The occupant load for a building is based on the number of people that can be in a specific area of a building. It uses the actual square foot of a room or area multiplied by a factor indicated in the Fire Code for that type of room use. The total occupant load for a building is calculated by adding all of the various room/area occupant loads together.Certain types of rooms are exempt from the calculation, such as a bathroom, because the bathroom would normally be occupied by someone from one of the other calculated rooms.The occupant load indicator listed in the Fire Code is different for different types of room uses; for example, an area used for an office does not need as much room as a room where manufacturing equipment is used. The seating area of a church with fixed pews is different from the seating area of a restaurant.
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The best way to prevent a fire is to prevent them from occurring. Routine fire inspections are one of the most effective ways to do that. The purpose of the inspections is multifold:
We strive to inspect businesses on an annual basis.
You can contact the Seabrook Fire Marshal’s Office at (281) 291-5787 or at krodgers@seabrooktx.gov
The Fire Code is a group of fire safety requirements that are developed to protect a specific type of operation, to protect the occupants of a building from fire, and to reduce the potential for a fire to start. These requirements are developed based on information gathered from around the country where fires have been in the past. A significant amount of investigation and research is conducted to determine the actual cause of fire before an item becomes a part of the Fire Code. Once the Fire Code has been adopted by a city, it becomes the City Ordinance that regulates fire safety. Failure to comply with the Fire Code can result in citations and fines.
The Fire Code used by the City of Seabrook is part of a series of Codes that are designed to do two specific things: (1) to protect the lives of the people who enter, work, visit, or otherwise occupy a building, and (2) to ensure that all aspects of the construction of a building, fire protection systems and the operations or functions performed within a building are done in a fire safe manner.
There are two general reasons why fire/safety inspections are conducted.
If a violation is found that is a maintenance related problem, the Fire Inspector will provide a date (generally 30 days) to correct the violation. If the violation can be corrected during the inspection, it will be noted on the inspection form that the correction has already taken place.If a violation is found that will require the alteration or installation of new equipment or safety features, the Fire Inspector will indicate this on the report, and provide a date to submit a written proposal to the Fire Marshal’s Office that will include an anticipated date that you can make the necessary corrections. Each written request is evaluated on a case-by-case basis depending on the type of repair/installation that is needed. If the request is within a reasonable time limit, and a reasonable level of safety can be maintained, an extension to comply will generally be granted.
Once a Fire Inspector notifies you of a fire code violation, they will issue an inspection report requiring that the conditions are corrected immediately. A re-inspection will be scheduled to verify compliance based upon the schedule of the Fire Inspector. This is typically 30 days.
Initially, the Fire Inspector will issue a Notice of Violation. The Notice will indicate a date that the violation must be corrected by. The Fire Marshal’s Office will make every effort to work with the building owner/occupant to bring the building into compliance without having to take further legal action. However, if the building owner/occupant continues to resist efforts to correct a fire hazard, the owner/occupant is subject to receiving a citation.
A re-inspection becomes necessary when a violation is found that cannot be corrected at the time of the inspection. The reason for the re-inspection is to produce the documentation showing the violation has been corrected, and that the building is then in compliance with all applicable codes and laws.
Yes. As a property or business owner, who may have fire safety concerns about your business? Contact our office at (281) 291-5787 and ask for a Courtesy Inspection. We will schedule a convenient time to stop by and address any concerns you may have.
The requirements to install a fire alarm system are based on several factors that are found in current buildings (as well as buildings being built). These factors include the type of building classification, the number of people that can be in the building (based on maximum number of people), and size of the building.A fire alarm system is considered a life safety system. It is designed to operate automatically when either a manual pull station is activated or when smoke is detected by a smoke detector. Upon activation, it will notify the building occupants by flashing lights and a loud sound to evacuate the building.A fire alarm system is also one of the two most important fire protection systems that can be installed in a building to protect the contents, inventories, stock, merchandise, tools and equipment, and the lives of those people who work in the building and those who visit the building.
The requirements to install a fire sprinkler system are based on several factors that are found in current buildings (as well as buildings being built). These factors include the type of building classification, size of the building, and the contents of the building.A fire sprinkler system is considered a life safety system. It is designed to operate automatically when a certain amount of heat at the ceiling level activates a sprinkler head and causes water to flow. This water flow will either completely extinguish a fire or hold the fire from progressing further until the fire department can arrive. National Fire Protection Association statistics indicate that in almost all cases, only one or two sprinkler heads activate when a fire actually occurs.A fire sprinkler system is also one of the two most important fire protection systems that can be installed in a building to protect the contents, inventories, stock, merchandise, tools and equipment, and the lives of those people who work or reside in the building and those who visit the building.Contrary to the popular TV version of fire sprinklers, the activation of one sprinkler head does not cause all heads to go off and flood a building!
This is a misconception or myth. There are no provisions in the International Fire Codes that allow a building to exist in an unsafe condition.
You must obtain a Certificate of Occupancy or a change in occupancy. In order to get this certificate, you must call the City of Seabrook Permit Office at (281) 291-5669 and schedule an inspection for a Certificate of Occupancy.An inspection is required because buildings are built based on the contents or operations to be performed inside the building. When the occupancy changes, the Fire Inspector has to check to make sure the fire protection related construction features of the building are consistent with the new occupancy and its contents and operations. You will be advised at the time if additional fire protection systems or fire resistive construction must be added based on your operations. If the building is found to meet the fire code for your occupancy requirements, the Certificate of Occupancy will be granted. If the building does not meet the specific Fire Code requirements, the Inspector will provide you with information on how to proceed from that point, and who to contact.
There are various types of permits that are required. A Permit allows the applicant to install or modify a specific fire protection system, storage tank or other system outlined in the fire code. A comprehensive list of permits issued can be obtained by contacting the City of Seabrook Permit office at (281) 291-5669.
Fees are currently assessed for the issuance of a permit according to the type of application. Contact the City of Seabrook Permit Office at (281) 291-5669 for Permit Fees.
You may contact the City of Seabrook Permit Office at (281) 291-5669 and request an application.
You may contact the City of Seabrook Permit Office at (281) 291-5669 or if specifically requiring a fire inspection only you may contact the Seabrook Fire Marshal’s Office at (281) 291-5787
We are located at the Seabrook City Hall, 1700 First Street Seabrook, Texas 77586.