Operational Permits

Compressed Gases

An operational permit is required for the storage, use or handling at normal temperature and pressure (NTP) of compressed gases in excess of the amounts listed in Table 105.6.8 (below). Vehicles equipped for and using compressed gas as a fuel for propelling the vehicle do not require a permit.

Submittal Requirements

Complete the Fire Operational Permit Application (PDF). 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 annually

Exhibits & Trade Shows

An operational permit is required to operate exhibits and trade shows.

Submittal Requirements

Complete the Fire Operational Permit Application (PDF). Submit a public safety plan and map that shows location of: booths, stages, and structures; first aid stations; information and ticket booths; fire extinguishers; marked exits; and parking.

Inspections Required

Final permit inspection

Fees

$200

Explosives

An operational permit is required for the manufacture, storage, handling, sale or use of any quantity of explosives, explosive materials, fireworks or pyrotechnic special effects within the scope of the International Fire Code Chapter 56.

Submittal Requirements

Complete the Fire Operational Permit Application (PDF). For public fireworks displays, submit a public safety plan including plan establishing procedures to follow and actions to be taken in the event that a shell fails to ignite in, or discharge from, a mortar or fails to function over the fallout area or other malfunctions shall be provided to the fire code official. Also include a site plan showing the location of: fireworks discharge area; audience (include distance from audience to discharge area); the location of buildings, highways, overhead obstructions and utilities; and fire extinguishers. Also submit a certificate of liability insurance and a detailed shot list.

Inspections Required

Final permit inspection

Fees

$200

Flammable & Combustible Liquids

An operational permit is required:

• To use or operate a pipeline for the transportation within facilities of flammable or combustible liquids. This requirement shall not apply to the off-site transportation in pipelines regulated by the Department of Transportation (DOT) nor does it apply to piping systems.
• To store, handle or use Class I liquids in excess of 5 gallons (19 L) in a building or in excess of 10 gallons (37.9 L) outside of a building, except that a permit is not required for the following:
  • The storage or use of Class I liquids in the fuel tank of a motor vehicle, aircraft, motorboat, mobile power plant or mobile heating plant, unless such storage, in the opinion of the fire code official, would cause an unsafe condition.
  • The storage or use of paints, oils, varnishes or similar flammable mixtures where such liquids are stored for maintenance, painting or similar purposes for a period of not more than 30 days.
• To store, handle or use Class II or Class IIIA liquids in excess of 25 gallons (95 L) in a building or in excess of 60 gallons (227 L) outside a building, except for fuel oil used in connection with oil-burning
• To store, handle or use Class IIIB liquids in tanks or portable tanks for fueling motor vehicles at motor fuel-dispensing facilities or where connected to fuel burning equipment. 
  • Exception: Fuel oil and used motor oil used for space heating or water heating.
• To remove Class I or II liquids from an underground storage tank used for fueling motor vehicles by any means other than the approved, stationary on-site pumps normally used for dispensing purposes.
• To operate 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 place temporarily out of service (for more than 90 days) an underground, protected above-ground or above-ground flammable or combustible liquid tank.
• To change the type of contents stored in a flammable or combustible liquid tank to a material that poses a greater hazard than that for which the tank was designed and constructed.
• To manufacture, process, blend or refine flammable or combustible liquids.
• To engage in the dispensing of liquid fuels into the fuel tanks of motor vehicles at commercial, industrial, governmental or manufacturing establishments in accordance with Section 5706.5.4 or to engage in on demand mobile fueling operations in accordance with Section 5707.
• To utilize a site for the dispensing of liquid fuels from tank vehicles into the fuel tanks of motor vehicles, marine craft and other special equipment at commercial, industrial, governmental or manufacturing establishments in accordance with Section 5706.5.4 or, where required by the fire code official, to utilize a site for on-demand mobile fueling operations in accordance with Section 5707.

Submittal Requirements

Complete the Fire Operational Permit Application (PDF). Submit a 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.

Inspections Required

Final permit inspection

Fees

$200 annually

Fruit & Crop Ripening

An operational permit is required to operate a fruit- or crop-ripening facility or conduct a fruit-ripening process using ethylene gas.

