Fire Safety Inspections

Procedures for Requesting Fire Safety Plan Reviews (New Construction, Additions, Remodeling

Fire safety inspections are a necessary part of the licensing process. It is a means of assuring that the building used for a child care center is in compliance with essential fire safety requirements for licensure.

Architectural plan reviews will be provided by the Bureau of Community and Health Systems, Health Facilities Evaluation Section at no cost to the applicant or licensee. A plan review is required for the following situations:

• New construction.
• Renovation, including fire alarms, hood suppression systems, or sprinkler systems.
• Remodeling.
• Addition to building.
• Any structural, mechanical, plumbing, or electrical changes.

The applicant or licensee must submit a set of construction plans, along with the Application for Child Care Plan Review (BCHS-FS-13) as outlined on the form. If the total cost of the project is $15,000 or more, the plans must be prepared and sealed by a registered architect or engineer licensed in the State of Michigan. After the plans are reviewed, a plan review letter will be emailed to the submitter.

Note: Changing interior finishes (e.g., new ceiling tiles, wall finishes, etc.), door hardware, door swing, or door installations would not require a plan review; however, a qualified fire inspector (QFI) must complete an on-site inspection of the changes.

Procedures for Requesting Fire Safety Inspections (Conversions, Consultations, Etc.)

Fire safety inspections for conversions, consultations and, if required, existing licensed child care centers must be obtained by the applicant or licensee from one of the individuals on the below "Independent Qualified Fire Safety Inspectors" list.

Applicants/licensees must arrange or contract with a qualified fire safety inspector and are responsible for any costs of obtaining the inspection. The Bureau of Community and Health Systems will not accept a fire safety inspection report from any other authority, individual or organization that is not on the current applicable list.

If you will be obtaining your license renewal fire safety inspection (required every four years for licensed centers), please review Preparing for Your License Renewal Fire Safety Inspection to help you prepare for you fire safety inspection and to keep the children at your center safer from potential fire hazards throughout the year.

When considering changes to use space, changing capacity, completing renovations, centers should be aware of rule requirements of those changes.

Correspondence from the Bureau of Fire Safety will be done electronically.

Centers Operating in a School Building

For centers operating in a school building, a copy of a previous approval from the Bureau of Fire Services, the State Fire Marshal or a statement from the school district superintendent using the Certification of School Building Compliance with Fire Safety Provisions (BCAL-5043) form is acceptable in lieu of a fire safety inspection.

By submitting the BCAL-5043, you are certifying all of the following:

• The building has been approved for school use based on the 1973 school fire safety codes.
• The building has been continuously used as a public or nonpublic school for the instruction of children in kindergarten or higher since the fire safety approval was issued.
• Any changes to the building since the school’s original fire safety approval have been reviewed and approved by the state fire marshal or Bureau of Fire Services.
• The parts of the building that have not been changed since the school's original fire safety approval are in compliance with the applicable rules for existing school buildings. Review the supplemental questions prior to signing the BCAL-5043 to ensure you understand some of the applicable rules for existing school buildings.

If you have further questions regarding this program, please contact your licensing consultant or the Bureau of Community and Health Systems, Health Facilities Evaluation Section.

INDEPENDENT QUALIFIED FIRE SAFETY INSPECTORS FOR CHILD CARE CENTERS