01-14-1985 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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PPS-B. FIRE PERSONNEL. STANDARDS (B) Fire suppression has traditionally been a uniquely local function in Minnesota. Not only are firefighting problems vastly different from one community to another, but well over ninety percent of Minnesota communities rely primarily on volunteer firefighters for fire suppression services. The League believes that local governing bodies are best equipped to determine the nature of local fire risks, the level of local fire prevention efforts, and the practical availability of firefighting personnel. Efforts by the state to improve firefighting capabilities should be undertaken through increased financial assistance to provide improved programs or by direct employment of specialized personnel at the state level with such personnel made available to assist local units of goverment. PPS-9. MODIFICATIONS TO THE. STATE FIRE CODE. (B) The League also supports legislation allowing cities which do not have the building code to require the installment of masonry fire walls between buildings in the downtown business district or other high risk areas as an alternative to adopting the more stringent fire code in the state building code. All foam insulation sold in Minnesota should be regcired to clearly state on its packaging that state law requires the foam to be covered by fire resistant material. PPS-10. MODIFICATIONS TO THE STATE. BUILDING CODE (B) The League supports the current ability of non -metropolitan cities, counties, and towns to opt -out of the inspection and enforcement responsibilities mandated by the State Building Code. All architects and engineers who design any structure should continue to be required to certify that the structure as designed complies with the state building code, particularly the building access for the handicapped provisions. The legislature should authorize the Commissioner of Administration to certify inspectors for the building access provisions who are not fully certified as building code inspectors. State fee inspectors should continue to be available from the state for inspection in areas outside of communities with local enforcement.