"Fire Suppression System". Consists of an automatic or manual system designed to protect the interior or exterior of a building or structure from fire. Such systems include, but are not limited to, water systems, water spray systems, foam-water systems, foam-water spray systems, CO2 systems, foam extinguishing systems, dry chemical systems, clean agent and other chemical systems used for fire protection use. Such systems also include the overhead and fire mains, standpipes and hose connections to systems, tank heaters, air lines, thermal systems used in connection with sprinklers and tanks and pumps connected thereto. Fire alarm systems, small pre-engineered fire suppression systems, portable fire extinguishers and wheeled fire extinguishers are covered under other Regulations of the Fire Prevention Commission. It is further defined that a separate fire suppression system consists of a series of sprinkler or like nozzles connected to a piping system which are controlled by a main control valve and are designed and installed to function as one system.
"Fire Suppression Systems Company (Vendor)". Shall mean any individual, group thereof, any partnership, group organization, company, corporation, or any other entity which performs any of the functions related to preparing technical documents, installing either in whole or in part, inspection, testing or maintaining fire suppression systems or any portion thereof, who advertise their services or profess to engage in the activities detailed in this Chapter as a business, in or for a contractual consideration or charge a fee for the activities detailed, herein.
"Full Time Employee". Shall mean any employee working a minimum of thirty hours per week, averaged over a period of one year, who regularly receives a compensation from the licensed company and receives a W-2 form annually from the licensed company.
"Inspection". A visual examination of a fire suppression system or a portion thereof to verify that it appears to be in operating condition and is free from physical damage.
"Inspection, Testing And Maintenance Service". A service program provided by a qualified contractor or owner's representative in which all components unique to the property's systems are inspected and tested at the required times and necessary maintenance is provided. This program includes logging and retention of relevant records. It is permissible under this definition to replace, in kind, individual suppression devices or components when, for any reason, they become undependable or inoperative.
"Install/Installation". Shall mean the initial placement of all system components or equipment; or the extension, modification or alteration of system components or equipment after the initial placement. This definition shall be further interpreted to mean that any movement or placement of system components or equipment, must be preceded by submission of technical documents for review and approval by the Office of the State Fire Marshal, submitted by a company licensed or by an individual certified to do so under this Chapter, and that the installation testing and acceptance tests are the responsibility of the licensed company or certified individual who has submitted such technical documents.
"Maintenance". Repair service, including periodically recurrent inspections and tests, required to keep the suppression system and its component parts in an operative condition at all times. It is permissible under this definition to replace, in kind, individual suppression devices or components when, for any reason, they become undependable or inoperative.
"Preparing Technical Documents". Shall mean the preparation of detailed fire suppression system drawings, calculations and specifications for installation in accordance with the applicable codes, statutes and regulations adopted by the Delaware State Fire Prevention Commission. It is further defined to mean that the technical documents, specifications and design drawings referred to in this section are the documents which shall be submitted to the Office State Marshal for review and approval.
"Responsible Charge". Shall mean the individual, who is responsible to ensure that all of the requirements of the Delaware State Fire Prevention Regulations are complied with in the application of those standards and specifications to fire suppression systems. The person, or persons, of responsible charge shall be accountable for each phase of the following activities with respect to fire suppression systems, when such activities constitute an element of their particular Class of Certificate:
"Sprinkler System". For fire protection purposes, an integrated system of underground and overhead piping designed in accordance with fire protection engineering standards. The installation includes one or more automatic water supplies. The portion of the system aboveground is a network of specially sized or hydraulically designed piping installed in a building, structure or area, generally overhead, and to which sprinklers are attached in a systematic pattern. The valve controlling each system riser is located in the system riser or its supply piping. Each sprinkler system riser includes a device for actuating an alarm when the system is in operation. The system is usually activated by heat from a fire and discharges water over the fire area.
"Testing". A procedure to determine the status of a system as intended by conducting periodic physical checks on fire suppression systems. These tests follow up on the original acceptance tests at intervals specified in the National Protection Associations National Fire Codes, as adopted and/or modified by these Regulations, which addresses the systems detailed under this Chapter.
1 Del. Admin. Code § 703-5-2.0