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Committee: Code

Contact: Patrick Farrens, Chair – [email protected]

2024 Mission:
The mission of the Code Committee is to develop the Minnesota fire code on an ongoing basis and maintain an active posture of participation in the national model code process to provide a forum for the identification, discussion, and preparation of recommendations for fire code-related issues submitted by any interested parties, and to provide for the review of fire code-related decisions.

2024 Report:
The ICC model codes are reviewed every six years by the Minnesota State Fire Chiefs Association Code Committee in Minnesota. The Code Committee comprises professionals representing the fire service, building officials, architects, fire protection professionals, and fire alarm designers. 

During the past year, the committee has been meeting every three weeks since the publication of the 2024 International Fire Code to review changes and proposals for changes to the upcoming Minnesota State Fire Code. Two sub-committees have been formed to review Emergency Responder Radio Coverage and Carbon Monoxide alarm requirements. Many changes have occurred in the 2024 IFC, resulting in passionate discussion and often better clarification of code items. In many cases, the model code has caught up to Minnesota Amendments, allowing those amendments to be removed. The code committee has reworked its schedule and will be wrapped up by the end of October to coincide with other state groups reviewing their model code disciplines (Building, mechanical, etc.). In non-publication years, the code committee will meet quarterly/semi-annually to discuss any known issues, continue engagement, and plan for the upcoming code review cycle. 

The Code Committee is made up of dedicated professionals from several different disciplines. During code adoption years, we meet every three weeks for about 2-3 hours per session. We are always looking for chiefs or other fire department members interested in fire prevention, especially from the greater Minnesota area.

If you have any recommendations or questions, please contact Code Committee Chair Patrick Farrens at 763- 428-0949 or [email protected].

2024 Code Committee Members:

  • Bill Beumer, Fire Inspector, Maple Grove

  • Tom Brace, Representative of the National Fire Sprinkler Association

  • Lisa Consie, Fire Marshal, Duluth

  • Chris Ferguson, Fire Marshal, Rochester

  • Scott Futrell, Representative of the Society of Fire Protection Engineers – Minn.

  • Rick Hauffe, ICC Liasion

  • Sean Hayes, Mankato

  • Jeff Hemenway, Johnson Controls

  • Mallory Holmen, Building Official Representative

  • Thomas Jenson, Deputy State Fire Marshal, State Fire Marshal Division

  • Roger 'Lars' Larson, Representative of American Institute of Architects – Minn.

  • Greg Metz, Representative of the Construction Codes and Licensing Division

  • Dan Moorhead, Representative of American Fire Alarm Association – Minn.

  • John Piper, Fire Chief, Coon Rapids

  • Tom Pitschneider, Fire Marshal, Shakopee

  • Kris Skow, Deputy Fire Marshal, Brooklyn Park

  • Cary Smith, Fire Marshal, St. Louis Park

  • Dale Specken, Fire Chief, Hopkins

  • Andy Speltz, Fire Marshal, Red Wing

  • Chad Strangeland, Moorhead

  • James Willamette, Building Official Representative

  • Forrest Williams, Supervisor, State Fire Marshal Division

Code Committee File Library