Houston Fire Department Information For Businesses, Alarms

  • "Inspection, Test and Maintenance" (ITM) tags and labels for Fire Alarm systems, Sprinkler Systems and Extinguishing systems - information may be obtained on latest changes, effective 01 April, 2006, to the "Inspection, Test and Maintenance" (ITM) tags and labels for Fire Alarm systems, Sprinkler Systems and Extinguishing systems, from the The State of Texas Fire Marshal's website at: http://www.tdi.state.tx.us/fire/fmli.html

  • Sample Letter of Intent to Comply with City of Houston Sprinkler Ordinance, per Fire Code Appendix J. (Word .DOC Format) or (Adobe .PDF Format)

  • The COH Fire Code "Appendix J" - Effective 12/31/05
    The new retroactive high-rise building sprinkler ordinance, issued as a new amendment  (Appendix J) to the current COH Fire Code.

Additional questions may be emailed to the  HFD Fire Prevention Division

The City desires to reduce the number of false fire alarm notifications by encouraging the proper design, installation, operation and maintenance of the alarm systems. An annual Fire Alarm Permit and False Fire Alarm Fees were enacted July 1, 2002. 

  • FEES for new permit $50.00 + $ 10.00 administration fee, renewals (Renewal and fees must be presented ten business days before permit expiration) $25.00 + $ 10.00 administration fee.

Classification of Alarm Systems

  • Group A- an alarm system with no more than 10 alarm actuating devices.;
  • Group B- an alarm system with not less than 11 or more than 100 alarm actuating devices; and Group C- an alarm system with 101 or more alarm actuating devices.

False Response Fees:

$300.00 for each false fire alarm response by the fire department in excess of the following, during each permit period:

  • Group A- five false fire alarms,
  • Group B- fifteen false fire alarms,
  • Group C- thirty false fire alarms.

A notice of each false alarm shall be mailed to the permit holder, or person in control if there is no valid permit. Fees are due within thirty days following the date that the city places the false alarm confirmation notice in the mail, unless a hearing has been requested. A 30% collection fee shall be added to each false fire alarm response fee that remains unpaid on the 61 st day after it is due.

If the permit holder, or the person in control if there is no valid alarm permit, may request a hearing within 30 days following the date that the city places the false alarm confirmation notice in the mail. The sole purpose of the hearing is to ascertain whether or not the disputed alarm was false. The requests for hearing shall specify facts and have documents and records attached that prove the alarm was not false.

Violations: When an act is prohibited or is made or declared to be unlawful or an offense or misdemeanor or the doing of any act is required or the failure to do anything or act is prohibited the violation of the provision shall be and constitute a misdemeanor punishable, upon conviction, by a fine of not less that $250 nor more than $2000. Each violation shall constitute and be punishable as a separate offense.

In addition to prohibiting or requiring certain conduct of individuals, it is the intent to also hold a corporation, partnership, association, limited partnership, limited liability corporation or other such entity criminally responsible for acts or omissions performed by an agent acting on its behalf.

Revocation of permit:

Failure to make payment in full to the city of any fees due within 30 days of the date the city has mailed a notice to the permit holder that the fees are due and owing or within 15 days following the date of mailing of the decision notice where an appeal has been timely filed; or

The permit holder accrues more that twice the number of false fire alarms for the applicable group during the permit period; or

Or the existence of any fact or circumstances that would be a basis for denial of an application for issuance or renewal of a permit, or the permit was otherwise obtained or issued in error.

APPEALS: A person may appeal the denial or revocation of a permit by delivering a written request for an appeal to the Fire Chief (1205 Dart Street, Houston, TX 77007) not more than 15 days after the first d ate of mailing written notice of denial or revocation. The notice of denial or revocation shall be sent to the permit holder or applicant by certified mail, return receipt requested, addressed to the permit holder or applicant at the alarm site address, or to such other address specified by them in writing to the fire department.

General:

  • Permit term - permits are issued for a year and expire a year from date of issue.
  • Permits are not transferable
  • City Ordinance exempts Single Family Residential Dwellings from obtaining a Fire Alarm. 
  • False alarms occurring during a three-month period commencing on the date of the first operation of a newly installed alarm system, provided a permit has been purchased, the permit holder shall not be charged the fee nor shall the false alarm count against the number of allowable false alarms.
  • For more information contact the Fire Department Fire Alarm office at 1205 Dart Street Suite 113 , Houston , TX 77007 or call 713-247-8557

 

This webpage was last updated February 18, 2008