§ 12-13-120 — Arkansas Fire Prevention Code

(a) Before January 1, 2025, the Arkansas Fire Prevention Code shall not require an educational facility, also known as a Group E occupancy, to have a storm shelter that has an occupant capacity that exceeds the total occupant load of the classrooms, vocational rooms, and offices. (b) Beginning January 1, 2025, the Arkansas Fire Prevention Code shall: (1) Identify the educational facilities, also known as Group E occupancies, that are required to have a storm shelter; and (2) Require that the occupant capacity of a storm shelter for a Group E occupancy be determined by: (A) The total occupant load of the classrooms, vocational rooms, and offices in the Group E occupancy; and (B) For critical emergency operations, the occupant load of the building in which the storm shelter is located. (c) The Arkansas Fire Prevention Code shall not require an educational facility, also known as a Group E occupancy, to have a storm shelter if the educational facility, also known as a Group E occupancy: (1) Is a former Business Group B occupancy; and (2) Was utilized as an educational occupancy, including without limitation an educational occupancy for higher education purposes.

Legislative History

Amended by Act 2024, No. 170,§ 32, eff. 7/1/2024. Added by Act 2023, No. 764,§ 1, eff. 8/1/2023. See Act 2023, No. 764, § 2.