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General Fire Inspection

  • CONTACT INFORMATION
  • firemarshalreview@amarillo.gov
  • Fire Inspection Hotline:
    806-378-9092
  • Fire Marshal Admin:
    806-378-4238
  • Fax:
    806-378-9308
  • 821 S Johnson St
    Amarillo, TX 79101
  • Office Hours:
    Monday – Friday
    8:00 am – 12:00 pm
    1:00 pm – 5:00 pm

GENERAL FIRE INSPECTION FAQS

Occupancy Inspection Type

Occupant Load/Additional Information

Fee

Childcare Facilities

Licensed for up to 150 occupants

$100

 

Licensed for over 150 Occupants

$100+$40 per each additional 100 occupants or fraction thereof

Adult Care Facilities

Licensed up to 150 occupants

$100

 

Licensed over 150 Occupants

$100+$40 per each additional 100 occupants or fraction thereof

Foster/Group Home/Shelter

1-5 occupants

$50

 

6-15 occupants

$100

Multiple Home/Shelter Inspections

 

$50 or $100 (plus $10 per home/shelter within the same zip code with a max of 10 homes/shelter per inspection request)

Nursing Home

Licensed for 50 beds or less

$200

 

Licensed for 51-100 beds

$250

 

Licensed for 101 beds or more

$300

Hospital

Licensed for 200 beds or less

$350

 

Licensed for 201 beds or more

$600

Other Facilities/Occupancies

5,000 sq ft or less

$100

 

5,001-10,000 sq ft

$150

 

10,001-50,000 sq ft

$200

 

50,001-100,000 sq ft

$250

 

100,001 sq ft or more

$250 + $100 for each additional 25,000 sq ft or fraction there of over 100,000 sq ft

Hotel/Motel Biennially Inspection (requiredduring Odd Numbered years)

5,000 sq ft or less

$100

 

5,001-10,000 sq ft

$150

 

10,001-50,000 sq ft

$200

 

50,001-100,000 sq ft

$250

 

100,001 sq ft or more

$250 + $100 for each additional 25,000 sq ft or fraction there of over 100,000 sq ft

Apartment Biennially Inspection (requiredduring Even Numbered years)

5,000 sq ft or less

$100

 

5,001-10,000 sq ft

$150

 

10,001-50,000 sq ft

$200

 

50,001-100,000 sq ft

$250

 

100,001 sq ft or more

$250 + $100 for each additional 25,000 sq ft or fraction there of over 100,000 sq ft

Certificate of Occupancy

5,000 sq ft or less

$50

 

5,001-10,000 sq ft

$100

 

10,001-50,000 sq ft

$150

 

50,001-100,000 sq ft

$200

 

100,001 sq ft or more

$200 + $100 for each additional 25,000 sq ft or fraction there of over 100,000 sq ft

First Reinspection

 

No charge

Subsequent Reinspection

Unresolved noncompliance spanning multiple inspections may result in citation

$50 per inspection after first reinspection

No Show/Not Ready

 

$50

After Hours Inspection

 

$100 per hour

If you have further questions about fire safety requirements, contact the Fire Marshal office at 806-378-4238.

Fire Protection Systems Inspection, Testing and Maintenance

  • Fire Alarm systems, sprinklers and fire pumps shall be inspected, test and serviced annually. (IFC901.6)
  • Records of all fire protection system inspections, tests and maintenance shall be kept on the premises for review by the Fire Official. (IFC 901.6.3)
  • Fire protection systems shall be maintained in an operative condition at all times. (IFC 901.6)
  • Emergency lighting  (1008.2) and exit sign (1013.6.3) lighting shall be working properly at all times.(IFC 1006)
  • Emergency generator systems shall be routinely inspected, operated and serviced per NPFA 110 &111. All records shall be kept on the premises for review by the Fire Official. (IFC 604)
  • Commercial cooking fire protection systems shall be test at least every 6 months. (IFC 904.5.1)
  • Hoods, grease removal devices, fans ducts, etc. shall be cleaned to bare metal. Cleaning shall be recorded, and records shall state the extent, time and date of cleaning. Records shall be maintained on premises. (IFC 606)
  • Private hydrants shall be inspected, serviced and flow tested annually. (IFC 507.5.3)

Exits

  • Exit doors shall be unlocked when building is occupied. (IFC 1010.2.4)
  • Exit signs, doors, halls shall not be visually or physically obstructed by storage, decorations, furnishings, snow or ice. (IFC 1013.1)
  • Exit signs shall be illuminated. (IFC 1013.3)
  • Exit ways shall be illuminated at all times the building is occupied including during commercial power failures. (IFC 1008)
  • Fire doors, smoke dampers and other fire resistance barriers and assemblies shall not be modified or otherwise impaired from the proper operation at any time. (Ch.7)

