HF 3787

Introduction - 94th Legislature (2025 - 2026)

Posted on 02/26/2026 02:28 p.m.

A bill for an act
relating to the State Fire Code; requiring sealed batteries and national testing
standards for smoke alarms in certain dwelling units; proposing coding for new
law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 299F.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1.

new text begin [299F.363] SMOKE ALARM BATTERY REQUIREMENTS.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Definitions. new text end

new text begin (a) For purposes of this section the following terms have
the meanings given.
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new text begin (b) "Dwelling unit" means a single unit providing complete, independent living facilities
for one or more persons, including permanent provisions for living, sleeping, eating, cooking,
and sanitation. Dwelling unit includes only Group R-2 and R-3 occupancies as defined in
the State Building Code and does not include:
new text end

new text begin (1) hotels, motels, or other transient lodging;
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new text begin (2) commercial buildings;
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new text begin (3) smoke detection systems that are part of a fire alarm system with a control panel; or
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new text begin (4) other occupancies not classified as residential dwelling units.
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new text begin (c) "Sealed battery" means a nonremovable, nonreplaceable battery that powers a smoke
alarm for ten years.
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new text begin (d) "Smoke alarm" has the meaning given in the State Fire Code.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Sealed battery requirement. new text end

new text begin (a) Effective August 1, 2027, when a smoke
alarm in a dwelling unit is replaced, the replacement smoke alarm must be:
new text end

new text begin (1) equipped with a sealed battery if the smoke alarm contains a battery as a primary or
backup power source; and
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new text begin (2) tested and listed by a nationally recognized testing laboratory for the smoke alarm's
specified purpose to standards published on or after October 1, 2022.
new text end

new text begin (b) This requirement applies when smoke alarms are replaced for any reason, including
when they exceed ten years from the date of manufacture as required by the State Fire Code.
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new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Enforcement. new text end

new text begin Any violation of this section is a violation of the State Fire Code
and is subject to the penalty and enforcement mechanism specified in section 299F.011,
subdivision 6.
new text end