FIRE PROTECTION

Minneapolis Code of Ordinances tit. 12, ch. 244, art. IX

in effect

Minneapolis Code of Ordinances § 244.890 Compliance required.

244.890. - Compliance required. No person shall occupy as owner-occupant or shall let to another for occupancy any dwelling, dwelling unit, tenement house, rooming house, rooming unit, hotel or hotel unit, lodging house or lodging unit which does not comply with the applicable fire prevention provisions of this Ordinance Code and the following additional standards for safety from fire. (Code 1960, As Amend., § 75.010)

Minneapolis Code of Ordinances § 244.900 Open fires.

244.900. - Open fires. No person shall set or maintain any open fire, or knowingly furnish the materials for any such fire, or authorize any such fire to be set, kindled or maintained on or in any street, alley, lot, land or public or private grounds within the city, except as permitted by the provisions of Chapter 47 of this Code of Ordinances. (Code 1960, As Amend., § 75.020)

Minneapolis Code of Ordinances § 244.910 Vacant dwellings.

244.910. - Vacant dwellings. The owner of any dwelling in the city, whenever the same becomes vacant or unoccupied shall remove therefrom all papers or other combustible waste materials accumulated therein, and shall securely close and keep closed all doors, windows or other openings into such building while the same remains unoccupied. (Code 1960, As Amend., § 75.030)

Minneapolis Code of Ordinances § 244.915 Fire warning system.

244.915. - Fire warning system. (a) Every hotel or motel sleeping room, and every dwelling unit, shared bath unit and rooming house shall be provided with an approved smoke detector as set out in this chapter. Single and multiple station smoke alarms shall be installed in the following locations: (1) Outside of each separate sleeping area in the immediate vicinity of the bedrooms. (2) On each additional story of the dwelling, including basements and cellars but not including crawl spaces and uninhabitable attics. In dwellings or dwelling units with split levels and without an intervening door between the adjacent levels, a smoke alarm installed on the upper level shall suffice for the adjacent lower level provided that the lower level is less than one (1) full story below the upper level. (b) All smoke alarms shall be listed and installed in accordance with the provisions of this code and the household fire warning equipment provisions of NFPA 72. (c) All smoke detectors shall be installed per the manufacturer's installation instructions and its listing. Hard-wired smoke detectors shall be wired to a proper unswitched circuit. (d) Smoke alarms and smoke detectors shall not be located closer than three (3) feet from any door to a bathroom or kitchen. Smoke alarms and smoke detectors that are located within twenty (20) feet of a cooking appliance shall be equipped with a silencing switch or be of the photoelectric type in accordance with National Fire Protection Association Standard 72, Section 8-1.4.2. (e) When interior alterations, repairs or additions requiring a permit occur, or when one (1) or more sleeping rooms are added or created in existing dwellings, the individual dwelling unit shall be provided with smoke alarms located as required for new dwellings; the smoke alarms shall be interconnected and hard wired. Exception: smoke alarms in existing areas shall not be required to be interconnected and hard wired where the alterations or repairs do not result in the removal of interior wall or ceiling finishes exposing the structure. (77-Or-017, § 1, 1-28-77; 78-Or-244, § 34, 11-22-78; 79-Or-109, § 1, 5-25-79; 80-Or-070, § 1, 4-25-80; 82-Or-106, § 30, 6-11-82; 2004-Or-025, § 1, 3-19-04)

Minneapolis Code of Ordinances § 244.916 Prohibited sale.

244.916. - Prohibited sale. It shall be unlawful for any person to sell within the City of Minneapolis any smoke detector unless said detector meets the standards set out within this chapter. A "UL" label indicating the smoke detector is listed as a fire alarm device shall be satisfactory evidence the detector meets the requirements of this chapter. (77-Or-017, § 1, 1-28-77)

Minneapolis Code of Ordinances § 244.920 Fire extinguishers.

