Edina, Minn., Sept. 15, 2023 – The Edina Fire Department will conduct a live fire training and testing in partnership with the National Fire Sprinkler Association at 4401 W. 76th St. Monday, Sept. 18 and Tuesday, Sept. 19. A portion of West 76th Street will be closed for the exercise.
The fire training requires the closure of West 76th Street between Parklawn and France Avenues from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sept. 18 and 19. The detour route will be West 77th Street, Minnesota Drive and France Avenue. Access to local businesses and housing will be maintained from either the west or east side of West 76th Street.
The first fire will take place 9 a.m. Monday, Sept. 18. Approximately five more burns will take place during business hours Monday and Tuesday. Fire is being used to activate and monitor sprinkler reactions. Sprinklers will be used immediately so Edina Fire staff does not anticipate smoke from the fire to be a nuisance to the community.
The purpose of the training is to utilize a building with a fire sprinkler system installed in 1969 and create a modern-day fire in various settings. Firefighters from across the State, as well as crews from other States, will be attending this training and testing opportunity.
“The opportunity to test a system original to the building, with modern contents, in an actual building is extremely rare,” said Edina Fire Chief Andrew Slama. “We are excited to host this opportunity right here in Edina and share our findings to benefit the fire service.”
For more information, contact Public Information Officer Lauren Siebenaler at 952-833-9537 or [email protected].