The University of Michigan (U-M) hosts and sponsors many events for its faculty, students, and members in the surrounding communities. Although the events are temporary, it does not change U-M’s goal of safety first on our campus. In order to help ensure safety of all participants Environment, Health & Safety (EHS) will evaluate and assist with both Fire Safety and Food Safety matters at these events.
Fire Safety at Temporary Events
EHS, Fire Safety Services (FSS) shall ensure that the following fire prevention, evacuation, and extinguishing system protocols are in place prior to approving a temporary event.
- Fire Prevention
- Electrical Safety
- Food Service Areas
- Membrane Structures
- Portable Generators
- Flammable and combustible liquids properly stored
- Fire Evacuation
- Means of Egress
- Fire Alarm System
- Fire Extinguishing Systems
- Fire Extinguishers
- Fire Department Access
The Special Events and Temporary Structures Fire Inspection Checklist explains briefly what is needed for the event to pass inspection. For more information, contact FSS at (734) 647-1143 or at EHSFireSafety@umich.edu.
Food Safety at Temporary Events
Temporary events often include catered staff luncheons, student fundraisers, and outdoor special events held on the U-M campus. Temporary events that involve preparation, cooking, or handling food by a caterer, student organization, or other U-M affiliated groups may require a temporary food service license. When planning events that will need a temporary food service license, the hosting organization shall obtain permission or schedule the event with the appropriate representative before contacting EHS to obtain the temporary food service license. For more information, contact EHS at (734) 647-1142 or EHSFoodSafety@umich.edu.
Standard Operating Procedures, Guidelines, and Manuals
- Use of Solid Alcohol Fuel Gel (a.k.a. Sterno)
- Outdoor Cooking Guidelines
- Temporary Handwashing Station
- Guideline for Use of University Grounds
Supplemental Information
- State of Michigan
Required Permissions for Events Held Outdoors
Prior to obtaining a temporary food service license, all outdoor events and sales of any kind on U-M grounds shall have prior approval from the Associate Vice President for Facilities and Operations (AVPFO). For more information, email fo-events@umich.edu or call (734) 615-9075.
Events planned in the following outdoor areas shall be pre-scheduled, as noted below prior to requesting AVPFO permission:
| LOCATION | WEB SITE | CONTACT INFORMATION |
| Central Campus Diag & North Campus Gerstacker Grove | Central Campus Diag/North Campus Gerstacker Grove Policies & Procedures |
|
| Recreational Sports Facilities (Elbel Field, Palmer Field, etc.) | Recreational Sports Office – Rentals and Reservations |
|
Supplemental Information
Required Permissions for Events Held Indoors
Indoor events require permission from the building manager, director, dean, department head, or designated representative.
Obtaining a Temporary Food Service License
To receive a temporary food service license for an indoor or outdoor temporary event where potentially hazardous food will be served to the public, refer to the following steps:
- Seven days before the event, notify EHS at (734) 647-1142 or EHSFoodSafety@umich.edu with the following information:
- Name of the event
- Date of event
- Time of event
- All food and beverages to be served
- Food supplier (i.e., Tio’s Mexican Restaurant, Sam’s Club, etc.)
- Complete the Temporary Food Service License Application.
- Email the Application to EHSFoodSafety@umich.edu.
An EHS representative will issue a temporary food service license, if all appropriate conditions are met, for the event before food sales are open to the public.
U-M EHS Food Truck/Cart/Trailer Approval Procedures
Our office has implemented a process for approving food trucks/carts/trailers to operate at U-M events. In order to be approved for operation on University property, please adhere to the following process.
Step 1: All outdoor events and sales of any kind on U-M grounds shall have prior approval from the property owner and AVPFO Outdoor Events. The link for more information on how to request approval for an outdoor event is here.
All outdoor events and sales of any kind on the Central Campus Diag/North Campus Gerstacker Grove shall have prior approval from the Center for Campus Involvement (CCI). The link for more information on how to request approval for an outdoor event is here.
Step 2: Food trucks that want to come to any University of Michigan property in Ann Arbor will first need to fill out and submit the Food Truck Safety Application.
Step 3: After submitting the Food Truck Safety Application Form, a representative from the EHS Fire Safety team will reach out to the food truck operator in order to schedule an inspection of the food truck that is to be used on University of Michigan property. If approved, a compliance sticker will be issued to the vehicle.
For the list of operators that have already completed Steps 1 & 2, please see the following link: Food Truck Tracker.
Step 4: After approval from the Fire Safety team, the STFU or MFE licensed food truck operator will need to fill out and submit the Notification of Intent to Operate at least 7 days prior to the event for each and every event that they are planning to operate on campus. During the time of the event, EHS reserves the right to inspect the operating food trucks at their discretion.
*NOTE*
The Food Truck Safety Application has two, six month operating windows; the first is January – June and the second is July – December. The approval is only valid for the remaining duration of the time period in which it was given. For example, if a food truck plans on operating on U-M’s campus in June and July of the same year, then they will need to fill out the Food Truck Safety Application twice, one for each window of time.
Training
Contact EHS at (734) 647-1142 or EHSFoodSafety@umich.edu to schedule a training session on current food safety and sanitation procedures.
