ÿWPC1 úpØÔ¬@Z›*š\Í)*íÆ³ ³8‚AüöQ›1š2û;éÔˆ@qï(v-‘¦g" Êæc³~ ÷‚6h˜'Ñ)Üó¢À˜Ýî#UŸ®LOsb‚®öžˆÀPŽ1>Ý£«ŽÃw«©•†ÞÒX<(Ò Y·J"~û‰‰x”–ÕM«®xëÞçî¬ ÉÉÔÓ'a'H\Óâ6îñ:¦‡Àõ$UúH,¹¿–PÀðѯkR5A:%%Móé†o8‡â(Z)«9ÇU嚊ŽÑ‘|'ßNëñe¸au»GÕ¸å5i5üX—Åž•Rlâ´Éà=è?dŸ ¦Ñæ ½kwÿ0FJ2.˜HÔûrá8^t??Ù¨°nÎà Æà©J·ÎÈûÏ ×®]*àŽMº¥‹úîÇD¯¢ïæÍÃJæšßÝnx+oÙÊÂÎwŒ$^ODói#8%æpO´Ñã2=°#æHYçq™ÿ,*îÚï[áÑ¥UE&·I"³j-^îžÊ>P)÷×WX…‚x0´Vü~ïAÿYjݨþÄD—õáÿ3‰„–â8¿|«†Ä»@Û¯U'çs})<ëBÆØ8û¬sª•˧î.^,NC“éFGf;û—oSCÈb %\UNb 0ˆ°UN8 0D†NÊ%Ì zñ Òk ^ = NI wK hO Æ·Æ}ÆCÆ ÏNÕ4×ëEúü mþ#ÉFÞÞÞÞÞÞÞÞÞÞÞÞÞÞb$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ 0ë,,,, B 0¤4 D5Ø D-  0K:: AS…ÆØ 0¤ž 0DB A«†»(@øÐ Z‹6Times New Roman Regular(`£ª$¡¡Ñ€.ÑÑ8€½­»»d»»d8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  Ó(í€"  Z6Times New Roman Regular(#Ã$òòÚ  Ú0Ú  Úóó Ý ƒRwº$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú2Ú  ÚóóÔ€ôûüò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_Ô€The€Standard€Building€Code€of€1997€provides:Ð ° ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àò ò905.2.2€ó óIn€dwellings€and€dwelling€units,€a€smoke€detector€shall€be€mounted€on€theÐ 2‚ Ðceiling€or€wall€at€a€point€centrally€located€in€the€corridor€or€area€giving€access€toÐ ÷G Ðeach€group€of€rooms€used€for€sleeping€purposes.€€Where€the€dwelling€or€dwellingÐ ¸ Ðunit€contains€more€than€one€story,€detectors€are€required€on€each€story€includingÐ yÉ Ðbasements,€but€not€including€uninhabitable€attics,€and€shall€be€located€in€closeÐ : Š Ðproximity€to€the€stairway€leading€to€the€floor€above. ˜C:\PROGRA~1\COREL\WORDPE~1\TEMPLATE\CUSTOM~1\REVISE~1.WPTC:\Program Files\Corel\WordPerfect Office 2000\Template\Custom WP Templates\revised standard opinion.wptm]/Ï  ^Ý ƒRwº$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú1Ú  ÚóóÔ€ôûüò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_Ô€Mollie€Green€is€Opal€Green€Ransomððs€mother€and€the€original€owner€of€the€House.€€Mollie€Green€died€inÐ ° Ð1973,€leaving€the€House€to€her€daughter.€€Opal€Green€Ransom€is€the€only€Defendant/Appellee€herein.Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5‚Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5„Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5…Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5 üÝ ƒRwº$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú3Ú  ÚóóÔ€ôûüò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_Ô€The€Affidavit€of€John€S.€Sharp,€Jr.€states€that€ð ðthe€[Haywood]€County€Commission€adopted€the€SouthernÐ ° ÐStandard€Building€Code,€version€1999€at€its€meeting€on€November€20,€2000.ðð€Mr.€Sharp€further€stated€that€ð ðI€do€not€findÐ qÁ Ðthat€the€Southern€Standard€Building€Code€of€1997€had€been€adopted€by€the€County€prior€to€January€11,€1999.