Navigating Codes, Fire, and Building Safety
Pre-submittal Steps
Once you have confirmation from TDHS to start the process, request a pre-submittal meeting with the Metro Nashville Zoning Codes office. This can inform the plans that the architect creates, and is helpful to the Codes office as well as it prevents further complications down the line in the approval process. This is an opportunity for you to clarify what the steps are, what order they will go in, and who will be your point of contact for what.
They won’t meet with you if you haven’t at least let TDHS know that you are starting the Pre-Licensure process, so it is important that this step has been completed. Much of the approval process for both TDHS and the Codes office involves both departments communicating with one another, so they must both be aware of your approval and application status.
SECTION ELEVEN
Request a pre-submittal meeting with Metro Nashville Codes office.
Directly contact the Fire Codes department, with the child care specialist at FMORequest@nashville.gov.
Confirm with them that you have started the pre-licensure process with TDHS.
OPTIONAL: Review codes yourself in advance by purchasing the Life Safety Code Book. However, it may be easier to work directly with Codes specialists.
Create a list of questions you may have in advance, so you are well-prepared and are able to get the clarity and information you need.
Attend the pre-submittal meeting.
In the meeting, clarify what the process is to apply for and secure your Use and Occupancy Letter. (Center Directors shared that this was typically a difficult process.)
Review and apply information from the pre-submittal meeting.
Work with your architect to incorporate feedback.
Make necessary adjustments to your plans for renovations to comply with codes.
Adjust budgets or financial scenarios as needed, if the feedback you receive changes the configuration of the space.
Request courtesy walkthroughs from fire.
Fire will not schedule walkthroughs with you until your program specialist has placed a request for this step to happen.
Request walkthrough from TN State Fire Department. Find your local contact at https://tnmap.tn.gov/fdtn/.
Request walkthrough from Metro Nashville Fire Department at FMORequest@nashville.gov.