No dated statewide items in the next 24 months beyond the federal layer.
2021 IFC with Tennessee amendments (Rule 0780-02-02), effective Apr 17, 2025, replacing the 2012 IFC adopted Aug 4, 2016. Tennessee amendments let the local fire chief, with police and EMS, find radio coverage unneeded (IFC 510) and allow NFPA 13R in Group R up to four stories. State-adopted NFPA 101 (2021) now covers only small residential board-and-care. Enforced by: State Fire Marshal's Office (Dept of Commerce and Insurance) Codes Enforcement adopts; it reviews plans and inspects new buildings outside 50+ exempt jurisdictions (e.g., Nashville, Memphis/Shelby, Knoxville/Knox, Chattanooga), which enforce locally; SFMO inspects existing schools, day cares and state facilities yearly.
2021 IBC with Tennessee amendments (Rule 0780-02-02), effective Apr 17, 2025; also 2021 IEBC, IMC, IPC, IFGC, IPMC, 2021 IECC (commercial) and 2017 NEC. Replaced the 2012 I-codes in force since Aug 4, 2016. Amendments address the ASCE 7 edition, flammable gases (2024 IBC/IFC definitions) and IEBC storm shelters. Prior-code plans were accepted through Aug 15, 2025 (AIA Tennessee). Enforced by: SFMO Codes Enforcement (plans review, inspections) outside exempt jurisdictions; exempt local governments enforce their own codes, which must be within 7 years of the latest edition (T.C.A. 68-120-101(b)(5)(A)), subject to SFMO audit.
Elevators: Tennessee Dept of Labor and Workforce Development, Workplace Regulations and Compliance, Elevator Unit; Elevator and Amusement Device Safety Board adopts the code (Rule 0800-03-04 (authority T.C.A. 68-121-103): ASME A17.1-2016 and A18.1-2014, effective Jul 18, 2021; existing equipment ASME A17.3-1996 (LII mirror, REPORTED)). Boilers: TDLWD Workplace Regulations and Compliance, Boiler Unit; state deputy inspectors or insurance special inspectors perform certificate inspections; Board of Boiler Rules issues rules, variances and interpretations (T.C.A. 68-122-101 et seq. + Board of Boiler Rules chapter 0800-03-03 (Secretary of State copy revised Apr 2026, REPORTED)).
Tennessee runs an OSHA-approved state plan: Tennessee Occupational Safety and Health Administration (TOSHA), Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development. The state agency enforces workplace safety rules for most private employers.
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