Fire Safety Inspections

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. 

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

Architectural plan reviews will be provided by the Bureau of Fire Services (BFS) - Child Care section at no cost to the applicant or licensee. A plan review conducted by the Bureau of Fire Services is required for the following situations:

• New construction. 
• Renovation. 
• Remodeling. 
• Addition to building. 

The applicant or licensee must submit a set of construction plans, along with the Application for Child Care Plan Review (BFS-13) directly to BFS. The BFS-13 and additional information can be obtained from the BFS website. 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. Appropriate BFS - Child Care Section staff will review these plans, and a plan review letter will be returned 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. 

However, if the proposed or licensed child care center is located within a city that has signed an agreement with the state to conduct fire safety inspections for licensure, within their jurisdiction only, one of their listed qualified fire inspectors may be contacted. These departments are identified below on a separate "Local 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 Department of Human Services 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.

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

If you have further questions regarding this program, please contact your licensing consultant or BFS.