The Minnesota State Interagency Agreement requires that we inspect the 11 Minnesota Department of Corrections-owned correctional facilities each year. 

We are also responsible for inspecting all facilities the commissioner of corrections is required to inspect and license or authorize to operate throughout the state. 

Facilities with an acceptable fire inspection report from a local fire authority are exempt. 

Group I-3

This occupancy includes buildings and structures where more than five people under restraint or security live. An I-3 facility is occupied by people who are generally incapable of self-preservation due to security measures not under the occupants’ control. This group includes, but is not limited to: 

• Correctional centers
• Detention centers 
• Jails
• Prerelease centers
• Prisons 
• Reformatories 

Group I-3 buildings must be classified as one of the occupancy conditions indicated below: 

Condition 1

This occupancy condition shall include buildings in which free movement is allowed from sleeping areas and other spaces where access or occupancy is permitted, to the exterior via means of egress without restraint. A Condition 1 facility is permitted to be constructed as Group R. 

Condition 2

This occupancy condition shall include: buildings in which free movement is allowed from sleeping areas and any other occupied smoke compartment to one or more other smoke compartments.  Egress to the exterior is impeded by locked exits. 

Condition 3

This occupancy condition shall include: buildings in which free movement is allowed within individual smoke compartments, such as within a residential unit comprised of individual sleeping units and group activity spaces, where egress is impeded by remote controlled release of means of egress from such smoke compartment to another smoke compartment. 

Condition 4

This occupancy condition shall include: buildings in which free movement is restricted from an occupied space. Remote-controlled release is provided to permit movement from sleeping units, activity spaces and other occupied areas within the smoke compartment to other smoke compartments. 

Condition 5

This occupancy condition shall include: buildings in which free movement is restricted from an occupied space. Staff-controlled manual release is provided to permit movement from sleeping units, activity spaces and other occupied areas within the smoke compartment to other smoke compartments.