Construction Permits

Compressed Gases

Where the compressed gases in use or storage exceed the amounts listed in Table 105.6.8 (below), a construction permit is required to install, repair damage to, abandon, remove, place temporarily out of service, or close or substantially modify a compressed gas system. Exceptions include routine maintenance and emergency repair work performed on an emergency basis, but an application for permit shall be made within two working days of commencement of work.

Submittal Requirements

Complete the Fire Construction permit application. Submit a scope of work letter, and floor plan or site plan showing location of compressed gases. Also include safety data sheets for each type of gas, amounts stored, and methods of storage. If the gases are to be used, include information on what they are used for and amounts that will be used.

Inspections Required

Final permit inspection

Fees

$200

Fire Alarm & Detection Systems

A construction permit is required for installation of or modification to fire alarm and detection systems and related equipment. Maintenance performed in accordance with this code is not considered to be a modification and does not require a construction permit.

All new and replacement fire alarm systems serving 20 or more alarm actuating devices shall be addressable fire alarm systems. All fire alarm systems shall be installed utilizing Class "A" wiring for all signaling, initiating, and indicating circuits. Class "A" wiring shall be designed to comply with NFPA 72.

Submittal Requirements

Complete the Fire Construction permit application. Submit shop drawings in accordance with IFC and NFPA 72, and specification sheets or cut sheets for equipment to be installed.

Inspections Required

Acceptance test

Fees

$200 per panel

Fire Pumps & Related Equipment

A construction permit is required for installation of or modification to fire pumps and related fuel tanks, jockey pumps, controllers, and generators. Maintenance performed in accordance with this code is not considered to be a modification and does not require a construction permit.

Submittal Requirements

Complete the Fire Construction permit application. Submit shop drawings in accordance with IFC and NFPA, and specification sheets or cut sheets for equipment to be installed.

Inspections Required

Acceptance test

Fees

$200

Flammable & Combustible Liquids

A construction permit is required for:

• To install, repair or modify a pipeline for the transportation of flammable or combustible liquids.
• To install, construct or alter tank vehicles, equipment, tanks, plants, terminals, wells, fuel-dispensing stations, refineries, distilleries and similar facilities where flammable and combustible liquids are produced, processed, transported, stored, dispensed or used.
• To install, alter, remove, abandon or otherwise dispose of a flammable or combustible liquid tank.

Submittal Requirements

Complete the Fire Construction permit application. Submit a scope of work letter, and floor plan or site plan showing location of flammable and combustible liquids. Also include safety data sheets for each type of liquid, amounts stored, and methods of storage. When flammable liquids tanks are to be installed, include the tank specification sheets. When tanks are being removed, include TCEQ approval letter.

Inspections Required

Final permit inspection

Fees

$200 per tank

Gates & Barricades Across Fire Apparatus Roads

A construction permit is required for the installation of or modification to a gate or barricade across a fire apparatus access road.

Submittal Requirements

Complete the Fire Construction permit application. Submit a scope of work letter, and site plan showing location of the gate or barricade. Also include gate specifications, clear open width of gate, and Opticom® for mechanically-operated gates. Manual gates, when approved by fire code official, shall be equipped with a Knox® lock.

Inspections Required

Final permit inspection

Fees

$200

High-Piled Combustible Storage

A construction permit is required for the installation of or modification to a structure exceeding 500 square feet, including aisles, for high-piled combustible storage. Maintenance performed in accordance with this code is not considered to be a modification and does not require a construction permit.

Submittal Requirements

• Complete the Fire Construction permit application. The construction documents shall include all of the following:
• Floor plan of the building showing locations and dimensions of high-piled storage areas.
• Usable storage height for each storage area.
• Number of tiers within each rack, if applicable.
• Commodity clearance between top of storage and the sprinkler deflector for each storage arrangement.
• Aisle dimensions between each storage array.
• Maximum pile volume for each storage array.
• Location and classification of commodities in accordance with Section 3203.
• Location of commodities that are banded or encapsulated.
• Location of required fire department access doors.
• Type of fire suppression and fire detection systems.
• Location of valves controlling the water supply of ceiling and in-rack sprinklers.
• Type, location and specifications of smoke removal and curtain board systems.
• Dimension and location of transverse and longitudinal flue spaces.
• Additional information regarding required design features, commodities, storage arrangement and fire protection features within the high-piled storage area shall be provided at the time of permit, where required by the fire code official.

Inspections Required

Final permit inspection

Fees

$200

Private Fire Hydrants

A construction permit is required for the installation or modification of private fire hydrants. Maintenance performed in accordance with this code is not considered to be a modification and does not require a permit.

Submittal Requirements

Complete the Fire Construction permit application. Submit shop drawings in accordance with IFC and NFPA, and specification sheets or cut sheets for equipment to be installed.

Inspections Required

Inspections could include a visual, hydrostatic test, and flush. Acceptance test inspections are required.

Fees

$200

Special Event Structure

A single construction permit is required to erect and take down a temporary special event structure. Temporary special event structures in excess of 400 square feet (37 m2) shall not be erected, operated or maintained for any purpose without first obtaining approval and a permit from the fire code official and the building official.

Submittal Requirements

Complete the Fire Construction Permit Application (PDF). 

The following documents shall be submitted to the fire code official and the building official for review before a permit is approved:

• Construction documents: Construction documents shall be prepared by a registered design professional in accordance with the International Building Code and ANSI E1.21 where applicable. Construction documents shall include:
  • A summary sheet showing the building code used, design criteria, loads and support reactions.
  • Detailed construction and installation drawings.
  • Design calculations.
  • Operating limits of the structure explicitly outlined by the registered design professional including environmental conditions and physical forces.
  • Effects of additive elements such as video walls, supported scenery, audio equipment, vertical and horizontal coverings.
  • Means for adequate stability including specific requirements for guying and cross-bracing, ground anchors or ballast for different ground conditions.
• Designation of responsible party: The owner of the temporary special event structure shall designate in writing a person to have responsibility for the temporary special event structure on the site. The designated person shall have sufficient knowledge of the construction documents, manufacturer's recommendations and operations plan to make judgments regarding the structure's safety and to coordinate with the fire code official.
• Operations plan: The operations plan shall reflect manufacturer's operational guidelines, procedures for environmental monitoring and actions to be taken under specified conditions consistent with the construction documents.

Inspections Required

The owner of a temporary special event structure shall employ a qualified, independent approved agency or individual to inspect the installation of a temporary special event structure. The inspecting agency or individual shall furnish an inspection report to the fire code official.

Fees

$200

Standpipe Systems

A construction permit is required for the installation, modification or removal from service of a standpipe system. Maintenance performed in accordance with this code is not considered to be a modification and does not require a permit.

Submittal Requirements

Complete the Fire Construction permit application. Submit shop drawings in accordance with IFC and NFPA, and specification sheets or cut sheets for equipment to be installed.

Inspections Required

Inspections could include a visual, hydrostatic test, and flush. Acceptance test inspections are required.

Fees

$200

Underground Fire Line

A construction permit is required for installation of or modification to an automatic fire-extinguishing system. Maintenance performed in accordance with the International Fire Code is not considered a modification and does not require a permit.

Submittal Requirements

Complete the Fire Construction permit application. Submit shop drawings in accordance with IFC and NFPA, specification sheets or cut sheets for equipment to be installed, and calculation sheets.

Inspections Required

Inspections could include a visual, hydrostatic test, and flush.

Fees

$200 per riser stub out.