ððlk.ê:i¢×+003|xÿU‹ÿÀÀÀ˜\\IB01S02\CLERKJACÈÈ,,,,ÈÈ0 HaywoodClayburnPeeples COAT.C.A. P.J. W.S.HighersRagsdaleTheusMaybellLillardCarneyErnestineArtaviousSheppAntaviousR.Civmovant BainCarvellAss'nWestmorelandChildress i]fManahansubstitut[eTelecommsTenn.Ct.App- ù-(|G2wº$¤¤Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€ù»»dd8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  Ýà  àòòÚ  Ú0Ú  ÚóóÔ€ôûüò»»Ô d(|3ö$££Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€ù»»dd8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  ÝVVVV)ÿÿ!dxdx)!ÈÈÈÈdxdx( ±þ$’’ò òFigure€Ú  Ú1Ú  Úó ó^_X`YEþÿ<<CÿÿƒLevel 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5(|3ö$¢¢Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€ù»»dd8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  Ý($$””ò òÚ  Ú1Ú  Úó óX[Z&OLE 2.0 Box <=8ÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿCÿÿ HKKKKÝ ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€ù»»ddÈ8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  ÝÔ_ÔÑ  ÑÔ€¼ù»»»ÔÑ8€“çXXdé»»d8ÑÑ  Ñà@ò ò ìàÔ‡î0žî»¼ùÔIN€THE€COURT€OF€APPEALS€OF€TENNESSEEˆÐ ° Ðà@òò%ìàAT€JACKSONÔ#†¼ù»îî0ž #ԈРÓ# ÐÓ  ÓOn„Briefs€October€10,€2003Ð öF ÐÔ‡X“çX»¼ùÔÌò òÔ#†¼ù»XX“çõ#ÔEDNA€C.€BROOKS,€òòet€al.óó€v.€OPAL€GREEN€RANSOM,€òòet€alóó.Ô‡X“çX»¼ùÔó óÐ ï? ÐÌà@@½½ìàò òA€Direct€Appeal€from€the€Circuit€Court€for€Haywood€CountyÐ é 9 Ðà@@øøìàNo.€3415€€€€€€The€Honorable€Clayburn€L.€Peeples,€JudgeÐ Ó # ÐÌÌà@@ìì*ìàßA€V) °°` d€÷E<` AßÐ ‘á  ÐÌà@@TTìàNo.€W2003„01783„Ô_ÔCOAÔ_Ô„R3„CV€„€Filed€October€29,€Ô_Ô2003Ô_ÔÐ ŠÚ  ÐÌßA€V) °°` dE<]` AßÐ ^®  Ðó óÌÓ  ÓÔ‡X/tXXX“çÔà  àThis€is€a€wrongful€death€case€premised€on€a€landlordððs€violation€of€T.C.A.€ðð€68„102„151Ð V¦  Ð(smoke€detector€statute)€as€the€proximate€cause€of€the€death€of€several€occupants€of€the€structureÐ ? Ðwhen€it€caught€fire.€€The€trial€court€granted€defendant€summary€judgment,€holding€the€statute€is€notÐ (x Ðapplicable.€€Plaintiffs€appeal.€€We€affirm.à À àÐ a ÐÔ#†X“çXXX/tÝ#ÔÔ#†¼ù»XX“çz#ÔÔ‡X“çX»¼ùÔÌÓÑÓÌò òTenn.€R.€App.€P.€3;€Appeal€as€of€Right;€Judgment€of€the€Circuit€Court€Affirmedó óÐ Ì ÐÌòòÓ  ÓÔ#†¼ù»àX“çü#ÔÔ‡X“çX.¼ùÔW.€Frank€Crawford,€P.J.,€W.S.óó,€delivered€the€opinion€of€the€court,€in€which€òòAlan€E.€Highers,Ð Ÿï ÐJ.óó€and€òòDavid€R.€Farmer,€J.óó,€joined.Ð ˆØ ÐÌDuncan€E.€Ragsdale,€Memphis,€For€Appellants,€Edna€C.€Brooks,€Ruby€Bonds,€Peggy€Theus,Ð Zª ÐMaybell€Lillard,€Rosie€Carney,€Ernestine€Banks,€James€Carney,€Joe€Somerville,€Jessie€Somerville,Ð C“ ÐDebra€Somerville,€for€themselves€and€as€Next€of€Kin€to€Gladys€Somerville,€Artavious€Somerville,Ð ,| ÐDeceased€and€Alexis€Somerville,€a€minorÐ e ÐÌLarry€S.