Exempt Jurisdictions for Commercial Buildings

Exempt jurisdictions are approved by the State Fire Marshal’s Office (SFMO) to perform plans review and inspections for buildings normally requiring SFMO approval. This applies to all buildings other than the following:

•  State owned buildings;
• Educational occupancies; and
• Businesses requiring the SFMO to perform an initial fire inspection to receive a license.
  These include daycares and some facilities licensed by Department of Children’s Services (DCS), Department of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (DIDD), and Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (MHSAS).

State leased buildings located in an exempt jurisdiction are reviewed and inspected by that jurisdiction. Exempt jurisdictions are required to adopt codes within seven (7) years of the most current published edition pursuant to Tennessee Code Annotated § 68-120-101(b)(5)(A).

The following areas have been granted such exemptions and are authorized to perform independent plans review and inspections