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Missouri · Fire code

The fire code in force in Missouri now.

No statewide fire code (DFS FAQ); state fire rules apply to facilities licensed by state agencies such as day cares. RSMo 320.405 (L. 2026 S.B. 1421, effective Aug 28, 2026) directs DFS to adopt fire and life-safety standards for state-inspected facilities. Enforced by Local AHJs (fire depts/code officials) statewide; Div. of Fire Safety (DPS) only for state-licensed facilities. Checked on the primary source; the state record was last reviewed 2026-11-12.

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Fire code in Missouri

Checked on the source
In force

No statewide fire code (DFS FAQ); state fire rules apply to facilities licensed by state agencies such as day cares. RSMo 320.405 (L. 2026 S.B. 1421, effective Aug 28, 2026) directs DFS to adopt fire and life-safety standards for state-inspected facilities

Per the DFS FAQ, fire codes are adopted locally and no state law requires annual fire inspections unless a facility is regulated by DHSS, Mental Health or Social Services. Local AHJs enforce local codes. RSMo 320.405 covers only occupancies DFS already inspects (chapter 198 long-term care excluded) and states it creates no statewide fire or building code.

Source: primary document

Who enforces it

Local AHJs (fire depts/code officials) statewide; Div. of Fire Safety (DPS) only for state-licensed facilities

Statewide layer. County and city amendments sit on top; confirm the local office for the address.

What changes next

New rule due Jul 1, 2027

DFS must adopt standards rule by Jul 1, 2027; standards apply from Jan 1, 2028 to state-inspected facilities on new construction, major renovation, ownership transfer or 50%+ improvement (RSMo 320.405, L. 2026 S.B. 1421, eff. Aug 28, 2026, re-read Oct 21, 2026); DFS FAQ re-read Oct 21, 2026 still states there is no statewide fire code

The federal layer

No federal fire code applies to a private building; OSHA's exit-route, fire-extinguisher and emergency-plan rules (29 CFR 1910 Subparts E and L) apply to every employer alongside the state fire code.

Dated items

Next 24 months
Jul 1, 2027
DFS deadline to adopt new Missouri fire and life-safety standards rule (covers state-inspected facilities only, e.g. licensed day cares and group homes; chapter 198 long-term care excluded)Division of Fire Safety (Dept. of Public Safety)
Confirmed date
Jan 1, 2028
New DFS fire/life-safety standards (RSMo 320.405) become applicable to state-inspected facilities undergoing new construction, major renovation, ownership transfer, or 50%+ value improvementDivision of Fire Safety (Dept. of Public Safety)
Confirmed date

What a building has to do

25 recurring duties

These apply when the building has the equipment or fits the type named. The frequency is the standard one; your local official can set a stricter one, so confirm it for the address.

