Council hears first reading to ease residential duct and leakage testing requirement

City staff presented, on first reading, an amendment to the city’s adopted International Energy Conservation Code that would remove the requirement for mandatory testing of air duct tightness and overall home leakage for residential construction and permit visual inspections instead.

Kevin explained the amendment’s intent, saying the change would allow contractors and developers to save time and money while still allowing inspectors to request testing when they deem it necessary. He told the council that the State Fire Marshal’s office and neighboring jurisdictions, including Rutherford County and the town of Smyrna, have adopted similar language and recommended the change.

The item was presented for first reading and council members were given the opportunity to ask questions; no final action or vote result is recorded in the transcript excerpt for this first-reading item.