Iowa Admin. Code r. 661-276.3

Current through Register Vol. 47, No. 11, December 11, 2024

Rule 661-276.3 - Licensing requirements

A fire protection system installer and maintenance worker shall meet all of the following requirements in order to receive a license from the department and shall continue to meet all requirements throughout the period of licensure. A licensee shall notify the department, in writing, within 30 calendar days if the licensee fails to meet any requirement for licensure.

(1)Compliance. Each licensee shall maintain compliance with all other applicable provisions of law related to operation in the state of Iowa and in any political subdivision in which the licensee is performing work.

(2)Training requirements. An applicant for a license shall meet one of the requirements for the following endorsements:

a. Automatic sprinkler system installation:

(1) Current certification by the National Inspection Testing and Certification Corporation (NITC) in the STAR Fire Sprinkler Fitting Mastery Examination, or

(2) Current certification by the National Institute for Certification in Engineering Technologies (NICET) at level I or above in water-based system layout, or

(3) Current certification by the NICET at level I or above in inspection and testing of water-based systems.

b. Special hazards system installation:

(1) Current certification by the NICET at level I or above in special hazards systems.

(2) Reserved.

c. Preengineered dry chemical or wet agent fire protection system installation:

(1) Current certification by the NICET at level I or above in special hazard systems, or

(2) Current certification by the National Association of Fire Equipment Distributors (NAFED) in preengineered kitchen fire extinguishing systems, preengineered industrial fire extinguishing systems, or both, or

(3) Satisfactory completion of any training required by the manufacturer for the installation of any system the technician installs, or

(4) Current certification by the Fire Protection Certification LTD (FPC) in commercial kitchen fire suppression system service, preengineered fire suppression maintenance, or both.

d. Preengineered water-based fire protection systems in one- and two-family dwellings installation:

(1) Current certification by the NICET at level I or above in special hazard systems, or

(2) Satisfactory completion of any training required by the manufacturer for the installation of any system the technician installs.

e. Automatic sprinkler system maintenance inspection:

(1) Current certification by the NITC in the STAR Fire Sprinkler Fitting Mastery Examination, or

(2) Current certification by the NICET at level I or above in water-based systems layout, or

(3) Current certification by the NICET at level I or above in inspection and testing of water-based systems.

f. Special hazards system maintenance inspection:

(1) Current certification by the NICET at level I or above in special hazard systems.

(2) Reserved.

g. Preengineered dry chemical or wet agent fire protection system maintenance inspection:

(1) Current certification by the NICET at level I or above in special hazard systems, or

(2) Current certification by the NAFED in preengineered kitchen fire extinguishing systems, preengineered industrial fire extinguishing systems, or both, or

(3) Satisfactory completion of any training required by the manufacturer for maintenance and inspection of any system the technician inspects, or

(4) Current certification by the FPC in commercial kitchen fire suppression system service, preengineered fire suppression maintenance, or both.

h. Preengineered water-based fire protection systems in one- and two-family dwellings installation:

(1) Current certification by the NICET at level I or above in special hazard systems, or

(2) Satisfactory completion of any training required by the manufacturer for maintenance and inspection of any system the technician inspects.

i. Fire protection system technician trainee: Submission of a completed application no later than the first day of employment. A fire protection system technician trainee may perform work that requires licensure under this chapter only under the direct supervision of a licensed fire protection system technician or responsible managing employee whose license contains one or more endorsements as provided in subrule 275.1(2) or 276.1(2), and that work must be within the scope of work authorized by the endorsements held by the supervising fire protection system technician or responsible managing employee. At least one licensed fire protection system technician or responsible managing employee must be present for every three apprentice fire protection system installers and maintenance workers or fire protection system technician trainees performing work related to fire protection systems.

(3)Continuing education. A license may be renewed only if the licensee has completed recertification of the applicable certification requirements relative to the endorsement(s) for which the license is being renewed.

(4)Training or testing approval. Satisfactory completion of an applicable training or testing program approved by the department may replace any of the endorsement requirements of subrule 276.3(2). In any case in which training or testing that is offered to satisfy the requirements of this rule is required to be approved by the department, such approval is required prior to acceptance of the training or testing to meet licensure requirements. Approval by the department of any training or testing to meet these requirements may be sought by the individual, firm, or organization providing the testing or training or initiated by the department. Any individual, firm, or organization seeking to obtain such approval may apply to the department no later than July 1 every odd-numbered year. Program information and any other documentation requested by the department for consideration shall be submitted to the department. Training and testing approved by the department will be listed on the department's licensing website.

(5)License applicability. Work performed by a technician or trainee subject to these rules shall be limited to areas of competence indicated by the specific endorsement(s) identified on the license. Work performed in the state shall not begin prior to:

a. Receipt of a new or renewed license issued by the department to the applicant, or

b. Receipt of written approval to perform work prior to issuance of a new or renewed license from the department to the applicant.

(6)Portable fire extinguisher requirements. Nothing in this rule shall be interpreted to conflict with or diminish any requirement for training or certification for anyone installing or servicing a fire extinguishing system or portable fire extinguisher set forth in any rule of the department or local fire ordinance or standard adopted by reference therein.

(7)Licensure of persons licensed in other jurisdictions. A fire protection system technician license may be issued without examination to a person licensed in other jurisdictions if the conditions of Iowa Code section 272C.12 are met.

(8)Veterans and active duty military. Any individual serving honorably on federal active duty, state active duty, or national guard duty, as defined in Iowa Code section 29A.1, should apply for licensure following 481-Chapter 7.

Iowa Admin. Code r. 661-276.3

ARC 9032B, IAB 8/25/10, effective 10/1/10 (See Delay note at the end of chapter)

Amended by IAB January 13, 2021/Volume XLIII, Number 15, effective 2/17/2021

Adopted by IAB April 17, 2024/Volume XLVI, Number 21, effective 5/22/2024