Fire and Security Checklists for K-12 Schools in Minnesota

Regular Fire and life safety inspections in K-12 school systems keep schools safer for everyone. Minnesota's Legislature enacted an inspection program in 1990. This program entailed inspecting all public and charter schools in the state every three years. 

The Minnesota State Fire Marshal Division currently conducts fire safety inspections in roughly 1,750 public and charter school buildings across Minnesota, including primary, middle, secondary, and alternative schools, on a three-year rotation.

Inspections ensure fire and life safety systems will operate properly in the event of an incident to minimize the risk of life and property loss.

We have created a fire safety checklist for K-12 school systems. This list serves as a model for school administrators and personnel regarding what's prescribed for school fire safety set-ups and procedures. Always consult a fire safety contractor for full-service inspections.

Operations (plans, training, drills)

• Every school must have an emergency action plan approved by the local authority having jurisdiction.
• The State of Minnesota requires a minimum of five random fire drills for each regular school year. The first emergency evacuation drill must be conducted within 10 days of the beginning of classes.
• Staff should be trained on emergency procedures.

Maintenance of Means of Egress

• Exit passageways should be inspected daily to ensure they're in proper operating condition and are kept free of snow, ice, or debris that could impede egress.
• An annual inspection of fire and egress doors must be conducted and documented.

Fire Alarms and Emergency Lights

• Test emergency lighting systems for proper operations for a minimum of 30 seconds every month and an hour and a half annually.
• Fire alarms must be inspected for proper function on a quarterly, semi-annual, and annual basis.

Fire Extinguishers

• All portable fire extinguishers must be visually inspected monthly and documented for obvious damage and broken seals.
• A thorough inspection following maintenance procedures in NFPA 10 is required annually.

Fire Sprinkler Systems

A designated staff member who's versed in NFPA 25 Standards may perform weekly and monthly fire sprinkler inspections.

• An institution's weekly inspections should involve checking for defined air and/or water pressure on the fire sprinkler gauges and visually inspecting the valves to be sure they’re sealed and open.
• Monthly inspections must check for signs of physical damage and confirm normal water pressure on wet pipe system gauges.
• As required by Minnesota Code, an annual fire protection inspection performed by a licensed fire contractor must be done as well as other semi-annual, and/or quarterly inspections, maintenance, and testing. You should check with your insurance provider to see if they require more frequent inspections other than annually.

Fire Suppression Systems

• Ensure kitchen hoods and ductwork are cleaned quarterly, semi-annually, and annually, depending on their level of operations.
• Visually inspect kitchen fire suppression systems to verify operating conditions and ensure they’re free from damage at least twice a year.

Decorations and Artwork 

• Ensure student-prepared artwork and teaching materials do not exceed 20 percent of wall areas.
• All draperies, curtains, and similar furnishings must be classified as flame-resistant according to NFPA 701.

Security Systems

Schools need security cameras, access control systems, and emergency communication systems. Summer break is an ideal time to maintain these systems while students are away. Regular maintenance ensures these systems function properly to protect the school.

Minnesota schools must now report cybersecurity incidents to the state under new laws.

Fire Systems Inspections

Fire system inspections are necessary to keep up to date with industry and insurance codes. The State Fire Marshal Division is required to inspect K-12 schools once every three years to ensure school buildings are safe and up to code.

However, an inspection of critical life safety systems such as fire alarms and fire sprinkler systems must be carried out annually by a qualified contractor. Make sure to obtain a copy of the field report prepared and retain this for school records after the inspection. 

As schools prepare for the school year during summer break, they should perform maintenance on school security systems, including surveillance cameras, access control systems, and emergency communication systems. Regular maintenance ensures these systems are functioning properly to protect the school and students.

Brothers Fire & Security offers maintenance and monitoring programs, and services to enhance organizational capacity to minimize fire hazards plus plan for and respond to fire events. As a long-time member of the Minnesota Educational Facility Management Professionals, it’s our mission to help you make the learning environment safe. Brothers Fire & Security has been vetted and approved as one of Minnesota’s contracted vendors for fire alarm and fire sprinkler supplies.

Following this checklist helps to make sure your school's fire and security systems are ready to protect students and staff. In addition to our regular on-site inspections, we also offer walk-in fire extinguisher service at our Elk River location Monday–Thursday from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., or by appointment at our Waite Park location Monday–Wednesday.

When it comes to school safety, there's no room for shortcuts.