Celebrate Fire Safety Month with the Bureau of Construction Codes (BCC)!
Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs sent this bulletin at 10/01/2026 10:00 AM EDT
Trades Connection - October 1, 2026
October is Fire Safety Month
Highlighting fire safety in October gives the state of Michigan an important opportunity to recognize the role fire safety plays in protecting lives, property, and communities. Fire prevention is not limited to emergency response – it begins with careful design, proper construction, safe building practices, and maintaining building systems. Building codes and fire safety requirements create an important foundation to reduce risks and ensure buildings are designed with safety in mind.
This month the Bureau of Construction Codes (BCC) encourages everyone to review their fire safety practices, identify any potential hazards, and remember that fire safety is essential every day.
Get the family involved by celebrating Fire Prevention Week with the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) October 4 – 10, 2026. You can find helpful tip sheets, an on-demand webinar, and a variety of free resources on the Safe Charging Is a Superpower! webpage.
Heating Season is Here. Learn the Best Ways to Keep Your Boiler Safe This Winter
The most important safety control on any boiler is the pressure relief valve. This valve will open when the boiler pressure becomes too high. It's important to occasionally check its operation by lifting the test lever. The valve should open when the test lever is lifted and the valve should close with no dribble or drip when the lifting lever is released. Be careful because the steam or water coming out of the relief valve can be HOT!
Other important controls include the modulating and high limit pressure controls for steam boilers and the modulating and high temperature limit controls for hot water boilers. These controls should be tested and if necessary adjusted, repaired, or replaced by a qualified heating service technician prior to the start of the heating season. It's best to get a jump on this early. If any parts need to be replaced, the service technician will have enough time to order what's needed and complete repairs before the chilly season arrives.
It’s a good idea to have a qualified service technician pay a little attention to your boiler to make sure those controls are properly adjusted and in good working order. During the maintenance visit, the service tech should also check and clean the burners and make any needed adjustments to the combustion process. They can perform a combustion analysis to ensure the proper fuel burning for maximum efficiency and economy.
Learn the Biggest Issue with Boiler Inspections and the Best Way to Fix It!
The most frequent issue our inspectors encounter is the lack of maintenance for boiler controls and safety devices. Commercial boilers are required to undergo periodic testing, maintenance, and adjustment by qualified service technicians. A properly performed maintenance check can reveal potential troubles that can be nipped in the bud.
The most serious issue we encounter are safety valves that are stuck shut or badly corroded. The safety valve is the "last line of defense" should the other boiler controls fail. It is of paramount importance that these devices are of the proper relieving setpoint and flow capacity. A stuck shut relief valve is one of the most dangerous conditions to find a boiler in, and one of the easiest to avoid.
Boilers are usually located in the basement, back room, room at the end of the hall, etc. Out of sight, out of mind, at least until the building gets cold or the boiler lets you know there is a problem of an explosive nature. It pays to put an eyeball in the boiler room at least every other day or so, you might catch a problem before it becomes an incident.
Look for water or steam leaks, in addition to a mess, they are energy wasters. Additionally, makeup water brings oxygen and minerals into the boiler, not to be desired.
Carbon Monoxide (CO) is dangerous and potentially deadly. One of the most effective ways to keep it at bay is to ensure your boiler vent or flue stack is completely airtight, preventing any exhaust from leaking into the boiler room. A CO monitor or alarm is an inexpensive and invaluable protection that can save lives.
The best time to have a qualified service technician give your boiler a health check is before heating season. Have them show you how to check the safety valve, it's not difficult and you should do it once a month or so. Know what to look for in the boiler room and you'll stay warm all winter.
There are 70-year-old boilers in Michigan still giving good, reliable service, and there are boilers that last less than 5 years. The difference most often comes down to maintenance and a knowledgeable owner.
A Brief Note from the Boiler Section Chief, David Stenrose
If your boiler is in a commercial location, factory, church, school, or apartment building it will have an aluminum tag with a 6-digit number on it. This is the Michigan registration number, and the boiler needs periodic inspection to renew the certificate of inspection.
The boiler certificate should be displayed in the boiler room and will have the certificate expiration date. Contact the BCC Boiler Section at 517-241-9334 or your boiler insurance provider at least thirty days prior to the expiration date to schedule an inspection. Make sure your maintenance is up to date.
Please keep in mind that the boiler room is not a general storeroom, especially for flammable materials. We know it's convenient, but it's not the place for lawn mowers and gas cans.
If your boiler is in your home, it will not have a state number or require periodic inspections, but it will have been installed and inspected by qualified installers and inspectors.
Your residential boiler requires no less love and attention than a boiler in any commercial location, periodic maintenance is important to keep comfortable, even heat coming.
Fire Prevention Happens All Year
Fire safety is the responsibility of everyone, and understanding how to prevent, prepare for, and respond to fires makes the difference in protecting lives and property. This month, BCC is sharing resources from NFPA with practical information to keep your home and family safe.
The article U.S. Home Heating Fires Peak During Winter Months offers helpful tips to reduce the risk of a fire at home through heating, cooking, and electrical safety. Both NFPA 1 and NFPA 70 have requirements that must be followed to ensure the safety of a home. Read Electrical and Fire Safety Considerations at Home During the Cold Winter Months to get a more in-depth look at how these safety guidelines can be put to best practice this winter.
For the reader with students heading off to college this fall, there are safety guidelines for them as well. In August this year, the NFPA and The Center for Campus Fire Safety urged Students to Make Fire and Life Safety a Priority during Campus Fire Safety Month with an online article of best practices to keep students safe.
Stay Informed by Attending a Public Board or Commission Meeting
Throughout the year the Bureau of Construction Codes (BCC) hosts multiple occasions which allow members of the public the opportunity to participate in Michigan policy.
There are 11 different boards and commissions hosted through the BCC. These meetings are open forums where public officials deliberate on matters affecting Michigan public safety, health, services, and laws. To learn more information about attending a meeting, including what topics will be address, visit the Boards and Commissions page on the BCC website.
The BCC also hosts public hearings regarding the continuing updates to Michigan building codes. These hearings offer the public the chance to review proposed changes to the state’s building code rules and include space for public comment. You can find more information about our currently open rules sets and how to attend a meeting on the BCC website.
Need More from the Bureau of Construction Codes?
BCC professionals are always looking for events to attend where they can spread awareness, teach code compliance, provide important information, or meet with members of the community.
September was a busy month for the bureau. Staff members attended and participated in the National Association of State Contractors Licensing Agencies (NASCLA) 2026 Annual Conference in Grand Rapids, MI, held September 14-17, 2026. During the conference they broadened their understanding of key issues affecting contractor licensing and regulation.
On September 22, 2026, licensing manager, Kelly Bean, hosted an online webinar with the Better Business Bureau (BBB) on Building & Maintenance Licensing for the organization's Licensing Education Series.
On September 25, 2026, BCC staff also provided a presentation at the 2026 Code Officials Conference of Michigan (COCM) on Licensing Innovations and Significant Changes to Michigan’s Building Code in Thompsonville, MI.
If you would like to request training from the BCC, please complete our Presentation Request Form to let us know how we can best help you and your team.
We’re Hiring!
The Bureau of Construction Codes has over 190 employees who work to keep Michigan construction safe. If you are interested in joining the team, take a look at our open positions here!
Trades Connection is published to provide clarity, promote consistency, and enhance predictability within the construction industry. The information contained herein is strictly advisory and does not have the force or effect of law unless a statute or an administrative rule is cited. The Bureau of Construction Codes shall be held harmless for any and all damages or litigation resulting from the use of this information herein.