City of Grosse Pointe Farms

Fire Prevention Bureau

The Fire Prevention Bureau is responsible for providing inspection services to the business community in Grosse Pointe Farms and to ensure buildings are safe for both occupants and visitors while educating the public about fire prevention and safety. A routine fire inspection not only provides the fire department with valuable information for site planning, but also provides us with a chemical inventory of a business and risk assessment in case of an emergency response.

Together with the provisions of Code No. 6-05 of the City Ordinance, the City of Grosse Pointe Farms has adopted the National Fire Code (NFC) as published by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and is known as the Grosse Pointe Farms Fire Code. A complete copy of the Fire Code is available for public use and inspection at the Office of the City Clerk, either via electronic access or the ability to print relevant provisions of the Fire Code.

Authority To Inspect a Business
Under Public Act 207 of 1941 – Fire Prevention Code, Section 29.8, authorizes inspections and examinations of buildings and premises for the purpose of finding, reports, and recommendations related to the fire hazards.
Frequency of Inspections

Inspections are performed annually, or as often as may be necessary, but not less frequently than once during each twenty-four (24) month cycle. High-risk occupancies include assembly locations (gathering places with an occupant load of 50 or more persons), industrial occupancies such as dry-cleaning facilities, fueling stations and repair garages, and educational occupancies. Medium-risk occupancies include storage facilities, mercantile occupancies such as retail stores, and business occupancies such as office buildings.

Penalty for Violations
Any person violating or failing to comply with any provision of the Fire Code shall upon conviction be subject to a fine of not more than Five Hundred Dollars ($500) or imprisonment for not more than ninety (90) days, or both, in the discretion of the court. Every day that a violation continues after due notice has been served shall be deemed a separate offense.

How Do I Appeal a Violation?
If you receive a violation that you feel is incorrect, first contact the GPF Fire Prevention Bureau for an explanation or correction. If for any reason you still feel a violation should be removed, you must then submit your concerns to the GPF Fire Code Board of Appeals.