The purpose of these rule amendments is to update Rule Chapter 69A-46, F.A.C., to provide for submission of an updated application for water-based systems, and inspection tags using a new system of red and green tags to indicate compliance and non-...

 

DEPARTMENT OF FINANCIAL SERVICES
Division of State Fire Marshal

RULE NO: RULE TITLE
69A-46.010: Submission of the Application
69A-46.015: Testing
69A-46.016: Insurance Requirements
69A-46.0165: Submission of the Application for a Water-Based Fire Protection Permit.
69A-46.017: Required Continuing Education
69A-46.040: Installation Requirements for Automatic Sprinkler Systems Employing Water as the Extinguishing Agent
69A-46.041: Inspection, Testing and Maintenance Requirements for Fire Protection Systems
PURPOSE AND EFFECT: The purpose of these rule amendments is to update Rule Chapter 69A-46, F.A.C., to provide for submission of an updated application for water-based systems, and inspection tags using a new system of red and green tags to indicate compliance and non-compliance. The effect of these rules will be to provide a uniform method of filing an application for water-based fire suppression systems and for tagging fire suppression equipment.
SUBJECT AREA TO BE ADDRESSED: The amendments address application procedures for Fire Protection System Contractors and Systems, including applications for Water-Based Fire Protection Permits, installation requirements for automatic sprinkler systems employing water as an extinguishing agent, and testing, tagging and maintenance requirements for fire protection systems.
SPECIFIC AUTHORITY: 633.01, 633.517(1), 633.521(4) FS.
LAW IMPLEMENTED: 471.025, 553.79(6), 633.065, 633.521, 633.521(4), 633.524, 633.534, 633.537, 633.547(2)(e) FS.
A RULE DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOP WILL BE HELD AT THE DATE, TIME AND PLACE SHOWN BELOW:
DATE AND TIME: Friday, November 30, 2007, 9:30 a.m.
PLACE: Third Floor Conference Room, The Atrium Building, 325 John Knox Road, Tallahassee, Florida 32308
THE PERSON TO BE CONTACTED REGARDING THE PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT AND A COPY OF THE PRELIMINARY DRAFT, IF AVAILABLE, IS: Casia Sinco, Safety Program Manager, 200 E. Gaines Street, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0342; telephone: [phone]; fax: [phone]

THE PRELIMINARY TEXT OF THE PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT IS:

 

69A-46.010 Submission of the Application.

(1) through (2) No change.

(3)(a) As a prerequisite to challenging the examination as a Contractor I, II, or III, the applicant shall provide evidence of four (4) years proven experience in the employment of a Contractor I, II, or III, or a combination of experience and education equivalent thereto.

1. “Experience in the employment of a contractor”, as required by Section 633.521(3), Florida Statutes, must be gained from full-time employment by a contractor licensed as provided in Section 633.521, Florida Statutes, such employment relating to technical areas. For purposes of this rule chapter, “technical areas” means those activities engaged in by a contractor and participated in by the applicant which provide experience in laying out, fabricating, installing, inspecting, altering, repairing, or servicing fire protection systems. For purposes of this rule chapter, four (4) years proven experience as a certified plumber plumbing contractor, licensed pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 489, Florida Statutes, may be offered toward the experience requirements for a Contractor I or II and shall be considered equivalent to two (2) years proven experience in the employment of a contractor. A certified plumbing contractor shall offer no more than 4 years as a certified plumbing contractor toward the 4 years experience requirement in Section 633.521, Florida Statutes. The applicant’s experience must be verified by the contractor employing the applicant utilizing Form DFS-K3-1795 (Effective:________) Employment Verification Form, incorporated herein by reference, or. the The required verification shall be in the form of a letter from the employing contractor employer, on company stationery, attesting to describing the applicant’s duties, the kinds of jobs he worked on; his dates of employment; and any other information reasonably calculated to provide the division with an informed understanding of the applicant’s work experience. A copy of Form DFS-73-1795 (Effective:________) can be obtained from the Bureau of Fire Prevention, Division of State Fire Marshal, Department of Financial Services, 325 John Knox Road, The Atrium, Third Floor, Tallahassee, Florida 32303. An applicant offering self-employment experience shall provide verification in the form of letters from customers, and others familiar with his work. It is the applicant’s responsibility to furnish the required verification. The experience will be evaluated to determine an applicant’s qualifications for the class of certificate requested; or,

2. through 4. No change.

