The State of Michigan Bureau Fire Services (MBFS) and EHS, Code and Fire Safety Services (FSS) are responsible for reviewing plans and specifications for construction projects for State-regulated instructional, dormitory, health care, and child care center facilities.
Consultations
Plan Review and Specification Submittals Requirements
Projects Involving Fire Systems and Fire Suppression Systems
Electrical Projects
Child Care Centers
Other Equipment and Systems
Construction Barriers and Means of Egress
MBFS and FSS review the plans and specifications in accordance with the applicable State-regulated administrative rule, the codes and standards that are referenced by the administrative rules, and any other applicable law, rule, code, or standard.
Prior to beginning the design process for a State-regulated facility undergoing new construction, a renovation, an addition, or work in an existing building, you may need to coordinate and consult with the following departments:
Plans must be sealed by a registered architect or engineer if the following criteria are met:
An architect or engineer is consulted for input regarding the construction project
The contemplated total expenditure for the construction project exceeds $15,000
If the contemplated total expenditure is less than $15,000, plans and specifications must still be submitted for review, but they are not required to be sealed.
Plan Reviewers
For State-regulated facilities, the following table identifies which departments must review the construction project plans and specifications
AS PART OF THE CONSTRUCTION PROJECT, WHEN…
A SUBMITTAL MAY NEED TO GO TO…
The occupancy class in the facility will change
MBFS
FSS
AEC
UMHS FP&D (Hospital Facilities Only)
Two or more classes of occupancy occur in a State-regulated facility
MBFS
FSS
AEC
UMHS FP&D (Hospital Facilities Only)
The outside of the State-regulated facility will be affected in regard to:
Available water supply
Hydrant locations
Vehicle access route
Fire lanes
MFBS
Local Fire Department via FSS
The project involves installing new fire alarm devices, installing new fire suppression systems, or modifying the fire alarm or fire suppression system
MBFS
FSS
Factory Mutual
Required Information in the Plans and Specifications
Plans and specifications shall contain the following information when applicable to the scope of the work:
A complete floor plan and layout of the building drawn accurately to scale
The use of each room
The dimensions of each room
The size, location, direction of swing, and fire rating of each door and frame assembly
The size and location of windows
The wall construction, including the fire-resistance rating
The type of construction as identified in national fire protection association pamphlet no. 220, entitled “Standard on Types of Building Construction”
The number of stories, including basement and attic areas
The interior finish classification
The location of fuel-fired equipment
The type of HVAC and water heater
Fire detection and alarm systems
Sprinkler or other suppression systems
The type, size, and location of fire extinguishers
Other pertinent information that is required to determine compliance with applicable codes and the MBFS Administrative Rules
If the construction project involves installing new fire alarm devices, installing new fire suppression systems, or modifying existing fire alarm or suppression systems, then complete shop drawings for the affected systems must be submitted to MBFS, FSS, and Factory Mutual.
MBFS requires that these shop drawings be prepared by a certified firm, in accordance with the requirements of the State of Michigan Fire Prevention Code. The U-M Fire Protection & Radio Program is a State-certified firm, and can prepare the necessary drawings for work performed internally. If outside contractors are used for this work, they must be certified, and they are responsible for submitting shop drawings to MBFS.
If a project is limited only to electrical work, it must be submitted to MBFS if the scope of work involves altering a fire rated assembly or involves a required life safety system.
If the project involves only minor work (such as installing or relocating electrical outlets in an existing room) , without altering a fire rated assembly, the project does not need to be submitted to MBFS for review. However, the project must still be inspected in accordance with established U-M procedures.
The Licensing Rules for Child Care Centers require that electrical systems and service for new child care occupancies, along with additions to existing child care occupancies, be inspected and approved by the electrical inspection authority having jurisdiction.
The licensing rules also allow MBFS to require an electrical inspection when existing rooms or buildings are converted to child care use or for any existing child care center. After MBFS has reviewed the plans and specifications for a project, they will send written instructions regarding the requirements for the electrical inspection.
The MBFS administrative rules call for certain work to comply with specified regulatory requirements. To verify if the work is in compliance, you must have the work inspected and certified. The following table lists the work that must be in compliance and who completes the inspection and certification.
NOTE: Keep all the documents related to the work. You will need them to show MBFS the work was completed, meeting the applicable requirements.
EQUIPMENT OR INSTALLATION OF…
INSPECTED AND CERTIFIED BY…
Life safety systems
FSS
Electrical systems
EHS Code Inspector
Equipment using natural gas and related natural gas piping will be installed
EHS Mechanical Inspector
Elevators, escalators, dumbwaiters, and moving walks are installed
Construction barriers or means of egress must be in place before the construction project for State-regulated instructional, dormitory, or health care facilities can begin. Instructional facilities, dormitory facilities, and child care center questions should be directed to EHSFireSafety@umich.edu
Health care facilities questions should be directed toUMHS System Safety Management Services Department, construction safety specialist at (734) 615-6510
