Sec. 3.
(1) Except as provided in subsection (2), the bureau of fire services created in section 1b of the fire prevention code, 1941 PA 207, MCL 29.1b, shall inspect a school building to determine whether its construction complies with this act. The bureau of fire services shall inspect each building at least twice during construction, once to inspect the framework of the building before plastering and once on the completion of the building. The person supervising construction of the school building shall notify the bureau of fire services when the building is ready for inspection. In making an inspection under this subsection, the bureau of fire services has the powers set forth in the fire prevention code, 1941 PA 207, MCL 29.1 to 29.34.
(2) The bureau of fire services is not required to inspect or make a determination of fire safety in an existing school building in relation to operation, maintenance, remodeling, or repairs, or to inspect a school building to determine whether its construction complies with this act, if the school building is located in a municipality where both the school board and the governing body of the municipality have certified to the superintendent of public instruction, in a manner prescribed by the superintendent, that the fire safety inspections and fire safety measures for the schools located in the municipality are provided for by a municipal code or ordinance administered and enforced by a full-time fire prevention and safety department, division, or bureau maintained by the municipality and are satisfactory to both the school board and the governing body. Either the school board or the governing body may rescind the certification. A certification under this subsection shall not be submitted to or accepted by the superintendent of public instruction unless the municipality has received from the bureau of fire services written attestation that the municipality has an ordinance or code for fire protection in schools equal to the minimum state requirements and has a full-time fire prevention inspection service with a qualified program of school plan review and inspection. The state fire safety board shall hear and decide an appeal from a decision made under this section as a contested case under the administrative procedures act of 1969, 1969 PA 306, MCL 24.201 to 24.328. After a hearing, the board, acting in accordance with its statutory authority and provisions, may vary the application of any school fire safety rule or may modify the ruling or interpretation of the municipal enforcing authority if the board decides that the enforcement would do manifest injustice and would be contrary to the public interest. A decision of the board to vary the application of any fire safety rule, or to modify or change a ruling of the municipal enforcing authority, shall specify in what manner the variation, modification, or change is made, the conditions upon which it is made, and the reasons for the variation, modification, or change.
History: 1937, Act 306, Imd. Eff. July 23, 1937 ;-- Am. 1941, Act 148, Eff. Jan. 10, 1942 ;-- CL 1948, 388.853 ;-- Am. 1949, Act 231, Imd. Eff. May 31, 1949 ;-- Am. 1962, Act 175, Imd. Eff. May 17, 1962 ;-- Am. 1968, Act 239, Eff. Sept. 1, 1968 ;-- Am. 2006, Act 199, Imd. Eff. June 19, 2006 Compiler's Notes: For transfer of powers and duties of the fire marshal division programs relating to plan review and construction inspections of schools, colleges, universities, school dormitories, as well as adult foster care, correctional, and health care facilities, from the department of state police to the department of consumer and industry services, see E.R.O. No. 1997-2, compiled at MCL 29.451 of the Michigan Compiled Laws.For transfer of powers and duties of state fire marshal to department of labor and economic growth, bureau of construction codes and fire safety, by type II transfer, see E.R.O. No. 2003-1, compiled at MCL 445.2011.
Structure Michigan Compiled Laws
Chapter 388 - Schools and School Aid
Act 306 of 1937 - Construction of School Buildings (388.851 - 388.855a)
Section 388.851 - School Buildings; Construction Requirements; Rules; "Department" Defined.
Section 388.851a - Construction of School Buildings; Definitions.
Section 388.852 - School Building; Architect or Engineer; Responsibilities; Violation; Penalty.
Section 388.853 - Inspection by Bureau of Fire Services; Notice; Exception.
Section 388.854 - Violation of Act; Penalty; Injunction Proceedings.