244.920. - Fire extinguishers. (a) [When required; location.] In all multiple dwellings having three (3) or more dwelling units and in all dormitories, convents, monasteries, hotels, lodging or rooming houses, fraternity and sorority houses, or in other similar buildings containing more than ten (10) sleeping rooms or occupied by more than twenty (20) persons, there shall be supplied on each floor, including the basement or cellar, one fire extinguisher for every six thousand (6,000) square feet of floor area or fraction thereof. All hand fire extinguishers shall be conspicuously and conveniently located so that the extinguisher is not more than five (5) feet, nor less than two (2) feet, above the floor in public halls or corridors and so maintained as to be in good working condition at all times. Providing that in no case shall the occupant of any dwelling or rooming unit have to travel more than seventy-five (75) feet from the entrance of the occupant's unit to reach a fire extinguisher. Fire extinguishers shall be a minimum of Class 2A-10BC or an equivalent approved by the fire department. (b) [Portable extinguishers.] Whenever portable fire extinguishers are required by this code, the person who owns or controls such extinguisher shall comply with the following: A portable stored pressure fire extinguisher equipped with pressure indicators or gauge shall be inspected and maintained by a licensed serviceworker not less than once every two (2) years. All other portable fire extinguishers shall be serviced or recharged not less than once each year. All such fire extinguishers shall meet all requirements and specifications as set forth in National Fire Protection Association Pamphlet No. 10, Installation of Portable Fire Extinguishers, copies of which are on file in the offices of the city clerk and the fire department. (c) [Discontinuance of inverted-type extinguishers.] The use of inverted-type fire extinguishers shall be discontinued and they shall be discarded. "Inverted-type fire extinguisher" means all fire extinguishers that require the device to be turned upside down to be activated. This includes soda acid, foam, water cartridge and loaded stream cartridge fire extinguishers. No person shall hydrostatically test any inverted-type fire extinguisher. (d) [Tampering with or removal.] No person shall tamper with, meddle with, remove, empty, damage or destroy any extinguisher except in the event of fire or authorized inspection. (Code 1960, As Amend., § 75.040; 78-Or-244, § 35, 11-22-78; Pet. No. 252271, § 24, 5-11-90; 92-Or-176, § 1, 12-18-92)

Minneapolis Code of Ordinances § 244.930 Flammable liquids.

244.930. - Flammable liquids. Class I flammable liquids shall not be stored in any hotel, rooming house, lodging house or any dwelling in quantities exceeding one gallon. All such flammable liquids of one gallon or less shall be stored in sealed metal containers or safety cans not exceeding one gallon capacity and only one such container shall be allowed in each unit, as set out herein. Paints, varnishes and similar products used for decorating therein shall be stored in sealed metal containers. No Class I flammable liquids shall be stored in a basement. This provision shall apply to all containers of Class I flammable liquids including those which may be a part of any motor-driven device or vehicle. Storage of larger amounts of Class I flammable liquids in metal cabinets, approved by the fire marshal, may be permitted. (Code 1960, As Amend., § 75.050; 78-Or-244, § 36, 11-22-78; 82-Or-106, § 31, 6-11-82)

Minneapolis Code of Ordinances § 244.940 Attic rooms.

244.940. - Attic rooms. In dwellings erected prior to May 15, 1959, dwelling units and rooming units may be located in the attic of a dwelling that is not more than two (2) stories and attic in height, provided that the following conditions are complied with: (a) The attic shall have a habitable floor area exceeding fifty (50) percent of the floor below. (b) The required egress stairways shall be located inside the confines of the dwelling and shall be enclosed with materials having a one-hour fire-resistant rating and self-closing fire doors separating each floor. The one-hour fire-resistant rating for materials enclosing said egress stairway shall be as specified in "Methods of Fire Tests of Building Construction and Materials" (ASTM Designation: E119) of the American Society for Testing and Materials, on file and of record in the office of the city clerk and in the office of the director of inspections. The required self-closing fire doors shall be constructed of Type B construction. (c) At least one-half of the floor area of every habitable room shall have a ceiling height of seven and one-half (7½) feet. (d) There shall be compliance with all the provisions of the zoning code and all other provisions of the housing maintenance code. (Code 1960, As Amend., § 75.060; 78-Or-244, § 37, 11-22-78)

Minneapolis Code of Ordinances § 244.945 Restricted attic use.

244.945 - Restricted attic use. The use of the attic in a two-story and attic dwelling situated in the Residence District as designated by the zoning code shall be confined strictly to the use of the family or families occupying the first and/or second floors of such dwellings. Such attics shall not be occupied by more than three (3) persons. (78-Or-244, § 38, 11-22-78)

Minneapolis Code of Ordinances § 244.950 Heating plants.

