Construction Permitting and Inspections

The Fire Marshal Office has guidelines and requirements for construction projects and commercial properties. For additional questions regarding fire protection systems, contact our office at 806-378-4238.

◾ Click here for additional detail for Development Services.

A licensed installer or a licensed engineer (through the State of Texas Department of Insurance) must submit plans to the Fire Marshal's Office for various fire-related systems, including:

Automatic fire extinguishing systems
Fire alarm and detection systems
Fire pump and related equipment
Private hydrants/fire main
Vent hood systems
Standpipe systems
Clean agent systems
Emergency Responder Communication Enhancement Systems (ERCES)
Any other fire-related systems

Submissions must include:

A construction application
At least two sets of legible plans on 18" x 24" paper
All related fees and corresponding paperwork

Submit Fire System Plans

Mail or drop-off Fire System information and plans to the Fire Marshal office located at 821 S Johnson St (Open: Monday-Friday, 8:00 am to noon and 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm).

Fees

The fees for fire plan reviews typically vary based on the type and complexity of the system being installed or modified. Payments must be made by cash, check, or money order.

Timeline

About 10 business days for review and comments.

Once the permit is issued, it must be picked up by the licensed installer and will be valid for six months. A valid permit must be onsite as work is being performed. Any unpermitted work will be reported and cited.

For newly installed or adjustments to a fire protection system, follow the information below.

◼ Click here for the Fire Marshal Construction Permit Application

◼ Click here for the Fire Marshal Visual/Phase Application

Fill out the application and pay the fee to the Fire Marshal Office.
The Fire Marshal's Office will contact the applicant to schedule an inspection.

◼ Click here fore the Final Fire Inspection Request Application

Fill out the application and pay the fee to the Fire Marshal Office.
The Fire Marshal's Office will contact the applicant to schedule an inspection.

Construction Fee Schedule

Fire Protection System Permit	Additional Information	Fee
Construction Permit Fee	All other inspections fees are in addition to the initial construction permit fee Per submittal of same type systems for the same occupancy	$100
Fire Alarm (per panel)	25 devices or less	$100
	26-100 devices	$150
	101-300 devices	$200
	301 or more devices	$250
Fire Sprinkler (per riser)	1-19 heads (New System only)	$100
	20-100 heads	$150
	101-300 heads	$225
	301 or heads	$350
	Wiring and sprinkler diagrams (thump drive or blueprints shall be accessible in the panel)
Fire Pumps and Related Equipment (per pump)		$100
Private Hydrants/Fire Main and PIV (per hydrant)		$100
Underground (Hydro)	Per inspection, no additional application fee	$100
Standpipe System (Standalone) (per system)		$100
Vent Hood Systems (per system)		$100
Clean Agent Suppression System	Only applies to systems covering 2500 sq ft. Anything greater than 2500 sq ft will be calculated under a Fire Sprinkler	$100
Paint Booth		$100
Emergency Responder Radio Coverage System (ERCES, BDA, DAS)	1-10,000 sq ft	$100
	10,001-50,000 sq ft	$150
	50,001-100,000 sq ft	$250
	100,001 sq ft or more	$250+$100 for each additional 25,000 sq ft or fraction thereof over 100,000 sq ft
Resubmittal Fees (per plan resubmittal)	Fee may be waived depending on man hours already committed to the project	$50
As-Builts (per plan submittal)		$0
Phase Inspection (per phase)	No additional application fee	$50
Visual Inspection prior to acceptance test (per inspection)	No additional application fee	$50
Final Fire Inspection for Certificate of Occupancy	5,000 sq ft or less	$100
	5,001-10,000 sq ft	$150
	10,001-50,000 sq ft	$200
	50,001-100,000 sq ft	$250
	100,001 sq ft or more	$250 + $100 for each additional 25,000 sq ft or fraction thereof over 100,000 sq ft
All other Construction Permit Types	Subject to additional fees to cover cost of manpower based on scope of request	$100
Variance Request Application	Application does not guarantee approval	$100
First reinspection fee		$0
Subsequent reinspection	Unresolved noncompliance spanning multiple inspections may result in citation	$50 per inspection after first reinspection
No Show/Not Ready	If related to initial inspection, first reinspection will be at no charge	$50
After Hours Inspection (per hour)		$100
Investigation Inspection (working without permit)	May include citation	Two times the permit fee

Fire System Checklist for Commercial Properties

If you have further questions about fire safety requirements, contact the Fire Marshal office at 806-378-4238.

