San Antonio Fire Department

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800-222-1222

Step-by-Step for Inspections & Permits

The following are detailed instructions for initiating fire-related inspections and permits. Unless noted otherwise, all inspection and permit activities follow these general points:

Applications and other required documentation should be mailed or faxed it to the Fire Marshal’s Office:

SAFD Fire Marshal’s Office
1901 S. Alamo
San Antonio, TX 78204
Fax: (210) 207-7949

Inspections are scheduled by calling (210) 207-8410.
Some inspections can be scheduled to take place after 4:30 PM to 5:30 PM. To schedule an after-hours inspection, call (210) 207-8410 or use our After-Hours Inspection Request Form .
Applicable inspection and permit fees must be paid in advance.

Businesses and contractors can establish an escrow account through the Fire Prevention Office to cover inspection and permitting costs.
Escrow Authorization Utilization Form (PDF)
Escrow Account Application (PDF)

Payments can also be made directly to the Fire Prevention Office by mail or in person at 1901 S. Alamo Street.
When making a direct payment, call the Fire Prevention Office at (210) 207-8410 to verify the fee amount before mailing.

Inspections & Permits Fee Schedule

Annual Inspection Request Form (pdf) or (word)

Inspections are required and could be initiated for the following reasons:

Type of Inspection	Process to Follow	Form(s)
Final Building Shell	The General Contractor calls the Fire Marshal’s Office at (210) 207-8410 to set up the inspection. Inspection fees must be paid in advance.	Facilities Inspection Request (PDF) Facilities Inspection Request (MS Word)
Certificate of Occupancy	Contact the Planning and Development Services Department (PDSD) to request this inspection. COO inspections are typically scheduled within one business day of receiving the request from the DSD.	None
Code Violation Complaint	The Fire Marshal’s Office will dispatch an inspector as appropriate, without prior notice to the business. No fee is assessed for this service.	None
Day Care Facility & Foster Care Facility	This inspection is scheduled as requested by the owners or managers of a facility, or as mandated by state regulatory agencies.	Inspection Guidelines for Day Care Facilities (PDF) Inspection Checklist for Foster Care Facilities (PDF)
State Required/AHJ Review	This type of inspection is required for structures such as Hospitals, Nursing Homes and Group Care Homes.	Facilities Inspection Request (PDF) Facilities Inspection Request (MS Word))
Knox Site	Building plans and/or a fire inspector may require that a building have a Knox Box that contains keys for Firefighter access into the building. A Knox Box application is given to the contractor or building owner at the time of inspection. The completed application is then sent back to the Fire Marshal’s Office to verify inspection and for sign-off. The Fire Marshal’s Office will then send the application to the Knox Company. A Knox Box is then sent to the contractor for installation.	None

Other inspections are usually associated with various permits that are required to conduct a given activity:

