Section 1200-01-02-.05 - GENERAL REQUIREMENTS RELATING TO THE SAFE AND SANITARY MAINTENANCE OF PARTS OF DWELLING UNITS(1) Every foundation, roof and exterior wall, door, skylight, and window shall be reasonably weathertight, watertight, and dampfree, and shall be kept in sound condition and good repair. Toxic paint and materials shall not be used where readily accessible to children. Floors, interior walls, and ceilings shall be sound and in good repair. Walls shall be capable of affording visual privacy to the occupants. Every premises shall be graded, drained, and free of standing water which would be conducive to mosquito breeding.(2) During that portion of the year when there is a need for protection against mosquitoes, flies and other flying insects, every door opening directly from a dwelling unit to outside space shall have supplied properly fitting screens having at least sixteen (16) mesh and self-closing devices; and every window or other device with openings to outdoor space, used or intended to be used for ventilation, shall likewise be supplied with screens, except that such screens shall not be required (a) in rooms in the upper stories of a building free from such insects (b) in rooms located in areas which are deemed by the health department to have so few insects as to render screens unnecessary.(3) Every window located at or near ground level used or intended to be used for ventilation, and every other opening located at or near ground level which might provide an entry for rodents, shall be supplied with adequate screen or such other devices as will effectively prevent their entrance in areas with heavy rat infestations as determined by the health department.(4) Every multiple dwelling or rooming house shall be kept reasonably free of household vermin provided that the landlord shall not be required to carry out treatment measures more than twice per year.(5) The landlord of multiple dwellings must provide two (2) garbage cans per dwelling unit with a capacity of at least twenty (20) gallons each and not more than thirty-two (32) gallons each. Bulk containers that can be emptied mechanically may be used in lieu of garbage cans when service is available for emptying such containers. These containers shall have a capacity of 1/4 cubic yard per dwelling unit. (These capacities are based on twice per week service.)(a) All containers both individual and bulk shall be of such design as to be rodentproof, and they shall be covered. These containers must be of an easily cleanable construction and must be cleaned at such intervals as to prevent health hazards, odors, and other nuisances.(b) Containers must be located so that each dwelling unit will be within a reasonable distance of a solid waste container.(c) All containers shall be emptied at least one (1) time per week.(6) All fences provided by the landlord shall be maintained in safe condition or shall be removed.(7) Accessory structures provided by the landlord shall be structurally sound, and shall be maintained in safe repair or such structures shall be removed from the premises.(8) Every foundation, roof, floor, exterior and interior wall, ceiling, inside and outside stair, every porch and every appurtenance thereto, shall be safe to use and capable of supporting the loads that normal use may cause to be placed thereon; and shall be kept in sound condition and good repair.(9) Every water closet compartment, bathroom, and kitchen floor surface shall be constructed and maintained so as to be reasonably impervious to water and to permit such floor to be easily kept in a clean and sanitary condition.(10) Every dwelling unit shall have at least one safe and unobstructed means of egress leading to a safe and open space at ground level.(11) Every dwelling unit shall have at least one outside window or other opening which can be readily opened from the inside without the use of tools and which is adequate in size of opening, configuration, and location to provide a safe emergency escape or rescue.(12) Stairways with four (4) or more risers (three steps) shall be equipped with structurally sound handrails. Every inside and outside stairway shall have uniform risers and uniform treads. Stair railings with balusters spaced no greater than six (6) inches apart shall be provided on unenclosed stairways and ramps. Porches and/or balconies located more than three (3) feet higher than the adjacent area shall have structurally sound protective guardrails with balusters spaced no greater than six (6) inches apart on all unenclosed sides. Handrails, stairrails, and protective guardrails shall be at least thirty (30) inches high. Alternate systems providing at least the same degree of protection, if approved by the inspecting authority, shall be acceptable.Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 1200-01-02-.05
Original Rule certified June 7, 1974.Authority: T.C.A. § 53-5502.