Current through Register Vol. 49, No. 13, September 23, 2024
Subpart 1.
IFC section 903.2.3.
IFC section 903.2.3 is amended to read as follows:
903.2.3
Group E. An automatic
sprinkler system shall be provided for Group E occupancies as follows:
1. Throughout all Group E fire areas greater
than 12,000 square feet (1,115 m2) in
area.
2. Whenever the Group E fire
area is located on a floor other than a level of exit discharge serving such
occupancies.
Exception: In buildings where every classroom has
not fewer than one exterior exit door at a level of exit discharge, an
automatic sprinkler system is not required in any area below the lowest level
of exit discharge serving that area.
3. Whenever the Group E fire area has an
occupant load of 300 or more.
Subp. 1a.
IFC section 903.2.8.
IFC section 903.2.8 and its subsections are amended to read as
follows:
903.2.8
Group R.
An automatic sprinkler system shall be installed throughout all buildings with
a Group R fire area in accordance with Section 903.3.
Exceptions:
1. A Group R-1, R-2, or combined R-1 and R-2
building where less than 4,500 square feet of the building area consists of R-1
fire area, R-2 fire area, or a combination of R-1 and R-2 fire areas.
2. A Group R-3 dwelling unit with less than
4,500 square feet of building area, excluding garages, unless the Group R-3
dwelling unit contains a state licensed care facility that is required to be
provided with an automatic sprinkler system as a condition of the
license.
3. An automatic fire
sprinkler system shall not be required if additions or alterations are made to
existing Group R-3 or R-4 buildings or a portion thereof that do not have an
automatic sprinkler system installed, unless required by a Minnesota license.
4. Group R-1 multiunit resort
buildings, as defined in Minnesota Statutes, section
157.15, and licensed
by the Department of Health, with less than 9,250 square feet of building
area.
903.2.8.1
Group
R-3. Where required by Section 903.2.8, Group R-3 occupancies shall be
provided with an automatic sprinkler system that complies with Section
903.3.1.1, 903.3.1.2, or 903.3.1.3.
903.2.8.2
Group R-4. Where
required by Section 903.2.8, Group R-4 occupancies shall be provided with an
automatic sprinkler system that complies with Section 903.3.1.1 or 903.3.1.2.
Exception: Group R-4 Condition 1 occupancies
equipped with an automatic sprinkler system that complies with Section
903.3.1.3.
903.2.8.3
State licensed facilities. Group R-3 or R-4 occupancies containing
facilities licensed by Minnesota shall be provided with an automatic sprinkler
system as required by the applicable licensing provisions or this section,
whichever is more restrictive.
903.2.8.4
Residential hospice
facilities. An automatic sprinkler system installed in accordance with
NFPA 13 shall be provided throughout all buildings with a Group R-3 or R-4 fire
area containing a residential hospice facility.
Exception: An automatic sprinkler system installed
in accordance with Section 903.3.1.2 or 903.3.1.3 is permitted if all habitable
spaces and closets are protected by an automatic sprinkler
system.
Subp.
1b.
IFC section 903.2.9.
IFC section 903.2.9 is amended and a subsection added to read
as follows:
903.2.9
Group
S-1. An automatic sprinkler system shall be provided throughout all
buildings containing a Group S-1 occupancy where one of the following
conditions exists:
1. A Group S-1 fire area
exceeds 12,000 square feet (1,115 m2).
2. A Group S-1 fire area is located more than
three stories above grade plane.
3.
The combined area of all Group S-1 fire areas on all floors, including any
mezzanines, exceeds 24,000 square feet (2,230
m2).
4.
Group S-1 fire area is used for the storage of commercial motor vehicles where
the fire area exceeds 5,000 square feet (464 m2).
(Subsections 903.2.9.1 and 903.2.9.2 remain unchanged.)
903.2.9.3
Group S-1
upholstered furniture and mattresses. An automatic sprinkler system
shall be provided throughout a Group S-1 fire area used for the storage of
upholstered furniture or mattresses that exceeds 2,500 square feet (232
m2).
Exception: Self-service storage facilities
(mini-storage) no greater than one story above grade plane where all storage
spaces can be accessed directly from the exterior.
Subp. 2.
IFC section
903.2.11.4.
IFC section 903.2.11.4 is amended by deleting the section in
its entirety and replacing it with the following:
903.2.11.4
Fire protection for exhaust
systems. Where required by the Minnesota Mechanical Code, automatic
sprinklers shall be provided in ducts having a cross-sectional area of 75
square inches (480 cm2) or more and that:
(1) convey flammable or combustible
components; or
(2) have the
potential for combustible residue buildup on the inside. When sprinkler
protection is installed, means shall be provided to prevent water accumulation
in the duct and the flow of water back to a process where the application of
water constitutes a serious life or fire hazard.
