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Fire Marshal’s Office

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1. Do I need to register my Fire Alarm or Medical Alarm?

No registration is required for medical alarms. The City of Mesquite does require that fire alarms in commercial buildings be registered. This includes all buildings except single-family residential dwellings. A nonrefundable permit fee of $50.00 per alarm site with one fire alarm control unit is required for the issuance of a permit.  If an alarm site has multiple fire alarm control units, a nonrefundable fee of $50.00 for the first alarm control unit and $10.00 for each additional fire alarm control unit is required.  A permit is issued for one year and must be renewed annually by payment of the required fee.  A new fee and permit is required upon a change in ownership or change in occupancy of the property.  A new owner or occupant of a building with a fire alarm is required to obtain a new permit. This includes both fire alarms that are monitored and fire alarms that only sound on the premises. Owners of fire alarms in commercial buildings are also required to have their alarm systems inspected by a fire alarm technician once each year, and records of the inspection, testing and maintenance shall be maintained at the fire alarm site and available for inspection with the consent of the permit holder or other authorized representative.  The owners of all fire alarms, both registered commercial and non-registered residential, are subject to fines for excessive false alarms or for failure to properly maintain a fire alarm system. Contact the Fire Marshal's office at (972) 216-6267 for further information.

Click to submit a Fire Alarm Operational Permit

2. Plan Reviews?

To obtain forms and information regarding plan reviews and permits of fire protection systems, fire lanes, flammable liquid storage tanks please visit the "Fire Plan Review Process" page at the link below; or contact the Fire Prevention offices at (972) 216-6267.

Fire Plan Review Information

3. Fire Inspections?

Fire inspections are initiated in any of the following ways: Request of the owner or occupant; Citizen complaint; Application for certain licenses or permits; Routine inspections. It is our goal to conduct a fire inspection of each business in Mesquite at least once each year. To request an inspection or register a complaint regarding a fire hazard, call the Fire Prevention office at (972) 216-6267.

4. Is there an Arson Hot Line?

Yes.  The phone number for an arson investigator is (972) 216-6316.

5. How do I report a complaint about a fire hazard?

Hazardous conditions may be reported to the MFD Fire Marshal's office at (972) 216-6267.

6. How do I request a Fire Station Visit or have a Fire Truck Visit my special event, daycare, or school?

Fire station visits or requesting a fire truck to visit your special event can be accomplished by filling out our "Fire Station Visit / Fire Truck Visit Your Event Request" form. For more information, please contact Captain Jon Moore at (972) 216-6349.

Online Request Form

7. How can I find out about Fire Safety programs available through Mesquite Fire Department?

For information or scheduling, please contact the MFD Public Education Office at (972) 216-6349.

8. Smoke Detectors?

Smoke detectors are available to the public free of charge. This service is provided for any citizen of Mesquite in need. Fire Department personnel will install the detectors in your home. For more information please call (972) 216-6349. Please click here for more details.

9. What is the best kind of fire extinguisher for my house?

A multi-purpose fire extinguisher is best for the home. A type "ABC" extinguisher rated at 2A-10BC is recommended.

10. What version of the International Fire Code has the City of Mesquite adopted?

The City of Mesquite has adopted the 2018 version of the International Fire Code by adopting City Ordinance 4802.

11. What systems or items are required to have a permit from the Mesquite Fire Department?

The items and systems requiring permitting is located in Ordinance 4802. Click here to obtain the permit fee schedule.

12. How do I apply for a Fire Department permit?

A permit can be obtained through our online Citizen Self Service Portal (CSS).  Click here to apply for a permit. 

13. What is the cost for a permit?

The permit fee schedule can be obtained from the City of Mesquite Fire Marshal’s Office website. Click here to obtain the permit fee schedule. 

14. Can work begin before a permit is issued by the Fire Department?

A permit must be submitted and approved prior to conducting activities requiring a
permit.

15. What is the Fire Department turnaround time on permits?

The Fire Marshal’s Office has a policy of first-in, first-out. Due to the number of
permits submitted and the complexity of certain permits, a time frame cannot be
given.

16. Does the Fire Department have a fast track system for permits?

No. The Fire Marshal’s Office has a policy of first- in, first- out. In order to reduce
the permitting time frame all required information must be submitted.

17. Can a permit be phased during the construction stage?

Yes, a permit can be phased. A phasing plan must be submitted to the Fire Marshal’s Office during the online permitting process.

18. How do I request a fire protection system inspection?

Once a permit is issued to the applicant through our online permitting process, the permit holder can log on to the Citizen Self Service Portal and request the system test.  All fire protection systems shall be pretested before an inspection is requested.

19. Can a general contractor call for a fire inspection for a system test?

It is the responsibility of the company or the permit holder to request a system test through our online Citizen Self Service Portal (CSS).  Click here to request a system test.

20. Can a fire protection system test be scheduled on the same day?

Normally a minimum of 48 hours is required to schedule an appointment to witness
a system test. If a fire code official is available, the time frame may be shorter.

21. Can a fire protection system test be scheduled after hours?

Yes. Inspections may be conducted after hours or on Saturdays at the request of a
contractor if inspection personnel are available. The fee for such inspections shall
be $100.00 per hour per inspector with a two-hour minimum per inspector.

22. Can a contractor go vertical with the building before the fire lane is installed or before the fire hydrants have been tested and approved?

In order to go vertical with the building, the fire lane must be installed and the fire
hydrants must be tested and approved. If a crane is used during the construction
process, contact the Fire Marshal’s Office for exceptions to the fire lane installation.

23. Can combustibles be placed on the property before the fire lane is installed or before the fire hydrants have been tested and approved?

Before placing combustibles on the property, the fire lane must be installed and the
fire hydrants must be tested and approved.

24. Can a building be occupied before the fire protection systems are tested and approved?

In buildings where an automatic sprinkler system is required by the codes, it shall be
unlawful to occupy any portion of a building or structure until the automatic
sprinkler system installation has been tested and approved.

25. Can stock or merchandise be placed in the building before the fire protection systems are tested and approved?

The building or structure shall not be occupied prior to the fire code official issuing a
permit and conducting associated inspections indicating the applicable provisions of
the International Fire Code have been met.

26. When is a fire alarm operational permit required?

A fire alarm operational permit is required for all occupancies that contain a fire
alarm system that produces an alarm signal that would summon or cause to be
summoned a Fire Department response in the event of a fire or system activation.

27. What is the cost of a fire alarm operational permit?

A nonrefundable permit fee of $50.00 per alarm site with one fire alarm control unit is required for the issuance of a permit. If an alarm site has multiple fire alarm control units, a nonrefundable fee of $50.00 for the first alarm control unit and $10.00 for each additional fire alarm control unit is required. A permit is issued for one year and must be renewed annually by payment of the required fee. 

28. When is a Knox-Box (key box) required?

A Knox-Box shall be placed on all occupancies with a fire alarm system or fire
sprinkler system that initiates an automatic Fire Department response. The Knox-
Box shall contain keys for each locked doorway within the building and each
elevator. The keys shall be identified as to the corresponding locks.

29. Where can I obtain a Knox-Box application?

A Knox-Box application can be obtained at 1515 N. Galloway Ave. at the Fire Administration Office (upstairs) or it can be ordered online at the Knox website.  Click here to order from Knox.

30. Where should the Knox-Box be placed?

Knox-box placement depends on the type of Knox-box that was purchased. Contact the fire code official for information on where to install the Knox-box. For more information please call (972) 216-6267.