Wednesday, May 29

Seems like a bad idea: Texas bans fire codes in the majority of its counties

Texas state law forbids 173 of Texas' 254 counties from adopting a fire code, based on population. Within those counties:
  • 150 have no full-time fire departments.
  • 137 have companies that use hazardous chemicals covered by a mandatory risk-management plan.
  • 47 have companies that use chemicals the U.S. Department of Homeland Security considers risks for terrorist or criminal misuse.
  • 26 have industries that rank among the top 100 toxic air polluters in Texas.
  • An undetermined number have chemicals that the Occupational Safety and Health Administration says pose severe risks to workers and the public.