If you use propane or propane accessories on your mobile vending unit inside the City of Austin and contracted municipalities, it must be inspected by the Austin Fire Department (AFD). After your operational permit application is approved, an environmental health officer will schedule the inspection for the same date and time as your mobile unit inspection.
During the fire inspection, AFD personnel will complete a propane system inspection report. Keep the report in your records and bring it with you to each annual permit renewal inspection.
Austin Fire Department inspection checklist for mobile food vendors
To prepare for your inspection, check off this list of conditions in and around your mobile unit to make sure it meets minimum safety requirements. Because all mobile units are different, following this checklist does not guarantee you’ll pass inspection, but it will help you stay safe.
Location of mobile units
- Units shall not be closer than 20 feet to any structure.
- All mobile units must remain at least 15 feet away from any fire hydrant.
- Mobile units shall not block access to a Fire Department Connection (FDC).
- Mobile units shall not obstruct any entrances or exits from a structure.
- Exits of mobile units shall not be obstructed.
Electrical
- Mobile units must supply their own electricity, not use it from a nearby structure.
- No excessive use of extension cords.
- Breaker boxes and junction boxes shall have proper cover.
- All wiring must be in conduit.
- No improper use of electrical accessories and overloading of circuits.
Propane cylinders
- A maximum of two 100-lb propane cylinders are allowed. One is allowed for use and one as a spare. The cylinders cannot be manifolded together.
- Propane cylinders need to be requalified every 12 yrs. A current date of manufacture if new or requalification stamp is required on all cylinders.
Propane cylinder location
- Propane cylinders (including spares) shall not be located:
- On rear bumpers, on exterior sides of vehicle, or roofs
- Below the lowest part of the vehicle frame o Inside improperly vented or unvented trunks or beds of vehicles
- Inside passenger compartments of vehicles
- On ground.
- The propane storage compartment shall be ventilated with at least two vents(one top of compartment and one bottom of compartment), each vent having an aggregate area equal to at least .5 square inches for each 7 lb of the total propane fuel capacity of the maximum number of the largest cylinders the compartment can hold.
- Vendor will be required to have propane cylinders on vehicle to demonstrate how cylinders are secured to vehicle. Propane cylinders must be secured as to prevent propane bottle from leaving mount or cage in the event of vehicle crash or rollover.
- The relief valve discharge from the propane cylinder shall not be less than 3 ft measured horizontally along the surface of the vehicle to:
- Openings in the vehicle
- Propane burning appliance intake or exhaust vents
- All internal combustion engine exhaust terminations
Propane cylinder equipment
- All cooking appliances shall be listed for use with propane.
- Propane piping cannot be located on sides, rear or roof of unit.
- All appliances must be properly modified for use with propane.
- Appliances required to be vented (by the manufacturers recommendations, usually greater than 40,000 BTUs) must be converted for use with propane by a Master Plumber licensed by the Texas Railroad Commission. Documentation of proper conversion by a plumber must be provided at the time of inspection.
- Piping systems, including fittings and valves shall comply with NFPA 58
- Maximum of 60 inches of metal flex hose allowed for each appliance to connect to the propane hard pipe.
- Metal flex hose must not penetrate through walls, floor or ceiling to the interior of the vehicle. Rigid pipe must be used to penetrate solid assemblies.
- Piping shall be tested annually at not less than 3 psig for 10 minutes before appliances are connected and at system pressure after connection by a licensed LP Gas technician. Documentation of test, within 90 days of inspection, must be provided at the time of inspection and must include:
- The original document at inspection (not a copy),
- Pressure and duration of test,
- Name, address, license number, and phone number of the technician who performed the test, and
- The mobile vending unit’s license plate number.
- Documentation must include the date of test, pressure and duration of the test, name and license number of the technician, and the vehicle’s license number.
- Manual shutoff valves on gas lines are required at the point of use(the appliance) and at the supply.
Fire extinguishers
- Each mobile unit will be required to have a proper fire extinguisher inside their vehicle (2A10BC fire extinguisher).
- Each fire extinguisher will need to be mounted in a conspicuous location where it can be located quickly.
- Each fire extinguisher will need to be serviced annually and maintain a current tag confirming its status.
- Mobile units using a deep fryer will be required to have a Class K fire extinguisher in addition to the 2A10BC.
- Solid fuel appliances with a fire box are required to have one 2.5 gallon or two 1.5 gallon K type extinguishers.
Travis County Fire Department guidelines for mobile food vendors
Unrestricted mobile vending units operating inside the unincorporated areas of Travis County must be inspected by Travis County Fire. The inspection fee is $125.00. Review Travis County’s checklist of fire safety guidelines before your inspection.