South Dakota fire code
South Dakota's statewide fire code is the 2015 International Fire Code, plus amendments the state made to it. Cities and counties may layer on their own requirements, so what applies to your building can shift with its location.
Wondering which rules cover your building? Call now and a South Dakota fire protection contractor will help you figure it out.
Code in force: 2015 IFC with state amendments. Enforced by: South Dakota State Fire Marshal. Your local fire marshal can add rules, so check with that office too.
- statewide fire code with state amendments 2015 IFC
- effective date of the state rule October 17, 2016
- office that administers the state code State Fire Marshal
- technician level for system layout NICET III or IV
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.
What the state code covers
Adoption of the 2015 code happened through Department of Public Safety rules, effective October 17, 2016. That rule carries the number 61:15:01:01.
The state strikes administrative sections 102.5 and 103 through 106.4 from the code, and section 903.2.6 as well. Since those sections deal with running the code, state rules and local officials take over that job.
Certain chapters are open to local replacement. Local fire officials and municipalities can swap in their own requirements for chapters 20, 21, 24 through 27, 29, 32, and 51.
South Dakota fire marshal
The code is overseen by the State Fire Marshal, working out of an office at 118 West Capitol Avenue in Pierre, SD 57501. That office also handles explosive permits and fireworks licenses. The state requires registration of fire safe cigarette products.
Inspection and enforcement against unsafe buildings happens at the local level, with technical support from the Department of Public Safety. Since local governments can amend the state codes, it's worth finding out what your town has altered.
If you're not certain who handles inspections for your property, give us a call and we'll guide you to the right office.
Sprinklers, alarms, and extinguishers
Automatic sprinklers are required throughout new hotels, motels, and multifamily residences with six or more families. For multifamily housing, any smoke detector violation notice has to be corrected within 30 days.
The state spells out the exact edition of each standard it follows:
| Equipment | Standard | Edition |
|---|---|---|
| Portable fire extinguishers | NFPA 10 | 2013 |
| Fire alarms | NFPA 72 | 2013 |
| Sprinkler systems | NFPA 13 | 2013 |
These equipment standards come from NFPA, the National Fire Protection Association.
Fuel tanks and plan review
Plans don't have to go to the Department of Public Safety for home flammable liquid tanks and LP gas setups below 2,000 gallons of water capacity. Anything bigger doesn't qualify for the exemption.
Who is allowed to design and approve the work?
Drawings for sprinkler and alarm systems have to come from a properly qualified technician or licensee. Per state licensing rules, qualification means either:
- NICET level III or IV certification for that type of system, a national credential for fire sprinkler and fire alarm technicians
- Two decades of layout experience with that system
If shop drawings serve to finalize engineering concepts, the design concept and specifications must come from a licensed professional engineer, who also takes responsibility for them.
Once a sprinkler or alarm system goes in, the licensee owes you a written acceptance letter confirming installation matched the shop drawings and testing followed manufacturer specifications and NFPA requirements. Design concepts and letters aren't needed for routine maintenance under NFPA 25, or for exempt projects.
Planning to have a system designed, put in, or tested? Call today to reach a contractor who knows South Dakota's requirements.