Purpose of the Bill

The bill mandates the establishment of fire life safety damper and smoke control system testing to enhance fire safety in certain buildings in Minnesota. It seeks to ensure these systems are functioning properly to prevent the spread of fire and smoke.

Main Provisions

• Inspection Program: Building owners must implement a program to verify the functioning of fire life safety dampers and smoke control systems to prevent fire and smoke spread.

• Testing Requirements:

  • New fire life safety dampers must be tested before use.
  • Periodic inspections must occur once within the first year of installation and every four years thereafter (every six years for hospitals).
  • Tests must follow guidelines from the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standards.

• Qualified Inspectors: Inspections need to be performed by authorized fire department personnel or certified inspectors with specific credentials, including certifications from recognized organizations.

• Smoke Control System Testing:

  • Dedicated smoke control systems must be tested semiannually; nondedicated systems, annually.
  • Tests must ensure compliance with airflow and pressure standards.

• Certification and Compliance: Upon passing inspections, a certificate of operation must be given, detailing the inspection information. Buildings must keep this certificate accessible.

• Deficiency Reports: If tests show deficiencies, reports must be issued to building owners, who must fix these issues within 30 days or be in violation of the bill.

• Submissions and Inspections: Operation certificates must be submitted to the state fire marshal within 30 days of receipt. The state fire marshal will enforce compliance and check certificates during annual fire inspections.

• Enforcement and Penalties: Noncompliance results in a daily fine of $100, enforced by the state fire marshal.

• Rulemaking Authority: The commissioner of public safety will create rules to implement these provisions.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Introduces new testing requirements and intervals for fire life safety dampers and smoke control systems.
• Establishes a framework for certification and qualifications of inspectors.
• Outlines specific procedures for compliance, reporting, and enforcement action to ensure accountability.

Relevant Terms

fire life safety damper, smoke control system, NFPA standards, visual inspection, testing intervals, certification of operation, deficiency report, state fire marshal, rulemaking authority, building owner compliance, civil penalty.