(b) No change.

(c) As a prerequisite to challenging the examination as a Contractor V, the applicant shall provide evidence of:

1. No change.

2. Four years experience in the employment of Employment by an individual licensed as a certified underground utility contractor or plumbing contractor pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 489, Florida Statutes, that the applicant has four (4) years experience in the employment of a certified underground utility contractor, which shall be submitted utilizing Form DFS-K3-1795 (Effective:________) Employment Verification Form; in the form of a letter, on company stationery, signed by the certified underground utility contractor or plumbing contractor, attesting to, describing the applicant’s duties; the kinds of jobs he worked on; his dates of employment; and any other information reasonably calculated to provide the division with an informed understanding of the applicant’s work experience; or

3. A combination of education and experience equivalent to four (4) years proven experience in the employment of a certified underground utility contractor or plumbing contractor. For purposes of combining education and experience, education in the areas described in paragraph (a)3., above, including at least 3 credit hours from a 4-year college or university or junior or community college in courses which teach the material in the National Fire Protection Association standards on which the applicant will be tested; or other equivalent coursework; and experience in the areas described in subparagraph (a)1., or subparagraph (c)1. or 2., above, shall be provided.

(d) No change.

(4) No change.

Specific Authority 633.01, 633.517(1) FS. Law Implemented 633.521, 633.524, 633.534 FS. History–New 10-14-86, Amended 12-21-88, 10-20-93, Formerly 4A-46.010, Amended_________.

 

69A-46.015 Testing.

(1) An applicant who has been qualified to challenge an examination will be notified in writing of available examination dates and examination locations. Upon receipt of a written request for a specific examination date, the applicant will be sent a notice of the exam date, time and location at least seven days prior to the scheduled exam. The applicant will be expected to challenge the exam on that day unless he or she submits a written waiver of his or her right to challenge the exam on that day and requests a later date. The Regulatory Licensing Section will schedule an applicant for a later day upon receipt of a written request. The applicant will also be permitted to challenge the examination at the Regulatory Licensing Section’s office in Tallahassee if the applicant makes a request for such testing in writing and receives written notification when the next available scheduled examination will be held in Tallahassee.

(2) through (9) No change.

Specific Authority 633.01, 633.517(1) FS. Law Implemented 633.521 FS. History–New 10-14-86, Amended 12-21-88, 8-1-90, 10-20-93, 10-2-96, 6-8-98, 11-21-01, Formerly 4A-46.015, Amended________.

 

69A-46.016 Insurance Requirements.

(1) The Fire Protection System Contractor I, II, III, IV, or V licensed pursuant to Section 633.521, Florida Statutes, shall provide evidence of current and subsisting insurance coverage meeting the requirements of Section 633.521, Florida Statutes, to the Regulatory Licensing Section on Form DFS-K3-25, Certificate of Insurance Fire Protection System Contractor, revised and dated Effective:________, as adopted and incorporated herein by reference. This form is available from the Regulatory Licensing Section, Bureau of Fire Prevention, 200 East Gaines Street, Tallahassee, FL 32399-0342.

(2) The licensed Fire Protection System Contractor I, II, III, IV, or V shall be responsible to ensure that current and subsisting insurance coverage meets the requirements of Section 633.521, Florida Statutes, and that an original signed Form DFS-K3-25, Certificate of Insurance is on file with the Regulatory Licensing Section.

(3) Failure to provide evidence of insurance coverage within 30 days of the expiration date of the policy or within 30 days of a notice to provide evidence of coverage shall result in administrative proceedings pursuant to Section 624.4211, Florida Statutes, as provided in subsection (4) of Section 633.521, Florida Statutes and pursuant to Section 633.547, Florida Statutes.

Specific Authority 633.01, 633.517(1), 633.521(4) FS. Law Implemented 633.521(4) FS. History–New 10-20-93, Amended 11-21-01, Formerly 4A-46.016, Amended_________.