€Banks,€Brownsville,€For€Appellee,€Opal€Green€RansomÐ ç 7  ÐÓšÓÌò òOPINIONó óÔ#†¼ù»XX“çÉ#ÔÔ‡X“çX»¼ùÔÐ ¹" " ÐÌòòóóÔ#†¼ù»XX“çà #ÔÔ‡X“çX»¼ùÔÓ  ÓÑ8€/tXXdéXXdé8Ñà  àOn€January€11,€1999,€Opal€Green€Ransom€(ð ðRansomðð€or€ð ðDefendantðð)€was€the€owner€of€theÐ Œ$Ü$ Ðreal€property€located€in€Haywood€County,€Tennessee,€on€which€a€house€designated€as€393€SheppÐ u%Å % ÐRoad€(the€ð ðHouseðð)€was€located.€€The€House€was€a€wooden€structure€divided€into€four€roomsð!ða€den,Ð ^&®!& Ðkitchen,€and€two€sleeping€rooms€with€no€indoor€plumbing€and€no€indoor€bathroom.€€Ransom€rentedÐ G'—"' Ðthe€House€to€Gladys€Somerville€for€$25€per€month.€€Ð 0(€#( ÐÌà  àOn€January€11,€1999,€a€fire€broke€out€at€the€House€due€to€the€wood„burning€stoveððs€doorÐ *R%* Ðbeing€left€ajar€or€coming€open.€€There€was€no€smoke€detector€installed€in€the€House.€€As€a€result€ofÐ ë*;&+ Ðthe€fire,€Antavious€Somerville€(age€4)€and€Artavious€Somerville€(age€2)€died€at€the€scene€of€smokeÐ Ô+$', Ðâ âinhalation€and€burns.€€Gladys€Somerville€(age€63)€was€able€to€carry€her€granddaughter,€AlexisÐ ½, (-ý ÐÔ_ÔSomerville€(age€1)€out€of€the€house.€€Alexis€Somerville€suffered€minor€injuries.€€Gladys€SomervilleÐ ° Ðwas€hospitalized€for€42€days€before€finally€succumbing€to€the€injuries€she€sustained€in€the€fire.Ð ™é Ðâ âÌà  àOn€January€5,€2000,€Edna€Brooks,€Ruby€Bonds,€Peggy€Theus,€Maybell€Lillard,€RosieÐ k» ÐCarney,€Ernestine€Banks,€James€Carney,€Jessie€Somerville,€Debra€Somerville€and€Joe€Somerville,Ð T¤ Ðfor€themselves€and€as€Next€of€Kin€to€Gladys€Somerville,€Artavious€Somerville€and€AntaviousÐ =  ÐSomerville,€Deceased,€and€Alexis€Somerville,€a€minor€(collectively€the€ð ðPlaintiffsðð)€filed€suit€againstÐ & v ÐMollie€Green€and€Opal€Green€Ransom.׃ ×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú1Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€€The€Complaint€alleges€that€Ransom€violated€T.C.A.ðð68„Ð  _ Ð102„151€by€failing€to€install€a€working€smoke€detector€in€the€House.€€T.C.A.€ðð68„102„151€(2001)Ð ø H Ðreads,€in€pertinent€part,€as€follows:Ð á 1  ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àò ò68„102„151.€One„family€or€two„family€rental€unitsð!ðSmokeÐ ³  Ðdetectors€required.ð!ð€ó ó(a)€As€used€in€this€section,€unless€the€contextÐ í  Ðotherwise€requires:Љ٠` x` x Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð à(1)€ð ðApproved€smoke€detectorðð€means€a€device€which€senses€visibleÐ r  Ðor€invisible€particles€of€combustion€and€which€has€been€investigatedÐ [«  Ðand€listed€in€accordance€with€standards€prescribed€by:ÐD”` x` x Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà ¸ à(A)€A€nationally€recognized€and€approved€independent€testingÐ -} Ðagency€or€laboratory,€such€as€Underwritersðð€Laboratoriesðð€StandardÐ f Ðfor€Single€and€Multiple€Station€Smoke€Detectors€(UL€217);€orÐÿO` x` x Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà ¸ à(B)€An€agency€authorized€to€make€independent€inspections€byÐ è8 Ðthe€state€fire€marshal;€andÐÑ!