244.950. - Heating plants. In all multiple dwellings not of Type I or II construction (as the term Type I or II construction is defined in the building code) and over two (2) stories and basement in height or containing more than four (4) dwelling units on any floor above the first floor or containing more than ten (10) sleeping rooms on any floor above the first floor of such building, the heating plant shall be separated from the rest of the building by not less than a one-hour fire-resistive occupancy separation as defined in the building code or in lieu thereof a sprinkler system approved by the chief of the fire department. (Code 1960, As Amend., § 75.070)

Minneapolis Code of Ordinances § 244.960 Egress.

244.960. - Egress. Dwellings erected after July 1, 1972, shall have and shall maintain the egress facilities required by the Minnesota State Building Code at the time of erection. Dwellings existing prior to July 1, 1972, shall be provided with egress facilities as required by said Minnesota State Building Code or in compliance with the following regulations: Every habitable unit shall have a safe unobstructed means of egress. Every dwelling unit located above the first floor and every rooming house where three (3) or more roomers occupy one (1) or more rooming units or hotel units located above the first floor and every basement dwelling or hotel unit shall have at least two (2) independent egress stairways which shall be located remote from each other, and one (1) of such stairways shall be an inside stairway. Every such egress shall comply with the following requirements: (a) Every dwelling with an occupant load of ten (10) persons or fewer shall have one (1) approved means of egress. Dwellings located on the second story shall have at least one (1) approved means of egress if the occupant load of the entire story does not exceed ten (10) persons. Second stories having an occupant load of more than ten (10) persons and all other stories and basements shall have not less than two (2) approved means of egress. Exception: Only one (1) approved means of egress shall be required from a basement within an individual dwelling unit when the occupancy load of such basement is ten (10) or fewer. (b) All required egress stairs shall be easily accessible from every dwelling or dwelling unit without passing through any room other than public, shared or communal areas. Egress shall lead directly to grade, and such grade shall have an unobstructed path of travel to a public way. (c) All inside egress stairways located in multiple dwellings more than two (2) stories in height shall be enclosed with materials and doors approved and acceptable to the director of regulatory services now or at the time of their installation or materials having a one-hour fire-resistant rating with self-closing doors rated as Type B. The rated materials and doors shall be tested and approved and listed as such in the files of the director of regulatory services. Smoke barriers of record, approved by the director of regulatory services and the city fire marshal, shall be deemed an acceptable alternate and be allowed to remain and be maintained. (d) The minimum width of all required egress stairways shall be thirty-six (36) inches measured at the face of the tread. Private stairways serving an occupancy of fewer than ten (10) persons may be thirty (30) inches wide. (e) Risers of stairs serving habitable space shall not exceed eight (8) inches in height and the treads shall be not less than nine (9) inches in depth. Stair nosing shall not project more than one (1) inch. (f) All stairways which have four (4) or more risers, inside or attached to a dwelling shall have at least one (1) handrail. All such stairways which are required to be forty-four (44) inches or more in width or which are open on both sides shall have a handrail on each side. If a stairway is open on one (1) side, the required handrail shall be placed on the open side, when required by the director of regulatory services. Stairways required to be more than eighty-eight (88) inches in width shall be provided with an intermediate handrail. Only one (1) handrail shall be required for exterior stairs of one- and two-family dwellings when such stairs do not exceed forty-two (42) inches above the adjacent ground or surface. (g) All handrails shall be installed not less than thirty (30) inches nor more than thirty-four (34) inches measured vertically above the nose of the stair treads or stairway platforms. Handrails projecting from a wall or other similar surface shall have a space of not less than one and one-half (1½) inches between said wall or surface and the handrails shall be so installed, located, and be of such size and shape that an adult person can grasp and hold onto the same. Handrails hereafter installed or replaced shall be in compliance with the state building code as to location and size. (h) All dwellings in a multiple dwelling shall have an approved exit within forty (40) feet from the exit of every dwelling above the first story if such building is of nonfireproof construction, and within fifty (50) feet if such building is of fireproof construction. (i) Egress doors connected to public, shared or communal areas must be easily opened from the inside along the path of egress and remain unlocked or be of a type which can be unlocked without the use of a key or any special skill or knowledge. Where multiple dwellings have more than five (5) dwelling units, or more than ten (10) rooming units sharing the same means of egress, the doors serving such egress shall swing in the direction of travel and be selfclosing and latching. All stair tower doors located in multiple dwellings which are four (4) or more stories in height, and where the dwelling units are not individually owned, shall be openable from the inside of the stair tower without the use of a key or any special skill or knowledge when such stair tower doors open into a public, shared or communal area. No person shall lock, fasten closed, block open or in any other way tamper with the operation of selfclosing fire doors so that said doors do not function as required by this section. (j) Any required means of egress exposed to the elements shall be kept clear of rubbish, snow, ice and other such obstructions at all times. All vertical ladders and other emergency fire escapes not recognized as a required means of egress shall be maintained in good order and repair. (Code 1960, As Amend., § 75.080; 78-Or-244, § 39, 11-22-78; 79-Or-109, § 2, 5-25-79; 82-Or-106, § 32, 6-11-82; 2013-Or-161, § 25, 12-6-13)