 

69A-46.0165 Submission of the Application for a Water-Based Fire Protection Permit.

(1) An individual employed by a Fire Protection System Contractor I or II who will be inspecting water based fire protection systems must be issued a permit by the State Fire Marshal in accordance with Section 633.521, Florida Statutes, to conduct such work.

(2) The applicant for a Water-Based Fire Protection Permit shall submit an application on Form DFS-K3-1794, “Application for Water-Based Fire Protection Inspector Permit,” (Effective:________), incorporated herein by reference, and available from the Bureau of Fire Prevention, Regulatory Licensing Section, 200 East Gaines Street, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0342.

(3) The application shall be accompanied by a fee as prescribed in Section 633.524(1), Florida Statutes.

(4) The application shall be accompanied by two current full-face color passport size photographs, and a photocopy of the applicant’s driver’s license or identification card issued by the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. Each photograph shall have the name of the applicant printed legibly on the back of the photograph. Effective July 1, 2008, each application shall be accompanied by evidence that the applicant holds a NICET II in a subfield of Inspection and Testing of Water-Based Systems.

(5) Upon submission of a completed application, fee, and photographs, a permit and photo identification card will be issued to the applicant.

(6) Permittees must have a valid and subsisting permit upon their persons at all times while engaging in the inspection, testing and maintenance of fire protection systems. The permit must be produced upon demand. A permittee may perform only those services authorized under the Fire Protection System Contractor I or II employing such permittee.

(7) A permit shall be valid solely for use by the holder thereof in his or her employment by the licensee under whose license the permit was issued. A permittee changing his or her employer or place of employment shall obtain a new permit under the license of the holder at the new place of employment. The licensee shall notify the Regulatory Licensing Section, in writing, of the termination of a permittee within fifteen days of the termination. A permit and photo identification card of an individual leaving the employment of a Fire Protection System Contractor I or II becomes void and inoperative on the date of termination, pursuant to Section 633.521, Florida Statutes.

(8) A Water-Based Fire Protection Inspector permittee must qualify and maintain a NICET II certification in a subfield of Inspection and Testing of Water-Based Systems as a condition to renewal effective July 1, 2008.

Specific Authority 633.01, 633.517(1), 633.521(4) FS. Law Implemented 633.521(4) FS. History–New_________.

 

69A-46.017 Required Continuing Education.

(1) Fire Protection System Contractors Certificateholders shall complete a continuing education course or combination of courses in compliance with Section 633.537, Florida Statutes, within each biennial license period, except that a contractor who completes the competency examination and receives a license issued for 1 year or less shall be required to complete a continuing education course or combination of courses prorated at 50 percent of the required hours for a biennial license.

(2) The continuing education course or combination of courses shall be in a fire protection discipline related to the Certificate of Competency held by the Fire Protection System Contractor. All licensed Fire Protection System Contractors are required to complete an approved course or courses providing at least one hour of workplace safety class, one hour of business practices class, and one hour of a workers’ compensation class as part of the required continuing education for each biennial renewal period.

(3) through (5) No change.

(6) The number of contact hours assigned to any course shall be determined by the Regulatory Licensing Section based on the course content and length of the course.

(a) through (b) No change.

(c) Each Fire Protection System Contractor certificateholder shall be notified by the Regulatory Licensing Section, in writing, if the coursework does not satisfy the continuing education requirement in Section 633.537, Florida Statutes. No notification will be given over the telephone.

(d) through (j) No change.

(7) Each Fire Protection System Contractor certificateholder is responsible for attending the appropriate course or courses and for maintaining proof of completion of the course or courses. Such proof shall be in the form of copies of certificates of completion awarded. The Regulatory Licensing Section will not accept any proof of completion except that submitted in accordance with subsection (8) below.

(8) Prior to the annual expiration of the Certificate of Competency, the Fire Protection System Contractor shall submit proof of completion of the required course or courses to the Regulatory Licensing Section. Submissions shall be submitted on a “Fire Protection System Contractor Continuing Education Coursework” Form, DFS-K3-I41240 (Rev: _________) (03/00) as adopted and incorporated herein by reference. Forms are available from and submissions shall be sent to: Regulatory Licensing Section, 200 East Gaines Street, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0342. Each Fire Protection System Contractors Certificateholders will be notified by the Regulatory Licensing Section, in writing, if the coursework does not satisfy the continuing education requirement in Section 633.537, Florida Statutes. No notification will be given over the telephone.

