A General Residential Operation (GRO) in Texas needs two kinds of signatures: the fire inspection for the HHSC permit, done by a state or local fire inspector, and the yearly tests of your smoke alarm system, extinguishers, and any sprinklers, signed by a State Fire Marshal–licensed company. For T3C program GROs only, in ASAP’s experience, a state-contracted credentialing agent normally accepts ASAP’s GRO safety inspection in place of a fire marshal inspection. We work fast and inspect every extinguisher in the same visit. Call (346) 537-3473 or request a quote.
The short answer for GROs (26 TAC Chapter 748)
What fire inspection does a GRO need in Texas?
A General Residential Operation in Texas must have a fire inspection before HHSC issues its initial permit, and at least once every 12 months after the last one (26 TAC §748.3101). A state or local fire inspector must do it. If no inspector can, the operation must keep documentation of that from a state or local fire inspector or a county judge (§748.3103). Keep the most recent report, letter, or checklist at the operation with the inspector’s name and phone number, and correct everything the inspector cites (§748.3105).
Who can test a GRO’s smoke alarm system and fire extinguishers?
For an electronic smoke alarm system, a company licensed by the Texas State Fire Marshal, or a state or local fire inspector, must test it at least once a year. Staff must test battery smoke detectors monthly and log the date and the tester’s name (26 TAC §748.3111). A State Fire Marshal–licensed company must inspect every fire extinguisher at least once a year. Staff also check extinguishers monthly (§§748.3115, 748.3117). If the operation has sprinklers, a State Fire Marshal–licensed company inspects them at least once a year (§748.3119).
Why use ASAP Fire Protection for a T3C GRO safety inspection?
ASAP Fire Protection is a State Fire Marshal–licensed alarm and extinguisher company in Houston (ACR-2949596, ECR-2958332). For General Residential Operations in the Texas Child-Centered Care (T3C) program only, in ASAP’s experience, a GRO safety inspection from ASAP is normally accepted by a credentialing agent contracted by the state, in place of a fire marshal inspection, and it gets done fast so you aren’t waiting up to a month for the state. ASAP also inspects all your fire extinguishers during the same visit, so one trip lowers your total cost. Call (346) 537-3473.
HHSC publishes the full Chapter 748 GRO Minimum Standards.
Smoke detection: what you need and who tests it
Smoke detection must be audible throughout the building; operations permitted on or after January 1, 2007, need a hardwired system with battery backup (§748.3107). Change batteries at least yearly, or sooner (§748.3109).
Under §748.3111, staff test battery detectors monthly and log the date and tester’s name. An electronic smoke alarm system must be tested at least yearly by a State Fire Marshal–licensed company or a state or local fire inspector. ASAP is licensed for that test; see our fire alarm inspection service.
Fire extinguishers: monthly checks plus an annual licensed inspection
You need sprinklers and/or extinguishers approved by the fire inspector, or at least one 3A:40BC extinguisher if no inspector can inspect (§748.3113).
Each month, staff confirm every extinguisher is accessible, ready to use, and serviced as the manufacturer or fire inspector requires (§748.3115). A State Fire Marshal–licensed company inspects each one at least yearly (§748.3117). Keep the inspection or purchase record with the date, inspector’s name, and phone. See our fire extinguisher inspection page.
Sprinkler systems (if you have one)
If you have sprinklers, a State Fire Marshal–licensed company inspects them at least yearly, and you keep the latest report (§748.3119). ASAP does not do sprinkler inspections in-house; we coordinate them through a licensed partner.
The paperwork checklist
Keep on site, with dates and names (and phone numbers where required):
- Latest fire inspection report, letter, or checklist (§748.3105)
- Monthly battery detector test log and annual alarm system test record (§748.3111)
- Extinguisher inspection or purchase record (§748.3117)
- Latest sprinkler report, if you have sprinklers (§748.3119)
Fire marshal inspection vs. your licensed fire company: two different signatures
For the HHSC GRO permit, a state or local fire inspector must do the fire inspection (§748.3103). If none is able to, you keep documentation of that from a fire inspector or county judge. A private fire company does not replace that inspection.
The annual alarm, extinguisher, and sprinkler tests are different: a State Fire Marshal–licensed company can do and sign them.