` x` x Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð à(2)€ð ðA€one„family€or€two„family€rental€unitðð€means€any€rentalÐ º  Ðbuilding€containing€one€(1)€or€two€(2)€living€units€with€independentÐ £ó Ðcooking€and€bathroom€facilities,€whether€designated€as€a€house,Ð ŒÜ Ðcottage,€duplex,€condominium€or€by€any€other€name.ÐuÅ` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð à(b)€Notwithstanding€the€provisions€of€chapter€120€of€this€title,€or€anyÐ G— Ðother€laws€to€the€contrary,€it€is€unlawful€to:Ð0€` x` x Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð à(1)€Own€or€operate€a€one„family€or€two„family€rental€unit€withoutÐ i Ðinstalling€an€approved€smoke€detector€in€each€living€unit;€whenÐ  R Ðactivated,€the€detector€shall€initiate€an€alarm€which€is€audible€in€theÐ ë ; Ðsleeping€rooms€of€the€living€unit;ÐÔ!$ ` x` x ЀÌà  àRansomððs€Answer,€filed€on€March€20,€2000,€admits€that€she€was€the€owner€of€the€House,€thatÐ ¦#ö" ÐT.C.A.€ðð68„102„151€was€in€effect€on€January€11,€1999,€and€that€there€was€no€smoke€detectorÐ $ß# Ðinstalled€in€the€House€but€denies€that€T.C.A.€ðð68„102„151€is€applicable€to€the€subject€house.€€€OnÐ x%È $ ÐFebruary€26,€2002,€Ransom€filed€a€Motion€for€Summary€Judgment€supported€by€her€affidavit,€whichÐ a&±!% Ðstates€in€relevant€part:€€Ð J'š"& Ðâ âÐ 3(ƒ#' Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà ¸ àThis€[the€House]€was€a€very€rustic€and€unimproved€residenceÐ ° Ðâ âand€the€rent€was€only€$25.00€per€month.€€This€house€did€not€have€anyÐ ™é Ðinside€plumbing€or€water€supply,€and€the€only€water€supply€was€anÐ ‚Ò Ðoutside,€non„electric€well€which€you€had€to€manually€pump€and€drawÐ k» Ðwater€from€for€use.€€This€house€also€did€not€have€any€inside€bathroomÐ T¤ Ðfacilities.€€To€my€knowledge,€Mrs.€Somerville€used€her€sisterððsÐ =  Ðfacilities€across€the€road€from€this€house.€€The€lack€of€a€smokeÐ & v Ðdetector€was€evident€to€Mrs.€Somerville,€and€there€had€never€been€aÐ  _ Ðsmoke€detector€in€said€residence.Ðø H` x` x ÐÌà  àOn€May€16,€2003,€Plaintiffs€filed€a€Motion€to€Amend€the€Complaint€by€alleging€thatÐ Ê   ÐRansom,€in€addition€to€violating€T.C.A.€ðð68„102„151,€also€violated€the€Standard€Building€Code€ofÐ ³  Ð1997.׃×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú2Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€€€€The€Motion€to€Amend€was€never€acted€upon€by€the€court€but,€in€an€abundance€of€caution,Ð œì  ÐRansom€filed€the€Affidavit€of€John€S.