Fire Codes Affecting Food Vendors at Montana State Fair

GREAT FALLS, Mont. – When you think of the Montana State Fair, you probably think of a Ferris wheel, some concerts and shows, and of course … fair food.

“The fair is about family, friends, food and fun. And I emphasize food because it’s the one time of year when you can eat anything deep-fried, creamy, delicious, stuffed, calorie-not-counting-food that’s off-limits any other day,” said Susan Shannon, director of Montana ExpoPark.

However, there is one food vendor that will not be present at the 2024 Montana State Fair.

The Sons of Norway Lodsen Lodge said on Facebook that it will not be attending the fair this year due to new regulations that require any food vendor that produces fumes containing fat to have a fire extinguishing system.

Everything is based on the 2018 International Fire Code.

“For example, if you’re frying a hamburger or bacon and that causes grease to come out, like you would in a commercial kitchen or a restaurant, you need to have a proper suppression system,” said Mike McIntosh, deputy chief of prevention for Great Falls Fire Rescue.

McIntosh says that while the legislation went into effect in 2018, there was a lawsuit pending at the state level; because of that lawsuit, Montana lagged behind the rest of the country in implementing the legislation.

“The state of Montana, last legislative session, passed a new version of the fire code. With that new version of the fire code, the state fire marshal gave all food retailers until May 1 of this year (2024) to comply with the implementation of suppression systems,” McIntosh said.

McIntosh says GFFR knew these regulations would eventually come into effect, which is why it notified suppliers in 2018.

“The problem we’re having is that even though we’re being proactive, telling food vendors to start getting ready and installing suppression systems, 90% of them have waited until the last minute and they’re all trying to get suppression systems installed on their mobile food vendors or their concession stands and things like that. Unfortunately, the contractors have a very, very large backlog and it’s hard for them to get all of them done by the time they need them,” McIntosh said.

Generally speaking, it is about the safety of both trade fair participants, staff and people working at the exhibitor’s stand.

“There are a number of incidents every year where mobile food vendors or food service establishments catch fire. So this is a preventative safety measure to help suppress those fires,” McIntosh said.

“Public safety and the safety of fairgoers is really our number one concern. So anything that provides a safer place for people to gather and congregate safely is something that everyone will embrace,” Shannon said.

Sons of Norway and their “Viking” are a fixture at the Montana State Fair. While they won’t be here in 2024, they mentioned in a Facebook post that they’ll be bringing everything they need to be at the Montana State Fair in 2025.

“I think the (Sons of Norway) Vikings did a great job of pointing out that they weren’t able to get and get the supplies they needed. So obviously they’re a staple and obviously I’d like them to be here. They’ll be here next year. I’m glad they’re back,” Shannon said.

Shannon says they are the only vendor that has notified her they will not be at the Montana State Fair in 2024. However, she did mention that there will be a few new vendors this year.

To view the 2018 International Fire Code, click here. (Please note that the latest codes are in the 2021 IFC.)

The 2024 Montana State Fair will begin July 26 and run through August 3. For more information about the fair, click here.