Interpretation: (noun) the act or result of interpreting.
Interpreting: (verb) to explain or tell the meaning of; present in understandable terms.
Did you know that the State Fire Marshal Division (SFMD) publishes interpretations of the Minnesota State Fire Code (MSFC)? Interpretations are developed when our fire code team receives several questions on a topic that needs clarification regarding the intent of the MSFC. MSFC Section 104.1 authorizes the fire code official “to render interpretations of this code and to adopt policies, procedures, rules and regulations in order to clarify the application of its provisions. Such policies, procedures, rules and regulations shall not have the effect of waiving requirements specifically provided for in this code."
It is important to note that interpretation is not code and meant only for information and clarification.
Some of our interpretations are reviewed and approved by the Fire Marshal Code Advisory Panel and the State Fire Marshal. There are currently six interpretations of the MSFC on our website. Two of these were recently added regarding mild hyperbaric oxygen therapy and defining sleep areas with regards to low frequency fire alarm signals.
Mild hyperbaric oxygen therapy (mHbOT) chambers typically operate with pressures between 2 and 4.5 psi while oxygen is administered to the chamber occupant via mask or nasal cannula at concentration levels of 90 to 95 percent. Before therapy can be administered, a telemedicine appointment is necessary and the procedure is overseen by a licensed registered nurse. Although mHbOT chambers may be located within a healthcare facility, many are located in non-healthcare occupancies such as business occupancies. The SFMD's interpretation is that mild hyperbaric oxygen therapy chambers fall under the scope of the MSFC pursuant to Section 609. Therefore, mHbOT chambers and those facilities housing such chambers must comply with the applicable provisions of NFPA 99, Chapter 14. For further explanation, visit our website.
We have recently fielded a number of questions regarding requirements for low-frequency fire alarm notification appliances in living rooms or areas of apartment units other than bedrooms. The SFMD's interpretation is that living rooms and similar areas such as family rooms, dens, rec-rooms, etc., do not require low-frequency alarm signals unless such areas are provided with permanent provisions for sleeping (such as a bed and closet). This, too, is further explained on our website.
You can reach our fire code team at fire.code@state.mn.us.
