SmartBurner Tech Arrives in Sterling Heights Apartments
A federal pilot program installs temperature-limiting stove controls in a local apartment complex to reduce cooking fires.
By Samir Patterson ·
Residents at Fieldstone Apartments on Stonegate Drive now have electric stove burners that automatically limit heat. The Sterling Heights Fire Department unveiled the technology on Monday as part of a national pilot program designed to stop cooking fires before they start.
The units are located near 14 Mile and Schoenherr roads. The project uses SmartBurner technology, which installs temperature-limiting controls on electric stoves. These controls prevent burners from reaching the heat levels that typically ignite cooking materials.
Sterling Heights was one of three sites chosen across the country for the 2026 Cooking Fire Prevention Toolkit Initiative. The program is led by Vision 20/20, a project of the Institution of Fire Engineers US Branch. FEMA’s Fire Prevention and Safety Grant Program provides the funding for the effort.
The initiative also offers educational resources to residents at no cost to the city or the property. It aligns with a local ordinance that requires stoves in new multifamily dwellings to be electrically powered. The rule bans gas and fuel-fired stoves in these buildings and mandates the use of SmartBurner or equivalent technology with built-in thermostats.
Sterling Heights Fire Marshal Tracy Davis stated that the pilot allows the city to take a proactive approach to preventing one of the most common causes of residential fires. Mayor Pro Tem Liz Sierawski noted that the program serves as a practical conclusion to October, which is Fire Prevention Month, by implementing direct safety measures rather than just raising awareness.
Will Boake, EVP of Business Development at Pioneering Technology, said cooking fires remain the leading cause of home fires in America. He added that the city’s approach helps build a model for other fire departments. State Fire Marshal Tom Hughes praised the department for looking beyond traditional methods to reduce risks for residents in Michigan.
The launch event included remarks from city and fire officials. Attendees viewed fire-prevention education materials and watched a demonstration of the SmartBurner installation in one of the apartment units.
