1. It shall be the duty of the state fire marshal and the fire marshal’s designated subordinates to require all private and public school officials and teachers to conduct not less than four fire drills and not less than four tornado drills in all school buildings during each school year when school is in session; and to require the officials and teachers of all schools to keep all doors and exits of their respective rooms and buildings unlocked when occupied during school hours or when such areas are being used by the public at other times. Not less than two drills of each type shall be conducted between July 1 and December 31 of each year and not less than two drills of each type shall be conducted between January 1 and June 30 of each year.

Terms Used In Iowa Code 100.31

  • state: when applied to the different parts of the United States, includes the District of Columbia and the territories, and the words "United States" may include the said district and territories. See Iowa Code 4.1
  • year: means twelve consecutive months. See Iowa Code 4.1
 2. Every school building with two or more classrooms shall have a warning system for fires of a type approved by the underwriters’ laboratories and by the state fire marshal. The warning system shall be used only for fire drills or as a warning for emergency. Schools may modify the fire warning system for use as a tornado warning system or shall install a separate tornado warning system. Every school building shall also be equipped with portable fire extinguishers, with the type, size and number in accordance with national fire protection association standards and approved by the state fire marshal.
 3. The state fire marshal or the fire marshal’s deputies shall cause each public or private school, college, or university to be inspected at least once every two years to determine whether each school meets the fire safety standards of this Code and is free from other fire hazards. Provided, however, that cities which employ fire department inspectors shall cause such inspections to be made.