Submittal Requirements

Complete the Fire Operational Permit Application (PDF). Submit a floor plan or site plan showing location of fruit ripening activities.

Inspections Required

Final permit inspection

Fees

$200 annually

Gas & Oil Wells

An operational permit is required to operate gas and oil wells in the incorporated city limits of Denton following the issuance of a gas well permit by the City of Denton in accordance and compliance with all ordinances of the City of Denton, Texas, including without limitation, Subchapter 22 of the Denton Development Code of the City of Denton, Texas.

Submittal Requirements

Complete the Fire Operational Permit Application (PDF). Submit the following:

• A detailed site plan drawing showing the location of tank batteries, above ground pipe, underground transmission pipe
• A hazardous materials management plan
• A hazardous materials inventory statement
• An Emergency Response Plan including the name, address, and a 24-hour phone number of the person to be notified in case of emergency
• A copy of the Texas Commission on Environment Quality permit
• A copy of the Texas Railroad Commission permit

Include the gas well name, City of Denton gas well permit number, and the name, phone number, and address of the property owner and mineral rights owner.

Inspections Required

Final permit inspection

Fees

$200 annually per well head.

Hazardous Materials

An operational permit is required to store, transport on site, dispense, use or handle hazardous materials in excess of the amounts listed in the 2021 International Fire Code Table 105.5.22.

Submittal Requirements

Complete the Fire Operational Permit Application (PDF). Submit a Hazardous materials inventory statement, a hazardous materials management plan, a floor plan or site plan showing location of hazardous materials. Also include safety data sheets for each type of liquid, amounts stored, and methods of storage.

Inspections Required

Final permit inspection

Fees

$200 annually

High-Piled Storage

An operational permit is required to use a building or portion thereof with more than 500 square feet (46 m2), including aisles, of high-piled storage.

Submittal Requirements

Complete the Fire Operational Permit Application (PDF). Submit a floor plan showing the following:

• Locations, dimensions and rack layout of high-piled storage areas.
• Design storage height for each storage area.
• Types of commodities.
• Commodity clearance between top of storage and the sprinkler deflector for each storage arrangement.
• Aisle dimensions between each storage array.
• For palletized and solid-piled storage, the maximum pile volume for each storage array.
• Location and classification of commodities in accordance with Section 3203.
• Location of required fire department access doors.
• Location of valves controlling the water supply of ceiling and in-rack sprinklers.

Inspections Required

Final permit inspection

Fees

$200 annually

Hot Work Operations

An operational permit is required for hot work including, but not limited to:

• Public exhibitions and demonstrations where hot work is conducted.
• Use of portable hot work equipment inside a structure.
  • Exception: Work that is conducted under a construction permit.
• Fixed-site hot work equipment, such as welding booths.
• Hot work conducted within a wildfire risk area.
• Application of roof coverings with the use of an open flame device.
• Where approved, the fire code official shall issue a permit to carry out a hot work program. This program allows approved personnel to regulate their facility's hot work operations. The approved personnel shall be trained in the fire safety aspects denoted in this chapter and shall be responsible for issuing permits requiring compliance with the requirements found in Chapter 35. These permits shall be issued only to their employees or hot work operations under their supervision.

Submittal Requirements

Complete the Fire Operational Permit Application (PDF). Submit a floor plan or site plan showing location where hot work will be performed.

Inspections Required

Final permit inspection

Fees

$200 (annually for a hot work program)

Miscellaneous Combustible Storage

An operational permit is required to store in any building or on any premises in excess of 2,500 cubic feet (71 cubic meters) gross volume of combustible empty packing cases, boxes, barrels or similar containers, combustible pallets, rubber tires, rubber, cork or similar combustible material.

Submittal Requirements

Complete the Fire Operational Permit Application (PDF). Submit a floor plan showing the following:

• Locations, dimensions and rack layout of high-piled storage areas.
• Design storage height for each storage area.
• Types of commodities.
• Commodity clearance between top of storage and the sprinkler deflector for each storage arrangement.
• Aisle dimensions between each storage array.
• Location of required fire department access doors.

Inspections Required

Final permit inspection

Fees

$200 annually

Open Flames & Candles

An operational permit is required to use open flames or candles in connection with assembly areas, dining areas of restaurants or drinking establishments.

