new text begin [299F.48] AUTOMATIC SPRINKLER SYSTEMS IN EXISTING
HIGH-RISE BUILDINGS.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Requirements. new text end

new text begin This section applies to an existing building in which at
least one story used for human occupancy is 75 feet or more above the lowest level of fire
department vehicle access. An automatic sprinkler system must be installed in those portions
of the entire existing building in which an automatic sprinkler system would be required if
the building were constructed on the effective date of this section. The automatic sprinkler
system must comply with standards in the State Fire Code and the State Building Code and
must be fully operational by August 1, 2033.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Exemptions. new text end

new text begin (a) Subdivision 1 does not apply to:
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new text begin (1) a monument or war memorial that is included in the National Register of Historic
Places or the state register of historic places;
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new text begin (2) an airport control tower or control room;
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new text begin (3) an open parking structure;
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new text begin (4) a building used for agricultural purposes;
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new text begin (5) a residential building in which at least 70 percent of the dwelling units are owner
occupied;
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new text begin (6) elevator equipment rooms and elevator shafts;
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new text begin (7) electric generation and distribution facilities operated by a public utility, a municipal
utility, or a cooperative electric association;
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new text begin (8) areas utilized for surgery, surgical recovery, emergency backup power systems, and
electrical closets within facilities licensed by the Department of Health; or
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new text begin (9) a manufacturing facility that is required to meet the fire safety standards adopted by
the Occupational Safety and Health Administration in Code of Federal Regulations, title
29, part 1910, subpart L.
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new text begin (b) Subdivision 1 does not apply to an area used exclusively for telecommunications
equipment and associated generator and power equipment and under exclusive control of
a telecommunications provider if:
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new text begin (1) the area is separated from the remainder of the building by construction equivalent
to a one-hour fire resistant wall and two-hour floor and ceiling assemblies; and
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new text begin (2) the area has an automatic fire detection and alarm system that complies with standards
in the State Fire Code and State Building Code.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Reporting. new text end

new text begin By August 1, 2023, the owner of a building subject to subdivision
1 shall submit to the state fire marshal a letter stating the owner's intent to comply with this
section and a plan for achieving compliance by the deadline in subdivision 1.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Extensions. new text end

new text begin The commissioner, or the state fire marshal as the commissioner's
designee, may grant extensions to the deadline for reporting under subdivision 3 or the
deadline for compliance under subdivision 1. Any extension must observe the spirit and
intent of this section and be tailored to ensure public welfare and safety. To be eligible for
an extension, the building owner must apply to the commissioner and demonstrate a genuine
inability to comply within the time prescribed despite appropriate effort to do so.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Rules. new text end

new text begin The commissioner may adopt rules to implement this section.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 6. new text end

new text begin Working group. new text end

new text begin The commissioner may appoint a working group to advise
the commissioner on the implementation of this section, including the adoption of rules,
and to advise the commissioner on applications for extensions. If appointed, a working
group must include a representative from: the state fire marshal's office, the Department of
Administration, the Minnesota State Fire Chiefs Association, a chapter of the Minnesota
Building Owners and Managers Association, the Minneapolis Public Housing Authority,
the Minnesota Multi Housing Association, the Minnesota Hotel and Motel Association, the
Fire Marshals Association of Minnesota, professional engineers or licensed architects, a
municipal water authority of a city of the first class, a national association of fire sprinkler
contractors, and a resident of a building subject to subdivision 1.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 7. new text end

new text begin Effect on other laws. new text end

new text begin This section does not supersede the State Building Code
or State Fire Code.
new text end