The most current edition of NFPA 1403, Standard on Live Fire Training Evolutions or its successor, shall be used as a guide when developing standard operating procedures for conducting live fire training. The following requirements shall apply for all Live Fire Training Structure Evolutions conducted.
  (1) The officer- or instructor-in-charge will ensure that the water supply rate and duration for each individual Live Fire Training Structure Evolution is adequate to control and extinguish the training fire, the supplies necessary for backup lines to protect personnel, and any water needed to protect exposed property.
  (2) The instructor-in-charge shall assign the following personnel:
    (A) one instructor to each functional crew, which shall not exceed five students;
    (B) one instructor to each backup line;
    (C) additional personnel to backup lines to provide mobility; and
    (D) one additional instructor for each additional functional assignment.
  (3) The officer- or instructor-in-charge will ensure that the buildings or props being utilized for live fire training are in a condition that would not pose an undue safety risk.
  (4) A safety officer shall be appointed for all Live Fire Training Structure Evolutions. The safety officer shall have the authority, regardless of rank, to alter, suspend, or control any aspect of the operations when, in his or her judgment, a potential or actual danger, accident, or unsafe condition exists. The safety officer shall not be assigned other duties that interfere with safety responsibilities.
  (5) No person(s) shall play the role of a victim inside the building.
  (6) Prior to the ignition of any fire, instructors shall ensure that all personal protective clothing and/or self-contained breathing apparatus are NFPA compliant and being worn in the proper manner.
  (7) Prior to conducting any live fire training, a pre-burn briefing session shall be conducted. All participants shall be required to conduct a walk-through of the structure in order to have a knowledge of, and familiarity with, the layout of the building and to be able to facilitate any necessary evacuation of the building.
  (8) A standard operating procedure shall be developed and utilized for Live Fire Training Structure Evolutions. The standard operating procedure shall include, but not be limited to:
    (A) a Personal Alert Safety System (PASS). A PASS device shall be provided for all participating in live fire training and shall meet the requirements in §435.9 of this title (relating to Personal Alert Safety System (PASS));
    (B) a Personnel Accountability System that complies with §435.13 of this title (relating to Personnel Accountability System) shall be utilized;
    (C) an Incident Management System;
    (D) use of personal protective clothing and self-contained breathing apparatus;
    (E) an evacuation signal and procedure; and
    (F) pre-burn, burn, and post-burn procedures.

Source Note: The provisions of this §435.27 adopted to be effective November 1, 2011, 36 TexReg 7362; amended to be effective December 8, 2022, 47 TexReg 8048