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Houston Fire Department

FAQs

BBQ GRILLS/OPEN FLAME COOKING DEVICES - Tenants residing in non-sprinkled apartment buildings are allowed to only store on patios or balconies charcoal type pits and tabletop style propane gas grills that use no more than a 2.5 lbs. propane cylinder.

The HOA for Condominiums and the apartment lease contract may prohibit all cooking devices on their balconies within 10 feet of the building.

2006 International Fire Code 308.3.1 - OPEN FLAME COOKING DEVICES: Charcoal burners and other open-flame cooking devices shall not be operated on combustible balconies or within 10 feet (3048 mm) of combustible construction.

Exceptions:

  • 1. One and Two family dwellings.
  • 2. Where buildings, balconies, and decks are protected by an automatic sprinkler system.

2006 International Fire Code 308.3.1.1 – LIQUEFIED-PETROLEUM-GAS-FUELED COOKING DEVICES: LP gas burners having an LP-gas container with a water capacity greater than 2.5 pounds [nominal 1 pound (0.454 kg) LP-gas capacity] shall not be located on combustible balconies or within 10 feet (3048 mm) of combustible construction.

Exception: 1. One and Two family dwellings.

In keeping in compliance with the Houston Fire Code mentioned above, tenants residing in non-sprinkled apartment buildings are allowed to only store on patios or balconies charcoal type pits and tabletop style propane gas grills that use no more than a 2.5 lbs. propane cylinder.

REMOVAL OF BOTH PROPANE GRILLS AND CYLINDERS FROM THE PROPERTY IS REQUIRED. UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES IS STORAGE ALLOWED INSIDE UNITS.

Regarding electric grills, The Fire Code and the ordinances are open to interpretation.

BURNING TRASH OR BONFIRE - To report someone burning trash or a bonfire, contact the Houston Fire Department's Fire Prevention Division that enforces the Fire Code during the day at 832.394.6900 and during non-business hours, the non-emergency dispatch number 713.884.3131.

CERTIFICATE OF OCCUPANCY - For information on Certificates of Occupancy, please refer to the City of Houston Public Works Planning Code Enforcement Website at https://www.publicworks.houstontx.gov/planning/enforcement/index.htm

CHILD PLAYING WITH FIRE OR MATCHES - If the child(ren) are not yours, you will need to call the Houston Firestoppers Program at 713.247.8826. If the child(ren) are yours, the Fire Department has a confidential program for youth that have played with matches or have set fires. This is a free program where the family receives fire education, and for those interested in further assistance counseling services are available.

COMMERCIAL FIRE PERMIT AND INSPECTION - The Commercial Business Fire Permits and Fire Marshal Approval's (inspections) office is located at 1205 Dart Street. This office takes applications for Commercial Business' that are required to comply with Federal Fire Codes and provides Fire Marshall Inspections/Approval's. The telephone number is 832.394.8811.

EVACUATION TRAINING PROGRAM - Disaster training in conjunction with fire drills, how to evacuate in case of a fire emergency. Contact HFD Public Education Office at 832.394.6936.

FIRE CODE - Contact the Fire Prevention Office at 832.394.6900 . You may also visit the HFD Standards Webpage.

FIRE DEPARTMENT'S FIRE ALARM PERMIT OFFICE - The Houston Fire Department's Permit Office is located at 1002 Washington Ave., Houston , Texas 77007 and may be reached during normal business hours at 832.394.8811.

FIRE DRILL- Training provided by HFD Public Education Office. Organizing and conducting an orderly evacuation, and evaluating results with management of the facility. Call 832.394.6936.

FIRE PREVENTION PERMITS FOR NEW BUSINESSES - All new business may apply for a safety inspection by a fire prevention inspector who will determine what fire department permits are required for their type of business. Call 713.535.7897 . Also, refer to HFD Forms and Permits >>>

FIRE PREVENTION INSPECTION - Fire department inspectors do inspections for businesses. Inspections are scheduled through the Fire Prevention Office at 832.394.6900.

FIRE PREVENTON RECORDS (FIRE CODE VIOLATONS, INSPECTION REPORTS, etc.) - To obtain a copy of an inspection record (violations, etc) from the HFD Fire Marshal Office, please submit an open records request (include your contact information with mailing address) to: email hfdemsrec@houstontx.gov, by mail to HFD Records 500 Jefferson, Ste. 1970, Houston, TX 77002 or Fax 832.394.6883.

FIRE PREVENTION WEEK- Fire Prevention Week in October of each year, presentations, entertainment, and literature to promote fire and life safety. Contact the Public Affairs Office at 832.394.6633.

FIRE ZONE - To report a fire zone violation or to see about getting a fire zone at a place of business, contact the Houston Fire Department's Fire Prevention Division that enforces the Fire Code. Day number 832.394.6900, Night number 713.884.3143.

FIRE WALLS - Fire walls, normally extend from the floor of a building, up through the roof and are made of bricks, blocks or other non-combustible masonry type materials.

FIREWORK VIOLATIONS - Citizens should report all complaints regarding the illegal use of fireworks directly to the HPD Tel-communicator (non-emergency line) at 713.884.3131. If the citizen believes that there may be a fire and/or medical emergency related to the use of fireworks, he/she should dial 9-1-1 and request the HFD.

FOSTER HOME INSPECTIONS -When someone needs a home inspection for a foster home, please contact the Fire Marshal Office. The Fire Marshal phone number is 832.394.6900.

INSPECTION RECORDS - To obtain a copy of an inspection record (violations, etc) from the HFD Fire Marshal Office, please submit an open records request (include your contact information with mailing address) to: to: email hfdemsrec@houstontx.gov, by mail to HFD Records 500 Jefferson, Ste. 1970, Houston, TX 77002 or Fax 832.394.6883.

LANDLORD HAS NOT INSTALLED SMOKE DETECTOR - You would need to call the Houston Fire Department's Fire Prevention Division, 832.394.6900.

PERMIT REQUIREMENTS FOR SPRINKLER SYSTEMS - Please contact our Plan Checking office at 832.394.8853.

REPORT RED OR YELLOW TAGS - Please email red or yellow tag fire alarm notices to the Fire Marshal's Office at leticia.duran@houstontx.gov.

SCHOOL DOORS CHAINED - You can contact the Houston Fire Department's Fire Prevention Division that enforces the Fire Code at Day: 832.394.6900 or Night: 713.884.3131.

SKY LANTERNS -It is illegal to light sky lanterns in a residential neighborhood in the City of Houston. Sky Lanterns have an open flame in them and open flames/open burning is illegal in the City of Houston.

SPACE HEATERS IN OFFICE BUILDINGS- For information on the use of space heaters in office buildings please click here for a letter from the Fire Marshal regarding this topic.

STRUCTURAL HAZARDS - *This is not part of the Houston Fire Marshal Office, however, you may contact the Building Department by calling 3-1-1 or 713.837.0311 if calling from outside the City of Houston.

TIER 2 SUBMISSION - *This is not part of the Houston Fire Marshal Office, however, the State now requires all Tier 2 submittals sent to them to be in electronic format using the Tier2Submit software. Submissions to the Houston Fire Department should be emailed to the HFD at hfdtier2@houstontx.gov.

TOO MANY PEOPLE IN THE CLUB - You can contact the Houston Fire Department's Fire Prevention Division that enforces the Fire Code. Day: 832.394.6900 Night: 713.884.3131.