Mobile Food Unit Fire Inspection Requirements for Owner/Operators

Ohio Fire Code

• 1301:7-7-02 = Definitions
• 1301:7-7-03 = General Requirements

​

Ohio Department of Commerce MFU Checklist

Ohio Fire Code 1301:7-7-02 = Definitions

“Mobile food unit.” Any apparatus or equipment that is used to cook, prepare or serve food, and that routinely changes or can change location and is operated from a moveable vehicle or apparatus, including but not limited to motorized vehicles, trailers, and hand propelled carts

Proposed Ohio Fire Codes Changes:

Section 319

MFU’s will be required to have an exhaust hood installed? (319.3)

MFU’s manufactured or initially titled on or after July 1st 2025 and vehicles modified to operate as an MFU and produce smoke or grease laden vapors shall have an exhaust hood per Section 606 (319.3) and a UL listed and labeled fire extinguishing system installed.(319.4)

Existing titled MFU’s in operation may continue without a fire suppression (319.4)

Exception: Any existing MFU’s that undergo “substantial” modifications to the cooking equipment in the vehicle after July 1st 2025 shall be protected.

Proposed Ohio Fire Codes Changes:

Section 319

Current mobile food units that have cooking capabilities and a hood system without a suppression system will be exempt from installing a hood suppression system. However, if a mobile food unit currently has both a hood and a suppression system, they must maintain those systems. Removing them is in violation of the Ohio Fire Code. The system will have to be re-installed prior to receiving a passing fire inspection.

LP-Gas monitoring will be added to the list of required items to have in the mobile food units.

Rear mounted LP tanks are required to be 30” from the ground (from 36”)

*** Please do not move the tanks to 30” if you already abide by the 36” ***

Mobile Food Unit Checklist Requirements

Mobile Food Unit Checklist Requirements

CO (Carbon Monoxide) Detection

​

• Is there at least one carbon monoxide detection device in the unit?

Keep in mind, food truck operators congregate in open parking lots. Most of them, if not all use generators. Even an enclosed trailer serving lemonade can trap CO if the wind is blowing the right way.

PORTABLE FIRE EXTINGUISHERS

• Is there at least one 5# ABC portable fire extinguisher in the unit? (except open air hand propelled carts)

​

• Is the extinguisher readily accessible by unit operator

​

• Was each extinguisher installed and is it being maintained in accordance with OFC sec. 906? - inspected by third party and tagged

​

PORTABLE FIRE EXTINGUISHERS - Cont’d

• If the unit uses cooking equipment that involves vegetable or animal oils and fats, is there at least one class K portable fire extinguisher in the unit? (in addition to a 5 pound ABC extinguisher)

​

• Was each extinguisher installed and is it being maintained in accordance with OFC sec. 906

​

​

​

ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT AND WIRING

• Is all electrical equipment and wiring in the mobile food unit installed per NFPA 70 (2017) ?

​

If you do not have GFCI outlets or breakers you will need to install them. We have all been trying to let the MFU community know of this issue since last mobile food round up.

​

NFPA 70 Reference on GFCI’s

​

NO SMOKING SIGNS

• There is to be no smoking in the units and no smoking within 10’ of the unit if there is a fuel source other than the vehicle fuel tank.

​

• Are no smoking signs conspicuously posted inside the mobile food unit?

​

• If compressed gas is stored or kept, are there also no smoking signs posted outside the unit in the vicinity of every location where the gas is stored or kept?

EGRESS

• Are there at least 2 means of egress in the unit?

​

• Are the means of egress remotely located from each other?

​

• Are the means of egress at least 5.7 square feet?

MOBILE FOOD UNITS WITH LP-GAS

• If LP-Gas equipment is being used while unit is in transit, is the equipment designed for operation while in transit (ex: cargo heater) and does the equipment have a mechanism in place to stop fuel in the event of a line break (ex: excessive flow valve)?

​

EMERGENCY SHUT-OFF CONTROLS

​

• Does the mobile food unit have marked exterior emergency shut off controls?
• Are the controls readily distinguishable and accessible?
• Do the controls have a quarter-turn manual gas ball valve?
• Do the controls have permanent signage mounted at the location of the controls that states: EMERGENCY GAS SHUT OFF VALVE ?
• Is the signage clearly visible and unobscured?