€Sharp,€Jr.,€Chairman€of€the€Haywood€County€Commission,Ð …Õ  Ðwho€stated€that€the€Standard€Building€Code€of€1997€was€not€adopted€and€in€effect€in€HaywoodÐ n¾  ÐCounty,€Tennessee,€on€January€11,€1999.׃œ×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú3Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€€Plaintiffsðð€Response€to€Defendantððs€Motion€for€SummaryÐ W§  ÐJudgment€avers€that€the€Motion€does€not€comply€with€the€Tenn.€R.Civ.€P.€56,€that€there€are€disputedÐ @ Ðissues€of€fact,€that€the€Defendant€violated€the€Standard€Building€Code€of€1997,€which€was€in€fullÐ )y Ðforce€and€effect,€and€that€the€subject€property€was€a€one„family€rental€unit€within€the€meaning€ofÐ b ÐT.C.A.€ðð€68„102„151.€Ð ûK ÐÌà  àRansomððs€Motion€for€Summary€Judgment€was€heard€on€June€5,€2003.€€An€Order€grantingÐ Í ÐRansomððs€Motion€for€Summary€Judgment€was€entered€on€June€10,€3003.€€The€Order€reads,€inÐ ¶ Ðrelevant€part,€as€follows:Ð Ÿï ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà ¸ àTHIS€CAUSE€came€to€be€heard€before€the€HonorableÐ qÁ ÐClayburn€L.€Peeples,€Judge,€on€the€5òòthóó€day€of€June,€2003€atÐ Zª ÐBrownsville,€Tennessee,€upon€the€Motion€For€Summary€Judgment€ofÐ C“ ÐDefendant,€Opal€Green€Ransom,€the€Memorandum€in€support€of€theÐ ,| ÐMotion€for€Summary€Judgment,€upon€Plaintiffsðð€response€to€MotionÐ e Ðfor€Summary€Judgment,€statement€of€facts€submitted€by€both€parties,Ð þN Ðdeposition€of€Opal€Green€Ransom,€Affidavit€of€John€S.€Sharp,€Jr.,Ð ç 7 Ðupon€oral€argument€of€counsel€and€filed€upon€the€entire€record€fromÐ ° Ðall€of€which€the€court€finds€that€the€Motion€for€Summary€JudgmentÐ ™é Ðis€well€taken€and€should€be€granted.ЂÒ` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà ¸ àIT€IS€THEREFORE€ORDERED,€ADJUDGED,€ANDÐ T¤ ÐDECREED€that€said€Motion€For€Summary€Judgment€filed€byÐ =  ÐDefendant,€Opal€Green€Ransom€is€hereby€granted.Ð& v` x` x ÐÌà  àPlaintiffs€appeal€from€this€Order€and€raise€the€following€issue€for€review,€as€stated€in€theirÐ ø H Ðbrief:€Did€the€trial€court€misinterpret€the€meaning€of€ð ðone„family€rental€unitðð€as€defined€by€T.C.A.Ð á 1  Ððð68„102„151€and€commit€an€error€by€granting€Defendantððs€Motion€for€Summary€Judgment?Ð Ê   ÐÌà  àA€motion€for€summary€judgment€should€be€granted€when€the€movant€demonstrates€that€thereÐ œì  Ðare€no€genuine€issues€of€material€fact€and€that€the€moving€party€is€entitled€to€a€judgment€as€a€matterÐ …Õ  Ðof€law.€€ò òòòSeeó óóó€Tenn.€R.€Civ.€P.€56.04.€€The€party€moving€for€summary€judgment€bears€the€burden€ofÐ n¾  Ðdemonstrating€that€no€genuine€issue€of€material€fact€exists.