Special Events Safety Planning | University of Houston

The University of Houston is committed to supporting special events that are safe, well‑coordinated, and beneficial to the campus community. Special events held on university‑owned, leased, rented, or otherwise controlled property may require coordination with UH Fire Marshal’s Office, Food Safety and or the Office of Emergency Management to support appropriate safety planning and preparedness.

In accordance with MAPP 07.01.03 – Requesting Special Event Safety & Services, requirements for special event safety planning are determined based on factors such as the nature and size of the event, anticipated attendance, impact on normal university operations, event history, and food service. Depending on these factors, the University may require planning, review, and on‑site support from the Fire Marshal’s Office (FMO), Food Safety and/or the Office of Emergency Management (OEM).
This page serves as a central starting point for event organizers to understand safety expectations, required planning steps, and to connect with the appropriate campus partners early in the event planning process.

Safety & Planning Responsibilities

Event organizers and requesting departments are responsible for:

Initiating event reservations in accordance with university policy
Engaging fire safety, food safety, and emergency management partners early in the planning process
Completing required safety checklists, plans, and request forms
Coordinating resources needed to support safe event operations
The specific planning requirements are determined on a case‑by‑case basis in accordance with MAPP 07.01.03.

Environmental Health & Emergency Preparedness Department Resources

Start Planning Early

Early coordination is essential. Event organizers are strongly encouraged to begin safety and emergency planning well in advance of the event date. Event organizers should review all applicable resources below and connect with the appropriate departments as early as possible during the event planning process. For full policy details, refer to MAPP 07.01.03 – Requesting Special Event Safety & Services.

Special event safety planning is a coordinated effort across multiple university departments. Use the links below to access detailed guidance and forms specific to your event needs:

UH Fire Marshal’s Office

Fire and life safety reviews, permits, inspections, and approvals may be required for certain events, including those involving tents, outdoor setups, open flames, or pyrotechnics. Visit the FMO Special Events webpage for more information.

Food Safety

Events involving temporary food service or food vendors must comply with university and regulatory food safety requirements. Visit the Temporary Food Dealer’s Permit webpage for more information.

Office of Emergency Management

Emergency planning tools and templates support preparedness for emergencies that could impact special events. Certain events may require venue‑specific emergency plans or incident action plans.
To learn more, visit the Special Event Emergency Planning Tools website.

NOTE: The UH Police Department also has requirements per MAPP 07.01.03. Please visit UH Police Department Special Events page to learn more.

EHEP Special Event Rates

Should the presence of EHEP personnel be required to support the special event, the below rates will apply.

Position	Current Hourly Special Event Rate	FY28 Hourly Special Event Rate – beginning 9/1/2027
Emergency Management Director	$58.00	$58.00*
Fire Marshal	$58.00	$58.00*
Deputy Fire Marshal	$26.00	$38.00
Health Inspector	$26.00	$31.00
*No rate change from current pay rate