New Fire Code Requirements for Mobile Food Vendors and Temporary Cooking Operations
The State of Montana and the City of Great Falls have adopted the 2021 edition of the International Fire Code (IFC). With the adoption of the 2021 IFC and the referenced 2021 NFPA 96 standard, a new code language has been added pertaining to Mobile Food Preparation Vehicles and Temporary Cooking Operations. The Montana State Fire Marshal has given all Mobile Food Vendors and Temporary Cooking Operations until May 1st, 2024, to comply with these new requirements.
The City of Great Falls will require all Mobile Food Vendors and Temporary Cooking Operations to comply with City licensure requirements. A copy of the City license shall be posted in the mobile food or temporary cooking operation. The City of Great Falls and Great Falls Fire Rescue will require a fire safety inspection of the mobile food or temporary cooking operation annually. A copy of the fire inspection report, and the inspection, testing, and maintenance report shall be kept readily available in the mobile food or temporary cooking operation.
Fire Safety Inspections are completed by appointment only! Please contact the Great Falls Fire Rescue Fire Prevention Bureau to schedule 406-727-8070.
Inspection Process:
Mobile Food Vendor inspections will occur at the GFFR Training Center, located at 1900 9th St S. Inspections will occur on Tuesdays and Thursdays and are done by appointment only.
Temporary Cooking Operations inspections will take place onsite the day before the event or earlier. To schedule an inspection, please call 406-727-8070.
All inspections for the Montana State Fair will occur the day before the fair begins; appointments will not be required.
Inspection with violations:
Mobile Food Vendors with violations found during the initial inspection shall have a re-inspection required. A thirty (30) day period will go into effect after the initial inspection to correct all violations. Once the violations have been corrected, it is the MFV’s responsibility to contact GFFR and schedule a re-inspection. If the MFV fails the re-inspection, a City of Great Falls License will not be issued.
Temporary Cooking Operations inspections where violations are found shall have all violations corrected before the event begins unless an exception from the GFFR Fire Prevention Bureau (FPB) is given.
Press release By Great Falls Fire Rescue Fire Prevention Bureau: March 5, 2024 – Great Falls, Mt