€€ò òòòSee€Bain€v.€Welló óóó,€936€S.W.2d€618,€622Ð X¨  Ð(Tenn.€1997).€€On€a€motion€for€summary€judgment,€the€court€must€take€the€strongest€legitimate€viewÐ B’ Ðof€the€evidence€in€favor€of€the€nonmoving€party,€allow€all€reasonable€inferences€in€favor€of€thatÐ +{ Ðparty,€and€discard€all€countervailing€evidence.€€ò òòòSee€Id.€€ó óóóIn€ò òòòByrd€v.€Halló óóó,€847€S.W.2d€208€(Tenn.Ð d Ð1993),€our€Supreme€Court€stated:Ð þN ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àOnce€it€is€shown€by€the€moving€party€that€there€is€no€genuine€issueÐ Ð  Ðof€material€fact,€the€nonmoving€party€must€then€demonstrate,€byÐ ¹  Ðaffidavits€or€discovery€materials,€that€there€is€a€genuine,€material€factÐ ¢ò Ðdispute€to€warrant€a€trial.€€In€this€regard,€Rule€56.05€provides€that€theÐ ‹Û Ðnonmoving€party€cannot€simply€rely€upon€his€pleadings€but€must€setÐ tÄ Ðforth€òòspecific€factsóó€showing€that€there€is€a€genuine€issue€of€materialÐ ]­ Ðfact€for€trial.ÐF–` x` x ÐÌà  àò òòòIdó óóó.€at€210„11€(citations€omitted)€(emphasis€in€original).Ð h ÐÌà  àSummary€judgment€is€only€appropriate€when€the€facts€and€the€legal€conclusions€drawn€fromÐ ë ; Ðthe€facts€reasonably€permit€only€one€conclusion.€€ò òòòSee€Carvell€v.€Bottomsó óóó,€900€S.W.2d€23,€26€(Tenn.Ð Ô!$  Ð1995).€€Because€construction€of€a€statute€involves€legal€issues,€it€is€particularly€suited€to€dispositionÐ ¾"! Ðby€summary€judgment.€ò òòòSee€King€v.€Popeó óóó,€91€S.W.3d€314,€318€(Tenn.€2002);€ò òòòKi€v.€Stateó óóó,€78€S.W.3dÐ §#÷" Ð876,€879€(Tenn.€2002);€ò òòòState€v.€McKnightó óóó,€51€S.W.3d€559,€563€(Tenn.€2001).€€Since€only€questionsÐ ‘$á# Ðof€law€are€involved,€there€is€no€presumption€of€correctness€regarding€the€trial€courtððs€grant€ofÐ {%Ë $ Ðsummary€judgment.€€ò òòòSee€Bainó óóó,€936€S.W.2d€at€622.€€Therefore,€our€review€of€the€trial€courtððs€grantÐ d&´!% Ðof€summary€judgment€is€ò òòòde€novoó ó€óóon€the€record€before€this€Court.€€ò òòòSee€Warren€v.€Estate€of€Kirkó óóó,€954Ð N'ž"& ÐS.W.2d€722,€723€(Tenn.€1997).Ð 8(ˆ#' ÐÌà  àThe€material€facts€are€undisputed€in€this€case.€€Ransom€admits€that€there€was€no€smokeÐ  *Z%) Ðdetector€installed€in€the€House€at€the€time€of€the€fire.€€All€parties€also€agree€that€T.C.A.€ðð68„102„151Ð ó*C&* Ðwas€in€full€force€and€effect€on€January€11,€1999.€€It€is€undisputed€that€the€House€was€rustic€and€thatÐ Ü+,'+ Ðit€had€no€indoor€plumbing€or€any€indoor€or€outdoor€bathroom€facilities.€€The€first€criterion€forÐ ° Ðgranting€summary€judgment€(i.e.€no€dispute€of€material€facts)€is,€therefore,€met€in€this€case.€€TheÐ ™é Ðappropriateness€of€summary€judgment€here€rests€on€the€question€of€whether€T.C.A.€ðð68„102„151Ð ‚Ò Ðis€applicable€to€this€case.