LP-GAS STORAGE, USE AND HANDLING CONTAINERS (See also OFC Rules 53,57,58,61)

• Are only ASME or DOT mobile containers being used?
• Do all LP-Gas containers installed in the enclosed spaces of the mobile food unit have a maximum allowable working pressure of 312 psi (2.2MPag) or higher?
• Do all LP-Gas containers installed on the exterior of the mobile food unit have a maximum allowable working pressure of 250psi (1.7 MPag) or higher?
• Are all propane tanks kept in a safe manner?
• Is the maximum aggregate capacity of all LP-Gas containers in the mobile food unit 200-gallons aggregate water capacity or less?

LOCATION AND INSTALLATION

• Are all LP-Gas supply systems installed either outside the vehicle or in a recess or cabinet?

If in a recess or cabinet, is the recess or cabinet vapor tight to the inside of the vehicle but accessible from and vented to the outside?

If in a recess or cabinet, are there also vents located near the top and bottom of the enclosure and 3 feet horizontally away from any opening into the vehicle?

​

LOCATION AND INSTALLATION cont.

• Are cylinders located in such a manner as to minimize exposure to excessive temperature rises, physical damage, or tampering?
• If propane tanks are mounted to the rear of the vehicle, are they mounted with a minimum 30-inch clearance from the bottom of the tank to the ground?
• Are LP-Gas containers installed on the roof of a mobile food unit? (they cannot be)
• If LP-Gas containers are mounted within the vehicle housing, is the housing secure to the vehicle and are all removable parts of the housing secured to the housing while the mobile food unit is in transit?

LOCATION AND INSTALLATION cont.

• Are all LP-Gas container valves, appurtenances, and connections protected from damage due to overturn or similar vehicular accident?
• Are all LP-Gas container valves, appurtenances, and connections protected to prevent damage from accidental contact with stationary objects, loose objects, stone, mud and/or ice?
• Do LP-Gas cylinders have permanent protection for cyllinder valves and connections?
• If LP-Gas Cylinders are mounted on the outside of a mobile food unit, is weather protection provided?
• Are all devices or materials used to secure an LP-Gas container made out of non-combustible material?

LOCATION AND INSTALLATION cont.

• Unless they have been removed during operation activities, are LP-Gas containers securely mounted on the vehicle or within an enclosing recess or cabinet?

If LP-Gas containers have been removed during operating activities, are all propane tanks secured to a stationary object or otherwise securely stabilized to prevent movement, overturn or damage?

• Are LP-Gas container secured with a non-combustible material or devise?

​

PIPING AND CONNECTORS

• Is all piping installed per NFPA 58 (2014), Section 6.9.3?
• Does all steel tubing have a minimum wall thickness of 1.2mm?
• Is a flexible connector installed between any regulator outlet and the fixed piping system (to protect against expansion, contraction, jarring and vibration strains) ?
• Is flexibility provided between cylinders and the gas piping system or regulator?
• Are flexible connectors installed in accordance with NFPA 58 (2014), section 6.9.6?

PIPING AND CONNECTORS cont.

• Are flexible connectors that are installed between apparatus and the piping system installed in accordance with ANSI Z21-69-2015/CSA 6.6-2015 - See example on next slide.
• If there are any flexible connectors that are longer than the length allowed in the OFC, have they been approved?
• If there are any fuel lines that incorporate hose, have they been approved?
• Are fixed piping systems designed, installed, supported, secured in such a manner as to minimize the possibility of damage due to vibration, strains, or wear, and in such a manner to reclude loosening while in transit?

​

PIPING AND CONNECTORS cont.

• Is piping installed in a protected location?

Is piping fastened or does it have other protection to prevent damage due to vibration or abrasion?

Is a rubber grommet or equivalent protection to prevent chafing at each point where piping passes through sheet metal or a structural member?

• Do isolated sections of liquid piping have hydrostatic relief valves and are they installed in accordance with NFPA 58 (2014), section 6.13?
• Have all piping systems (including hose) been pressure tested and proven free of leaks in accordance with NFPA 58 (2014), section 6.14?

On site inspections - GENERATORS

• Is the generator being fueled while the mobile food unit is in operation?

​

• Is the generator being fueled while the generator is in use?

​

• Is the generator turned off and the surface temperature of both the engine and the fuel tank being cooled to below the autoignition temperature of the fuel before the generator is being fueled?

​

• Is the generator being operated, used or fueled within the occupant space of the mobile food unit?

On site inspections cont’d - OBSTRUCTING FIRE PROTECTION EQUIPMENT

​

• Does the mobile food unit block fire lanes?

