By Tom Jenson
Fire code specialist

The notice of intent to adopt the next Minnesota State Fire Code (MSFC) was sent out electronically on Aug. 14. The notice was mailed (yes, mailed) to all 775 fire chiefs. The notice contained links to some Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry web pages, such as the Dual Notice, proposed amendments to Minnesota Rule 7511, and the Statement of Need and Reasonableness (otherwise known as the SONAR). A similar notice on the Minnesota Building Code went out on Aug.12.

This notice starts the 30-day public comment period, where one can comment on the proposed rule and request a public hearing. A public hearing would not occur unless there are 25 or more requests for a hearing. We are not anticipating any challenges to the 2020 MSFC. The public comment period closes on September 25.

The tentative enforcement date for building and fire codes is March 31, 2020. This will allow time to publish the codes, print the books, and conduct training for fire code officials. Our code staff and trainers will meet in October to discuss the training we will provide throughout the state over the winter months.

You may wonder what is changing. New sections have been added for mobile fuel preparation vehicles, on-demand mobile fueling, energy systems, and oil and fat extraction from plants. There are also changes in definitions, reducing the number of manual pull stations in schools, a reorganization of the emergency planning and preparedness chapter, changes to standpipe requirements, clarifying sprinkler requirements for Group R residential occupancies, and many other minor changes to make this the best fire code possible.

Many thanks to the members of the MSFCA fire code committee, SFMD staff, and Construction Codes and Licensing Division staff for their assistance.