LOUISIANA DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY AND CORRECTIONS OFFICE OF STATE FIRE MARSHAL, CODE ENFORCEMENT AND BUILDING SAFETY H. Butch Browning State Fire Marshal Bobby Jindal Governor Licensing Law and Rules for Life Safety & Property Protection Systems
Laws Life Safety Systems Inspection Law R.S. 40:1646 et seq. Life Safety & Property Protection Licensing Law R.S. 40:1664.1 et seq. Rules Fire Protection Rules - L.A.C. 55:V:3001 et seq. Sprinkler Rules - L.A.C. 55:V:3101 et seq. Security & Locking Rules - L.A.C. 55:V:3201 et seq.
Certification for Firms and Licenses for Employees
Each Firm and Employee must obtain from the State Fire Marshal a certification of registration or license with the appropriate endorsements before engaging in any of the following activity: Sprinkler/Fire Hose Fire Alarm Security Locksmith Bank Locking Door Hardware CCTV Fire Suppression Fire Extinguisher/Fire Hose Household Fire Special Locking Detention Locking Door Hardware Consultant Gate Systems
Validity A certificate of registration and license is valid for three years from date of issue. An annual invoice will be sent to the firm noting all current licensed employees and the required fees to keep the certificate and licenses valid. The firm must have the principals and employees sign the invoice and return with a current certificate of insurance, the qualifier s affidavit and the appropriate fees. The firm s certificate and all employee licenses expire on the first day of the renewal month.
Revisions & Changes The change of a firm s name, location, or mailing address or operating status requires a revision of the certificate of registration. The change of a licensee's employer, home address or mailing address or employment status requires a revised license. All changes must be reported to the Fire Marshal within 10 days of the change.
Initial Training Requirements General Requirements for Employees All training is approved by the Life Safety and Property Protection Advisory Board A copy of the training certificate must accompany an application for an initial individual license. Each initial endorsement requested must have its own training certification documentation. Approved certification courses offered online are accepted with the requirement that the course exam must be proctored.
Initial Training Requirements Requirements for Qualifiers All Qualifiers must take all an Administrative Rules Course by December 31, 2013. Courses taken no more than three years prior to this date will be accepted to fulfill this requirement. An Administrative Rules course must be taken once every three (3) years.
Initial Training Requirements Requirements for Qualifiers Some Qualifiers must also take the following courses based on the endorsement they are qualifying for: Fire Marshal Plan Review Course and either NFPA Life Safety 101 Course or NTS Life Safety 101 Course These additional courses must be taken by December 31, 2013. These additional courses must be taken once every three (3) years.
Continuing Education Individuals who wish to renew their licenses are required to meet the continuing education requirements as established by the Life Safety and Property Protection Advisory Board. Current requirements are 24 hours for a three year period, 12 of which must be technical in nature. Continuing education documentation is not required to be submitted with the application but must be kept on file in the employee s personnel file.
Continuing Education Training may be obtained in any state. It does not have to be received in Louisiana to be acceptable. Individuals must obtain at least 50% of their continuing education hours from one of the following: Advisory Board Approved Training Courses, or Manufacturer or Factory Training, or Technical Training, or Regulatory Training Courses approved for Initial Certification are automatically approved for Continuing Education on an hour for hour basis of classroom attendance.
Expired License A person whose license has been expired for two years or longer must take and pass another examination or approved training course prior to the issuance of a new license. No examination is required for a license holder whose license is renewed within two years of expiration.
Pocket ID The ID is for immediate identification purposes only. The ID does not have to be outwardly displayed but rather must be on the person. A pocket ID is valid for one year. Apprentices are issued pocket ID s. Fire sprinkler foremen and installers are not issued pocket ID s.
Pocket ID
Pocket ID QUALIFIER INSPECTOR TECHNICIAN APPRENTICE
Miscellaneous Provisions Advertising: All advertising, including but not limited to telephone advertising, shall indicate a firm s certificate of registration number. Service Invoices and Inspection Reports: All service invoices or inspection reports shall reflect the work performed, all parts replaced, date of service and the technician who performed the work.
Miscellaneous Provisions Marking of Vehicles. All service vehicles used for regulated activities shall have the firm name and firm certificate number permanently inscribed, painted, stenciled or affixed by magnetic means on such vehicles. Such markings shall be a minimum of two and one-half (2 1/2) inches in height and not less than one-forth (1/4) inch in width. Letters and numbers shall be on a contrasting background and be conspicuously seen from the outside of the vehicle.
