Minnesota fire code
Minnesota enforces the 2020 Minnesota State Fire Code, which took effect on March 31, 2020. It's a state-specific code built on the 2018 International Fire Code. Planning a project or holding a fire code order? Call us today, and we'll tell you which rules apply to your building and what to do first.
Code in force: 2018 IFC with state amendments. Enforced by: Minnesota DPS State Fire Marshal. Your local fire marshal can add rules, so check with that office too.
- based on the 2018 IFC 2020 State Fire Code
- adoption and new construction cutoff date March 31, 2020
- enforces code with local fire chiefs State Fire Marshal Division
- unprinted fire code rules under state law Minnesota Rule 7511
Asking about a house? For a house or duplex, smoke alarm and sprinkler rules usually come from the residential building code (the IRC) instead, so ask your local building department.
Minnesota fire marshal
The type of building you have decides who inspects it. The state fire marshal or a designee handles code enforcement for public K-12 schools, charter schools included. The state fire marshal also covers lodging places, such as hotels, motels, B&Bs, and vacation rentals or resorts that have 6 or more units for rent.
Local officials handle all other buildings. That would be your fire chief or someone the chief authorizes. Not sure who inspects your building? Call, and a contractor can check it for your building.
Where the state fire code applies
Every city, township and county is covered, even if the local government never adopted the code itself. Sovereign tribal land and federally owned property are the only spots where it has no reach.
Minnesota Rule 7511 contains certain fire code provisions that the State Fire Code does not reprint, for copyright reasons. That means the code book alone doesn't tell the whole story.
New buildings and older buildings
March 31, 2020 is the code's cutoff for new versus existing construction, and which side your building falls on changes which rules apply. Call us and we'll help you sort out which rules fit your building.
Got a fire code order you can't comply with as written? There's a variance and time-extension process. A variance is official permission to stray from a rule. A time extension simply gives you longer to get the work done.
Licensing for sprinkler and alarm work
Minnesota requires state licenses for fire sprinkler and fire alarm contractors. The Department of Public Safety's State Fire Marshal manages licensing under chapter 299M of Minnesota Statutes and Minnesota Rules 7512.
A fire protection contractor must have a managing employee responsible for code compliance. For sprinkler work, make sure the job is handled by that managing employee or by a journeyman sprinkler fitter who holds State Fire Marshal Division certification.
Before you hire anyone for sprinkler or alarm work, ask for their Minnesota state license, and we can help you check it when you call.
Minneapolis permits and licenses
Minneapolis makes commercial buildings register for fire safety. Condominiums have to register and renew annually. Permits are required before you install, modify or extend any fire safety system, and before a kitchen exhaust duct is professionally cleaned.
Operational fire permits cover certain business activities and events, and fireworks sales need a separate permit. Construction plans go in electronically via ProjectDox.
Servicing, repairing or charging portable fire extinguishers takes a city license. Class A lets you serve the general public. Class B is for people who service extinguishers only for their own company, apartment complex or other business, and not for the public.
Saint Paul permits and inspections
Contractors in Saint Paul handle fire permits and inspections through the PAULIE online system. Plan review kicks in for sprinkler jobs over 25 heads and alarm jobs over 100 devices.
Applying online for an electrical permit automatically generates a fire alarm permit. Swapping out a fire alarm control panel doesn't force you to upgrade devices that still work with it.
Once you request an inspection, inspectors get back to you within 2 working days to set it up.
Permit surcharge
In communities that do their own plan reviews, permits carry a surcharge of 0.2 percent of the project cost. Call us before you budget, and we'll help you plan for it.