By Tom Jenson Fire Code Specialist
After more than 2 1/2 years of preparation, the 2020 Minnesota State Fire Code (MSFC) became effective on March 31, 2020. Here’s a quick update on the new code.
Publishing
We’re in the final stages of the publishing review with the International Code Council (ICC), and they should be sending us the final draft for review soon. ICC estimates that the 2020 MSFC will be available online for viewing and/or purchase around the third week of April, if not before. Although they would prefer to have it available sooner, the coding for the online version will take some time. Hard copies should be available for purchase a couple weeks after the online/PDF version, as ICC’s print vendor needs additional time to prepare such a large document for printing.
In the meantime, links to the two documents that make up the 2020 MSFC (the 2018 IFC and our state amendments) are available on the SFMD website.
We’re continuing the tradition of featuring a Minnesota city on the cover of each new code edition, and the 2020 MSFC will feature the Canal Park area of Duluth.
Training
There are several changes in the 2020 MSFC. Here are some examples:
- Provisions for mobile food preparation vehicles (Section 319).
- Provisions for on-demand mobile fueling operations (Section 5707).
- New safeguards for the storage of compressed asphyxiate gases and insulated liquid carbon dioxide beverage systems (Section 5307).
- Emergency voice/alarm communications system requirements for new Group E occupancies having more than 100 occupants (Section 907.2.3.3, as amended).
- New requirements for suspended fabrics and similar materials (Section 807.2, as amended).
- A new chapter for energy systems (Chapter 12), including solar photovoltaic power systems (Section 1204, as amended).
- Limits on combustible decorative and teaching materials in Group E and I-4 classrooms (Sections 807.5.2.3, as amended & 807.5.5.3).
- New provisions for the use of UL 300A exhaust and extinguishing systems for domestic cooking operations in Groups I-1, I-2, and R-2 congregate living facilities (Section 904.13, as amended).
- A new chapter regulating the extraction of oils and fats from various plants (Chapter 39).
There are many more changes than those listed here. The SFMD will be offering 2020 MSFC update classes at several locations throughout the state beginning in June. More information about these training opportunities will be coming soon.
Any questions? Please send them to our fire code team: fire.code@state.mn.us.