(9) Any Fire Protection System Contractor who does not complete the continuing education requirement shall not have his or her certificate renewed. If the Fire Protection System Contractor certificateholder is not renewed, the contractor certificateholder shall perform no work for which a license is required. A contractor certificateholder wishing to become licensed again shall meet the requirements of Section 633.521, Florida Statutes.

(10) Effective July 1, 2005 a Water-Based Fire Protection Inspector shall complete 8 hours of approved continuing education in compliance with Section 633.537, Florida Statutes, which are preparatory curriculum for NICET II certification and shall support the general and special work elements for NICET II certification. An additional 16 hours of continuing education must be completed between July 1, 2006 and June 30, 2008.

(11) A Water-Based Fire Protection Inspector shall complete 16 hours of approved continuing education coursework in compliance with Section 633.537, Florida Statutes, within each biennial license period.

Specific Authority 633.01, 633.517(1) FS. Law Implemented 633.521, 633.537 FS. History–New 10-2-96, Amended 6-18-97, 6-8-98, 11-21-01, Formerly 4A-46.017, Amended________.

 

69A-46.040 Installation Requirements for Automatic Sprinkler Systems Employing Water as the Extinguishing Agent.

(1) Fire protection system contractors installing an automatic sprinkler system employing water as the extinguishing agent shall supervise and be responsible for the complete system in accordance with the provisions of Section 633.539, Florida Statutes, except that a contractor installing the underground pipe shall supervise and be responsible only for the portion he or she installs and the contractor installing the remaining portion of the system shall be responsible only for his or her portion of the work. the contractor shall be responsible for installing the complete system in compliance with the National Fire Protection Association standards adopted pursuant to Rule Chapter 69A-3, F.A.C., except that if a contractor installs the underground portion of the system from the point of service to the aboveground connection flange in compliance with Section 633.539(3), Florida Statutes, pipe he or she shall be responsible to ensure for that portion of the system, and the contractor installing the remaining portion shall be responsible for the system from the point of connection to the underground throughout the remainder of the system.

(2) through (8) No change.

Specific Authority 633.01 FS. Law Implemented 553.79(6), 633.065, 633.547(2)(e) FS. History–New 12-21-88, Amended 8-1-90, 10-20-93, 11-21-01, Formerly 4A-46.040, Amended__________.

 

69A-46.041 Inspection Requirements for Fire Protection Systems, Testing and Maintenance.

The contractor I or II shall submit in writing to the Regulatory Licensing Section the names, addresses, and evidence of NFPA 25 training of all individuals in his or her employ that are performing inspections of fire protection systems. In addition, the licensed contractor I or II shall submit a full face current color passport photograph of each inspector along with a copy of the inspector’s current driver’s license or identification card issued by the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. The contractor shall not allow any individual to perform inspections under his or her certificate until that individual has been listed with the Regulatory Licensing Section. The Regulatory Licensing Section shall issue a identification card to each inspector. The identification card is not a license. The contractor shall be responsible for each listed individual’s inspections until he or she has requested in writing that the Regulatory Licensing Section delete the individual from his or her list of inspectors. The licensed fire protection system contractor shall notify the Regulatory Licensing Section, in writing, of an inspector leaving his or her employ within fifteen days of the termination. An inspector photo identification card of an individual leaving the employ of a contractor becomes void and inoperative on the date of departure.

(1) A Fire Protection Contractor, contracting to perform inspecting, testing, and maintenance service on a fire protection system shall comply with the requirements of  Chapter 633, Florida Statutes, and the applicable NFPA standards as adopted in Rule Chapter 69A-3, F.A.C.

(2) Each system that has been inspected, tested, or maintained by a fire protection contractor, or his or her permitted Water-Based Fire Protection Inspector designated inspector, shall have a record tag of durable and weather resistant material placed on the riser or control device. The tag at “Figure A” shall include the following:

(a) Name, address and contractor license number of company.

