2016 North Dakota Century Code Title 18 Fires Chapter 18-12 Fire Prevention Code for School Buildings
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CHAPTER 18-12
FIRE PREVENTION CODE FOR SCHOOL BUILDINGS
18-12-01. Application.
The provisions of this chapter apply to the construction of all new school buildings, additions
thereto, and remodeling of school buildings, both public and private, at either the elementary or
secondary level and further apply to all instructional areas of all institutions of higher education.
18-12-02. Definitions.
A public school building is defined as a building used wholly or in part as an instructional or
recreational facility by students. A private school is defined as an educational institution which
students attend in lieu of public school attendance.
18-12-03. Plans and specifications.
Plans and specifications for all new public school buildings and for all additions to and
remodeling of existing public school buildings must be submitted for approval to the
superintendent of public instruction or to the state board of higher education. In the case of
private school plans and specifications, they must be submitted directly to the state fire marshal
for approval.
18-12-04. Employment of registered architects and engineers.
All plans and specifications for construction, except agricultural sheds and barns, the
monetary worth of which is one hundred thousand dollars or more, must be prepared by and the
construction administration and construction observation services supervised by architects or
engineers registered in this state. The architect or engineer is legally responsible for designing
the building in accordance with the provisions of this chapter of adequate strength so as to
resist fire, and constructing the building in a workmanlike manner, according to the plans and
specifications as approved. School district projects are subject to the approval requirements of
section 15.1-36-01 and projects involving institutions of higher education under the control of the
state board of higher education are subject to the approval requirements of chapter 15-10.
18-12-05. State fire marshal.
The state fire marshal shall approve plans and specifications for school buildings before
construction is started. The state fire marshal shall review public school building plans upon
referral from the superintendent of public instruction or the state board of higher education. In
the case of private school buildings the architects and engineers preparing plans shall submit
them to the state fire marshal for approval. It is the duty of the architect or engineer preparing
the plans or supervising the construction to notify the state fire marshal when the building has
been completed.
18-12-06. Construction requirements.
The construction requirements for schools are those contained within the state building
code as defined in section 54-21.3-03.
18-12-07. Shops and industrial arts.
Repealed by S.L. 1985, ch. 257, § 4.
18-12-08. Auditorium stage area protection.
Repealed by S.L. 1985, ch. 257, § 4.
18-12-09. Corridors.
Repealed by S.L. 1985, ch. 257, § 4.
18-12-10. Exits.
Repealed by S.L. 1985, ch. 257, § 4.
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18-12-11. Stairways.
Repealed by S.L. 1985, ch. 257, § 4.
18-12-12. Interior finish.
Repealed by S.L. 1985, ch. 257, § 4.
18-12-13. Fire extinguishers.
Repealed by S.L. 1985, ch. 257, § 4.
18-12-14. Storage rooms - Ordinary combustibles.
Repealed by S.L. 1985, ch. 257, § 4.
18-12-15. Storage rooms - Flammable liquids and dangerous chemicals.
Repealed by S.L. 1985, ch. 257, § 4.
18-12-16. Fire alarm systems.
Every new school building and every addition to a school building must be equipped with an
approved electrical, closed circuit, supervised fire alarm system with the supply fused ahead of
the main switch or disconnect, except that this does not apply to one-room schools. The fire
alarm disconnect must be painted red and clearly marked DISCONNECT, and the control panel
must have an automatic outlet which can be connected to the city system.
New fire alarm systems in additions must be connected to systems in the existing building
so that all stations throughout the entire building will actuate all alarms.
Fire alarm systems must be painted red in color and be clearly marked FIRE ALARM.
Manual stations must be located in the kitchen area, public assembly areas, auditorium
stages, main office, and in corridors, preferably near exits or stairs, so that it will not be
necessary to travel more than one hundred feet [30.48 meters] from the door of any room to
reach a station on the same floor. A pull box station must be located in the main office of a
school or elsewhere if directed by the local fire authorities and connected directly to the local fire
department in localities which are equipped with a pull box system. This pull box station may be
independent of the fire alarm system in the school building. Automatic fire alarm systems must
be provided in boiler and furnace rooms, kitchens, and dangerous storage rooms over one
hundred square feet [9.29 square meters] in area.
Fire alarm signals must be located throughout the building so that persons in all areas of the
building, including high noise areas, will be able to hear the signal.
Fire alarm signals must have an auditory sound distinct from other signals in use in the
building for other purposes.
All fire alarm equipment must be listed for its intended use by underwriters laboratories,
incorporated.
The wiring in the fire alarm systems and controls must be installed in a metallic raceway.
18-12-17. Sprinklers.
Repealed by S.L. 1985, ch. 257, § 4.
18-12-18. Heating plant rooms.
Repealed by S.L. 1985, ch. 257, § 4.
18-12-19. Incinerators.
Repealed by S.L. 1985, ch. 257, § 4.
18-12-20. Ventilation.
Repealed by S.L. 1985, ch. 257, § 4.
18-12-21. Hot water.
Repealed by S.L. 1985, ch. 257, § 4.
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18-12-22. Gas.
A master valve must be provided in each room where there are three or more gas outlets.
This valve must be conveniently located and easily distinguishable so that it may be readily
closed when the room is not in use. If a room is not in use, the administrator's desk and the
laboratory proper should be kept under lock and key.
A shutoff valve must be provided outside the building.
All gas heaters must be vented unless approved by the state fire marshal.
All liquefied petroleum gas, or bottled gas, installations must be in accordance with the state
regulations for such use. When such gas supply lines are placed in tunnels, they must be
without joints and the tunnels must have forced ventilation, except when the length of the line
does not exceed the width of the tunnel ventilation does not have to be provided.
18-12-23. Electrical.
All electrical wiring and apparatus must be installed in accordance with the provisions of the
state electrical law, rules, and regulations and local ordinances and the current edition of the
National Electrical Code.
Electrical plans and specifications must be reviewed by the state electrical board upon
referral by the superintendent of public instruction, the state board of higher education, and the
state fire marshal, and complete inspection service with final certificate of compliance covering
the electrical installation must be made by the same agency or by the local inspection authority
where available.
All educational facilities must be provided with exit marking, illumination of means of egress,
and emergency lighting as provided for within the N.F.P.A. Life Safety Code, standard 101
edition, corresponding to that of the state building code as defined in section 54-21.3-03.
18-12-24. Change of occupancy.
When an approved designated occupancy is changed during planning or construction to
another occupancy, all of the fire protection requirements for the new occupancy must be
complied with.
18-12-25. Reference data.
The following data must be used as reference and as an aid in the interpretation of this
chapter:
1. State building code.
2. The national fire codes - national fire protection association.
3. National Electrical Code - national fire protection association.
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