Knoxville, TN Building Safety: Fire Sprinkler Requirements (2026)
Key Facts
- Applies to
- 3- & 4-family dwellings
- Size limit
- Under 5,000 sq ft
- Height limit
- Less than 3 stories
- Condition
- 2-hour fire-rated separation required
- Adopted by
- Ord. No. O-125-2024, 10-29-24
Summary
Knoxville's building code bars the city from mandating automatic fire sprinklers in 3- and 4-family dwellings under 5,000 square feet, less than three stories, with two-hour fire-rated separation walls, floors and ceilings.
The city shall not mandate automatic fire sprinkler systems for three-family dwellings and four-family dwellings where structures are under five thousand (5,000) square feet in area and less than three (3) stories in height and where two-hour fire-resistance-rating for wall, floor, and ceiling separation assemblies is met. (Ord. No. O-125-2024, § 2, 10-29-24)
Editor's note— Ord. No. O-125-2024, § 2, adopted October 29, 2024, amended the Code by adding a new § 6-6. Prior to inclusion of the provisions of Ord. No. O-125-2024, Ord. No. O-172-2018, § 3, adopted November 20, 2018, amended the Code by repealing former § 6-6. Former § 6-6 pertained to the Second Fire District, and derived from Ord. No. O-246-07, adopted November 6, 2007.
Secs. 6-7—6-30. - Reserved. Editor's note— Ord. No. O-172-2018, § 4, adopted November 20, 2018, amended the Code by repealing former § 6-7. Former § 6-7 pertained to mixed use occupancies, and derived from Ord. No. O-246-07, adopted November 6, 2007.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 80).
Full Breakdown
Knoxville Code § 6-6(b), part of the adopted 2024 International Building Code amendments, bars the city from mandating automatic fire sprinklers in three- and four-family dwellings under 5,000 square feet, less than three stories, where two-hour fire-resistance-rated wall, floor and ceiling separations are provided. Outside those conditions, larger, taller, or non-rated buildings, the adopted IBC's standard sprinkler requirements under Sec. 6-31 still control. The exemption was added by Ord. No. O-125-2024, adopted October 29, 2024, alongside the city's 2024 IBC re-adoption.
Violations & Fines
This provision limits city authority; it creates no owner duty. Failing to meet the size, height or fire-rating conditions removes the exemption, and noncompliant unpermitted work is enforced by Plans Review and Inspections through stop-work orders and permit fees.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Knoxville require sprinklers in triplexes and fourplexes?
What if a building doesn't meet those size, height or rating conditions?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Knoxville
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