R710-7-5. Licensing

  (1) No person or concern shall engage in the business of selling, installing, servicing, repairing, testing or modifying any automatic fire suppression system without obtaining a license from the SFM, pursuant to these rules, expressly authorizing such concern to perform such acts.

  (2) Every license shall be identified by type. The type of license shall be determined on the basis of the act or acts performed by the licensee or any of the employees. Every licensed concern shall be staffed by qualified personnel and shall be properly equipped to perform the act or acts for the type of license issued.

  (3) Licenses shall be any one, or combination of the following:

  (a) Class H1 - A licensed concern which is engaged in the installation, modification, service, or maintenance of engineered and/or pre-engineered automatic fire suppression systems.

  (b) Class H2 - A licensed concern which is engaged in service and maintenance only of automatic fire suppression systems to include hydrostatic testing.

  (4) Application for a license to conduct business as an automatic fire suppression system concern shall be made in writing to the SFM on forms provided by the SFM.

  (a) A separate application for license shall be made for each branch office, or separate place or business location of the applicant.

  (b) The application for a license to conduct business as an automatic fire suppression system concern, shall be accompanied with proof of public liability insurance.

  (i) The public liability insurance shall be issued by a public liability insurance carrier showing coverage of at least $100,000 for each incident, and $300,000 in total coverage.

  (ii) The licensee shall notify the SFM within thirty days after the public liability insurance coverage required is no longer in effect for any reason.

  (c) The application shall be signed by the applicant.

  (i) If the application is made by a partnership, it shall be signed by all partners.

  (ii) If the application is made by a corporation or association other than a partnership, it shall be signed by a principal officer.

  (5) The applicant or licensee shall allow the SFM and any of his authorized deputies to enter, examine, and inspect any premises, building, room or vehicle used by the applicant in the service of automatic fire suppression systems to determine compliance with the provisions of these rules.

  (a) The inspection will be conducted during normal business hours, and the owner or manager shall be given a minimum of 24-hours notice before the appointed inspection.

  (b) The equipment inspection may be conducted on an annual basis, and consent to inspect will be obtained.

  (c) The applicant, license holder or certified employee of the license holder, may be asked during the inspection by the SFM or any of his deputies, to demonstrate skills or knowledge used in servicing of automatic fire suppression systems.

  (6) Following receipt of the properly completed application, and compliance with the provisions of the statute and these rules, the SFM shall issue a license.

  (a) Every license issued pursuant to the provisions of these rules shall be posted in a conspicuous place on the premises of the licensed concern.

  (7) Original licenses shall be valid for one year from the date of issuance.

  (a) Thereafter, each license shall be renewed annually and renewals shall be valid for one year from the previous date of expiration.

  (b) No original license will be issued until the satisfactory completion of a materials, equipment and performance inspection by the SFM.

  (c) In the event that a license is not renewed prior to the expiration date, the applicant shall be required to apply for an original license with a new license number.

  (8) Application for renewal shall be made as directed by the SFM.

  (a) The failure to renew the license will cause the license and license number to become invalid.

  (b) No renewal license will be issued until the satisfactory completion of a materials, equipment and performance inspection by the SFM.

  (c) A renewed license shall be valid for one year from the previous date of expiration.

  (9) A duplicate license may be issued by the SFM to replace any previously issued license, which has been lost or destroyed, upon request.

  (10) SFM may refuse to renew any license that is authorized, pursuant to Section 8 of these rules. The applicant will, upon such refusal, have the same rights as are granted by Section 8 of these rules to an applicant for an original license which has been denied by the SFM.

  (11) Every licensee shall notify the SFM, in writing, within 30 days, of any change of address or location of business.

  (12) No licensee shall conduct the licensed business under a name other than the name or names which appear on the license.

  (13) Every licensed concern shall, within 30 days of employment or termination of an employee or contracted agent, notify the SFM of the name, address, and certification number of that person.

  (14) No license shall be issued to any person as licensee who is under 18 years of age.

  (15) Every concern is responsible for the acts of its employees or assigned agents relating to installation and servicing of automatic fire suppression systems.

  (16) No license shall constitute authorization for any licensee, or any of the employees or contracted agents, to enter upon, or into, any property, building, or machinery without the consent of the owner or manager.

  (a) No license shall grant authorization to enforce the International Fire Code or these rules.

  (17) No license issued pursuant to this section shall be transferred from one concern to another.

  (18) Every license shall be identified by a number, delineated as H-number.

  (a) Such number may only be transferred from one concern to another when approved by the SFM.

  (19) The following minimum material and equipment requirements shall be maintained at each business location or vehicle of the applicant where servicing work is performed:

  (a) calibrated scales with ability to:

  (i) weigh gas cartridges to within 1/4 ounce of manufacturers specifications; and

  (ii) weigh cylinders accurately for systems being serviced;

  (b) manufacturers specifications for each system serviced;

  (c) nitrogen pressure filling equipment;

  (i) nitrogen supply;

  (ii) pressure regulator - 750 p.s.i. minimum; and

  (iii) filling adapters;

  (d) wet and dry chemical systems;

  (i) extinguishing agents, compatible with systems serviced;

  (ii) fusible links;

  (iii) safety pins;

  (iv) an assortment of gaskets and o-rings compatible with systems serviced;

  (v) gas cartridges as required according to manufacture's specifications;

  (vi) current reference manuals, to include manufacture's service manuals; and

  (vii) cocking or lockout tool;

  (e) clean agent, halon and CO2 systems

  (i) have access to, or meet the requirements for a U.L. approved filling station;

  (ii) have available in inventory, or have immediate access to, detectors compatible with systems serviced;

  (iii) calibration equipment such as electrical testers and detector testers;

  (iv) control panel components;

  (v) release valves; and

  (vi) current reference manuals.

  (f) This list does not, however, include all items that may be necessary in order to conduct a complete system installation, modification or service.

  (20) Accurate records shall be maintained for five years by the licensee, of all service work performed.

  (a) These records shall be made available to the SFM, or authorized deputies, upon request.

  (b) These records shall include the following:

  (a) the name and address of all serviced locations;

  (b) type of service performed; and

  (c) date and name of person performing the work.