New Fire Law Turns Up Heat on N.D. Schools

By Kathleen Kennedy Manzo

The two school buildings in the Langdon district in northern North Dakota are typical of many others built in the state nearly three decades ago. In both, glass around the classroom doorways allows natural light to penetrate the schools' sheltered corridors.

Over the years, little thought was given to the design, or the problems it might create.

But this year the local school board is facing more than $30,000 in bills to replace dozens of glass panels and upgrade smoke-detection systems at the schools, which serve Langdon's 630 K-12 students. The windows must be replaced with wired glass, which could prevent them from shattering in excessive heat. Without the changes, the hallway could be an unsafe escape route,...