Fire Protection Systems Inspection, Testing and Maintenance

Fire Alarm systems, sprinklers and fire pumps shall be inspected, test and serviced annually. (IFC901.6)
Records of all fire protection system inspections, tests and maintenance shall be kept on the premises for review by the Fire Official. (IFC 901.6.3)
Fire protection systems shall be maintained in an operative condition at all times. (IFC 901.6)
Emergency lighting (1008.2) and exit sign (1013.6.3) lighting shall be working properly at all times.(IFC 1006)
Emergency generator systems shall be routinely inspected, operated and serviced per NPFA 110 &111. All records shall be kept on the premises for review by the Fire Official. (IFC 604)
Commercial cooking fire protection systems shall be test at least every 6 months. (IFC 904.5.1)
Hoods, grease removal devices, fans ducts, etc. shall be cleaned to bare metal. Cleaning shall be recorded, and records shall state the extent, time and date of cleaning. Records shall be maintained on premises. (IFC 606)
Private hydrants shall be inspected, serviced and flow tested annually. (IFC 507.5.3)

Exits

Exit doors shall be unlocked when building is occupied. (IFC 1010.2.4)
Exit signs, doors, halls shall not be visually or physically obstructed by storage, decorations, furnishings, snow or ice. (IFC 1013.1)
Exit signs shall be illuminated. (IFC 1013.3)
Exit ways shall be illuminated at all times the building is occupied including during commercial power failures. (IFC 1008)
Fire doors, smoke dampers and other fire resistance barriers and assemblies shall not be modified or otherwise impaired from the proper operation at any time. (Ch.7)

Combustible and Flammable Material Storage

Combustible materials (cardboard, paper, plastics, kerosene, paint, etc.) shall not be stored in boiler rooms, mechanical rooms, or electrical equipment rooms. (IFC 315.3.3)
Combustible materials shall not be stored in exit ways, hallways, stairways or exit enclosures. (IFC 315.3.2)
Outside dumpsters shall be kept at least 5 feet away from combustible walls, windows, doors, overhangs and lid shall be closed. (IFC 304.3.3)
Combustible storage shall be at least 2 feet below the ceiling or 18 inches below sprinkler heads. (IFC 315.3.1)
Compressed gas containers, cylinders and tanks shall be secured to prevent falling. (IFC 5303.5.3)
Flammable materials (gasoline, propane, alcohol, etc.) shall not be stored indoors. Including fuel tanks of motorcycles, lawn-care equipment or cooking equipment, etc. (IFC313)

Building Maintenance

All private hydrants, fire lanes, fire department connections (FDC) and control valves shall be clear, labeled, visible and unobstructed, including snow and ice removal. (IFC 503, 507)
The building address shall be clearly visible from the street, minimum 4 inches in height with contrasting background. (IFC 505.1)
A knock box with all entrance and interior keys for emergency access is required for all structures that automatically dial 911. (IFC 506.1)
Fire-resistance-rated construction shall be maintained. (IFC 703.1)
Occupant load signs must be legible, permanent and posted in conspicuous location. (IFC 1004.9)
Door labels are required for accesses to electrical, furnace, sprinkler, mechanical, and generator rooms and to the roof. (IFC 509)
Candles and other open flames are not permitted in commercial properties without special permission from the Fire Marshal. (IFC 308)

Electrical

A working space of not less than 30 inches wide (or width of equipment), 36 inches deep and 78 inches high shall be provided in front of electrical service equipment. No storage with this workspace. (IFC 603.4)
“Power strips or surge protectors” shall be UL listed, polarized, grounded and equipped with over current protection and shall be directly connected to a permanently installed receptacle. (IFC 603)
“Power strips” cords shall not extent through walls, ceilings, floors, under doors, or floor coverings, nor be subject to environmental or physical damage. (IFC 603.6)
Extension cords, Multi-plug adapters and flexible cords shall not be a substitute for permanent wiring. (IFC 603.6)
All electrical boxes shall be properly covered. (IFC 603.2.2)
Portable electric heaters shall be UL listed and plugged directly into a permanent wall receptacle, not into an extension cord, power strip or adapter. The must be positioned at least 3 feet away from combustibles. (IFC 603.9.4)

Portable Fire Extinguishers

A minimum of one 2A-10:BC portable fire extinguisher shall be provided within 75 feet of travel distance from anywhere in the business on each floor. (IFC 906.3)
A class K fire extinguisher shall be mounted within 30 feet of commercial food equipment using vegetable or animal oils. (IFC 906.1)
Fire extinguisher shall not be obstructed and all shall be in a conspicuous location. When visually obstructed, approved signs shall be provided to indication location and not obstructed. (IFC 906.6)
Fire extinguishers shall be mounted on wall with hanger at least 4 inches above the floor and no more than 60 inches above the floor. (IFC 906.7)
Annual, certified inspections of all extinguishers are required. (IFC 906.2)

KNOX-BOX

A KNOX-BOX is a secure key box that allows the Fire Department quick access to your property in case of an emergency, without causing damage. It’s an essential safety measure for commercial properties, schools, and other buildings that may require emergency entry when no one is available to unlock doors.

KNOX-BOX Order Information

You can order a KNOX-BOX online by following these steps:

Go to knoxbox.com and click “BUY” in the upper right corner of the screen.
Search for the department or agency servicing your location. If you are within Amarillo’s city limits, select “Amarillo Fire Dept.”
Select the appropriate product for your needs and add it to your cart.
Confirm your product installation address, then complete your purchase or continue shopping.

Once ordered, the KNOX-BOX will be delivered, and you can arrange for its installation at your property.

KNOX-BOX Information

The KNOX-BOX you purchase will come to you unlocked and will not include a key. Once the product is installed and you have the additional keys to place in the KNOX-BOX, contact our office, 806-378-9092, and we will schedule a time to lock the KNOX-BOX.

City of Amarillo, TX

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