VFW and Masonic Temple Affected by New Fire Code Requirements for Alcohol Service

The City of Salina Building Advisory Board has approved a local exception to the 2018 International Fire Code (IFC) that will affect how the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) post and Masonic Temple serve alcohol at large events.

The board voted unanimously Monday to adopt Option 3 of the proposed amendments to IFC Section 1103.5.1, which addresses fire sprinkler requirements for Group A2 occupancies where alcohol is consumed.

Under the approved exception, existing facilities with occupancy loads over 300 people will be allowed to continue hosting events with alcohol service as long as attendance remains under 300 people.

For events exceeding 300 attendees, alcohol service would not be permitted unless the building is equipped with fire sprinklers.

"If you look at the grand scheme of things, we're literally talking nine events a year that it would impact," said Joe Kvacik, Salina Fire Marshal, who presented the code amendments. "It's that 1% that they both actually were very reasonable and said, 'We can deal with that.'"

City staff identified three facilities potentially affected by the code change: the VFW, Masonic Temple, and the Muse ballroom.

However, officials determined the ballroom would not be impacted as it no longer serves alcohol and functions primarily as a bingo hall.

According to Kvacik, the VFW hosts approximately three to four large events annually that would be affected, while the Masonic Temple has four to five such events. Representatives from both organizations were consulted and informed of the meeting but did not attend.

"The VFW was three to four events, and the temple was four to five. They both said, 'We can accept that. That seems like a reasonable option for us,'" Kvacik told the board.

The code specifically addresses consumption of alcohol, not just sales, meaning it applies to events where alcohol is brought in for parties as well.

Mary Landis, representative of the Masonic Temple, previously told city officials that most of their events have fewer than 300 attendees, and security is already required for events with more than 150 people. Security personnel could help monitor attendance to ensure compliance with the new requirements.

The amendment provides an alternative to requiring full sprinkler systems in these buildings, which would be costly for the non-profit organizations.

Officials noted that recent federal tax relief for sprinkler installation would provide little benefit to tax-exempt organizations.

The approved exception will take effect when the City Commission formally adopts the updated fire code.

City staff indicated they would work with the Masonic Temple on events already booked.

New construction and buildings changing occupancy classification will still be required to install sprinkler systems if alcohol will be consumed and the occupancy load exceeds 100 people.