Type of Permit	Inspection/Process to Follow	Form(s)
Blasting Permit	The required application is submitted to the Fire Marshal’s Office. The Fire Marshal’s Office will conduct a background check on the applicant. Following the background check, a written exam on blasting procedures is administered at the Fire Marshal’s Office. The applicant calls (210) 207-8410 to set-up a time for the exam. If an applicant passes the background and written exam, a site inspection is conducted to witness the shot set-up. If approved, a Blasting Permit is issued.	Blasting Permit Application (PDF) Blasting Permit Application (MS Word)
Explosive Handler Permit	Follows the same process as the “Blasting Permit.”	Blasting Permit Application (PDF) Blasting Permit Application (MS Word)
Quarry Blasting Permit	An application and site inspection are required. On renewals, only a site inspection is required. The permit application should be mailed or faxed it to the Fire Marshal’s Office. Inspections are scheduled by calling (210) 207-8410.	Blasting Permit Application (PDF) Blasting Permit Application (MS Word)
Explosive Storage Permit	An application describing the type of explosives and quantity to be stored is required. A site inspection is done to verify compliance with storage requirements. The permit application should be mailed or faxed it to the Fire Marshal’s Office. Inspections are scheduled by calling (210) 207-8410.	Blasting Permit Application (PDF) Blasting Permit Application (MS Word)
Burning Permit	An application with a site plan is required for review and approval. A site inspection is conducted to determine approval of permit. The permit application should be mailed or faxed it to the Fire Marshal’s Office. Inspections are scheduled by calling (210) 207-8410.	Burning Bonfire Permit Application(PDF) Burning Bonfire Permit Application (MS Word)
Above Ground Temporary Flamable Liquid Permit	An application with a site plan and tank description is required for review and approval. A site inspection is required to check for code compliance of tank and site. All documentation should be mailed or faxed to the Fire Marshal’s Office. Inspections are scheduled by calling (210) 207-8410.	Storage Tank Permit Application (PDF) Storage Tank Permit Application (MS Word)
Hazardous Chemical Tank Permit	An application with a site plan is required for review and approval. A site inspection is required to check for code compliance. All documentation should be mailed or faxed to the Fire Marshal’s Office. Inspections are scheduled by calling (210) 207-8410.	Storage Tank Permit Application (PDF) Storage Tank Permit Application (MS Word)
Fixed Pipe Permit	An application is required, along with two sets of drawings of the proposed installation. Plans are reviewed for code compliance within 10 business days. A site inspection to test the system as per the manufacturer’s requirements is scheduled by the installing contractor. All documentation should be mailed or faxed to the Fire Marshal’s Office. Inspections are scheduled by calling (210) 207-8410.	Fixed Pipe Permit Application (PDF) Fixed Pipe Permit Application (MS Word)
Explosive Site Utilities Permit	An application is required, along with a site plan indicating blasting layout. The site plan will be reviewed for code compliance. A site inspection and witness of the first blast is scheduled by the contractor. All documentation should be mailed or faxed to the Fire Marshal’s Office. Inspections are scheduled by calling (210) 207-8410.	Blasting Permit Application (PDF) Blasting Permit Application (MS Word)
Explosive Site Swimming Pools Permit	An application with a site plan indicating blasting layout will be required for review and approval. An inspection and witness of the first blast is scheduled by the contractor. All documentation should be mailed or faxed to the Fire Marshal’s Office. Inspections are scheduled by calling (210) 207-8410.	Blasting Permit Application (PDF) Blasting Permit Application (MS Word)
Pyrotechnics Permit	An application with a site plan and details on all pyrotechnics to be used must be submitted by the Pyrotechnician prior to event. An inspection and demonstration of the pyrotechnics to be shot is required. The inspection is to be set-up by the contractor. All documentation should be mailed or faxed to the Fire Marshal’s Office. Pyrotechnic displays and fireworks inspections are scheduled through the Fire Prevention Special Events Office. 207-3695.	Pyro and Fireworks Permit Application (PDF) Pyro and Fireworks Permit Application (MS Word)
New Sprinkler Permit	An application is required, along with two sets of plans. Plans are reviewed for code compliance within 21 business days. The approved permit is picked up from the Fire Marshal’s Office and is kept at the job site. The installing contractor calls the Fire Marshal’s office to schedule a test and inspection of the system when ready. All documentation should be mailed or faxed to the Fire Marshal’s Office. Inspections are scheduled by calling (210) 207-8410.	Sprinkler Permit Application (PDF)