LOUISIANA DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY AND CORRECTIONS OFFICE OF STATE FIRE MARSHAL, CODE ENFORCEMENT AND BUILDING SAFETY H. Butch Browning State Fire Marshal Bobby Jindal Governor Definitions and Endorsements
Activity The certifying, hydrostatic testing, inspecting, installing, integrating, maintaining, planning, selling and servicing of life safety and property protection systems and equipment pursuant to R.S.40:1664.1 et seq. Henceforth know as Life Safety and Property Protection Activity.
Certify (Certification) To attest to activity in accordance with all applicable engineered specifications, manufacturer's specifications and per the applicable NFPA codes and standards. Installation The act of utilizing accepted and approved installation methods in accordance with manufacturers' direction to develop a unified and functioning system meeting applicable NFPA codes and standards.
Service Work, including, but not limited to repair or replacement performed to ensure the proper functioning of the equipment/system. For portable fire extinguishers, it includes a thorough examination for physical damage or condition that may prevent its operation and any necessary repair or replacement.
Operating Location A physical office which houses employees and business documents from which the acts authorized by the certificate of registration are performed. The office must be open and accessible during normal work hours. The use of a storage facility, telephone answering service or P.O. Box is not considered an office.
Apprentice Endorsement authorizes the person to conduct activity only while under the direct supervision of and accompanied by a licensed technician who holds a valid license for the work to be performed. An apprentice cannot certify life safety and property protection systems or equipment or sign tags. Apprentices cannot hang tags signed by other employees.
Foreman An employee designated by a sprinkler firm, who certifies an installation or service, completes the acceptance test, or identifies impairments of fire sprinkler systems and equipment. Inspector An employee with a sprinkler firm that certifies, inspects or performs hydrostatic testing of fire sprinkler equipment and/or systems or fire hoses systems and equipment
Qualifying Person The employee of a firm who currently meets the certification, examination and/or training requirements set for each endorsement by the Life Safety and Property Protection Advisory Board. A qualifier shall physically reside within 150 miles of the operating location and work a minimum of 32 hours per week. The qualifier must be actively engaged in the direct supervision of the daily life safety and property protection activities for the firm and its employees for which they are authorized to perform.
Technician An individual who is trained and certified to perform life safety and property protection activity within a technical endorsement. Sales Person An individual who solicits another on behalf of a property protection firm by any means, including but not limited to telephone or electronic device, public notice or advertisement, door-to-door or any other type of personal interaction. The term includes designing property protection systems.
Sprinkler Contractors & Employees ALL sprinkler firms must be licensed. Qualifiers/Designers (License required) Inspectors (License required) Foremen (No license required) Installers/pipe fitters (No license required)
Fire Protection Endorsements Fire Alarm (Primary) Non-required Fire Alarm Owner Fire Suppression (Primary) Pre-engineered Kitchen Portable Fire Extinguisher/Fire Hoses Sprinkler contractors can also certify Fire Hoses. Technicians and Apprentices are required to be licensed.
Locking Endorsements Locksmiths (Primary) Detention locking (Inmate Areas only) Bank Locking (Financial Institutions and ATM s in nonfinancial institutions) Special Locking (Electrified Hardware, Access Control, Delayed Egress, Healthcare Locking & Gate Systems) CCTV (Any camera system including IP, hardwire or wireless) Door Hardware (Hinges, latches, frames, mechanical locks and closures) Gate Systems (Vehicle and Pedestrian) Technicians, apprentices and sales persons are required to be licensed.
Security Endorsements Security (Primary) Household Fire (1 & 2 Family Dwellings only) Special Locking (Electrified Hardware, Access Control, Delayed Egress, Healthcare Locking & Gate Systems) CCTV (Any camera system including IP, hardwire or wireless) Technicians, apprentices and sales persons are required to be licensed.
LOUISIANA DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY AND CORRECTIONS OFFICE OF STATE FIRE MARSHAL, CODE ENFORCEMENT AND BUILDING SAFETY H. Butch Browning State Fire Marshal Bobby Jindal Governor Installation Tags
Installation Tags The Installation Tag is to be used on all new installations to create a Birth Certificate for the system. Additions to the system shall also have an additional installation tag noting the new date and P.O. number. Required Locations for Installation Tags Fire Alarm Main control panel Fire Suppression System Main control panel Kitchen Suppression System Control box or cylinder cabinet, if none, then at the pull station Special Locking System Main control panel or if none, at the connection to the house current
Installation Tags
LOUISIANA DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY AND CORRECTIONS OFFICE OF STATE FIRE MARSHAL, CODE ENFORCEMENT AND BUILDING SAFETY H. Butch Browning State Fire Marshal CERTIFICATION TAGS Bobby Jindal Governor
Certification Tags Tags shall be attached in such a way as not to hamper the operation of the equipment or system. Tags shall be used for new installations and shall be in addition to the installation label. Tags shall be green in color for systems and any color except Red, Yellow or Blue for portables.