Combustible and Flammable Material Storage

  • Combustible materials (cardboard, paper, plastics, kerosene, paint, etc.) shall not be stored in boiler rooms, mechanical rooms, or electrical equipment rooms. (IFC 315.3.3)
  • Combustible materials shall not be stored in exit ways, hallways, stairways or exit enclosures. (IFC 315.3.2)
  • Outside dumpsters shall be kept at least 5 feet away from combustible walls, windows, doors, overhangs and lid shall be closed. (IFC 304.3.3)
  • Combustible storage shall be at least 2 feet below the ceiling or 18 inches below sprinkler heads. (IFC 315.3.1)
  • Compressed gas containers, cylinders and tanks shall be secured to prevent falling. (IFC 5303.5.3)
  • Flammable materials (gasoline, propane, alcohol, etc.) shall not be stored indoors. Including fuel tanks of motorcycles, lawn-care equipment or cooking equipment, etc. (IFC313)

Building Maintenance

  • All private hydrants, fire lanes, fire department connections (FDC) and control valves shall be clear, labeled, visible and unobstructed, including snow and ice removal. (IFC 503, 507)
  • The building address shall be clearly visible from the street, minimum 4 inches in height with contrasting background. (IFC 505.1)
  • A knock box with all entrance and interior keys for emergency access is required for all structures that automatically dial 911. (IFC 506.1)
  • Fire-resistance-rated construction shall be maintained. (IFC 703.1)
  • Occupant load signs must be legible, permanent and posted in conspicuous location. (IFC 1004.9)
  • Door labels are required for accesses to electrical, furnace, sprinkler, mechanical, and generator rooms and to the roof. (IFC 509)
  • Candles and other open flames are not permitted in commercial properties without special permission from the Fire Marshal. (IFC 308)

Electrical

  • A working space of not less than 30 inches wide (or width of equipment), 36 inches deep and 78 inches high shall be provided in front of electrical service equipment. No storage with this workspace. (IFC 603.4)
  • “Power strips or surge protectors” shall be UL listed, polarized, grounded and equipped with over current protection and shall be directly connected to a permanently installed receptacle. (IFC 603)
  • “Power strips” cords shall not extent through walls, ceilings, floors, under doors, or floor coverings, nor be subject to environmental or physical damage. (IFC 603.6)
  • Extension cords, Multi-plug adapters and flexible cords shall not be a substitute for permanent wiring. (IFC 603.6)
  • All electrical boxes shall be properly covered. (IFC 603.2.2)
  • Portable electric heaters shall be UL listed and plugged directly into a permanent wall receptacle, not into an extension cord, power strip or adapter. The must be positioned at least 3 feet away from combustibles. (IFC 603.9.4)

Portable Fire Extinguishers

  • A minimum of one 2A-10:BC portable fire extinguisher shall be provided within 75 feet of travel distance from anywhere in the business on each floor. (IFC 906.3)
  • A class K fire extinguisher shall be mounted within 30 feet of commercial food equipment using vegetable or animal oils. (IFC 906.1)
  • Fire extinguisher shall not be obstructed and all shall be in a conspicuous location. When visually obstructed, approved signs shall be provided to indication location and not obstructed. (IFC 906.6)
  • Fire extinguishers shall be mounted on wall with hanger at least 4 inches above the floor and no more than 60 inches above the floor. (IFC 906.7)
  • Annual, certified inspections of all extinguishers are required. (IFC 906.2)

Click to view the General Fire Inspection Checklist for Foster Homes or Group Care Centers.

GENERAL FIRE INSPECTION RESOURCES

Fire Marshal General Fire Inspection Request

Based on state requirements or licensing — this application is for Day Cares (both child and adult), Foster Homes, Group Homes, Shelters, Nursing Homes, and Hospitals.

Fire Marshal Hotel/Motel Inspection Request

This application is for all hotel and motels in the City of Amarillo, this required biennial inspection is due on odd numbered years. Needs to be completed by December 31.

Fire Marshal Apartment Inspection Request

This application is for all apartments in the City of Amarillo, this required biennial inspection is due on even numbered years. Needs to be completed by December 31.

Fire Marshal Final Fire Inspection for Certificate of Occupancy

This application must be filled out to conduct the final fire inspection prior to a Certificate of Occupancy (CO) being issued. The Fire Marshal’s office conducts the fire protection portion of the CO inspection. The Certificate of Occupancy is managed by the City of Amarillo Building Safety Department. 

