Under Tennessee residential building codes, what is the minimum required depth for footings below the frost line?
Correct Answer
C) 30 inches
Tennessee building code requires footings to extend a minimum of 30 inches below the frost line for adequate foundation support.
Why This Is the Correct Answer
Tennessee's residential building code requires footings to extend a minimum of 30 inches below the frost line. This depth ensures the footing is below the zone of soil movement caused by freezing and thawing.
Why the Other Options Are Wrong
Option A: 24 inches
24 inches is insufficient under Tennessee code. This depth may be appropriate for some warmer-climate states or non-load-bearing applications, but it does not meet Tennessee's minimum requirement.
Option B: 36 inches
36 inches exceeds the Tennessee minimum requirement. While deeper footings are not prohibited, 36 inches is not the code minimum and would incorrectly suggest a more demanding standard than Tennessee actually requires.
Option D: 18 inches
18 inches is significantly below the required depth and would leave footings vulnerable to frost heave damage. This depth might be confused with minimum footing width requirements rather than depth.
Memory Technique
Associate 30 inches with Tennessee: 'Tennessee's footing goes 30 inches down — that's two and a half feet to keep it sound.' The number 30 also connects to Tennessee's other common '30-day' deadlines, making it a recurring theme to remember.
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A contractor is installing a septic system for a new home in rural Tennessee. The estimated cost is $8,500. According to TCA 62-6, what licensing requirement applies?