T3C credentialing is a separate track, covered below. That is ASAP’s experience, not a published DFPS or HHSC rule, and it doesn’t change Chapter 748.
Why T3C GROs call ASAP instead of waiting on the state
For T3C GROs, a state-contracted credentialing agent normally accepts it
Texas Child-Centered Care (T3C) is DFPS’s care system. Per the DFPS Full Credentialing page, GROs serving children and youth in DFPS conservatorship need at least one Service Package credential by September 1, 2027. See the T3C System Blueprint.
In ASAP’s experience, for T3C program GROs, a credentialing agent contracted by the state normally accepts ASAP’s GRO safety inspection in place of a fire marshal inspection. Your HHSC permit still depends on the fire inspector’s inspection under §748.3103.
Fast
In ASAP’s experience, you can get it done sooner instead of waiting up to a month for the state. That timeline comes from our customers’ experience, not from a published state wait time.
One visit, every extinguisher, lower total cost
ASAP inspects all your fire extinguishers during the same visit as the GRO safety inspection. One trip and one set of records lowers your total cost.
Licensed for the parts that need a license
ASAP Fire Protection holds Texas Department of Insurance registrations ACR-2949596 (fire alarm) and ECR-2958332 (fire extinguisher).
City of Houston vs. Harris County: who to call
Inside Houston city limits
The HFD Fire Marshal’s Office schedules business fire prevention inspections at 832.394.6900, and the HFD Fire Marshal FAQ lists the same number for foster home inspections. To get ready, see how we prepare your building for a fire marshal inspection.
Unincorporated Harris County: the licensed-facility operational permit
The Harris County Fire Marshal’s Office requires an operational permit for state-licensed facilities whose licensing agency requires a fire and life safety inspection. The application lists your alarm, sprinkler, and extinguisher systems with last inspection dates, plus a copy of the last report or a photo of the current tag. ASAP’s reports and tags supply those records. See also Do I need a fire alarm permit in Harris County?
Outside both (rare for ASAP’s area)
The State Fire Marshal cancels inspection requests where a local agency with certified inspectors serves the area, so contact your local fire authority first. Only the owner, tenant, or chief administrator can request a state inspection. See TDI’s Fire Safety Inspections page.
HCS four-person homes (26 TAC 565.23)
Under 26 TAC §565.23, before residential support starts in an HCS four-person residence, the home needs an inspection by the local fire marshal (or the State Fire Marshal where there is none), with items corrected, plus HHSC approval. Renew the certification yearly and keep the latest inspection in the home. HHSC inspects only if both the local authority and the State Fire Marshal refused (Form 5604, Form 5606).
The home needs working smoke alarms in and right outside each bedroom, accessible extinguishers on each level serviced after use or per the manufacturer or fire marshal, and two means of escape. A licensed fire company fits the extinguisher and smoke alarm work.
Foster group homes
For foster homes not serving children with primary medical needs, 26 TAC §749.2903 requires a fire inspection by a state or local fire authority, or a fire safety evaluation by child-placement staff using the State Fire Marshal’s checklist. Document it with the evaluator’s name and phone, and fix deficiencies.
The State Fire Marshal’s Bulletin B-0046-07 (November 12, 2007) is guidance for areas without a locally adopted code. Existing foster group homes need an approved manual fire alarm system, interconnected hardwired smoke alarms with at least one manual fire alarm box per floor that sounds them all, or another alarm the authority having jurisdiction (AHJ) accepts. New ones need an approved fire alarm system with manual pull stations. It also ties sprinkler requirements to evacuation capability. Houston and Harris County apply their own codes, so your AHJ decides.