Certification Tags Installation shall be punched when initially placed into service or after an addition or extension to the system has been made. Punching Installation indicates the initial certification of the system or equipment has been completed. Certification shall be punched for annual inspections. Punching Certification indicates that any required service performed to the system or equipment at the time has been completed.
CERTIFICATION TAGS
LOUISIANA DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY AND CORRECTIONS OFFICE OF STATE FIRE MARSHAL, CODE ENFORCEMENT AND BUILDING SAFETY H. Butch Browning State Fire Marshal SERVICE TAGS Bobby Jindal Governor
Service Tags A Service tag shall be placed on a system or equipment when it is repaired or replaced to ensure proper operation in between required certification periods. A service tag will only certify the work performed at the time of service. It does not certify the entire system. The Blue Service tag is currently not required but is acceptable for use.
LOUISIANA DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY AND CORRECTIONS OFFICE OF STATE FIRE MARSHAL, CODE ENFORCEMENT AND BUILDING SAFETY H. Butch Browning State Fire Marshal PARTIAL IMPAIRMENT TAGS Bobby Jindal Governor
PARTIAL IMPAIRMENT TAGS The Yellow Tag is to be used for minor problems on the system or equipment. Repairs must be made within 60 days. The Yellow Tag is an optional tag for the industry. If they choose not to use it, then they must place a red tag on the system and submit an Impairment Notification Form. The partial impairment tag is in addition to the requirement of having a certification tag, service tag and impairment tag.
PARTIAL IMPAIRMENT TAGS After the yellow tag has lapsed sixty (60) days, can a firm place another yellow tag on the system for the same impairment? NO - At this point the yellow tag is viewed as a red tag. Does the firm have to physically return to the business and place a red tag on the system? NO The fire inspector will review the tag and determine that it has lapsed sixty (60) days.
LOUISIANA DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY AND CORRECTIONS OFFICE OF STATE FIRE MARSHAL, CODE ENFORCEMENT AND BUILDING SAFETY H. Butch Browning State Fire Marshal Bobby Jindal Governor IMPAIRMENT TAGS
Red Tags and Written Notification Procedures How do you know when a system should be red tagged? A system shall be red tagged whenever the system is impaired to the point that life safety is at risk or is in imminent danger. or to the point that the automatic or manual operation will be prevented from functioning.
Red Tags and Written Notification Procedures The contractor must notify the Fire Marshal of all red tags or when a yellow tagged system has not had the deficiencies corrected within sixty (60) days. Notification shall be immediate but shall not exceed two working days after the impairment is discovered. The Impairment form (found on the Fire Marshal web site) must be completed and submitted to the Fire Marshal Inspection Section for all impairment notifications.
Red Tags and Written Notification Procedures The following are the procedures for contractors to use when notifying the Fire Marshal of impaired systems: Complete the Impairment Notification form. Attach a copy of the firm s Inspection or Service Report to the Impairment Notification form. Fax to 225-925-4520 or email to Red.Tag@dps.state.la.us Print out documentation of transmittal.
Red Tags and Written Notification Procedures Upon the receipt of an impairment notice, the Fire Marshal or a local fire prevention bureau will conduct an inspection to ensure the system is functioning properly and any necessary repairs are made. Refusals of inspection by a building owner does not equate to a red tag condition and therefore, do not need to be reported to the Fire Marshal.
General Provisions For all systems, a plastic pocket sleeve shall be attached to the panel, connection to the house current or cylinder, as appropriate, where all tags shall be maintained for the system s certification period. For kitchen fixed fire suppression systems, the pocket sleeve shall be attached at or near a manual pull station. A sleeve is not required for extinguishers/fire hoses.
General Provisions A tag shall be attached to the system or equipment after any work is performed. On each annual or 6 month certification, all previous service tags shall be removed and given to the owner to keep on file. All tags and required certificates of compliance must be completed PRIOR to the inspector performing the final inspection of the system. The inspector is not doing the punch list for the contractor.
General Provisions For the purpose of determining the exact date of a required certification then the following guidelines shall apply: Where only the year is known but not the month, January shall be used for the month, Where the month is known but not the day, the first day of the month shall be used. Annual certifications may be performed 30 days prior to or 30 days after the previous certification s expiration date.
