Austin Fire Department Special Events

Contact the Austin Fire Department (AFD) Special Events at AFDSpecialEvents@austintexas.gov.

“Our Mission Goes Beyond Our Name” is the cornerstone of the Austin Fire Department. The Fire Marshal’s Office is committed to protecting lives, promoting public safety and assisting all parties involved to provide a level of service that will insure a safe and successful event.

AFD reviews all special events, assessing the fire safety needs and dictates the occupancy load for all enclosed venues. Working as a team member of Public Assembly Code Enforcement (P.A.C.E.), with representatives from City and State departments and commissions, AFD plays an intricate role in evaluating fire safety and enforcing all 2012 International Fire Code regulations. Regulated items include, but are not limited to the following: fire lanes and public safety access, tents and temporary membrane structures, fireworks, pyrotechnics, open flames, theatrical flame or laser performances, occupant loads, exiting, egress, use of decorative materials and finishes, use, location, storage or propane or other fuel type equipment and crowd management.

AFD event requirements issued prior to and on-site must be adhered to. Inspectors may interpret the International Fire Code and require additional public safety actions be taken prior to issuing any AFD permits and/or load card(s). Inspectors may assign public safety requirements at their discretion.

All events are subject to a site plan approval and a fire inspection.

Effective October 1, 2014:

Temporary Change of Use applications must be submitted 21 days prior to the requested event date.

Guidelines

Deadlines

Site plans are required with all special event applications.
Applications are not complete until any assessed payments have been received in full.
Permit approvals are handled on a first come, first serve basis and are pending availability of the inspectors from the Fire Marshal’s Office for an on-site inspection prior to the event scheduled date.
If it is determined that a special event will require fire watch, availability of inspectors will dictate whether or not the event permit will be approved.
Payments for fire watch must be received five business days prior to an event.
Payment for all AFD fees (less fire watch) and permits must be received 5 business days prior to event date. Cancelations must be received 2 business days prior to the event date for refund consideration.

Fees (Effective Oct. 1, 2013)

Tent Permit	$50
Carnival / Fair / Festival Permit	$100
Exhibit & Trade Show Permit	$75
Fireworks Discharge Permit (additional fees)	$200
Flame Effect, Theatrical Performance / Open Flame Permit (additional fees)	$150
Temporary Change of Use Permit	$100
Public Assembly Permit	$200
After Hours Fire Inspection (special assignment, 2 hour minimum)	$123	per hour (per inspector)
Fire Watch / Stand-by Inspector	$123	per hour (per inspector)
Apparatus Standby (special service fee, 2 hour minimum)	$250	per hour

Additional Information

Annual Public Assembly Permit (PA) – Required for public establishments who anticipate or operate at an occupancy rate of 50 or more people, and whose gross sales constitute 51% alcohol.

Carnival / Fair / Festival Permit – Required for events held in parks, not covered under the proposed Special Events permit issued by the Austin Center for Events.

Exhibit & Trade Show Permit – The Austin Fire Department provides onsite inspection services to review layout, pedestrian flow, aisle width, exiting plans and expositions in compliance with the current fire code adopted by the City of Austin, Texas.
As part of the permit requirements, onsite stand-by and inspection services may be required due to the size, complexity and/or unique safety issues regarding he activities associated with the proposed event.

See Exhibit and Trade Show Information Bulletin

Fireworks Discharge Permit – All activities associate with the use of pyrotechnics and open flames must be reviewed and approved by the Austin Fire Department in compliance with the current fire code adopted by the City of Austin, Texas. (Examples of activities in this category include: outdoor fireworks and pyrotechnics.)

Flame Effect, Theatrical Performance / Open Flame Permit – A flame effect is the combustion of flammable solids, liquids or gases to produce thermal, physical, visual or audible phenomena before an audience. (Some examples include: hand-held burning torches, flaming batons or hoops, flame acts, fire walking, flaming sword dancers, open burning with religious services, candles or open flames in assembly occupancies.) A full demonstration to the Fire Marshal prior to the event date may be required. As part of the permit requirements, inspection services onsite stand-by inspectors and stand-by fire apparatus may be required due to the size, complexity and/or unique safety issues regarding the activities associated with the proposed event. Conditions of approval will be provided after an applicant review process.

Temporary Change of Use Permit (TCOU) – The Temporary Change of Use to a Public Assembly/Operational Permit is required for structures or portions of structures used a s public assemblies that do not currently have a “Certificate of Occupancy” for that type of use. Under fire code definition, a “public assembly” consists of 50 or more people. (Examples for a Temporary Change of Use permit for a special are: use of a vacant building, warehouse or a high-rise office/garage as a public assembly.) As part of the permit requirements, onsite fire watch may be required due to conditions of the current fire code, size, complexity and/or unique safety issues regarding the activities associated with the proposed event or structure.

Tent Permit – See Tent, Temporary Air Supported & Air Inflated Membrane Structures Guidelines.

After Hours Fire Inspection – Inspection performed after 1600 (4:00pm) on weekdays and all times during weekends. This fee may also be incurred if the event is not set up and ready for a final inspection due to load in, time of event, date of event or various other circumstances.

Fire Watch – When deemed necessary, standby inspector(s) necessary to mitigate the risks of fire during an event. Requirement determinations are made on a case by case basis. Buildings/structures that do not have an alarm system and/or a sprinkler system often require fire watch.

Apparatus Standby – As part of the permit requirements, some of events due to the size, complexity and/or unique safety issues regarding the activities associated with the proposed event may be required to have a stand-by fire apparatus at the event. (Examples include: large fenced in festivals where access is limited and response times to potential incident(s) are drastically reduced, discharging fireworks and events that are held in areas that pose a safety rise to wildland fires and/or approved during a burn ban.

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