​

• Does the mobile food unit block fire hydrants?

​

• Does the mobile food unit block other fire protection equipment?

On site inspections cont’d - SEPARATION DISTANCES

• Is the mobile food unit separated from other mobile food units by a clear space distance of 3 feet? (not including awnings and other appurtenances)

​

• Is the mobile food unit separated from entrances and other exits of buildings or structures by a clear distance of 10 Feet?

(not including awnings and other appurtenances)

​

• Is the mobile food unit separated from combustible materials by a clear space distance of 10 feet? (not including awnings and other appurtenances)

Tips for Enhancing Fire Safety on Mobile Food Units

• Schedule regular inspections and maintenance of electrical equipment and keep an eye out for hazards like frayed wires or combustible items near power sources.
• Train employees on the proper use use of fire extinguishers and to never throw water on a grease fire. It can cause the grease to splatter and spread, making the fire worse. Class K fire extinguishers are best for fighting grease fires. Food trucks need two types of fire extinguishers: Class K extinguishers for fighting grease fires and Class ABC extinguishers for putting out standard fires, such as those involving paper products.
• Wood fired cooking apparatus must be fully extinguished prior to leaving the event.
• Proper spacing between units. If I were an owner, do I trust the guy next to me to be operating safely?

AHJ Challenges

Multiple Jurisdictions

• Different cities, counties, and states
• Varied regulations and standards
• Municipal Codes
• Politics

​

Coordination Issues

• Lack of communication between jurisdictions
• This is not our only job
• Inconsistent enforcement and compliance
• Challenges in maintaining up-to-date information

​

​

​

MFU Owner Struggles

Traveling Between Jurisdictions

• Time and Cost
• Frequent travel requirements to get from inspection to inspection
• Increased operational/fuel/maintenance costs
• Logistical Challenges
• Scheduling inspections across different/large areas
• Balancing business operations with inspection demands
• Varying Standards
• Different safety and regulatory requirements
• Confusion and compliance difficulties

​

​

IROL - Our Technological Solution

Tracking System

• Real time notifications and data
• Centralized databases
• Third party reporting

Mobile Apps for Inspections

• Streamlining documentation
• Enhancing communication between jurisdictions
• Archival for history and trends

​

What MFU owners need to do?

• Click here to register your MFU in IROL
• You must enter basic business information
• You must enter a valid VIN number. If it is on the road it has a VIN. Check your registration or title if you need help.
• You must enter your license plate number. It must be valid.
• You must enter your business insurance and upload documentation
• You must upload your current health license. Front and Back
• You must enter the MFU information (not the vehicle used for towing)
• Pay the 24.99 fee per MFU. You will need to register each of the MFU’s you want inspected.
• If you do not register you will not get your inspection.

​

​

​

​

​

Service Providers

• Third party service providers
• Propane pressure testing, hood suppression systems, and extinguishers
• Examples: Reliance, L.A. Bexten, Summit, Fyr Fyter, Stumps etc.

• Must upload the inspection reports to IROL. The cost to them is $15.99 which is industry standard. You will not get your inspection until the reports are uploaded.

​

• These reports will be made part of your record and can be viewed by the participating jurisdictions.

​

• Click here for the link your service provider can use to register

Benefits

​

• Increased efficiency and consistency in inspections
• Easier compliance for MFU operators
• Improved safety and transparency for the public
• Centralized communication platforms for jurisdictions
• Integrated databases accessible by all relevant authorities
• QR code accessible reports
• Once the inspection is complete and compliant the inspection will be good for all participating AHJ’s

​

​

Participating AHJ’s

​

Toledo Fire, Perrysburg Fire, Bowling Green Fire, Maumee Fire, Sylvania Fire, Oregon Fire, Swanton Fire, Fostoria Fire, Marion Fire.

with more to come…

​

Your initial inspection does not mean you will not be inspected onsite in the participating jurisdictions - Previous slides outline why an onsite inspection is necessary as they can not be completed at your initial. If you receive a violation from a participating jurisdiction you must resolve the issue with that jurisdiction. Your valid permit may be suspended until violation is resolved. Fines may also be enforced.

Conclusion

We hope this information helps clear up the process and gets us all speaking the same language.

​

Reminder that each jurisdiction may still have different requirements to obtain a Permit. The fire inspection is only one step in the process. If you have any questions do not hesitate to contact your local Fire Department