Fire Marshal's Office

Important Message from the Fire Marshal’s Office

Effective July 10, 2025, the City of Austin adopted the 2024 edition of the International Fire Code (IFC) with local amendments. Austin Fire is revising and updating the Fire Protection Criteria Manual through the City’s rule making process. In the interim, the 2012 Fire Protection Criteria Manual can still be used for guidance in the application of the 2024 IFC  and local amendments. Information and guidance about the Wildland Urban Interface Code is available on this Wildland-Urban Interface Code webpage.

Fire Prevention encompasses:

• Emergency Planning - Submit your emergency plan for your building.
• Inspections - Fire/life safety inspections.
• Special Events - Determine and enforce the fire code requirements for temporary events.
• Plan Review - Engineers review plans related to sites, buildings, and fire protection systems for new and renovated structures.
• Hazardous Materials Engineering - Oversee and inspect occupancies that store hazardous materials, ensures compliance with appropriate regulations, and issues permits.

Services

• Request a Fire Inspection
• Hydrant Flow Tests
• Permits - Issues several types of permits, including, but not limited to:
  • Fire Protection Systems
  • High-Piled Storage
  • Prescribed Burns
  • Special Events Fire Permits
    • Fireworks/Pyrotechnics
    • Public Assembly
    • Temporary Change of Use
    • Tents
    • Exhibit and Trade Show
    • Open Flame (Annual)
    • Fire Watch and Standby Fire Apparatus Request
• KNOX boxes are required at every structure or property where access is made difficult or that has a monitored fire alarm or sprinkler system per code COA/IFC CODE (LCD CH.25-12, ARTICLE 7) REF. SECT. 506. Please note that AFD is not authorized to install, relocate or repair KNOX products.  
  • To order KNOX products please use the appropriate link below:
    • For KNOX Boxes, go to: KNOXbox.com/austinfire-boxes
    • For FDC Locks, Gate & Key Switches, and Padlocks, go to: KNOXbox.com/austinfire
    • Downloadable Ordering Instructions (PDF)
  • For assistance with servicing KNOX Products please submit this KNOX Program Service Request form.
  • AFD KNOX product mounting & key access code requirements (PDF)
  • For all other questions please email AFDKNOXprogram@austintexas.gov.
  • Fire agencies reporting KNOX Key Annual Inspections should submit this form. 

Wildland Urban-Interface Code

We are currently working to adopt the 2021 Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) code and its local amendments, and we will be reaching out to stakeholders and citizens to present comprehensive and detailed information on both. We welcome and value your input; to provide feedback, please e-mail us or join our mailing list to be notified of major changes in the code.

Check for updates and more information.

Building Code Effectiveness Grade Scale (BCEGS) rating

This number is determined by assessing the building codes in effect in a particular community and how that community enforces its building codes, with special emphasis on mitigation of losses from natural hazards. The City of Austin is evaluated for its effectiveness in enforcing the Building Code, in which AFD also plays a key role. The City has a ranking of 4, with 1 being the most desirable and 99 being the least desirable.

Insurance Service Office (ISO) Rating

The Insurance Service Office (ISO) assigns two ratings to the City of Austin based upon their examination of personnel and resources related to fire protection.
 

Public Protection Classification (PPC) rating:  Reflecting a community's local fire protection capabilities for property insurance rating purposes, the Austin Fire Department currently holds a ranking of 1, with 1 being the most desirable and 10 being the least desirable.

Building Code Effectiveness Grade Scale (BCEGS) rating: This number is determined by assessing the building codes in effect in a particular community and how that community enforces its building codes, with special emphasis on mitigation of losses from natural hazards. The City of Austin is evaluated for its effectiveness in enforcing the Building Code, in which AFD also plays a key role. The City has a ranking of 4, with 1 being the most desirable and 99 being the least desirable.

 

These ratings are specific to property owners within the City of Austin and do not include other fire departments within Travis County. Property owners outside of Austin need to contact their respective fire department for its specific ISO rating. For example, the Building Code Effectiveness Grade Scale for Travis County is 99.

Information about the ISO rating schedules

Public Protection Classification (PPC) rating

Reflecting a community's local fire protection capabilities for property insurance rating purposes, the Austin Fire Department currently holds a ranking of 1, with 1 being the most desirable and 10 being the least desirable.