These groundbreaking changes prioritize the safety of schools, assisted living facilities, and 55+ apartment complexes, and bring other critical guidelines to ensure the safety of all residents.

“It’s all about communication during an emergency. And when you look at our fire code, a lot of people think of enforcement – it's about education,” Laurie Christensen, Chief of the Harris County Fire Marshal’s Office said. “Our goal is to prevent a fatality before it happens. We want to save lives before they need to be saved.”

The new fire codes are the result of extensive collaboration among County departments, local leaders, and safety experts to address pressing challenges revealed during natural disasters and public safety crises.

Below are some of the most impactful changes and how they are making a difference in Harris County communities:

Routine School Safety Lock Inspections

For years, the HCFMO performed unmandated school inspections. Now, Harris County is the first county in Texas to enforce them. The inspections ensure that safety locks comply with national fire codes, keeping schools secure while allowing emergency responders swift access when needed.

This change stems from recommendations by the Safe School Commission, formed after the tragedy at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas and revamped by Commissioner Lesley Briones in 2024.

As one of Precinct 4’s newest student appointees to the Commission, Ngoc B. Ho, a freshman at Kerr High School, sees the Commission’s collaboration with local authorities and government as vital to making schools safer.

“Knowing that local authorities are acknowledging these challenges and taking action to address them is incredibly reassuring,” Ho said. “It definitely gives me hope for a future where all students and educators can focus on learning and teaching without fear.”

Generators Required at Assisted Living Facilities

Natural disasters and power outages are a familiar challenge in Houston but pose life-threatening risks, particularly for residents who rely on medical equipment such as oxygen machines or dialysis.

During Hurricane Beryl, Precinct 4 received hundreds of calls from residents in assisted and 55-year-old and older living facilities seeking life-saving resources, rescues, and medical attention. The Precinct worked around the clock during the height of Beryl to develop a master list of facilities that housed vulnerable populations.

Effective January 1st, 2025 assisted living facilities, 55+ apartment complexes, and other facilities that care for vulnerable populations must develop a plan to install generators that activate within three hours of a power outage.

With nearly 170 assisted and 55+ living facilities in Precinct 4 alone, Community Assistance Department Director, Najat Elsayed, emphasized how crucial the fire codes are to getting help to those who need it most.

“When our vulnerable citizens don’t have someone advocating for them, they’re left to survive on their own ─ that’s not how good government should work,” Elsayed said. “These codes are important for the protection of the population and help experts better care for the vulnerable members of our society.”

Additionally, the updated fire codes require electric vehicle charging stations to have emergency power switches. They also establish safer storage and disposal guidelines for batteries to prevent fires in landfills.

For more information and education about the updated fire codes and how they enhance safety across Harris County, visit the Fire Marshal’s Office website.