Department: Fire Marshal
Department Head/Elected Official: Laurie L. Christensen, Fire Marshal
Regular or Supplemental RCA: Regular RCA
Type of Request: Policy
Project ID (if applicable): N/A
Vendor/Entity Legal Name (if applicable): N/A
MWDBE Contracted Goal (if applicable): N/A
MWDBE Current Participation (if applicable): N/A
Justification for 0% MWDBE Participation Goal: N/A - Goal not applicable to request
Request Summary (Agenda Caption):
title
Request for approval of the 2021 Fire Code (with amendments), pursuant to section 233.061(a) of the Local Government Code, effective January 1, 2025, in unincorporated Harris County.
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Background and Discussion:
Harris County traditionally updates the Fire Code approximately every five (5) years to keep relevant with emerging fire/life safety trends and provide updates to previous code language. This update aligns with best practices, positioning Harris County as a leading fire and life safety entity. Our objective is to provide our community with the highest safety standards.
Harris County Fire Marshal’s Office collaborates with accredited fire and life safety consultants that are nationally and locally recognized fire and life safety subject matter experts (Kevin H. Scott, CFPS, Michael A. Crowley PE, FSFPE, and David Gramlich, PE) with extensive local and national experience in code writing and adoption. Representatives from the Commissioners Court, Harris County Engineering Department, unincorporated Fire Department Chief Officers, and other critical diverse stakeholders such as the Harris County Safe School Commission have also reviewed the presented.
The key proposals being made in the amended Fire Code are:
• Request to add school inspections as a requirement to the fire code.
• Adding backup power to critical facilities in unincorporated HC is not required by state licensing or code.
• Update to battery storage and usage in structures and other premises.
• Define Fire Code Official as defined in the fire code and other counties in Texas to ensure clear direction for fire and life safety inspections and code decisions that meet or exceed national standards.
• Ensure alignment with the Harris County Engineering Department in the permitting process and issuance of the Certificate of Compliance.
Expected Impact:
Enhanced fire/life safety for Harris County residents and the public.
Alternative Options:
None at this time.
Alignment with Goal(s):
X Justice and Safety
_ Economic Opportunity
_ Housing
_ Public Health
_ Transportation
_ Flooding
_ Environment
_ Governance and Customer Service
Prior Court Action (if any):
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Anticipated Court Date: November 12, 2024
Anticipated Implementation Date (if different from Court date): January 1, 2025
Emergency/Disaster Recovery Note: Not an emergency, disaster, or COVID-19 related item
Contact(s) name, title, department: Laurie L. Christensen, Fire Marshal, Fire Marshal’s Office
Attachments (if applicable):
• HCFMO Fire Code Executive Summary
• Letters of Support
• IFC 2021 with Harris County Amendments