Subject: Floor Finishing  

Revised: April 2025 

Purpose: A Floor finishing operational permit is required for floor finishing or surfacing operations exceeding 350 square feet using Class I or Class II liquids. Floor finishing permits shall be issued to a company every two years and not for each job in the jurisdiction.  

Fees: $300.00 Biennial 

Requirements: A Floor Finishing 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 Floor Finishing permit 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 or renewing a Floor finishing operational permit the applicant shall provide a copy of operational procedures that address the requirements set forth in Chapter 2410 of the adopted code as it pertains to the following: 

• Mechanical system operation. Heating, ventilation and air-conditioning systems shall not be operated during resurfacing or refinishing operations or within 4 hours of the application of flammable or combustible liquids;  

• Business operation. Floor surfacing and finishing operations shall not be conducted while an establishment is open to the public;  

• Ignition sources. The power shall be shut down to all electrical sources of ignition within the flammable vapor area, unless those devices are classified for use in Class I, Division 1 hazardous locations;  

• Ventilation. To prevent the accumulation of flammable vapors, mechanical ventilation at a minimum rate of 1 cubic foot per minute per square foot of area being finished shall be provided. Such exhaust shall be by approved temporary or portable means. Vapors shall be exhausted to the exterior of the building; 

• Emergency procedures. Written emergency procedures addressing what the employee(s) shall do in the event of an emergency related to fire or other incident from the finishing process; 

• Training. Written procedures for employee training on the company processes, procedures, and emergency plans. Training records shall be maintained by the company and be made available for review if requested by the fire code official.  

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.