(b) Date of inspection and type of inspection.

(c) Inspected by __________.

(d) The tag shall state “For more information see the inspection report.”

(e) The tag shall state “Do not remove by order of the State Fire Marshal.”

(f) The tag shall be approximately 3 1/2 inches by 5 1/2 inches.

SEE FLORIDA ADMINISTRATIVE CODE FOR “FIGURE A”

(3) Inspection Tags.

(a) After inspection and testing, an inspection tag shall be completed indicating all work that has been done, and then attached to the system riser in such a position as to permit convenient inspection and not hamper activation or operation. A new inspection tag shall be attached to the system riser each time an inspection and test service is performed.

(b) Inspection tags must be a maximum dimension of 133 mm (5 1/4 inches) in height and 89 mm (3 1/2 inches) in width.

(c) Inspection tags shall bear the following information in an easily read format:

1. ‘DO NOT REMOVE BY ORDER OF THE STATE FIRE MARSHAL.’ This particular information shall be in a minimum of 10pt type and in all capital letters.

2. The licensed Fire Protection System Contractor I or II’s name and licensed physical address.

3. The license number of the Fire Protection System Contractor I or II;

4. The permit number of the Water-Based Fire Protection Inspector;

5. The permitted Water-Based Fire Protection Inspector’s signature;

6. The day, month and year (to be punched);

7. The facility name and address.

8. Affixing this tag shall not be construed to invalidate the owner’s responsibility to maintain the system as provided in Section 633.082, Florida Statutes.

9. The reverse of the non-compliant tag shall include at least four separate boxes for the listing of repair work as follows:

a. Date of Repair:________________________________

b. Repaired by (Signature):_________________________

c. Print Name:__________________________________

d. Type of Repair:________________________________

e. Permit Number:_____________(if repair is made by a Water Based Fire Protection Inspector Permit Number must be noted.).

(d) Inspection tags may be printed and established for a five year period of time.

(e) An inspection tag shall only be removed by the Fire Protection System Contractor or his permitted Water-Based Fire Protection Inspector.

(4) Compliance and Noncompliance Tag.

(a) If a fire protection system is found to be in compliance with the applicable NFPA standards, a GREEN Compliance Tag shall be attached to the main control valve of the system.

(b) If a fire protection system is found to have deficiencies and is not in compliance with the applicable NFPA standards, a completed RED Noncompliance Tag shall be attached to the main control valve of the system to indicate that corrective action is necessary. If the system is operational but not in compliance with the applicable NFPA standards, the building owner or authorized representative and occupant shall be notified by copy of the NFPA 25 inspection report within 30 days of the inspection. If the system is not operational, the contractor or inspector shall notify the building owner or authorized representative, the occupant, and the authority having jurisdiction within 24 hours of the time of the inspection.

(5)(3) The contractor shall maintain in his or her file all records of any fire protection system having been inspected, serviced and maintained.

(6)(4) These records shall be made available to the State Fire Marshal upon request.

(7)(5) The contractor or his or her permitted Water-Based Fire Protection Inspector the designated inspector shall complete in detail the inspection reports as required in NFPA 25, as adopted in Rule Chapter 69A-3, F.A.C., that outlines all points of the inspection, test, and maintenance as required by the applicable NFPA standards. A copy of the inspection report which shall be provided to the owner at the completion of each inspection performed. 

(8)(6) The inspection report shall include a detailed explanation of every deficiency, and any deficienies. The report shall indicate if the inspection is a weekly, monthly, quarterly or annual inspection. The inspection report shall include the name of the permitted Water-Based Fire Protection Inspector registered inspector, the inspector permit registration number, the inspector’s signature, the date and time of the inspection, and the signature of the owner or the owner’s representative.

(9) Pursuant to the provisions of Section 633.082, Florida Statutes, it is the owner’s responsibility to maintain the fire protection system. Affixing an inspection tag as required herein does not invalidate responsibility nor shall a transfer of risk be construed.

Specific Authority 633.01 FS. Law Implemented 633.071, 633.082 471.025, 553.79(6), 633.065, 633.547(2)(e) FS. History–New 10-20-93, Amended 11-21-01, Formerly 4A-46.041, Amended__________.