Subp. 2a.
IFC section
903.3.1.
IFC section 903.3.1 is amended as follows:
903.3.1
Standards. Sprinkler
systems shall be designed and installed in accordance with Section 903.3.1.l,
unless otherwise permitted by Sections 903.3.1.2 and 903.3.1.3 and other
chapters of this code, as applicable. Automatic sprinkler systems installed in
state-licensed or state-registered facilities shall be installed in accordance
with this code and the applicable licensing or registration provisions of other
Minnesota state agencies.
Subp.
2b.
IFC section 903.3.1.1.1.
IFC section 903.3.1.1.1 is amended by adding a new item 7 to
the list of exempt locations to read as follows:
7. Sprinkler protection shall not be
installed in elevator shafts, elevator pits, or elevator machine rooms.
Exception to #7: Health care occupancies
that:
(1) are required to have NFPA 13
systems;
(2) are licensed by the
Minnesota Department of Health; and
(3) participate in Title XVIII (Medicare) or
Title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act.
Subp. 3.
IFC Section
903.3.1.2.1.
IFC Section 903.3.1.2.1 is amended to read:
903.3.1.2.1
Protection of decks and
balconies. Decks and balconies greater than 6 feet (1.8 m) above grade,
greater than 4 feet (1.2 m) deep, with an area greater than 40 square feet
(3.72 m2), and attached to new Group R-1 or R-2
occupancy buildings protected in accordance with Section 903.3.1.2 that are
three or more stories in height and with 30 or more units, shall be protected
with sprinklers under the balcony or deck framing and under attic eaves when
both of the following two conditions exist:
1. the building has an unsprinklered attic;
and
2. the building has combustible
siding.
Subp.
4.
IFC section 903.3.1.
IFC section 903.3.1 is amended by adding sections to
read:
903.3.1.4
Buildings of
undetermined use. When fire sprinkler systems are required in buildings
of undetermined use, they shall be designed and installed to have a sprinkler
density of not less than that required for an Ordinary Hazard Group 2 use with
a minimum design area of 3,000 square feet (279 m2).
Use is considered undetermined if not specified at the time a permit is issued.
Where a subsequent occupancy requires a system with greater capability, it
shall be the responsibility of the owner to upgrade the system to the required
density for the new hazard, use or occupancy.
903.3.1.5
Special sprinkler design
criteria. When fire sprinkler systems are required in areas containing
the following uses, they shall be designed and installed to have a sprinkler
density of not less than that required for an Ordinary Hazard Group 2 use:
1. chemistry labs; or
2. wrestling rooms or gymnastic
rooms.
903.3.1.6
Modifications to sprinkler standards. The sprinkler installation
standards as referenced in Sections 903.3.1.1, 903.3.1.2, and 903.3.1.3 are
modified as follows:
903.3.1.6.1
Hose
stream requirements. When, in the opinion of the fire chief, an adequate
alternate water supply for hose stream requirements is provided or available,
the water supply requirements for the sprinkler system hose stream demands may
be modified.
903.3.1.6.2
Elevator shafts and equipment. Sprinkler protection shall not be
installed in elevator shafts, elevator pits, or elevator machine rooms.
Exception: Health care occupancies that:
(1) are required to have NFPA 13
systems;
(2) are licensed by the
Minnesota Department of Health; and
(3) participate in Title XVIII (Medicare) or
Title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act.
903.3.1.6.3
Swimming pools.
Sprinkler protection need not be provided on the ceiling of rooms containing
swimming pools when the pool area is used exclusively for swimming purposes and
when sprinklers are provided around the perimeter of the pool area.
903.3.1.6.4
NFPA 13
modifications. Sections 8.15.8.2, 8.17.2.5, and 23.2.1.1 of NFPA 13 are
amended to read:
8.15.8.2
Linen closets and
pantries. Sprinklers are not required in linen closets and pantries
within dwelling units that meet the following conditions:
1. the area of the space does not exceed 12
square feet (1.1 m2);
2. the least dimension does not exceed 3 feet
(0.9 m);
3. the walls and materials
are surfaced with noncombustible or limited combustible materials;
and
4. the closet or pantry
contains no mechanical equipment, electrical equipment, or electrical
appliances.
8.17.2.5
Valves.
8.17.2.5.1
Fire
department connection. A listed check valve shall be installed in each
fire department connection.