€€If€the€statute€is€applicable,€Ransom€had€a€duty€to€install€a€smoke€detectorÐ k» Ðand€summary€judgment€in€favor€of€Ransom€was€not€appropriate.€€If,€however,€the€statute€isÐ T¤ Ðinapplicable,€Ransom€had€no€such€duty€and€was,€therefore,€entitled€to€summary€judgment€as€a€matterÐ =  Ðof€law.€This€determination€hinges€upon€the€interpretation€of€T.C.A.€ðð68„102„151(a)(2):Ð & v ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àð ðA€one„family€or€two„family€rental€unitðð€means€any€rental€buildingÐ ø H Ðcontaining€one€(1)€or€two€(2)€living€units€with€independent€cookingÐ á 1  Ðand€bathroom€facilities,€whether€designated€as€a€house,€cottage,Ð Ê   Ðduplex,€condominium€or€by€any€other€name.г ` x` x ÐÌà  àRansom€contends€that€the€statute€clearly€requires€the€building€to€contain€both€a€kitchen€andÐ …Õ  Ða€bathroom€facility€in€order€to€qualify€as€a€ð ðone„family€or€two„family€rental€unitðð€subject€to€smokeÐ n¾  Ðdetector€requirements€under€T.C.A.ðð68„102„151.€€Because€the€House€at€issue€in€this€case€had€noÐ W§  Ðbathroom€facility,€Ransom€contends€that€T.C.A.€ðð68„102„151€was€inapplicable.€€Ð @ ÐÌà  àPlaintiffs,€on€the€other€hand,€argue€that€T.C.A.€ðð68„102„151€should€be€considered€òòin€pariÐ b Ðmateriaóó€with€similar€statutes€related€to€the€installation€of€smoke€detectors.€€Given€such€a€reading,Ð ûK ÐPlaintiffs€urge€that€T.C.A.€ðð68„102„151€can€only€be€interpreted€to€mean€that€any€building€thatÐ ä4 Ðprovides€sleeping€accommodations€fits€the€definition€of€a€one„family€rental€unit.€€Furthermore,Ð Í ÐPlaintiffs€assert€that€whether€or€not€the€House€had€a€bathroom€is€irrelevant€to€the€intent€of€theÐ ¶ Ðlegislature.€Consequently,€Plaintiffs€contend€that€T.C.A.€ðð68„102„151€is€applicable.€€Ð Ÿï ÐÌà  àWe€agree€with€Appellants€that,€when€interpreting€a€statute,€the€role€of€the€Court€is€toÐ qÁ Ðð ðascertain€and€give€effect€to€the€legislative€intent.ðð€òòò òSharp€v..€Richardsonó óóó,€937€S.W.2d€846,€850Ð Zª Ð(Tenn.1996).€However,€in€the€absence€of€ambiguity,€legislative€intent€is€derived€from€the€face€of€aÐ D” Ðstatute,€and€the€Court€may€not€depart€from€the€ð ðnatural€and€ordinaryðð€meaning€of€the€statuteððsÐ -} Ðlanguage.€òòò òWestland€West€Community€Ass'n.€v.€Knox€Countyó óóó,€948€S.W.2d€281,€283€(Tenn.1997).€Ð f ÐWhen€a€statute€is€without€contradiction€or€ambiguity,€there€is€no€need€to€force€its€interpretation€orÐ  P Ðconstruction,€and€courts€are€not€at€liberty€to€depart€from€the€words€of€the€statute.òòò ò€Hawks€v.€City€ofÐ é 9 ÐWestmorelandó óóó,€960€S.W.2d€10,€16€(Tenn.1997).€Moreover,€if€ð ðthe€language€contained€within€theÐ Ó!