Minneapolis Code of Ordinances § 244.965 Door-closing devices; fire-resistive doors.

244.965. - Door-closing devices; fire-resistive doors. Every required exit door from dwelling units which opens into shared, communal or public spaces of multiple dwellings shall be provided with an approved door-closing device. Further, all passage doors opening from dwelling units into shared, communal or public spaces of multiple dwellings shall be in compliance with Section 716 of the Minnesota State Building Code (Opening Protectives) and Sections 403.14.1 and 403.14.1.2 of the Guidelines for the Rehabilitation of Existing Buildings. (82-Or-182, § 1, 9-24-82; 85-Or-006, § 1, 1-11-85; 2011-Or-108, § 3, 11-18-11; Ord. No. 2016-049, § 1, 7-22-16)

Minneapolis Code of Ordinances § 244.970 Address posting.

244.970. - Address posting. Every dwelling shall have the proper street address number conspicuously posted in accordance with section 435.60. (Code 1960, As Amend., § 75.090; 78-Or-244, § 40, 11-22-78; 82-Or-106, § 33, 6-11-82; 2010-Or-047, § 1, 4-30-10)

Minneapolis Code of Ordinances § 244.980 Ventilation shafts.

244.980. - Ventilation shafts. No ventilation shafts or ducts shall exhaust or terminate within a building. All such shafts or ducts shall lead to the outside. (Code 1960, As Amend., § 75.100)

Minneapolis Code of Ordinances § 244.990 Transom windows.

244.990. - Transom windows. Openings such as transom windows shall not be permitted into public hallways. Existing transoms shall be permanently fixed in the closed position and all such openings shall be enclosed with materials having a fire-resistance rating of one hour or equal to that of the walls adjoining such transoms or openings. (Code 1960, As Amend., § 75.105; 78-Or-244, § 41, 11-22-78)

Minneapolis Code of Ordinances § 244.1000 Storage near heating plant.

244.1000. - Storage near heating plant. No person shall store or permit the storage of any combustible material, other than fuel used in conjunction with the heating system, within ten (10) feet of any heating plant or furnace. (Code 1960, As Amend., § 75.110)

Minneapolis Code of Ordinances § 244.1010 Exit signs.

244.1010. - Exit signs. All exits in multiple dwellings having ten (10) or more dwelling units on any one floor, or in rooming houses having more than five (5) rooming units on any one floor, or in any multiple dwellings having a total of ten (10) or more of any combination of the aforesaid dwelling units and rooming units on a floor shall be marked with red, internally illuminated exit signs that will be clearly visible from hallways, corridors and public areas. Where exit signs are not visible there shall be illuminated directional markers indicating the location and direction to follow to reach such exits. Such internally illuminated signs shall be marked "EXIT" in letters at least four (4) inches high. Exit signs provided in accordance with the building code when properly maintained shall also be acceptable. (Code 1960, As Amend., § 75.120; 78-Or-244, § 42, 11-22-78; 82-Or-106, § 34, 6-11-82)

Source: City of Minneapolis, Minnesota, Code of Ordinances, City Charter and Park and Recreation Board Code of Ordinances (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/mn/minneapolis/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=COOR_TIT12HO_CH244MACO_ARTIXFIPRFetched: 11/2/2026