Subject: Fruit and Crop Ripening  

Revised: April 2025 

Purpose: A fruit and crop ripening operational permit is required to operate a fruit- or crop-ripening facility or conduct a fruit-ripening process using ethylene gas. Fruit and crop ripening permits shall be renewed every 3 years. 

Fees: $300.00 Triennial 

Requirements: A Fruit and Crop Ripening 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 Fruit and Crop Ripening 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 Fruit and Crop Ripening operational permit the applicant shall provide the following information: 

• Submit a floor plan/site plan showing location of fruit ripening activities;  

• Identify the location of discharge of Ethylene gas (can only be done in approved rooms constructed for this purpose). Depending on the amount of Ethylene gas stored or used on-site, a hazardous materials operational permit may be required; 

• Identify the valves controlling discharge of ethylene provide positive and fail-closed control of flow and are set to limit the concentration of gas in air below 1,000 parts per million (ppm); 

• Identify how the sources of ignition are controlled or protected; 

• Identify how containers, piping and equipment used to dispense ethylene are bonded and grounded to prevent the discharge of static sparks or arcs; 

• Provide proof lightening is by approved electric lamps or luminaries and heating is by indirect means utilizing low-pressure steam, hot water, or warm air; 

• Documentation that ethylene generators are listed and labeled by an approved testing laboratory. 

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.