La. Admin. Code tit. 55 § V-3015

Current through Register Vol. 50, No. 11, November 20, 2024

Section V-3015 - Licensure

A. Required. Each person who certifies, inspects, installs, maintains and services portable fire extinguishers, and/or certifies, inspects, installs, integrates, maintains or services fixed fire suppression systems and/or fire detection and alarm systems and/or engages in hydrostatic testing of DOT fire protection cylinders shall have a current and valid license issued by the State Fire Marshal.

B. Types of Endorsement. Each license shall be identified by endorsement, which indicates the authorized act or acts which may be performed by the licensee as follows.

1. Portable Fire Extinguisher/Fire Hose Technician Endorsement authorizes the person to certify, inspect, install, maintain and service portable fire extinguishers and fire hoses. No certifying, inspecting, installing, integration, maintaining or servicing of the fire hose station or standpipe system is permitted unless properly licensed for fire sprinkler contracting.

2. Pre-Engineered Fixed Fire Suppression Technician Endorsement authorizes the person to certify, inspect, install, integrate, maintain and service pre-engineered fixed fire suppression systems.

3. Kitchen Fixed Fire Suppression Technician Endorsement authorizes the person to certify, inspect, install, integrate, maintain and service pre-engineered fixed fire suppression systems containing wet or dry chemical agents within a kitchen ventilation system.

4. Fixed Fire Suppression System Technician Endorsement authorizes the person to certify, inspect, install, integrate, maintain and service engineered or pre-engineered fixed fire suppression systems.

5. Fire Alarm Technician Endorsement authorizes a person to certify, inspect, install, integrate, maintain and service fire detection and alarm systems.

6. Fire Alarm Non-Required Systems Technician Endorsement authorizes the person to certify, inspect, install, integrate, maintain and service fire detection and alarm systems in structures or occupancies which are not required by NFPA 101 to be protected by an approved fire detection and alarm system.

7. Fire Alarm Owner Technician Endorsement authorizes the person to perform routine inspection and minor service and repair of fire detection and alarm systems/equipment within the owner's own facility. No certifying, installing or integrating of these systems/equipment is permitted. Minor service and repair is defined as repair/replacement of single initiating and/or annunciating devices with identical new devices or the replacement of the system's batteries. Routine inspection is defined as visual inspections and monthly drill tests.

8. DOT Hydrostatic Testing Technician Endorsement authorizes the person to pressure test fire protection cylinders by approved hydrostatic methods and in accordance with NFPA codes and the U.S. Department of Transportation.

9. Apprentice Endorsement authorizes the person to inspect, install, maintain and service portable fire extinguishers, fire hoses, fixed fire suppression systems and/or equipment of fire detection and alarm systems and/or equipment only while under the direct supervision of and accompanied by a licensed technician who holds a current and valid license for the work to be performed. An apprentice cannot certify fire protection systems or equipment. An apprentice endorsement can be renewed annually as long as the individual or firm desires. The supervising technician and trainee must work for the same firm which must be certified for the work to be performed.

C. Posting. It is not necessary to post an employee license on a wall. A master list of all employees' names and license numbers must be kept at each office location and must be available for review upon request by the State Fire Marshal or his designated representative.

D. Pocket License. The pocket license is for immediate identification purposes only so long as such license remains valid and while the holder is employed by the firm reflected on the license and shall be on his/her person at all times when conducting fire protection work in the field. The pocket license need not be visibly displayed when working in areas where the license may be damaged or lost. The license must still be available for inspection upon request.

E. Duplicate License. A duplicate license must be obtained from the State Fire Marshal to replace a lost or destroyed license. The license holder and his employer must submit written notification within 10 days of the loss or destruction of a license, accompanied by the required fee as specified in these rules.

F. Revised Licenses. The change of a licensee's employer, home address or mailing address or employment status requires a revised license. Licenses requiring revision must be surrendered to the State Fire Marshal within 10 days after the change requiring the revision. The license holder and his employer must submit written notification of the necessary change with the surrendered license, accompanied by the required fee as specified in these rules.

G. Non-Transferable. A license is not transferable from one person to another or from one firm to another.

H. License Reciprocity. The State Fire Marshal may waive license requirements for an applicant with a valid license from another state if that state has license requirements substantially equivalent to Louisiana and which recognizes licenses issued by this office.

I. Validity. A license is valid for one year from date of issue, and must be renewed annually unless the State Fire Marshal adopts a system under which licenses expire on various dates during the year. Should a staggered renewal system be adopted, the renewal fees shall be prorated on a monthly basis so that each licensee pays only that portion of the fee that is allocable to the number of months during which the license is valid.

J. Age Limitations. For the purpose of licensing, no one under the age of 18 shall be eligible for a technician's license and no person under the age of 16 shall be eligible for an apprentice license.

La. Admin. Code tit. 55, § V-3015

Promulgated by the Department of Public Safety and Corrections, Office of State Fire Marshal, LR 17:273 (March 1991), amended LR 17:972 (October 1991), LR 26:1328 (June 2000), LR 33:1668 (August 2007).

AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 40:1664.2.