8.17.2.5.1.1
Maximum pipe length. There shall be a maximum of 25 feet (7.6 m)
of pipe between the check valve and the fire department connection inlet.
Exception: This maximum shall not apply to the
check valve serving a free-standing fire department
connection.
8.17.2.5.1.2
Check valve location. The check valve shall be located to minimize
freezing potential.
23.2.1.1
Water supply capacity
information. Where a waterflow test is used for the purposes of system
design, the test shall be conducted no more than 36 months prior to the working
plan submittal.
903.3.1.6.5
Vestibules. Sprinkler protection is not required in vestibules
that meet all of the following conditions:
1.
the vestibule is 225 square feet or less in floor area;
2. the vestibule is of noncombustible or
limited combustible construction;
3. the vestibule has glazing allowing vision
into vestibule;
4. the vestibules
only purpose is ingress and egress; and
5. the vestibule contains no fueled
equipment, flammable or combustible liquids, or furniture. Incidental
combustible storage in the vestibule is limited to five cubic feet of
material.
903.3.1.6.6
NFPA 13D sprinkler systems. Automatic sprinkler systems installed
in townhouses and Groups R-3 and R-4, Condition 1 occupancies shall be
permitted to be installed throughout in accordance with NFPA 13D. Attached
garages in townhouse buildings are required to have one dry head sprinkler
located within 5 linear feet of each door installed in the common wall
separating the dwelling unit and the attached garage.
Subp. 4a.
IFC section 903.3.9.
IFC section 903.3 is amended by adding a section to
read:
903.3.9
Sprinkler system
design pressure safety margin. For new sprinkler systems or additions to
existing sprinkler systems, the available water supply shall exceed the
sprinkler system demand, including the hose stream requirements, by 5 psi (0.34
bars) or more.
Exception: NFPA 13D systems installed in
accordance with Section 903.3.1.3.
Subp. 5. [Repealed, 40 SR 1437; 44 SR 610,
effective 3/31/2020]
IFC Section 903.3 is amended by adding a section to
read:
903.3.8
Sprinkler system
design pressure safety margin. For new sprinkler systems or additions to
existing sprinkler systems, the available water supply shall exceed the
sprinkler system demand, including hose stream requirements, by 5 psi (0.34
bars) or more.
Subp. 6.
IFC Section 903.4.
IFC Section 903.4 is amended by adding an exception to
read:
8. For existing sprinkler
systems, monitoring is required when the number of sprinklers is 100 or
more.
Subp. 6a.
IFC section 903.4.2.
IFC section 903.4.2 is amended to read as follows:
903.4.2
Alarms. An approved
audible alarm and an approved visible alarm are required on the exterior of the
building in an approved location. These alarms can be part of the same device
or separate devices. The alarms shall be connected to each automatic sprinkler
system. The alarms shall be located above the fire department connection and
visible from the street or nearest point of fire department vehicle access, or
as otherwise approved by the fire code official. Such sprinkler water-flow
alarms shall be activated by water flow equivalent to the flow of a single
sprinkler of the smallest orifice size installed in the system. Where a fire
alarm system is installed, actuation of the automatic sprinkler system shall
actuate the building fire alarm system.
Subp. 7.
IFC Section 903.4.4.
IFC Section 903.4 is amended by adding a section to
read:
903.4.4
Valve
security. All valves controlling water supplies for automatic sprinklers
shall be locked or secured in the open position.
Exception: Valves located in a room or space when
access is limited to essential personnel only.
Subp. 8.
IFC Section 903.6.
IFC Section 903.6 is amended by adding sections to read:
903.6.2
Basement access or sprinkler
protection. An approved automatic sprinkler system shall be provided in
the following basements when such areas exceed 2,500 square feet (232.3
m2) in size and do not have 20 square feet (1.86
m2) of opening entirely above the adjoining ground
level in each 50 lineal feet (15 240 mm) or fraction thereof of exterior wall
on at least one side of the building:
1.
Group A occupancies used as commercial drinking and dining
establishments.
2. Group A
occupancies used as bowling alleys.
3. Group E occupancies used for student
occupancy.
4. Group I
occupancies.
5. Group R-1 and R-2
occupancies having dwelling units or guest rooms.
Openings required by this section shall have a minimum
dimension of 30 inches (762 mm).
If any portion of the basement is located more than 75 feet
(22.86 m) from required openings, the basement shall be provided with an
approved automatic sprinkler system throughout.
903.6.3
Existing rubbish and linen
chutes. Existing rubbish and linen chutes shall be protected with
automatic sprinklers installed and maintained in conformance with Section
903.2.12.2.
Statutory Authority: MS s
299F.011;
326B.02
