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Everyday Home Safety Checklist

Your safety starts at home. Develop a home safety routine with a checklist that includes tips on smoke alarms, escape plans, kitchen safety, power outages, and more to keep your family safe every day.
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Introducing the School Safety Toolbox!

We are delighted to announce the launch of our latest effort, designed specifically for school officials. The School Safety Toolbox is a comprehensive resource that schools can utilize to enhance the safety and security of their educational facilities.
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Special Events

Special Events Permits are required for any organized, temporary event with an estimated number of participants and spectators of 100 or more people set up outdoors in a parking lot, side of the road, open land, or any outdoor venue not generally used for an assembly or using a building for an event with an anticipated occupancy load of 50 or more if the building is not permitted and constructed as an assembly occupancy in unincorporated Harris County.
Special Events Application
Special Events- Unincorporated Harris County

Backup Power Supply

The adoption of the 2021 Harris County Fire Code and its amendments mandates that all nursing homes and assisted living facilities in unincorporated areas of Harris County install or contract for backup power systems. This regulation specifically addresses facilities housing elderly and dependent residents, who are especially vulnerable during power outages, particularly in extreme weather events.
FAQs
Backup power supply FAQ

Approved Boarding Homes

Harris County requires boarding homes to obtain 2 permits to legally operate. Having these safe measures in place protects residents.
Approved Boarding Homes
Current Permitted Boarding Homes in Unincorporated Harris County graphic

Harris County Boarding Home Permits

Effective March 1, 2021, Class 1 and Class 2 Boarding Home Permits are now required to operate any boarding home in Harris County.
Boarding Home Regulations & Application
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ALERT FOR 3/26/2021 5:00:00 PM

Harris County Fire Marshal's Office

Operational permits are required under the 2018 International Fire Code, Section 105.6, as adopted by Harris County Commissioners Court. The operational permit, when issued, allows the applicant to legally conduct the operation or business permitted for a period of time.

Mission Statement

The mission of the Harris County Fire Marshal’s Office is to safeguard the lives and property of the public in Harris County through effective fire prevention, fire investigation, education, emergency response, and emergency management.

Headshot of a Harris County Fire Marshal

Our Purpose

What We Do

As authorized by State Law* and under the direction of the Fire Marshal, the Harris County Fire Marshal’s Office is responsible for fire prevention, education, control and investigation in the unincorporated areas of Harris County. The Department also assists local municipalities when requested by their government representatives.

Harris County Fire Marshal Police Seal

"Our mission is to Safeguard the lives and property of the public in Harris County through effective fire prevention, fire investigation, education, emergency response, and emergency management".

Take C.H.A.R.G.E Of Battery Safety

With the emergence of new technology comes new risks. The UL Fire Safety Research Institute (FSRI) is enhancing our understanding of battery safety to ensure that you can safely use and enjoy Lithium-ion powered devices.

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fire code | inspections | permitting

Harris County Fire Code Hub Site
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Harris County Fire Marshal's Office
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WHAT WE OFFER

OUR SERVICES

Unclaimed Property

In accordance with Article 18.17 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, the Harris County Fire Marshal’s Office Property and Evidence Room maintains a list of items considered abandoned or unclaimed property.

Request Inspection

The Harris County Fire Marshal’s Office only inspects facilities located within Harris County and outside city limits.

Report Hazards

For fire or life safety hazard complaints, you have two choices; fill out our online form, or contact fmosupport@fmo.hctx.net

Operational Permits

An operational permit allows the applicant to conduct an operation or a business for which a permit is required.

Training & Education

The Harris County Fire Marshal’s Office Training section is a multi-purpose emergency services training provider. The HCFMO Training Field can provide both classroom and hands-on Hazardous Material Training for over-the-road trucking, rail, and pipeline incidents.

Boarding Homes

The boarding home regulations aim to create consistent and reasonable standards to protect the health, safety, and general welfare of residents residing in unincorporated Harris County.

Special Event Permit

A Special Event permit is required to ensure the safety of those attending, working and operating the event.

School Safety Toolbox

We aim to create secure environments that allow schools to focus on educating the younger generation without worrying about safety concerns.

Community Outreach

The HCFMO’s Community Outreach section provides a series of free informational programs designed to address fire/life safety issues for citizens in the unincorporated areas of Harris County.

Youth Firesetter Referral

The Youth Firesetter Intervention Program (YFIP) is designed to provide education and intervention for children who have misused fire. The goal is to prevent fires, injuries, deaths and destruction of property.

Compliance Assessments

Compliance assessments are performed to determine if products conform to the presently adopted fire code and other recognized national standards.

HARRIS COUNTY

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Contact Us

Hours: 7:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Monday - Friday

Our offices no longer offer walk-in services. Please call to schedule office visits.

7701 Wilshire Place Drive, Houston, TX 77040

Phone: (713) 274-1700

Fax: (281) 436-8005

Email: FMOSupport@fmo.hctx.net

Our offices no longer offer walk-in services. Please call to schedule office visits.

2318 Atascocita Rd., Humble, TX 77396

Phone: (713) 274-1700

Fax: (281) 436-8005

Email: FMOSupport@fmo.hctx.net

Harris County

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