The fire code is adopted and enforced to reduce the chances of loss of life or property due to fire. Fire code enforcement is critical in reducing risk to both citizens and firefighters.
Building information is collected and updated during the plans review, permitting, and inspection processes, so that if a fire does occur, firefighters have access to information about design features and other factors that can impact rescue, fire suppression, property conservation efforts, and firefighter safety.
Applying for a Permit through the Fire Department
Permits are required in the City of Beaumont for a variety of activities, events, and construction or demolition projects. The Fire Department is involved in the application and approval process for the permits listed on this page only. Information on other types of permits can be obtained from the Building Codes Division at 409-880-3762, or by visiting the Building Codes Division web page.
A minimum of 10 business days prior to your planned event, equipment installation or removal, or open burning activity, submit your contact information and the information required for the particular type of permit to:
In person or by mail:
Beaumont Fire-Rescue Services
Community Risk Reduction Division
400 Walnut St.
Suite 201
Beaumont, TX 77701
409-880-3905
8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday
[email protected]
Fire Protection Systems Permit
The following types of fire protection systems require a permit prior to installation:
-
- Electronic detector systems (smoke, heat, flame, etc.)
- Water-based fire suppression systems (automatic sprinkler systems, deluge systems, standpipe systems, etc.)
- Gaseous, liquid or solid fire suppression systems (CO2 systems, dry or wet chemical systems,”clean agent” replacement gas systems, etc.)
To apply for a fire protection systems permit, your fire protection systems contractor must submit detailed systems plans for review and approval. Failure to obtain a permit prior to beginning installation may result in installation interruption, systems tear-out, or a double permit fee being assessed.
After receiving approval from the Fire Department’s Community Risk Reduction Division, your permit must be processed by the City of Beaumont Building Codes Division, located on the 2nd floor at City Hall, 801 Main Street. Submit the approval you receive from the Fire Department to the Building Codes Division.
A fee is required. For a fee schedule, please contact the Building Codes Division at 409-880-3762 or visit the Building Codes Division webpage.
-
- Fire protection systems must be installed by a licensed contractor. A copy of the approved fire protection systems plan must be maintained at the construction site.
- To ensure proper operation, an acceptance test is required after the installation of any fire protection system. The company installing the system must pre-test it for proper operation and code compliance prior to scheduling the acceptance test with the BFRS Community Risk Reduction Division. If the system fails the acceptance test, a reinspection fee of $100 may be assessed to the contractor for each additional acceptance test required.
-
Storage Tanks & Fuel Dispensing Systems Permit
To apply for a fuel storage tank or dispensing system permit, submit a detailed storage and dispensing system site plan and drawing that includes the following:
-
- The proposed location of the tank(s) and/or unit(s)
- Distances of tank(s) or dispensers(s) from property lines and/or buildings
- Size and specifications of tank(s) and/or dispensing unit(s)
- Installation details
- Containment systems (for above ground tanks)
After receiving approval from the Fire Department’s Community Risk Reduction Division, your permit must be processed by the City of Beaumont Building Codes Division, located on the 2nd floor at City Hall 801 Main Street. Submit the approval you receive from the Fire Department to the Building Codes Division.
A fee is required.
First storage tank: $200 Each additional tank: $75 Each dispensing unit: $50- Above-ground tanks are subject to zoning requirements.
- Fuel storage tanks and dispensing systems must comply with NFPA 30 – Flammable and Combustible Liquids Code.
- Storage tanks and/or dispensing units must be installed by a licensed contractor.
-
Tent Permit (Temporary Use)
To apply for a tent permit, submit a site plan to the Community Risk Reduction Division detailing the following:
- Intended use and dimensions of the tent(s)
- Spacing between the tents (if more than one)
- Type, size and location of fire extinguishers
- Clearance distance from any heat source/flame
- Location of parked vehicles
After receiving approval from the Fire Department’s Community Risk Reduction Division, your permit must be processed by the City of Beaumont Building Codes Division, located on the 2nd floor at City Hall, 801 Main Street. Submit the approval you receive from the Fire Department to the Building Codes Division.
A fee is required. For a current fee schedule, please contact the Building Codes Division at 409-880-3762 or visit the Building Codes Division webpage.
Open Burning Permit
An ope
n burning permit may be obtained for bonfires, ceremonial fires, trench burning operations, and the use of an open flame in a public assembly. No fee is required. To apply, submit a site plan drawing to the Community Risk Reduction Division that details the following:- Location and size of the controlled burn
- Type and estimated amount of materials to be burned
- Minimum clearance distances of:
- 1,800 feet from all downwind structures
- 500 feet from all other structures, wooded areas, roads and overhead power lines
NOTE: Trench burning requires additional open burning requirements and approval obtained from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ).
Fireworks Permit
To apply for a fireworks permt, submit the following to the Community Risk Reduction Division:- A site plan drawing detailing the location of fireworks discharge and the area affected by the display
- A copy of the pyrotechnic operator’s license, issued by the State Fire Marshal’s Office (commercial only)
- Type and estimated amount of fireworks to be burned, along with a Material Safety Data Sheet for each type (commercial only)
No fee is required. A pre-event demonstration of each type of pyrotechnic device being burned is required. Additionally, all public fireworks displays must meet state of Texas requirements as outlined in the Fireworks Rules adopted through the Texas State Fire Marshal’s office.
How do I schedule a fire code enforcement inspection?
Contact the BFRS Community Risk Reduction Division:By Phone: 409-880-3905 (between 7:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. Mon.-Fri.)
By Email: [email protected]
Inspections are normally scheduled between 8:30 a.m. and noon and 1 p.m-5 p.m., Monday through Friday.
