Minnesota Administrative Rules

1305.0429 SECTION 429, GROUP E OCCUPANCIES.

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

SECTION 429

GROUP E OCCUPANCIES

429.1 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 provided by Minnesota Statutes, section 123B.51, subdivision 7.

429.2 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.

429.2.1 School buildings equipped with approved 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 other programs conducted in the building 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.

429.2.2 School buildings equipped with either an approved 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 other programs conducted in the building 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 that is independent from the exiting system used by students above second grade; or

2. an 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 that is independent from the exiting system used by students above second grade.

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

429.2.3 Accessory spaces. Accessory spaces, including spaces used for gymnasiums, cafeterias, media centers, auditoriums, libraries, and band and choir rooms, used on a temporary 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 an approved corridor smoke detection system.

Statutory Authority:

MS s 326B.02; 326B.101; 326B.106

History:

39 SR 1605; 44 SR 609

Published Electronically:

March 31, 2020