Subject: Explosives 

Revised:  April 2025 

Purpose: An explosive operational permit is required for the manufacture, storage, handling, sale or use of any quantity of explosives, explosive materials, fireworks or pyrotechnic special effects within the scope of Chapter 56 of the 2018 IFC. Firework displays and use of pyrotechnic or flame effects for entertainment purposes shall be permitted under pyrotechnic special effects material operational permit. Temporary retail sites which move into or open only during the approved firework sales seasons shall not be required to obtain an explosives operational permit. Those firework retail sites which store fireworks while building is not open for retail sales shall be required to obtain this operational permit. Explosive operational permits shall be renewed annually. 

Fees: $300.00 Annually 

Requirements: An Explosives permit will be issued once an application has been completed appropriately, all applicable documents have been uploaded, reviewed, and approved.  

Applications will be completed electronically, and all required documentation shall be uploaded electronically. There shall be no paper submissions. Permit application shall be completed and submitted through the approved Harris County software program. Once the application is received along with all required documentation, the Fire Code Official will conduct a review. When the permit process is complete, and authorization is given, the applicant will be notified that the permit is issued, and the duration of the permit will be indicated.  

All Explosives applications will begin with generalized information requirements. This information will pertain to the property information/property owner’s information/application information/project name.  

When applying for an Explosives operational permit the applicant shall provide the following information:  

Storage: 

• Site map including the magazine(s), other structures, property lines, locations of structures on other neighboring properties, and distance measurements between all structure locations from the magazine(s) as well as listings for each magazine for products, and quantities stored. Also identify location of all on-site fire suppression to include fire pumps, ponds, water supplies, layout of fire lanes, gas meter, and Knox Box if installed. If renewing an explosives operational permit and no changes have been made to your facility from previous permit cycle, a written statement claiming no changes have been made can be submitted in lieu of plans; 

• A drawing/ floor plan of building including all entrance and exits, location of primary and secondary exit routes, locations of fire extinguishers, fire protection system panels, risers, and/or other fire protection control systems and/or panels. If renewing an explosives storage operational permit and no changes have been made to your facility from previous permit cycle, a written statement claiming no changes have been made can be submitted in lieu of plans; 

• Copy of the emergency plan, compliant with Chapter 4 of the International Fire Code, current adopted edition; 

• Information on types of fire alarm systems installed and last inspection date (provide last inspection report or photo of current inspection tag(s). This shall include all fire alarm systems or other gas detection systems at the facility; 

• Information on installed sprinkler systems and last inspection date (provide last inspection report or photo of current inspection tag(s). This shall include all fire sprinkler systems at the facility; 

• Information on fire extinguishers or any type of alternate (including but not limited to automatic hood suppression, paint booth systems, clean agent) fire protection system installed and last inspection date (provide last inspection report or photo of current inspection tag(s)); 

• Written details listing the types and amounts of explosives, blasting agents, smokeless powder or pyrotechnic devices and their intended uses; 

• Copy of the proof of public liability insurance or a corporate surety bond in the amount of $100,000; 

• Written statement certifying compliance with Chapter 56 of the adopted fire code and other applicable codes and standards: 

• • NFPA 495 – Explosive Materials Code, 

• • NFPA 1123 – Code for Fireworks Display, 

• • NFPA 1124 – Code for the Manufacturing, Transportation, and Storage of Fireworks and Pyrotechnic Articles. 

