Subject: Flammable and Combustible Liquids  

Revised:  April 2025 

Purpose: A Flammable and Combustible Liquids operational permit is required for the following: 

• To use or operate a pipeline for the transportation within facilities of flammable or combustible liquids. This requirement shall not apply to the offsite transportation in pipelines regulated by the Department of Transportation (DOT) nor does it apply to piping systems. 

• To store, handle or use Class I liquids in excess of 5 gallons (19 L) in a building or in excess of 10 gallons (37.9 L) outside of a building, except that a permit is not required for the following: 

• • The storage or use of Class I liquids in the fuel tank of a motor vehicle, aircraft, motorboat, mobile power plant or mobile heating plant, unless such storage, in the opinion of the fire code official, would cause an unsafe condition. 

• • The storage or use of paints, oils, varnishes or similar flammable mixtures where such liquids are stored for maintenance, painting or similar purposes for a period of not more than 30 days. 

• To store, handle or use Class II or Class IIIA liquids in excess of 25 gallons (95 L) in a building or in excess of 60 gallons (227 L) outside a building, except for fuel oil used in connection with oil burning equipment. 

• To store, handle or use Class IIIB liquids in tanks or portable tanks for fueling motor vehicles at motor fuel-dispensing facilities or where connected to fuel-burning equipment.

  • Exception: Fuel oil and used motor oil used for space heating or water heating. 

• To remove Class I or II liquids from an underground storage tank used for fueling motor vehicles by any means other than the approved, stationary on-site pumps normally used for dispensing purposes. 

• To operate tank vehicles, equipment, tanks, plants, terminals, wells, fuel-dispensing stations, refineries, distilleries and similar facilities where flammable and combustible liquids are produced, processed, transported, stored, dispensed or used. 

• To place temporarily out of service (for more than 90 days) an underground, protected aboveground or above-ground flammable or combustible liquid tank. 

• To change the type of contents stored in a flammable or combustible liquid tank to a material that poses a greater hazard than that for which the tank was designed and constructed. 

• To manufacture, process, blend or refine flammable or combustible liquids. 

• To engage in the dispensing of liquid fuels into the fuel tanks of motor vehicles at commercial, industrial, governmental or manufacturing establishments in accordance with Section 5706.5.4 of the adopted code or to engage in on-demand mobile fueling operations in accordance with Section 5707 of the adopted code. 

• To utilize a site for the dispensing of liquid fuels from tank vehicles into the fuel tanks of motor vehicles, marine craft and other special equipment at commercial, industrial, governmental or manufacturing establishments in accordance with Section 5706.5.4 of the adopted code or, where required by the fire code official, to utilize a site for on-demand mobile fueling operations in accordance with Section 5707 of the adopted code. 

Fees: $300.00 Annually 

Requirements: A Flammable and Combustible Liquids permit will be issued once an application has been completed appropriately, all applicable documents have been uploaded, and a hazardous materials permit has been applied for in conjunction with the Flammable and Combustible Liquids permit.  

Applications will be completed electronically, and all required documentation shall be uploaded electronically. There shall be no paper submissions. Permit application shall be completed and submitted through the approved Harris County software program. Once the application is received along with all required documentation, the Fire Code Official will conduct a review. When the permit process is complete, and authorization is given, the applicant will be notified that the permit is issued, and the duration of the permit will be indicated.  

All Flammable and Combustible Liquids permit applications will begin with generalized information requirements. This information will pertain to the property information/property owner’s information/application information/project name.  

When applying for a Flammable and Combustible Liquids operational permit the applicant shall provide the following information: 

• Site map identifying where Flammable and Combustible Liquids being stored, including maximum quantity and storage configuration. Also identify hazardous monitoring locations, location of all on-site fire suppression to include fire pumps, ponds, water supplies, layout of fire lanes, gas meter, and Knox Box if installed. If renewing an Flammable and Combustible Liquids permit and no changes have been made to your facility from previous permit cycle, a written statement claiming no changes have been made can be submitted in lieu of plans; 

• A drawing/ floor plan of building including all entrance and exits, location of primary and secondary exit routes, locations of fire extinguishers, fire protection system panels, risers, and/or other fire protection control systems and/or panels, etc. If renewing an Flammable and Combustible Liquids permit and no changes have been made to your facility from previous permit cycle, a written statement claiming no changes have been made can be submitted in lieu of plans; 

• Copy of the emergency plan, compliant with Chapter 4 of the International Fire Code, current adopted edition; 

• Information on types of fire alarm systems installed and last inspection date (provide last inspection report or photo of current inspection tag(s). This shall include all fire alarm systems or other gas detection systems at the facility; 

• Information on installed sprinkler systems and last inspection date (provide last inspection report or photo of current inspection tag(s). This shall include all fire sprinkler systems at the facility; 

• Information on fire extinguishers or any type of alternate (including but not limited to automatic hood suppression, paint booth systems, clean agent) fire protection system installed and last inspection date (provide last inspection report or photo of current inspection tag(s)); 

• Detailed written description of the on-site operation (retail, manufacturing, storage, use, etc.); 

• Copy of the approved/up-to-date Hazardous Materials Inventory Statement; 

• A written statement certifying storage and use of hazardous materials is in compliance with  International Fire Code (IFC) Chapters 50-67, current adopted edition. 

If one or more of the requested documents does not apply to your location, please submit in writing a reason for not submitting.  

Denial: If it is determined that an application fails to meet the requirements as set forth in this standard or the applicant refuses to provide all required documentation, the fire code official shall not issue a permit, but shall return the application to the applicant with explanation for refusal.  

Revocation: The fire code official is authorized to revoke a permit where it is found that there has been false statements or misrepresentation as to the material facts in the application or supporting documentation on which the approval and issuance was based, the permit was issued to a different person or firm than named on the permit, the permittee failed, refused or neglected to comply with orders or notices duly served in accordance with the provisions of this code within the time provided therein, or the permit was issued in error or in violation of an ordinance, regulation or this code.