Site Utilities
Commercial, Residential & Municipal Fire Line Installation Services
At Mickie Service Co., we specialize in commercial unmetered fire line installation, residential fire line systems, and municipal fire protection infrastructure across the Greater Houston area. Whether your project calls for an UMFL (unmetered fire line), a metered fire line, or a combination water line, our team manages every phase of the process so you can focus on the bigger picture.
Fire lines are a critical component of any building's fire protection system. Getting them installed correctly requires deep knowledge of local codes, jurisdictional permitting, and underground utility coordination. That's where we come in.
Types of Fire Lines We Install
Fire line configurations vary based on a building's fire protection design, the water supply arrangement, and the requirements set by the Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) overseeing the project. Our team helps you identify the right configuration early and manages the installation through final approval.
Each configuration carries its own permitting, inspection, and installation requirements. Our team is well-versed in all of them.
Commercial Unmetered Fire Line Installation
Commercial fire line projects tend to involve larger pipe diameters, more complex backflow prevention assemblies, and a clear split between public right-of-way infrastructure and private on-site components. In the City of Houston, the public side falls under Public Works, while the private fire line from the property line to the building is overseen by the fire marshal. We permit, install, and get inspections on both sides.
Residential Unmetered Fire Line Installation
Residential unmetered fire line installation is common in multi-family developments, townhome communities, and subdivisions where fire sprinkler systems are required. These projects often involve coordinating with site developers on phased construction schedules, and our turnkey approach covers everything from excavation through site restoration, including sidewalk removal and replacement.
Municipal Unmetered Fire Line Installation
Municipal projects involve public buildings such as schools, government offices, libraries, and community facilities. These installations typically carry additional layers of procurement and compliance requirements. Our familiarity with municipal permitting processes and long-standing relationships with local inspectors help keep these projects on track.
Metered Fire Line Installation
Some jurisdictions or building configurations require a meter on the fire protection line, often to monitor usage and detect unauthorized consumption. Metered fire lines add complexity to the design and permitting process, but our team has the experience to navigate those requirements and coordinate meter procurement and installation as part of the overall project.
Combination Water Line Installation
Combination lines serve both domestic water and fire protection needs through a single connection to the main. This configuration can reduce installation costs and simplify site utility layouts, particularly on projects where space or access to the main is limited. We help determine whether a combination line is the right fit based on your project's flow demands and AHJ requirements.
Domestic/Potable Permitted Lines
In jurisdictions like the City of Houston (COH), dedicated domestic or potable water lines can be permitted specifically for fire protection use. These lines must meet potable water standards in addition to fire code requirements, which adds a layer of compliance that our permitting team manages from application through final inspection.
Public and Private Components
In most jurisdictions, commercial and residential fire line projects involve a clear division between public infrastructure and private on-site components. The boundary between these two sides varies by AHJ, and each jurisdiction enforces its own processes, definitions, and procedures for permitting, installation, and inspection. Our staff understands how these boundaries work across the jurisdictions we serve, and we coordinate both sides of the equation to keep your project moving without regulatory delays.
Our Underground Fire Line Installation Services
Every underground fire line installation we take on is managed as a turnkey engagement. From initial design through final inspection, our scope includes:
- RME-G Approved Drawings: We provide professionally approved, detailed drawings that ensure your installation meets all regulatory standards and aligns with your project's specifications before any ground is broken.
- Full Turnkey Installation: Our crews handle excavation, backfill, service line installation, testing, and verification (TS&V). We also manage sidewalk removal and replacement when required, so you're not left coordinating additional subcontractors.
- Permitting Across All Jurisdictions: We manage the entire permitting process from start to finish, ensuring compliance with local, state, and national standards. Our full-time permitting staff knows the process steps, timelines, and common pitfalls for every jurisdiction in our service area.
- Chlorination, Testing, and Inspection: Before any system goes live, we manage chlorination, pressure testing, and all required inspections to confirm the installation meets code and is ready for service.
Mickie Service Advantage
Our team brings a level of depth and focus to every project that's hard to find elsewhere, whether it's a municipal unmetered fire line installation or a large-scale commercial build.
- Approximately 50 fire line installations per year, giving our crews a consistent rhythm with the permitting, installation, and inspection processes that many contractors only encounter occasionally
- Multiple RME-U license holders and a full-time Master Plumber on staff, which helps streamline approvals and avoid the back-and-forth that slows other projects down
- OSHA 10 and Confined Space certified technicians with an outstanding safety record, including zero lost-time accidents for more than three consecutive years
- Dedicated project management and field staff assigned to every installation
- Full-time permitting management with extensive knowledge of permitting requirements, process steps, and jurisdiction-specific pitfalls
- Detailed pre-job construction review process where we collaborate with your team on design and installation alternatives and flag potential issues before work starts
- Strong collaborative approach to evaluating design and installation alternatives that best fit your project's needs
- Extensive working relationships with applicable inspectors across the Greater Houston area, helping keep projects on schedule
- Long-standing partnerships with key material suppliers, including our primary backflow preventer partner, ensuring availability and competitive pricing
Fireline Service Area
Mickie Service provides underground fire line installation throughout the Greater Houston area, with additional capacity across the Gulf Coast region. Whether your project is a residential unmetered fire line installation in a new subdivision or a large-scale commercial build in the city center, our crews are equipped to respond quickly. We maintain the on-hand inventory and staffing levels needed to begin most installations on a same-day or next-day basis.
Ready To Start Your Project?
Leveraging our core capabilities in water main tapping – we now provide line stops, insertion valves, and private fire line installation.
Frequently Asked Questions About Commercial, Residential & Municipal Fire Line Installation
We install unmetered fire lines, metered fire lines, combination lines, and domestic/potable permitted lines. The right configuration depends on your project requirements and the jurisdiction overseeing the work. Our team can help you determine the best approach during the planning phase.
It means we handle the entire project. From approved drawings and permitting through excavation, installation, testing, inspection, and site restoration, you work with one team from start to finish.
Every AHJ maintains its own guidelines for fire line permitting, installation methods, and inspection procedures. These requirements can vary significantly from one jurisdiction to another. Our permitting team has hands-on experience with the specific processes across our service area, which helps prevent delays and ensures a smooth approval and inspection cycle.