#  Ðfour€corners€of€a€statute€is€plain,€clear,€and€unambiguous,€the€duty€of€the€courts€is€simple€andÐ ½" ! Ðobvious,€ððto€say€òòsic€lex€scriptaóó,€and€obey€it.ðððð€òòò òIdó óóó.€(quoting€òòò òMiller€v.€Childressó óóó,€21€Tenn.€(2€Hum.)Ð ¦#ö" Ð320,€321-22€(1841)).€Therefore,€ð ð[i]f€the€words€of€a€statute€plainly€mean€one€thing€they€cannot€beÐ $à# Ðgiven€another€meaning€by€judicial€construction.ðð€òòò òHenry€v.€Whiteó óóó,€194€Tenn.€192,€198,€250€S.W.2dÐ y%É $ Ð70,72€(1952).€Finally,€it€is€not€for€the€courts€to€alter€or€amend€a€statute.€òòò òSee€Town€of€Mount€CarmelÐ c&³!% Ðv.€City€of€Kingsportó óóó,€217€Tenn.€298,€306,€397€S.W.2d€379,€382€(1965);€òòò òsee€also€Richardson€v.Ð M'"& ÐTennessee€Bd.€of€Dentistryó óóó,€913€S.W.2d€446,€453€(Tenn.1995);€òòò òManahan€v.€Stateó óóó,€188€Tenn.€394,Ð 7(‡#' Ð397,€219€S.W.2d€900,€901€(1949).€Moreover,€a€court€must€not€question€the€ð ðreasonableness€of€[a]Ð !)q$( Ðstatute€or€substitut[e][its]€own€policy€judgments€for€those€of€the€legislature.ðð€òòò ò€BellSouthÐ  *Z%) ÐTelecomms.,€Inc.€v.€Greeró óóó,€972€S.W.2d€663,€673€(Tenn.Ct.App.1997).€Instead,€courts€mustÐ ô*D&* Ðð ðpresume€that€the€legislature€says€in€a€statute€what€it€means€and€means€in€a€statute€what€it€saysÐ Þ+.'+ Ðthere.ðð€òòò òId.ó óóó€Accordingly,€courts€must€construe€a€statute€as€it€is€written.€òòò òSee€Jackson€v.€Jacksonó óóó,€186Ð ° ÐTenn.€337,€342,€210€S.W.2d€332,€334€(1948).Ð šê ÐÌà  àThe€statutory€definition€of€ð ðone„family€and€two„family€rental€unitðð€at€issue€in€this€case€is€notÐ l¼ Ðambiguous.€€The€legislatureððs€decision€to€include€the€language€ð ðwith€independent€cooking€andÐ U¥ Ðbathroom€facilities,ðð€and€its€use€of€the€conjunctive€ð ðandðð€can€only€be€construed€to€mean€that€theÐ > Ž Ðdwellings€that€fall€under€the€statute€must€contain€both€cooking€and€bathroom€facilities.€€Since€theÐ ' w Ðlanguage€of€the€statute€is€plain€and€unambiguous,€this€Court€must€interpret€it€as€written.€€BecauseÐ  ` Ðthe€House€at€issue€in€this€case€undisputedly€contained€neither€an€indoor€nor€an€outdoor€bathroomÐ ù I Ðfacility,€we€find€that€T.C.A.€ðð68„102„151€is€inapplicable.Ð â 2  ÐÌà  àThe€Order€of€the€trial€court,€granting€Ransomððs€Motion€for€Summary€Judgment€is€affirmed.€Ð ´  ÐCosts€of€this€appeal€are€assessed€equally€to€the€Appellants,€Edna€Brooks,€Ruby€Bonds,€Peggy€Theus,Ð í  ÐMaybell€Lillard,€Rosie€Carney,€Ernestine€Banks,€James€Carney,€Jessie€Somerville,€DebraÐ †Ö  ÐSomerville,€Joe€Somerville,€and€their€respective€sureties.Ð o¿  Ѐà  àÐ X¨  ÐÔ#†¼ù»XX“ç! #ÔÔ€X“çX»¼ùÔÌÌà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À à__________________________________________Ð c Ðà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àW.€FRANK€CRAWFORD,€PRESIDING€JUDGE,€W.S.