Annual
Fire alarm system: annual inspection and testNFPA 72, Ch. 14 · Licensed alarm contractor; report to the fire marshal on request · Not yet checked line by line against the source.
Monthly
Sprinkler control valves: inspected monthly when locked or electrically supervised (weekly when only sealed); open, accessible, tamper switch workingNFPA 25, Ch. 13 · Owner or contractor; log kept · Not yet checked line by line against the source.
Quarterly
Sprinkler system: quarterly inspection (gauges, waterflow and supervisory alarm devices, fire department connection)NFPA 25, Ch. 5 and 13 · Owner or contractor · Not yet checked line by line against the source.
Twice a year
Waterflow switches (vane or pressure type) and valve tamper switches: semiannual test, signal confirmed at the panel and the monitoring company (mechanical water motor gongs: quarterly)NFPA 25, Ch. 5 and 13; NFPA 72, Ch. 14 · Licensed sprinkler or alarm contractor · Not yet checked line by line against the source.
Annual
Sprinkler system: annual inspection and main drain testNFPA 25, Ch. 5 and 13 · Licensed sprinkler contractor · Not yet checked line by line against the source.
Every 5 years
Sprinkler piping: internal inspection and obstruction checkNFPA 25, Ch. 14 · Licensed sprinkler contractor · Not yet checked line by line against the source.
Weekly or Monthly
Fire pump: no-flow (churn) test. Diesel: weekly, 30 minutes. Electric: monthly, 10 minutes, but weekly when the pump serves a building beyond the fire department’s pumping capacity, has a limited-service controller, is a vertical turbine, or draws from a ground-level tankNFPA 25, Ch. 8 · Owner or contractor; readings logged · Not yet checked line by line against the source.
Annual
Fire pump: annual flow testNFPA 25, Ch. 8 · Licensed contractor · Not yet checked line by line against the source.
Annual
Standpipes: annual inspection of hose connections, valves, caps and gaskets, piping and signageNFPA 25, Ch. 6 · Owner or licensed contractor · Not yet checked line by line against the source.
Every 5 years
Standpipes: five-year flow test (manual and dry systems also get a five-year hydrostatic test)NFPA 25, Ch. 6 · Licensed contractor · Not yet checked line by line against the source.
Monthly or Quarterly or Twice a year or Annual
Kitchen exhaust (hood, duct, fan): inspected for grease buildup and cleaned when buildup is found. Interval by cooking volume: solid fuel monthly; high volume (24-hour, charbroiling, wok) quarterly; moderate semiannually; low annuallyNFPA 96, Table 12.4 (11.4 in older editions) · Qualified exhaust cleaning company · Not yet checked line by line against the source.
Twice a year
Kitchen hood fire-suppression system: inspection and service every six months, tag datedNFPA 17A; NFPA 96, Ch. 11 · Licensed suppression contractor · Not yet checked line by line against the source.
Weekly
Generator: weekly inspection (fuel, oil and coolant levels, battery and charger, block heater, alarms, transfer switch in automatic)NFPA 110, Ch. 8 · Owner; log kept · Not yet checked line by line against the source.
Monthly
Generator: monthly exercise under load for at least 30 minutes (diesel: at least 30% of nameplate kW or the manufacturer’s minimum exhaust temperature); transfer switches operated monthlyNFPA 110, 8.4.2 · Owner; log kept · Not yet checked line by line against the source.
Annual
Generator: annual supplemental load test when the monthly runs do not reach 30% of nameplate: 50% for 30 minutes, then 75% for 60 minutes (1.5 hours)NFPA 110, 8.4.2 · Contractor with a load bank · Not yet checked line by line against the source.
Every 3 years
Generator, Level 1 (life-safety) systems: run for 4 continuous hours, or the system’s class duration if shorter, at least once every 36 monthsNFPA 110, 8.4.9 · Owner or contractor; report kept · Not yet checked line by line against the source.
Monthly
Emergency lighting and exit signs: monthly 30-second testNFPA 101, 7.9.3 · Owner; written record · Not yet checked line by line against the source.
Annual
Emergency lighting: annual 90-minute testNFPA 101, 7.9.3 · Owner or contractor · Not yet checked line by line against the source.
Monthly
Fire extinguishers: monthly visual check, initialedNFPA 10, 7.2 · Owner · Not yet checked line by line against the source.
Annual
Fire extinguishers: annual maintenance and tagNFPA 10, 7.3 · Licensed extinguisher contractor · Not yet checked line by line against the source.
Annual
Fire doors and shutters: annual inspection and testNFPA 80, 5.2 · Qualified person; written record · Not yet checked line by line against the source.
Every 4 years
Fire and smoke dampers: operational testNFPA 80, 19.4; NFPA 105 · Qualified contractor · Not yet checked line by line against the source.
Twice a year or Annual
Smoke control system: operated through each control sequence — semiannually for a dedicated system, annually for a nondedicated system that shares the building’s HVACNFPA 92, Ch. 8; IFC Sec. 909 (periodic testing) · Qualified contractor; written record · Not yet checked line by line against the source.
Monthly
Fire drills: monthly while in session, documentedFor education. NFPA 101, 14.7.2 and 15.7.2 · Owner; documented · Not yet checked line by line against the source.
Annual
Occupant load posted; crowd managers for events over 250 peopleFor assembly, retail. NFPA 101, 12.7.6 and 13.7.6 · Owner · Not yet checked line by line against the source.

Questions about the fire code in Missouri

Which fire code applies in Missouri today?

No statewide fire code (DFS FAQ); state fire rules apply to facilities licensed by state agencies such as day cares. RSMo 320.405 (L. 2026 S.B. 1421, effective Aug 28, 2026) directs DFS to adopt fire and life-safety standards for state-inspected facilities. Per the DFS FAQ, fire codes are adopted locally and no state law requires annual fire inspections unless a facility is regulated by DHSS, Mental Health or Social Services. Local AHJs enforce local codes. RSMo 320.405 covers only occupancies DFS already inspects (chapter 198 long-term care excluded) and states it creates no statewide fire or building code.

Who enforces the fire code in Missouri?

Local AHJs (fire depts/code officials) statewide; Div. of Fire Safety (DPS) only for state-licensed facilities.

What changes next for the fire code in Missouri?

New rule due Jul 1, 2027. DFS must adopt standards rule by Jul 1, 2027; standards apply from Jan 1, 2028 to state-inspected facilities on new construction, major renovation, ownership transfer or 50%+ improvement (RSMo 320.405, L. 2026 S.B. 1421, eff. Aug 28, 2026, re-read Oct 21, 2026); DFS FAQ re-read Oct 21, 2026 still states there is no statewide fire code

Other areas in Missouri

Everything in force in Missouri
Building codeNone — no statewide building code; adoption and enforcement are local onlyElevatorsASME A17.1-2016 with companion standards (A17.2-2014, A18.1-2014, A90.1-2015) per DFS Elev…BoilersASME Boiler & Pressure Vessel Code construction and National Board registration for units …Pools and spasDHSS 'Governing Lodging Establishments' manual, swimming pools/spas section (lodging estab…Hotels and lodgingRSMo Chapter 315 and DHSS rule 19 CSR 20-3.050; annual lodging license (licensing year Oct…Workplace safetyFederal OSHA jurisdiction (no state plan)

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