Minnesota Administrative Rules

1305.0421 SECTION 421, GROUP E OCCUPANCIES.

IBC Chapter 4 is amended by adding a section and subsections to read as follows:

SECTION 421

GROUP E OCCUPANCIES

421.1 Applicability. This section applies to Group E school buildings containing uses described in this section. School buildings shall comply with this section and all other applicable provisions of this code, as intended by Minnesota Statutes, section 123B.51, subdivision 7.

421.2 Use of school buildings by lower grades. In addition to the occupancy and construction requirements in this code, this section applies to those special uses and occupancies described in this section.

421.2.1 School buildings equipped with complete automatic fire sprinkler and fire alarm systems. Rooms used by preschool, kindergarten, and first and second grade students for classrooms, latchkey, day care, early childhood family education, teen parent, or similar programs may be located on any floor level below the fourth story if the following conditions exist:

1. The building is protected throughout with an approved automatic fire sprinkler system; and

2. The building is protected throughout with an approved automatic fire alarm system having automatic smoke detection devices installed throughout the exit system within every room or area used for purposes other than a classroom or office.

421.2.2 School buildings equipped with either a complete automatic fire sprinkler system or a fire alarm system. Rooms shall be located on the story of exit discharge when used for the purposes of classroom, latchkey, day care, early childhood education, teen parent, or similar programs by preschool, kindergarten, or first grade students. Rooms shall be located on the story of exit discharge or one story above when used for any purpose by second grade students.

Rooms occupied by preschool, kindergarten, first, or second grade students, when used for the programs described in this section, may be located on floor levels other than those designated above if one of the following conditions is met:

1. An approved automatic fire sprinkler system is provided throughout the building and the use of the affected room or space is limited to one grade level at a time and exiting is provided from the room or space which is independent from the exiting system used by older students; or

2. A complete approved automatic fire alarm system is installed throughout the building consisting of automatic smoke detection installed throughout the exit system and within all rooms and areas other than classroom and office areas, and the use of the affected room or space is limited to one grade level at a time, and exiting is provided from the room or space which is independent from the exiting system used by older students.

For the purposes of this subpart, pupils from the second grade down are considered one grade level.

421.2.3 Accessory spaces. Accessory spaces, including spaces used for gymnasiums, cafeterias, media centers, auditoriums, libraries, and band and choir rooms, used on an occasional basis by preschool, kindergarten, first, and second grade students are permitted to be located one level above or one level below the story of exit discharge, if the building is protected throughout by an approved automatic sprinkler system or a complete approved corridor smoke detection system.

Statutory Authority:

MS s 16B.37; 16B.59 to 16B.76; 326B.101 to 326B.194

History:

32 SR 7; L 2007 c 140 art 4 s 61; art 13 s 4; L 2008 c 337 s 64

Published Electronically:

February 23, 2009