Fast Track Sprinkler System Permit	An application is submitted and turned around in 24 hours. The contractor can begin work, but must still submit two sets of plan as soon as possible. Inspections cannot be scheduled without an approved set of plans. All documentation should be mailed or faxed to the Fire Marshal’s Office. Inspections are scheduled by calling (210) 207-8410.	Sprinkler Permit Application (PDF)
Major Sprinkler System Not Involving Heads Permit	An application is required, along with two sets of plans. Plans are reviewed for code compliance within 21 business days. Approved plans are picked up from the Fire Marshal’s Office. The installing contractor calls the Fire Marshal’s office to schedule a test and inspection of the system when ready. All documentation should be mailed or faxed to the Fire Marshal’s Office. Inspections are scheduled by calling (210) 207-8410.	Sprinkler Permit Application (PDF)
Sprinkler Modification Permit	Follows the process as for “Major Sprinkler System Not Involving Heads Permit.”	Sprinkler Permit Application (PDF)
Underground Fire Line	Follows the process as for “Major Sprinkler System Not Involving Heads Permit.”	Sprinkler Permit Application (PDF)
Standpipe Permit	An application is required, along with two sets of plans. Plans are reviewed for code compliance within 21 business days. Approved plans are picked up from the Fire Marshal’s Office. An inspection and hydrostatic test is scheduled and conducted. Then a flow test of the standpipe is scheduled and conducted. All documentation should be mailed or faxed to the Fire Marshal’s Office. Inspections are scheduled by calling (210) 207-8410.	Sprinkler Permit Application (PDF)
New Alarm System Permit	An application is required, along with two sets of plans. Plans are reviewed for code compliance within 21 business days. The approved permit and plans are picked up from the Fire Marshal’s Office and are kept at the job site. The installing contractor calls the Fire Marshal’s office to schedule a test and inspection of the system when it is ready. All documentation should be mailed or faxed to the Fire Marshal’s Office. Inspections are scheduled by calling (210) 207-8410.	Fire Alarm Permit Application (PDF)
Fast Track Fire Alarm Permit	An application is submitted and turned around in 24 hours. The contractor can begin work, but must still submit two sets of plan as soon as possible. Inspections cannot be scheduled without an approved set of plans. All documentation should be mailed or faxed to the Fire Marshal’s Office. Inspections are scheduled by calling (210) 207-8410.	Fire Alarm Permit Application (PDF)
Major Alarm Modification No Involving Initiating and/or Signaling Devices	Follows the process as for “New Alarm System Permit.”	Fire Alarm Permit Application (PDF)
Above Ground Storage Tank Permit	This permit is issued for above ground tanks that are permanent in nature that are used to store combustible or flammable liquids. Examples include fuel storage for fleet vehicles or for emergency generators. An application is required, along with two sets of site plans and specifications on the tank(s) being used. Plans are reviewed for code compliance within 21 business days. An inspection of the site is conducted to verify approval of location. The approved permit and plans are picked up from the Fire Marshal’s Office and is kept at the job site. The installing contractor calls the Fire Marshal’s office to schedule a final inspection on the tank installation and safety functions. All documentation should be mailed or faxed to the Fire Marshal’s Office. Inspections are scheduled by calling (210) 207-8410.	Storage Tank Permit Application (PDF) Storage Tank Permit Application (MS Word)
Underground Storage Tank Removal or Installation Permit	This permit issued for the removal or installation of combustible/ flammable tanks used for storage at service stations. An application is required, along with two sets of plans. Plans are reviewed for code compliance within 2 business days. REMOVALS: The contractor calls the Fire Marshal’s Office at (210) 207-8410 to schedule the tank removal. INSTALLS: The contractor calls Fire Marshal’s Office to schedule the first inspection and test of the tank. The contractor schedules a second inspection for an air test on the fuel lines. This closes the permit.	Storage Tank Permit Application (PDF) Storage Tank Permit Application (MS Word)
Spray Paint Booth Permit	An application is required, along with two sets of plans for the paint booth and interior layout of the building where the paint booth is to be installed. Plans are reviewed for code compliance within 21 business days. Approved plans are picked up from the Fire Marshal’s Office and are kept at the job site. The installing contractor calls the Fire Marshal’s office to schedule a test and inspection when ready. All documentation should be mailed or faxed to the Fire Marshal’s Office. Inspections are scheduled by calling (210) 207-8410.	Spray Booth Permit Application (PDF) Spray Booth Permit Application (MS Word)

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