Houston Fire Department Mobile Website > Safety Tips > Burglar Bars

The installation and use of burglar bars are regulated by the City of Houston Uniform Building Code. Consult the code!

Bars, grilles or grates may be installed on windows or doors of residences if they meet the following requirements:

Must be able to open the burglar bars from the inside without the use of a key or special knowledge or effort. ( A child should be able to open the burglar bar easily and get out ).

If burglar bars are installed, your home should have smoke detectors installed as follows: If the bedrooms are on separate sides of the house or separated in any way, one smoke detector is required to protect each sleeping area or hallway.

One smoke detector is required for each level of the house if the house is more than one story.

When bedrooms are upstairs the smoke detector shall be installed on the ceiling near the stairway.

If bedroom ceilings are more than 24 inches higher than the hallway ceiling, smoke detectors shall be installed in the bedrooms and in the hallway.

When signaling an alarm the smoke detectors must be heard from every bedroom.

Recommended locations for smoke detectors: If installed on wall place (4 to 12 inches from the ceiling)

If installed on ceiling place (at least 4 inches from the wall)

The recommended release mechanism for hinged burglar bars would be a single cylinder deadbolt lock with a thumb & forefinger turn lever on the inside cylinder or other quick release devices.

Note: For security purposes the deadbolt on a hinged burglar bar could be protected from outside intrusion by the use of expanded metal or a plate to prevent intruders from reaching the release lever.

Do not install burglar bars, grills, grates or any device on windows or doors used for rescue or escape routes that cannot be easily opened from the inside. In a fire, your life will depend on it!
If you have any questions, please call the Houston Fire Department's Public Education Division at 713-865-7120.