Fire Prevention
Protecting our community through education, inspection, and code enforcement.
Prevention is Our Priority
The Lake Johanna Fire Department Fire Prevention Division works proactively to reduce fire risk in Arden Hills, North Oaks, and Shoreview through code enforcement, inspections, permit management, and community education. Below you will find information about key lock boxes, fire permits and inspections, open burning, and recreational fires.
Key Lock Box Requirements
The Minnesota State Fire Code, Section 506, requires that all businesses and multi-unit housing complexes utilize a key lock-box system in order to give emergency personnel access to the building in cases of after-hours medical or fire emergencies.
The Lake Johanna Fire Department uses “Knox-Box” key boxes, which must be ordered from the manufacturing company. The Fire Department keeps a record of every Knox-Box and is the only entity to possess a master key to open them. A Knox-Box is unique to the municipality where it is located, meaning only the Lake Johanna Fire Department can open a lock-box in Arden Hills, Shoreview, or North Oaks.
Residential Optional
Residents may also purchase a residential Knox-Box if they wish to provide the Fire Department easier access to their home in cases of emergency. Lock-boxes are only used in times of emergency. Contact the Lake Johanna Fire Department for more information.
How to Order
- Visit the Knox-Box website(opens external site)
- Select your desired model from the list
- Enter the zip code where the product will be installed
- Select “Lake Johanna Fire Department”
- Choose your model — Aluminum color only (other colors will be denied)
- Complete your purchase — Knox will notify LJFD by email
- Contact Fire Prevention at 651-415-2154 for installation instructions and to schedule an inspector
Contact
Kris Rewald, Assistant Chief of Fire Prevention — 651-415-2154
Fire Permits & Inspections
In accordance with the Minnesota State Fire Code (MSFC), permits are required for any installation, addition, extension, alteration, or replacement of a fire system or fire system element, including sprinkler and fire alarm systems.
How to Apply
All permit requests must be submitted via the city website of the city where the work is being completed. After the city building inspection staff process the request, the permit and/or plans will be submitted to the Lake Johanna Fire Department for review and approval.
Minnesota Fire Code
The Cities of Arden Hills, North Oaks, and Shoreview enforce the State of Minnesota’s 2015 State Building and Fire Code, which includes the 2020 International Building and Fire Code published by the International Code Council, with Minnesota State Amendments.
In addition, the cities have adopted Chapter 1306 of the Minnesota State Building Code, Special Fire Protection Systems. This chapter includes sprinkling standards that differ from the 2020 International Building Code, with optional provisions including sections 1306.0020 Subpart 3 and 1306.0030 Subpart 2.
Fire Prevention Staff
For questions or to schedule inspections, contact:
Kris Rewald
Assistant Chief of Fire Prevention / Fire Marshal
Office: 651-415-2154 | Mobile: 763-350-4276
Captain Keegan Geske
Captain Ken Powers
Captain Jeremy Whitcomb
Captain Jon Gaulke
Captain Derek Riley
Captain Zac Spates
Tent & Membrane Structure Permits
Tent and membrane structure permits are required for tents and membrane structures over 400 square feet.
How to Apply
All permit requests must be submitted via the city website of the city where the work is being completed. After the city building inspection staff process the request, the permit and/or plans will be submitted to the Lake Johanna Fire Department for review and approval.
Open & Prescribed Burn Permits
A “prescribed burn” is a fire that is intentionally ignited, managed, and controlled for the purpose of managing forests, prairies, or wildlife habitats by an entity meeting certification requirements.
Open and prescribed burns are required to obtain a burn permit from the Lake Johanna Fire Department prior to burning. A variance permit may also be required through the MN DNR (Minnesota Department of Natural Resources) prior to an approved burn permit.
Contact
Kris Rewald, Assistant Chief of Fire Prevention / Fire Marshal — 651-415-2154 | krewald@ljfd.org
Recreational Fires
Recreational or “camp fires” are defined as an outdoor fire fueled by burning natural wood products in a manufactured or man-made fire pit. These may also include natural gas and propane fire pits.
Size Requirements
Fire pits must have a total fuel area of three (3) feet or less in diameter and two (2) feet or less in height for pleasure, religious, ceremonial, cooking, warmth, or similar purposes.
Recreational fires may also be conducted in an outdoor fireplace or a metal fireplace designed for outdoor burning.
Recreational fires do not require a fire permit, but the following rules must be followed:
Rules for Recreational Fires
- •Prior to burning, check with the local fire department for any local burning bans
- •Burning must take place 25 feet minimum distance from any combustible material or structure
- •Only clean, natural wood may be burned — treated or painted wood, rubbish, plastic, rubber, leaves, and grass are not allowed
- •Wind must be less than 10 miles per hour
- •Flammable liquids or accelerants cannot be used to start any fires
- •The fire must be attended at all times
- •All fires must be thoroughly extinguished when the activity concludes — no smoldering fires are allowed
Enforcement
The fire department is authorized to require that open burning be immediately discontinued if smoke emissions are offensive to occupants of surrounding property or if the fire is determined to constitute a hazardous condition.
Violations of the above rules will result in the immediate extinguishment of the fire. Violations of open burning laws may result in loss of the right to have fires and may also result in a citation.
Questions About Fire Prevention?
Our Fire Prevention Division is here to help with permits, inspections, code questions, and fire safety education.