Fire life safety damper testing established relating to state fire code.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Pete Johnson and 3 co-sponsors

Minnesota would require fire dampers to be tested under the state fire code to verify they function properly and enhance building fire safety.

Introduction and first reading, referred to Public Safety Finance and Policy

#fireandfirefighters

Purpose and Intent

HF 2721 seeks to address fire life safety by establishing testing requirements for fire dampers under the state fire code. The bill aims to ensure that fire dampers, which help prevent the spread of smoke and flames through ductwork in buildings, are tested to verify their proper operation. This aligns with public safety objectives by improving building resilience and occupant protection in the event of a fire.

Key Provisions and Changes

Testing Requirement for Fire Dampers: The bill establishes or codifies a formal requirement that fire dampers must be tested to confirm they function as intended. While the precise test protocol (frequency, method, and responsible parties) is not detailed in the provided summary, the core element is creating a mandatory testing standard within the state fire code framework.

Relation to State Fire Code: The testing requirement is positioned as part of the state fire code, indicating that local jurisdictions would implement the standard as part of their building and life safety enforcement.

Administrative/Regulatory Alignment: By tying testing to the state fire code, the bill likely sets expectations for building owners, managers, and fire code officials regarding compliance, inspections, and documentation.

Affected Parties and Scope

Building Owners and Managers: Owners and managers of buildings with fire dampers (typically in areas with HVAC ductwork penetrating fire-resistance-rated assemblies) would be responsible for ensuring dampers are tested according to the established standard.

Fire Code Officials/Authorities Having Jurisdiction (AHJs): Fire departments, code enforcement officials, and other AHJs would oversee compliance, conduct inspections, and enforce any penalties or corrective actions for noncompliance.

Occupants and Public Safety: By improving the reliability of fire dampers, occupants of buildings with tested dampers would benefit from enhanced fire and smoke containment.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

Introduction and Referral: The bill was introduced and referred to the Public Safety Finance and Policy committee on March 24, 2025.

Sponsors:

Primary/Co-sponsors include Brad Tabke, Dan Wolgamott, Ripper Repinski, and Pete Johnson.

Next Steps (typical legislative process):

Committee hearings to discuss and amend provisions.
Potential amendments to specify testing frequency (e.g., annual or upon major HVAC work), testing standards (e.g., NFPA 80/105, or state-adapted protocols), documentation requirements, and penalties for noncompliance.
Floor votes in the House, then movement to the Senate (not indicated in provided information).

Notes and Considerations

The summary provided does not include specific technical details such as:

Exact testing frequency (annual, biannual, upon replacement/major HVAC work, etc.)
Approved testing standards or protocols (which standard or adaptations the state fire code would adopt)
Documentation, record-keeping, and verification processes
Penalties or enforcement mechanisms for noncompliance
Effective dates or implementation timeline

Readers should monitor committee actions for amendments that clarify these technical and implementation details. If enacted, Minnesota would have a codified requirement for testing fire dampers as part of the state fire code, with related compliance obligations for building industry stakeholders.

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