Manufacturing, Assembly, and Testing: 

• Site map including the magazine(s), other structures, property lines, locations of structures on other neighboring properties, and distance measurements between all structure locations from the magazine(s) as well as listings for each magazine for products, and quantities stored. Also identify location of all on-site fire suppression to include fire pumps, ponds, water supplies, layout of fire lanes, gas meter, and Knox Box if installed. If renewing an explosives operational permit and no changes have been made to your facility from previous permit cycle, a written statement claiming no changes have been made can be submitted in lieu of plans; 

• A drawing/ floor plan of building including all entrance and exits, location of primary and secondary exit routes, locations of fire extinguishers, fire protection system panels, risers, and/or other fire protection control systems and/or panels, etc. If renewing a explosives operational permit and no changes have been made to your facility from previous permit cycle, a written statement claiming no changes have been made can be submitted in lieu of plans; 

• Copy of the emergency plan, compliant with Chapter 4 of the International Fire Code, current adopted edition; 

• Information on types of fire alarm systems installed and last inspection date (provide last inspection report or photo of current inspection tag(s). This shall include all fire alarm systems or other gas detection systems at the facility; 

• Information on installed sprinkler systems and last inspection date (provide last inspection report or photo of current inspection tag(s). This shall include all fire sprinkler systems at the facility; 

• Information on fire extinguishers or any type of alternate (including but not limited to automatic hood suppression, paint booth systems, clean agent) fire protection system installed and last inspection date (provide last inspection report or photo of current inspection tag(s)); 

• Copy of records of emergency drills and employee training records; 

• Copy of hazardous materials management plans (HMMP); 

• Copy of hazardous materials inventory statement (HMIS); 

• Site plan including all buildings, magazines, and other structures with distance measurements; 

• Written statement certifying compliance with Chapter 56 of the adopted fire code and other applicable codes and standards. 

Small Arms Ammunition and Small Arms Components: 

• Site map including location of all storage including quantities and storage configuration. Also identify location of all on-site fire suppression to include fire pumps, ponds, water supplies, layout of fire lanes, gas meter, and Knox Box if installed. If renewing an explosives materials operational permit and no changes have been made to your facility from previous permit cycle, a written statement claiming no changes have been made can be submitted in lieu of plans; 

• A drawing/ floor plan of building including all entrance and exits, location of primary and secondary exit routes, locations of fire extinguishers, fire protection system panels, risers, and/or other fire protection control systems and/or panels. If renewing a explosives operational permit and no changes have been made to your facility from previous permit cycle, a written statement claiming no changes have been made can be submitted in lieu of plans; 

• Copy of the emergency plan, compliant with Chapter 4 of the International Fire Code, current adopted edition; 

• Information on types of fire alarm systems installed and last inspection date (provide last inspection report or photo of current inspection tag(s). This shall include all fire alarm systems or other gas detection systems at the facility; 

• Information on installed sprinkler systems and last inspection date (provide last inspection report or photo of current inspection tag(s). This shall include all fire sprinkler systems at the facility; 

• Information on fire extinguishers or any type of alternate (including but not limited to automatic hood suppression, paint booth systems, clean agent) fire protection system installed and last inspection date (provide last inspection report or photo of current inspection tag(s)); 

• Written statement certifying compliance with Chapter 56 of the adopted fire code and other applicable codes and standards. 

Blasting: 

• Written plan for the blasting operation including a site plan with blasting locations noted; 

• Written safety and emergency plan to include notification to the responding fire department and identifying who with the fire department received notice; 

• Copy of the proof of certificate of insurance or bond in such form, amount, and coverage as determined by the Harris County Attorney’s Office to be adequate in each case to indemnify Harris County against any and all damages arising from permitted blasting; 

• Written misfire procedures; 

• Written post-blast procedures; 

• Copy of all licenses or certifications. 

If one or more of the requested documents does not apply to your location, please submit in writing a reason for not submitting. 

Denial: If it is determined that an application fails to meet the requirements as set forth in this standard or the applicant refuses to provide all required documentation, the fire code official shall not issue a permit, but shall return the application to the applicant with explanation for refusal.  

Revocation: The fire code official is authorized to revoke a permit where it is found that there has been false statements or misrepresentation as to the material facts in the application or supporting documentation on which the approval and issuance was based, the permit was issued to a different person or firm than named on the permit, the permittee failed, refused or neglected to comply with orders or notices duly served in accordance with the provisions of this code within the time provided therein, or the permit was issued in error or in violation of an ordinance, regulation or this code.