What inspection reports are available through the Fire Department?
Fire code i
nspection reports are available for most properties that have been inspected by Beaumont Fire-Rescue over the last 10 years. Older information may be available on some properties. State and federal building records are not available, nor is information on single family residences.If you need an inspection report, find out how to request one here.
Do fire code compliance inspectors come to inspect without an appointment?
Yes. The fire department inspects facilities that pose a greater threat to life safety in the event of a fire – hospitals, day cares, schools, or nursing homes – more frequently than other commercial occupancy. Other target hazards include businesses that may store large amounts of hazardous materials or buildings over four stories. Routine inspections of standard commercial occupancies are completed as scheduling and staffing permits.
The Community Risk Reduction Division also accepts complaints from citizens about businesses or properties that may pose a potential life safety risk or fire hazard. Examples may include locked or blocked exits, overcrowding, vehicles parked in fire lanes, tall weeds, or combustible materials near structures. We do our best to investigate and bring resolution to all complaints.
What fire and building codes have been adopted by the City of Beaumont?
The City of Beaumont most recently adopted the 2015 editions of the International Fire Code and International Building Code. These two codes may be purchased from the International Code Council, Inc.
The City of Beaumont also adopted several local amendments to address local concerns. These local amendments, as well as service fees, may be viewed in Section 8.01.001 of the City of Beaumont Code of Ordinances.
The International Fire Code requires compliance with many standards set by the National Fire Protection Association. These can be purchased through the NFPA website. Some of the required standards include the following:
Number NFPA Standard NFPA 10 Portable Fire Extinguishers NFPA 12 Carbon Dioxide Fire Extinguishing Systems NFPA 12A Halon 1301 Fire Extinguishing Systems NFPA 13 Installation of Sprinkler Systems NFPA 17 Dry Chemical Fire Extinguishing Systems NFPA 17A Wet Chemical Fire Extinguishing Systems NFPA 25 Water-based Fire Extinguishing Systems NFPA 72 Fire Alarm Systems NFPA 96 Ventilation Control & Commercial Cooking Operations NFPA 101 Life Safety Code
-
I'm confused about code requirements. Can you help?
If you have questions specifically about fire or life safety codes, call the Fire Department’s Community Risk Reduction Division at 409-880-3905 or email [email protected]. A fire marshal will answer your question or schedule time for a consultation.
If you’re in the planning or design phase of a construction project, the city’s development team is available to assist you. Representatives from each department come together weekly to review development projects and provide feedback on codes-related issues. Pre-construction meetings are held on Thursdays at 9 a.m, 10 a.m. and 11 a.m., and must be scheduled through through the Building Codes Division at 409-880-3792.
General Construction Plans Review
The fire marshal and city building official review general construction plans to assess the scope of work, type of occupancy, type of construction, size of the building, and other pertinent information. The fire marshal uses this information to determine if the plan has addressed important life safety and fire code issues. Some of these issues are assessed by answering the following:
- Have life safety requirements been addressed? (maximum occupancy, travel distance for exits, exit/emergency lights, etc.)
- Is there adequate fire department access in case of fire? (required surfaces, fire lanes, widths, turning radius)
- Have required fire protection needs been addressed? (required fire extinguishers, knox box, etc.)
- Have required fire protection systems been addressed? (required sprinkers, fire alarms, fixed systems, etc.)
- Have required water supply needs been addressed? (required fire flow, number of hydrants, etc.)
For more information on obtaining a certificate of occupancy, visit the Building Codes Division webpage.
Fire Protection Systems Plans Review
Installation of fire protection systems requires a permit. Please refer to the Permits tab above to access information about application and submission requirements for fire protection systems permits.
-
KNOX-BOX Rapid Entry Systems
With the KNOX-BOX® Rapid Entry System, there is no waiting for a property owner to unlock the door in the middle of the night, and no forcing the door open to gain entry. Property owners store entrance keys, access cards, and floor plans in high-security KNOX-BOX® key boxes mounted near the building entrances. Each KNOX-BOX® purchased by the property owner is keyed to a single master key. The master key is securely controlled, with each use tracked by the fire department.
-
- Key boxes are required in all new commercial construction and in existing commercial structures requesting a change in occupancy.
- The fire code requires that key boxes, when required, be installed in an approved location.
- Gated properties with life safety access concerns:
- Electronic entry gates securing gated communities and other properties are required to install a Knox electronic switch.
- Manually operated gates that require fire department access are required to install a Knox padlock.
- Key boxes are required in all new commercial construction and in existing commercial structures requesting a change in occupancy.
KNOX-BOX® prices vary, starting at approximately $250. Orders may be made at www.knoxbox.com.
Important: When you order, be sure to specify the installation jurisdiction as “Beaumont, TX”.
-
10 Great Reasons to Install a KNOX-BOX at Your Facility
- The KNOX-BOX® Rapid Entry System reduces response time, property damage and liability for lost keys.
- The system eliminate needless, costly forced entry damage that may not be covered by your deductible.
- It ensures immediate building entry by firefighters, without delay or waiting for building keys.
- It protects inventory, equipment and supplies from unnecessary water damage if sprinklers activate.
- It saves time and aggravation. You won’t have to drive to your establishment at 2 am for a false alarm.
- You can feel secure about emergency response coverage when your building is unattended.
- You can maintain building security after a fire alarm investigation by re-locking the undamaged door.
- It protects your property from thousands of dollars in damage with a one-time, low cost investment.
- It satisfies local fire codes and emergency access ordinances.
- You can depend on the highest lock box security available with attack resistant, UL tested reliability.
If you have questions about the Knox-Box Program contact Community Risk Reduction at 409-880-3905 or email [email protected].