Building Safety's Commercial Certificate of Occupancy Application

The Building Safety Department manages the Commercial Certificate of Occupancy process. Contact Building Safety by email at building@amarillo.gov or phone at 806-378-3041. If you have specific fire-safety related questions, contact the Fire Marshal Office at 806-378-4238.

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City of Amarillo: Property Taxes Rebated Per Year by Agreement Type 

Overview 

The chart shows the dollar amounts of property taxes rebated per year over the last five fiscal years, broken down by agreement type. There were no Chapter 380 property tax rebates in the first two years listed. The total amount increased slightly each year, with a more significant increase in the most recent year. 

Values 

Numerical values presented on the image: 

 

Fiscal Year 2020/2021 

Fiscal Year 2021/2022 

Fiscal Year 2022/2023 

Fiscal Year 2023/2024 

Fiscal Year 2024/2025 

Chapter 311 

$533,080 

$547,426 

$574,947 

$591,249 

$821,350 

Chapter 380 

$0 

$0 

$37,387 

$39,172 

$61,013 

Presentation 

The bar chart shows the amount of property taxes rebated in the past five fiscal years, broken down by agreement type. The horizontal axis shows each of the past five fiscal years and the vertical axis shows the dollar amount rebated. For each fiscal year there is vertical column, comprised of two stacked columns, each of which representing the different agreement types. 

City of Amarillo: Number of Tax Abatements Granted Per Year 

Overview 

The chart shows the number of businesses that received a tax abatement from the City of Amarillo in the past five fiscal years. The 2020/21 and 2021/22 fiscal years each had four active abatements, 2022/23 had five, and 2023/24 and 2024/25 each had seven. 

Values 

Numerical values presented on the image: 

 

Fiscal Year 2020/2021 

Fiscal Year 2021/2022 

Fiscal Year 2022/2023 

Fiscal Year 2023/2024 

Fiscal Year 2024/2025 

Active Abatements Per Year 

4 

4 

5 

7 

7 

Presentation 

The bar chart shows the number of businesses that received a tax abatement from the City of Amarillo in the past five fiscal years. The horizontal axis shows each of the past five fiscal years and the vertical axis shows the number of active abatements each year. Each year has one column, with the height indicating number of active abatements in that year.

Amount of Taxes Abated Per Year 

Overview 

The chart shows the dollar amounts abated over the past five fiscal years from Chapter 312 tax abatement agreements. Each fiscal year shows a larger dollar amount abated, with minor growth over the first three years, a higher increase in the fourth year, and minor growth again in the fifth year. 

Values 

Numerical values presented on the image: 

 

Fiscal Year 2020/2021 

Fiscal Year 2021/2022 

Fiscal Year 2022/2023 

Fiscal Year 2023/2024 

Fiscal Year 2024/2025 

Taxes Abated by City of Amarillo 

$510,061 

$623,017 

$679,849 

$965,261 

$1,143,899 

Total Abated by All Entities Including City of Amarillo 

$1,569,512 

$1,926,332 

$2,103,099 

$2,884,936 

$2,959,496 

Presentation 

The bar chart represents the amount of taxes abated over the past five fiscal years. The horizontal axis shows each of the past five fiscal years and the vertical axis shows the dollar amount abated. The bar representing taxes abated by the City of Amarillo is sightly offset to the side of the bar representing the amount abated by all participating tax entities for each fiscal year. This shows that the amount abated by the City of Amarillo is a part of the total amount abated by all entities.

City of Amarillo: Taxes Rebated Per Year by Type 

Overview 

This chart shows the dollar amounts rebated by the City of Amarillo from economic development incentive agreements over the past five fiscal years. Each year is broken down by rebate type, including property tax rebates, hotel occupancy tax rebates, and sales tax rebates. Each fiscal year shows a slight increase in total dollars rebated, with a more drastic increase in the most recent fiscal year. 

Values 

Numerical values presented on the image: 

 

Fiscal Year 2020/2021 

Fiscal Year 2021/2022 

Fiscal Year 2022/2023 

Fiscal Year 2023/2024 

Fiscal Year 2024/2025 

Property Tax Rebates 

$533,080 

$547,426 

$612,334 

$630,421 

$882,363 

Hotel Occupancy Tax Rebates 

$686,747 

$753,112 

$794,828 

$871,423 

$808,348 

Sales Tax Rebates 

$0 

$21,046 

$55,528 

$45,881 

$368,716 

 

Presentation 

The bar chart represents the amount rebated by the City of Amarillo for each type of tax rebate over the past five fiscal years. The horizontal axis shows each of the past five fiscal years and the vertical axis shows the dollar amount rebated. The different rebate types are stacked vertically in each fiscal year, with the height representing the total dollar amount rebated.