LOUISIANA DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY AND CORRECTIONS OFFICE OF STATE FIRE MARSHAL, CODE ENFORCEMENT AND BUILDING SAFETY H. Butch Browning State Fire Marshal Bobby Jindal Governor Portable Fire Extinguishers and Fire Hoses
Portable Fire Extinguishers/Fire Hoses Dry chemical and clean agent extinguishers require a six year maintenance and a 12 year hydrostatic test. CO2, K Class and Water extinguishers require a 5 year hydrostatic test. Tests are recorded on a selfadhesive/ self-destruct label. Dual 6 year maintenance / hydrostatic test labels are acceptable.
Portable Fire Extinguishers/Fire Hoses After an extinguisher is open for internal maintenance or any other purpose, a verification collar is required to be placed on the extinguisher. A new external verification collar is not needed when a CO2 extinguisher is recharged without opening the cylinder for inspection or on side cartridge type extinguishers.
Portable Fire Extinguishers/Fire Hoses When an extinguisher is removed from the owner s premise for service, a replacement extinguisher shall be left of equal or greater rating on a one for one basis by the portable fire extinguisher/fire hose firm. Replacements do not need to be left where a building owner has fire extinguishers in excess of the required amount as required by NFPA 10 and NFPA 101.
Fire Hoses Stenciled information on fire hoses shall include the test pressure, date of test and the firm license number. Stenciling shall be near both couplings. The tag shall be attached to the female coupling.
LOUISIANA DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY AND CORRECTIONS OFFICE OF STATE FIRE MARSHAL, CODE ENFORCEMENT AND BUILDING SAFETY H. Butch Browning State Fire Marshal Bobby Jindal Governor Fire Protection Systems
Fire Protection Systems A new (complete or renovated) required system shall have activity performed to ensure it is in compliance with the manufacturer's installation manuals, specifications, reviewed plans and the applicable codes and standards. An existing required system shall have activity performed to ensure it is in an operational condition per the manufacturer s specifications and inspection, testing and maintenance chapters of the applicable codes and standards.
Fire Protection Systems All non-required or non-conforming systems require written permission and possible review from the Office of the State Fire Marshal Plan Review Section prior to installation. Non-conforming and non-required systems shall be maintained in a fully operational state as long as the system is within the facility. Non-required systems must still have an annual or six month certification as appropriate.
LOUISIANA DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY AND CORRECTIONS OFFICE OF STATE FIRE MARSHAL, CODE ENFORCEMENT AND BUILDING SAFETY H. Butch Browning State Fire Marshal Bobby Jindal Governor Fire Sprinkler Systems and Fire Pumps/Standpipe Systems
Fire Sprinkler Systems Installations and Inspections New fire sprinkler systems/equipment shall have sprinkler activity performed in compliance with all applicable NFPA codes. Existing fire sprinkler systems/equipment shall have sprinkler activity performed in compliance with NFPA 25, 1961 or 1962, as applicable. Non-conforming and non-required systems shall be maintained in a fully operational state as long as the system is within the facility.
Fire Sprinkler Systems Installations and Inspections Fire sprinkler protection which only comprise of six (6) sprinkler heads or less connected to a domestic water system do not need to be inspected and certified annually by a certified fire sprinkler system firm. These arrangements are not considered sprinkler systems. The owner of these systems must ensure these systems are functional and maintained in compliance with the manufacturer s specifications.
Fire Sprinkler Systems Installations and Inspections Fire sprinkler systems (begins at the riser and includes all distribution piping) shall have activity performed by fire sprinkler contractors. Underground water supply piping shall have activity performed by either a fire sprinkler contractor or a licensed plumbing contractor. Alarm devices such as flow switches, tamper switches, and air pressure switches must be installed by the fire sprinkler contractor and connected to the fire alarm system by the fire alarm contractor.
The following table outlines which individual may place a tag on a fire sprinkler system Qualifier Inspector Foreman System Yes Yes Yes Installation Impairment Yes Yes Yes Service Yes Yes Yes Annual Certification No Yes No Acceptance Testing Yes No Yes
LOUISIANA DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY AND CORRECTIONS OFFICE OF STATE FIRE MARSHAL, CODE ENFORCEMENT AND BUILDING SAFETY H. Butch Browning State Fire Marshal Bobby Jindal Governor Isolated Hazardous Areas
Isolated Hazardous Areas Where areas are permitted to have sprinkler protection from the domestic water supply in lieu of fire rated construction, then the following shall apply: Installation of domestic water sprinkler heads shall meet all requirements as set forth in NFPA 101 as adopted by the Office of the State Fire Marshal. Installation of more than one but no more than six domestic water sprinkler heads shall only be performed by a licensed sprinkler contractor.