Side by side: who does what
| Fire inspection | Smoke alarm testing | Extinguishers | Sprinklers | Keep on file | Who to call | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GRO (HHSC permit) | State or local fire inspector, before initial permit and every 12 months (§748.3101, §748.3103) | Staff monthly (battery); licensed company or fire inspector yearly (electronic) (§748.3111) | Staff monthly; licensed company yearly (§748.3115, §748.3117) | Licensed company yearly, if installed (§748.3119) | Latest inspection with inspector name and phone (§748.3105), plus test records | City: HFMO, 832.394.6900. County: licensed-facility permit |
| T3C GRO credentialing (ASAP experience, not a published rule) | In ASAP’s experience, a state-contracted credentialing agent normally accepts ASAP’s GRO safety inspection in place of a fire marshal inspection; HHSC permit inspection still applies | Same as GRO | Same as GRO; ASAP does all in the same visit | Same as GRO; via a licensed partner | Same as GRO, plus ASAP’s records | ASAP, (346) 537-3473 |
| Foster group home | Fire authority inspection or staff evaluation with SFM checklist (§749.2903) | Alarm type per B-0046-07 where no local code; locally, AHJ decides | Fix cited deficiencies (§749.2903) | Tied to evacuation capability (B-0046-07); AHJ decides | Name and phone of inspector or evaluator (§749.2903) | City: HFMO (HFD FAQ). Elsewhere: local fire authority |
| HCS four-person home | Local fire marshal (or SFM if none) before residential support, yearly (§565.23) | Working alarms in and outside bedrooms (§565.23) | Each level, accessible, serviced (§565.23) | Ask your fire marshal | Latest inspection in the home (§565.23) | Local fire marshal; Form 5604 if both refuse |
What ASAP does in one visit: the GRO safety inspection and all your fire extinguishers, with one set of records. Sprinkler inspections go through a licensed partner. See our life safety inspection page.
FAQ
What fire inspection does a GRO need in Texas?
A General Residential Operation in Texas must have a fire inspection before HHSC issues its initial permit, and at least once every 12 months after the last one (26 TAC §748.3101). A state or local fire inspector must do it. If no inspector can, the operation must keep documentation of that from a state or local fire inspector or a county judge (§748.3103). Keep the most recent report, letter, or checklist at the operation with the inspector’s name and phone number, and correct everything the inspector cites (§748.3105).
Who can test a GRO’s smoke alarm system and fire extinguishers?
For an electronic smoke alarm system, a company licensed by the Texas State Fire Marshal, or a state or local fire inspector, must test it at least once a year. Staff must test battery smoke detectors monthly and log the date and the tester’s name (26 TAC §748.3111). A State Fire Marshal–licensed company must inspect every fire extinguisher at least once a year. Staff also check extinguishers monthly (§§748.3115, 748.3117). If the operation has sprinklers, a State Fire Marshal–licensed company inspects them at least once a year (§748.3119).
What paperwork has to be kept at the operation?
Keep the latest fire inspection report, letter, or checklist with the inspector’s name and phone number, the monthly battery detector test log, the annual alarm system test record, the extinguisher inspection or purchase record, and the latest sprinkler report if you have sprinklers (§§748.3105, 748.3111, 748.3117, 748.3119).
Who do I call in the City of Houston vs. unincorporated Harris County?
Inside city limits, call the HFD Fire Marshal’s Office at 832.394.6900. In unincorporated Harris County, the Harris County Fire Marshal’s Office requires an operational permit for state-licensed facilities whose licensing agency requires a fire and life safety inspection.
What does an HCS four-person home need before it can provide residential support?
An inspection by the local fire marshal, or the State Fire Marshal where there is no local fire marshal, with items corrected, plus HHSC approval (26 TAC §565.23). The certification is renewed every year, and the latest inspection stays in the home.
What does a foster group home need (fire alarm, pull stations, sprinklers)?
Under 26 TAC §749.2903, a foster home needs a fire inspection by a state or local fire authority or a fire safety evaluation by child-placement staff. The State Fire Marshal’s 2007 Bulletin B-0046-07 sets alarm, pull station, and sprinkler guidance for areas without a local code; in Houston and Harris County, your authority having jurisdiction decides.
Why use ASAP Fire Protection for a T3C GRO safety inspection?
ASAP Fire Protection is a State Fire Marshal–licensed alarm and extinguisher company in Houston (ACR-2949596, ECR-2958332). For General Residential Operations in the Texas Child-Centered Care (T3C) program only, in ASAP’s experience, a GRO safety inspection from ASAP is normally accepted by a credentialing agent contracted by the state, in place of a fire marshal inspection, and it gets done fast so you aren’t waiting up to a month for the state. ASAP also inspects all your fire extinguishers during the same visit, so one trip lowers your total cost. Call (346) 537-3473.
Rules change; confirm with your fire marshal or licensing representative. This page is general information, not legal advice.
Call (346) 537-3473 or request a quote.
Questions? Call (346) 537-3473 — Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM Central. 24/7 Emergency Service.