Submittal Requirements

Complete the Fire Operational Permit Application (PDF). Submit a floor plan showing location where open flames will be located and what equipment will produce the open flame. Include on the floor plan the location of exits and fire extinguishers.

Inspections Required

Final permit inspection

Fees

$200 annually

Outdoor Assembly Event

An operational permit is required to conduct an outdoor assembly event where planned attendance exceeds 1,000 persons.

Submittal Requirements

Complete the Fire Operational Permit Application (PDF). Submit a public safety plan, and a site plan showing locations of: booths, stages, and structures; first aid stations; information and ticket booths; boundaries of event; fire extinguishers; severe weather shelters; fire/EMS access roads; assembly areas and approximate occupant amounts; and parking.

Inspections Required

Final permit inspection

Fees

$200

Places of Assembly

An operational permit is required to operate a place of assembly.

Submittal Requirements

Complete the Fire Operational Permit Application (PDF).

Inspections Required

Final permit inspection

Fees

$200 annually

Tents or Temporary Membrane Structures

An operational permit is required to operate an air-supported temporary membrane structure, a temporary special event structure or a tent having an area in excess of 400 square feet (37 square meters). 

Exceptions:

• Tents used exclusively for recreational camping purposes.
• Tents open on all sides, which comply with all of the following:
• Individual tents having a maximum size of 700 square feet (65 square meters).
• The aggregate area of multiple tents placed side by side without a fire break clearance of not less than 12 feet (3658 millimeters) shall not exceed 700 square feet (65 square meters) total.
• A minimum clearance of 12 feet (3658 millimeters) to structures and other tents shall be provided.

Submittal Requirements

Complete the Fire Operational Permit Application (PDF). Submit a copy of the flame spread and fire-proofing certificate, a site plan showing the location of the tent in relation to lot lines, parked vehicles, and structures. Also submit a floor plan of the tent showing locations of fire extinguishers, exit signs, and "no smoking" signs.

Inspections Required

Final permit inspection

Fees

$35 per tent

Refrigeration Equipment

An operational permit is required to operate a mechanical refrigeration unit or system regulated by Chapter 6 of the International Fire Code. A permit is required when more than 220 pounds of group A1 or 30 pounds of any other group refrigerant are present. 

Submittal Requirements

Complete the Fire Operational Permit Application (PDF). Submit a floor plan showing the following:

• Location of emergency signs, charts and labels in accordance with NFPA 704. 
• Location of refrigeration detection devices and exhaust systems. 
• Location of remote controls and emergency shutoff switches. 
• Storage locations, methods, and amounts for refrigerants, along with safety data sheets for refrigerants.

Inspections Required

Final permit inspection

Fees

$200 annually

Repair Garages and Motor Fuel-Dispensing Facilities

An operational permit is required for operation of repair garages and automotive, marine and fleet motor fuel-dispensing facilities. 

Submittal Requirements

Complete the Fire Operational Permit Application (PDF). Submit a site plan showing the following:

• Location of any flammable or combustible liquids, including types of liquids, amounts stored, and storage methods (for repair garages).
• Location of any traps or floor drains, if applicable (for repair garages).
• Location of spray finishing, if applicable (for repair garages).
• Location of dispensing devices and emergency controls (for fuel-dispensing facilities).
• Location of underground storage tanks, fuels stored, and the tank capacity (for fuel-dispensing facilities).

Inspections Required

Final permit inspection

Fees

$200 annually

Spraying or Dipping

An operational permit is required to conduct a spraying or dipping operation utilizing flammable or combustible liquids, or the application of combustible powders regulated by Chapter 24 in the IFC.

Submittal Requirements

Complete the Fire Operational Permit Application (PDF). Submit a site plan showing the following:

• Location of any flammable or combustible liquids, including types of liquids, amounts stored, and storage methods.
• Location of spray rooms or booths, included the fire protection systems present.
• Location of fire extinguishers.
• Location of mechanical ventilation systems.
• Location of power coating rooms or booths, including the fire protection systems present.

Inspections Required

Final permit inspection

Fees

$200 annually