Purpose Statement

The purpose of this article is to standardize how Fire Prevention personnel manage mobile food vendors within their jurisdiction. This process improves tracking, inspection scheduling, and compliance monitoring while establishing clear occupancy records for both the vendor’s primary business location and individual mobile units.

Background Information

Mobile food vendors often operate across multiple locations, creating challenges with jurisdiction boundaries and tracking multiple units under a single business. The recommended approach is to create separate occupancy records for:

• The primary business location (office/commissary)
• Each individual mobile unit (food trucks, trailers, carts)

This method ensures:

• Accurate record keeping
• Improved compliance tracking
• Flexibility for vendors operating across jurisdictions

Required Permissions

Users must have the following permissions enabled:

Pre-Planning Permissions:

• Create New Occupancy on the Map
• Create New Occupancy Outside Area
• Location Not Shared – Edit
• Places - Move Pin Location
• Pre-Plans - Clone Primary Address
• Change Address Status
• Edit Occupancy Address
• Occupancy Record

Video

Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1: Verify Required Permissions

1. Navigate to Admin.
2. Select Roles.
3. Click Edit on the applicable role.

4. Expand Pre-Planning Permissions.

   • Create New Occupancy on the Map
   • Create New Occupancy Outside Area
   • Location Not Shared – Edit
   • Places - Move Pin Location
   • Pre-Plans - Clone Primary Address
   • Change Address Status

   

Step 2: Create Primary Occupancy (Main Business Location)

1. Navigate to Pre-Plans Map.

   
   
    

2. Search for the address or drop a pin on the map to create a new occupancy.

   
   
    

3. Enter required address details and, if outside your jurisdiction:

   • Select Not Shared Location

   • Ensure Is Inspectable is NOT selected under the 

     

     
     
      

4. Enter the Business Name under Occupancy Details and click Publish to create the occupancy.

   

Step 3: Create Mobile Food Unit(s)

1. Select the primary occupancy on the map and click Clone Address.

   
   
    

2. In the clone modal:

   1. Select the primary address
   2. Enter a unique identifier in Address Line 2 (e.g., license plate, VIN, unit number)

   • Click Clone Address

     
     
      

     3. In Occupancy Details:

• Enter a Business Name for the unit

• Enable Is Inspectable

  

  
  
   

  4. In Address Details:

  • Mark as Not Shared Location

    
    
     

                                   5. Move the map pin slightly to separate it from the primary location and click Publish.

 Note: Repeat for additional mobile units as needed.

Step 4: Initiate or Schedule Inspections

Option A: From Map

1. Select the mobile unit address marker.

2. Click Start Inspection.

   
    

Option B: From Inspection Organizer

1. Navigate to Inspection Organizer.

   
    

2. Select the appropriate Inspection Type.
    
3. Search using the unit identifier.
    

4. Choose:

   • Inspect (start immediately), or
   • Schedule Inspection

   

Step 5: Manage Mobile Unit Status

1. Open the mobile unit Occupancy Record.

    

2. Change Address Status to:

   • Active (currently operating)
   • Inactive (no longer operating in jurisdiction)
   • 
      
3. Click Save.

Best Practices

• Use consistent identifiers (license plate, VIN, or unit number)
• Maintain clear naming conventions for each mobile unit
• Separate map pins to avoid overlap and confusion
• Ensure inspection types are configured for mobile vendors
• Regularly review and update unit statuses
• Document permits or agreements in occupancy notes
• Coordinate with other regulatory departments

Troubleshooting & FAQs

Q: What if the primary business is outside our jurisdiction?
A: Mark it as Not Shared Location and ensure Is Inspectable is disabled. Only mobile units should be inspectable.

Q: I don’t see the Clone Address option. Why?
A: Verify the Pre-Plans - Clone Primary Address permission is enabled.

Q: What identifier should I use for mobile units?
A: Use a consistent and unique identifier such as license plate, VIN, or unit number.

Q: Can I reactivate an inactive mobile unit?
A: Yes. Change the Address Status back to Active and save.

Q: How do I handle vendors with multiple units?
A: Create separate cloned occupancies for each unit with unique identifiers.