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Fire Code & Pertinent Ordinance Adoption Staff Report Date: Dec. 07, 2007 To : John Malenick, Fire Chief From; Don Drusch, Asst. Fire Chief I am providing the following information for consideration in the adoption of the Minnesota State Fire Code (2007) and pertinent modifications to the Ordinances of the City of St. Anthony. Background The current Minnesota State Fire Code was adopted by the State of Minnesota on July 11, 2007. The most previous edition of the MSFC was adopted by the State on March 31, 2003. The City of St. Anthony last adopted the State Fire Code in 1990. While the State Fire Code is in effect throughout the State, it is strongly encouraged by the Minnesota State Fire Marshal's office that each jurisdiction formally adopt the Minnesota State Fire Code (MSFC). The MSFC (2007) incorporates and amends the 2006 International Fire Code (IFC) as promulgated by the International Code Council (ICC) of Falls Church, Virginia. It is widely considered to be a companion to the International Building Code (IBC) which also has been adopted, as amended, by the State. The ICC provides a total package of codes (Building, Fire, Residential, Mechanical, etc.) that are intended to provide a complete, comprehensive and compatible set of codes. Adopting the MSFC (2007) and the proposed modifications to the City's ordinances is consistent with the intent to establish minimum uniform requirements for Minnesota & St. Anthony in order to be consistent with Minnesota laws and rules, as well as to address fire safety concerns that are specific to the City of St. Anthony. Overview. The City ordinances pertaining to Fire Prevention & Safety need to be updated because of substantial changes made to the model national codes that are incorporated into Minnesota's code. Additionally, technological advances, construction design & materials, and methods have changed since the City last reviewed the code in 1990. The intent is to provide an up -to -date code that will achieve a reasonable degree of safety to life and property. This will allow the use of modern methods and devices which tends to lower construction and maintenance costs. A number of amendments are being proposed to be adopted. Some are to make the fire code both less complex and easier to enforce. Others are to delete obsolete language or add new language not addressed in the MSFC (2007). Consideration has been given to those persons affected who will bear the costs of the proposed Fire Code. Property owners and managers are those who most frequently bear the cost of fire code compliance. Due to the broad impact of the MSFC (2007), it has been impossible for the State to identify all classes of persons who may be impacted from a cost standpoint. The State made an attempt during the development of the MSFC to minimize the fiscal impact while still maintaining a reasonable level of safety to life and property. 1