Isolated Hazardous Areas Installation of one domestic water sprinkler head may be performed by a Louisiana licensed plumbing contractor or a licensed sprinkler contractor. Inspection of domestic sprinkler heads shall be performed by either a licensed sprinkler contractor, a Louisiana licensed plumbing contractor or owner or his employee who is specifically trained to perform such inspection. Documentation shall be provided on an annual basis that the sprinkler heads meet the specified requirements set forth in NFPA 101.
LOUISIANA DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY AND CORRECTIONS OFFICE OF STATE FIRE MARSHAL, CODE ENFORCEMENT AND BUILDING SAFETY H. Butch Browning State Fire Marshal Bobby Jindal Governor Special Locking Systems
Special Locking Systems The following systems require annual certification: Electronically Controlled Egress Door Assemblies, Healthcare Locking Systems, Access Control Systems, Delayed Egress Systems, Elevator Lobby Exit Access Door Assembly Locking Systems, Pedestrian Gates, and Detention Locking Systems
Type of Endorsement Special Locking Systems Annual Certifications Electronically Controlled Access Health Care Access Control Delayed Egress Elevator Lobby Pedestrian & Vehicle Gates Security Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No Detention Locksmith Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Special Locking Gate Systems Detention Locking Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No No No No No No Yes No No No No No No No Yes
LOUISIANA DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY AND CORRECTIONS OFFICE OF STATE FIRE MARSHAL, CODE ENFORCEMENT AND BUILDING SAFETY H. Butch Browning State Fire Marshal Bobby Jindal Governor Plan Review
Plan Review No system or new component of a system shall be installed prior to submitting plans with required documentation and receiving authorization to install such system from the Plan Review Section of the Office of the State Fire Marshal. (R.S. 40:1574) The firm that is responsible for the system installation shall be listed on the plan review application.
Plan Review Upon the receipt of plans by the Fire Marshal Plan Review Section, the following work may begin: Fire Alarm wiring and conduit only Fire Suppression piping only Fire Sprinkler piping only No installation of devices, panels or control valves is permitted.
Plan Review A new plan review shall be required when a firm takes over a project in progress from another firm. The application shall list the new firm s information and any changes to the project. Inspectors do not have the authority to allow firms to begin installation without prior plan submittal. Only the Fire Marshal or Plan Review Administration does.
LOUISIANA DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY AND CORRECTIONS OFFICE OF STATE FIRE MARSHAL, CODE ENFORCEMENT AND BUILDING SAFETY H. Butch Browning State Fire Marshal Bobby Jindal Governor Electrical Contractors
Electrical Contractors All statewide electrical contractors licensed by the State Licensing Board for Contractors, shall be authorized to install fire alarm and special locking systems and equipment in accordance with manufacturer's specifications and applicable National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) codes. Plan Review submittal and review is still required. Statewide electrical contractors are not permitted to certify, inspect, service or maintain fire alarm or special locking systems. Statewide electrical contractors cannot tie the fire alarm devices into the control panel.
LOUISIANA DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY AND CORRECTIONS OFFICE OF STATE FIRE MARSHAL, CODE ENFORCEMENT AND BUILDING SAFETY H. Butch Browning State Fire Marshal Bobby Jindal Governor Violations and Prohibited Acts (General Discussion)
LOUISIANA DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY AND CORRECTIONS OFFICE OF STATE FIRE MARSHAL, CODE ENFORCEMENT AND BUILDING SAFETY H. Butch Browning State Fire Marshal Bobby Jindal Governor Most Common Violations
Most Common Violations Improper Tagging, No Plans, No License, and Certifying/Installing/Servicing contrary to Code
LOUISIANA DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY AND CORRECTIONS OFFICE OF STATE FIRE MARSHAL, CODE ENFORCEMENT AND BUILDING SAFETY H. Butch Browning State Fire Marshal Bobby Jindal Governor Examples of Violations
Changed Yellow Tag to Green Tag With Marker
Double Punched
Not Punched
Violations Not Listed
Improper Stenciling and No Tag
Fusible Link Not Current
Oversize Collar
Oversize Collar and Fused Collar
Ensure Correct Year on Flag Seal
Gauge & Labeling not Lined Up
No Installation Label
Red, Yellow or Green What do you think?
Rusted Out Cylinder Leaking into Cabinet
Bent Conduit not Permitted Must use Corner Pulleys
No Fusible Link
Link Not Within Duct Opening
No Nozzle and no old Teflon tape
Improper Sprinkler Placement 32 inches above ceiling
Taped Escutcheon Plate
Slide Wall Installed Wrong
What the?????
Close Up of Beam
Close Up of Hole
Please go to our web site to find out about more about State Fire Marshal Policies and Procedures. www.lasfm.org