Dear Reader:
The following document was created from the MTAS electronic library known as MORe (www.mtas.tennessee.edu/more). This online library is maintained daily by MTAS staff and seeks to represent the most current information regarding issues relative to Tennessee municipal government.
We hope this information will be useful to you; reference to it will assist you with many of the questions that will arise in your tenure with municipal government. However, the Tennessee Code Annotated and other relevant laws or regulations should always be consulted before any action is taken based upon the contents of this document.
Please feel free to contact us if you have questions or comments regarding this information or any other MORe material.
Sincerely,
The University of Tennessee
Municipal Technical Advisory Service
1610 University Avenue
Knoxville, TN 37921-6741
865-974-0411 phone
865-974-0423 fax
www.mtas.tennessee.edu
ISO works with municipal building-code authorities to assess and enforce building codes through its Building Code Effectiveness Grading Schedule (BCEGS) program. The BCEGS program assesses the building codes in effect in a community and how that community enforces them, with special emphasis on mitigating losses from natural hazards.
ISO has been conducting BCEGS surveys across the country since 1995. ISO has a database of information on more than 15,000 building-code enforcement departments serving more than 20,000 communities nationwide. ISO estimates that approximately 87% of the country's population lives in jurisdictions classified in the BCEGS program. ISO’s extensive analysis of building-code adoption and enforcement, coupled with feedback received from building officials throughout the country, has prompted ISO to embark on a project to review, revise, and update the criteria in BCEGS.
While current, non-amended codes are very important to a community’s resiliency, ISO's claims analysis shows that code enforcement efforts are even more critical. MTAS anticipates that future versions of the BCEGS will place more emphasis on code enforcement. In addition, an ISO study comparing fire frequency to points earned in the BCEGS program showed that strong code enforcement reduces the frequency of fires. There is real value for a community to participate in the BCEGS program.Having and enforcing current, non-amended codes results in reduced damage from natural hazards, fire, and other perils, ultimately reducing insurance costs. Property owners may benefit from insurance premium discounts or decreased deductibles.
For more detailed information, go to https://www.isomitigation.com/bcegs/ [1]
Links:
[1] https://www.isomitigation.com/bcegs/
DISCLAIMER: The letters and publications written by the MTAS consultants were written based upon the law at the time and/or a specific sets of facts. The laws referenced in the letters and publications may have changed and/or the technical advice provided may not be applicable to your city or circumstances. Always consult with your city attorney or an MTAS consultant before taking any action based on information contained in this website.
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