Cooking and Catering
Food Trucks and Mobile Vending
The University of Texas at Austin has established safety-related requirements for Mobile Food Vending on campus property aimed at creating oversight in the areas of health and fire safety. In conjunction with the Office of Environmental Health & Safety, formal inspections and permitting of all mobile food vending outlets shall be conducted prior to their use on campus. Where required, Fire Prevention Services will perform a one-time fire / life safety inspection prior to permitting. To learn more and request a permit, please visit our Special Events Permitting page. For detailed information see the FPS policy on Fire and Life Safety Mobile Vending Requirements (FPS-SOP-1-04) (PDF).
Outdoor Cooking and Fuel Fired Equipment
The use of barbecue grills, smokers, heaters, deep fryers, other fuel fired equipment and/or operations involving open flames requires a permit and must comply with the FPS policy on Outdoor Cooking, Use of Fuel Fired Equipment and Open Flame Operations (FPS-SOP-58-01) (PDF). To learn more and request a permit, please visit our Special Events Permitting page.
Open Flames for Food Warming
The use of solid alcohol (Sterno) for food warming/heating requires a permit and must comply with the FPS policy on Candles, Open Flames and Solid Alcohol (Sterno) (FPS-SOP-101-06) (PDF). To learn more and request a permit, please visit our Special Events Permitting page.
Events
Hospitality Tents
The use of hospitality tents at the University of Texas at Austin requires a permit approved by Fire Prevention Services. Applications for the use of hospitality tents must provided to Fire Prevention Services for review a minimum of 10 business days prior to the tent structure being delivered to the site. To learn more and request a permit, please visit our Special Events Permitting page. Detailed requirements for hospitality tents can be found in the FPS policy on Hospitality Tents at the University of Texas at Austin (FPS-SOP-102-01) (PDF).
Crowd Managers
Large assembly events at the University of Texas at Austin are required to have trained crowd managers where required by the FPS policy on Crowd Managers - Number Required for Events and Training Requirements (FPS-SOP-101-07) (PDF).
Pyrotechnic Displays and Flame Effects
The use of pyrotechnic displays and flame effects at the University of Texas at Austin requires a permit approved by Fire Prevention Services. Applications for the use of pyrotechnics and flame effects must be provided to Fire Prevention Services for review a minimum of 10 business days prior to the date of the scheduled event. To learn more and request a permit, please visit our Special Events Permitting page. Detailed requirements for pyrotechnic displays can be found in the FPS policy on Pyrotechnic Displays at the University of Texas at Austin (FPS-SOP-1126-01) (PDF).
Portable Generators
The use of portable generators at the University of Texas at Austin must comply with the FPS policy on Portable Generators at the University of Texas (FPS-SOP-1-06) (PDF).
Building Safety
Space Heaters
The use of space heaters and patio heaters at the University of Texas at Austin must comply with the FPS policy on Procedures for Use of Space Heaters (FPS-SOP-101-04) (PDF).
Temporary Decorative Lighting
Temporary decorative lighting at the University of Texas at Austin is only allowed in buildings that are equipped with an automatic fire sprinkler system, all temporary decorative lighting installations require a permit issued by Fire Prevention Services. Temporary decorative lighting installations are allowed to be in place for a maximum of 90 days. All temporary decorative lighting installations must comply with the FPS policy for Temporary Decorative Lighting (FPS-SOP-101-08) (PDF). Temporary decorative lighting is not permitted in dormitory rooms at the University of Texas at Austin. To learn more and request a permit, please visit our Special Events Permitting page.
Holiday Decorations in Dorms
Holiday decorations in residence halls are only permitted in the common areas of the first floor of the building and must comply with the FPS policy on Holiday Decorations in Residence Halls (FPS-SOP-101-05) (PDF).
Propane Cylinders
The use, storage, and transportation of propane in buildings at the University of Texas at Austin must comply with the FPS policy on Procedures for the Use, Storage and Transportation of Propane Grills, Patio Heaters and Cylinders (FPS-SOP-58-02) (PDF).
Candles
The use of candles and other open flame devices (including incense and potpourri burners, torches, fueled lamps, etc.) is prohibited at the University of Texas at Austin unless approved by Fire Prevention Services. Permission for the use of candles or open flames may be obtained by requesting a permit from FPS. Approval will be granted on a case-by-case basis for specific dates and locations only. To learn more and request a permit, please visit our Special Events Permitting page. Detailed requirements for the use of candles and open flame devices can be found in the FPS policy on Candles, Open Flames and Solid Alcohol (Sterno) (FPS-SOP-101-06) (PDF).
Fire Protection Systems
Fire Watches
Where a require fire alarm system is out of service for a period of more than 4 hours in a 24 hour period or a required water based fire protection system is out of service of a period of more than 10 hours in a 24 hour period Fire Prevention Services shall be notified and the building shall be evacuated, or an approved fire watch shall be provided for all areas left unprotected by the outage until the system has been returned to service. Requirements for fire watches at the University of Texas at Austin can be found in the FPS policy on Fire Watch at the University of Texas at Austin (FPS-SOP-101-01) (PDF).
Protection of Smoke Detectors During Construction
Construction debris, dust (especially gypsum dust and the fines resulting from the sanding of drywall joint compounds) and aerosols can adversely affect the sensitivity of smoke detectors and, in some instances, cause deleterious effects to the detector, thereby significantly reducing the expected life, reliability and operation of the detector. New smoke detectors and existing smoke detectors in construction areas must be protected in accordance with the FPS policy on Smoke Detector Protection During Construction (FPS-SOP-72-04) (PDF).
Third Party Fire Alarm Monitoring
Where fire alarm systems at the University of Texas at Austin are monitored by a third party service and contract personnel are responsible for emergency response to trouble, supervisory, or alarm signals during construction activities monitoring and response must comply with the FPS policy on Third Party Fire Alarm Monitoring (FPS-SOP-72-03) (PDF).
Knox Boxes
The purchase and installation of emergency key cabinets (Knox boxes) at the University of Texas at Austin must comply with the FPS policy on Emergency Key Cabinets (Knox Boxes) (FPS-SOP-1-07) (PDF). To order a dual lock Knox box for installation at the University of Texas at Austin please fill out the Fire Prevention Services Knox Box Order Form (PDF) and submit it via email using the button at the bottom of the form. UT Fire Prevention Services will forward the completed form to the Austin Fire Department who will approve the order and forward the request to the Knox Company to process the order.