Code of Maryland Regulations
Title 29 - MARYLAND STATE POLICE
Subtitle 06 - FIRE PREVENTION COMMISSION
Chapter 29.06.05 - Fire Sprinkler Contractor Licensing Regulations
Section 29.06.05.04 - Licensure
Universal Citation: MD Code Reg 29.06.05.04
Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 6, March 22, 2024
A. Each fire sprinkler contractor who performs work in Maryland shall possess a valid license of the appropriate class as listed in this regulation. A fire sprinkler contractor, except a person exempt under this chapter or Public Safety Article, § 9-903(b), Annotated Code of Maryland, who inspects, tests, performs maintenance on, installs, repairs, modifies, or lays out a fire sprinkler system in a residential or commercial building in the State shall possess a valid license under this regulation. The following table illustrates the capabilities of each class of the sprinkler contractor license:
| Function | Class I |
Class IIa |
Class IIb |
Class IIc |
Class IId |
Class IIIa |
Class IIIb |
Class IIIc |
| Inspect | All | |||||||
| Test | All | |||||||
| Maintain | All | |||||||
| Install | Res | Res | 13D | All | All | |||
| Repair | Res | Res | 13D | All | All | |||
| Modify | Res | Res | 13D | All | All | |||
| Layout | Res | Res | All | All | ||||
Where "All" indicates that the function may be performed on commercial or residential systems in accordance with NFPA 13, 13D, and 13R; "Res" indicates that the function may be performed on residential systems in accordance with NFPA 13D and 13R only; and "13D" indicates that the function may be performed on residential systems in accordance with NFPA 13D only.
B. Class I Fire Sprinkler Contractor License.
(1) A fire sprinkler contractor engaged in the inspection, testing, and performance of maintenance of residential or commercial fire sprinkler systems that are in accordance with NFPA 13, NFPA 13D, or NFPA 13R shall possess a class I fire sprinkler contractor license.
(2) To obtain a class I fire sprinkler contractor license, a person shall:
(a) Have not less than 3 years experience in the inspection, testing, and performance of maintenance of residential and commercial fire sprinkler systems as determined by the State Fire Marshal; and
(b) Employ at least one designated qualified individual who possesses and maintains a NICET Engineering Technician Level II or higher certification or equivalent in the field of fire protection, inspection, and testing of water-based systems.
C. Class IIa Fire Sprinkler Contractor License.
(1) A fire sprinkler contractor engaged in the installation, repair, or modification of residential fire sprinkler systems that are in accordance with NFPA 13D or NFPA 13R shall possess a class IIa fire sprinkler contractor license.
(2) To obtain a class IIa fire sprinkler contractor license, a person shall:
(a) Have not less than 3 years experience in the installation, repair, or modification of residential fire sprinkler systems as determined by the State Fire Marshal; and
(b) Employ at least one designated qualified individual who possesses and maintains a NICET Engineering Technician Level II or higher certification or equivalent in the field of fire protection, automatic sprinkler system layout.
(3) For potable water multipurpose piping systems, contractors shall also possess a Maryland master plumber license, and shall comply with all applicable provisions of the Business Occupations and Professions Article, Title 12, Annotated Code of Maryland.
D. Class IIb Fire Sprinkler Contractor License.
(1) A fire sprinkler contractor engaged in the layout of residential fire sprinkler systems that are in accordance with NFPA 13D or NFPA 13R shall possess a class IIb fire sprinkler contractor license.
(2) To obtain a class IIb fire sprinkler contractor license, a person shall:
(a) Have not less than 3 years experience in the layout of residential fire systems as determined by the State Fire Marshal; and
(b) Employ at least one designated qualified individual who possesses and maintains a NICET Engineering Technician Level II or higher certification or equivalent in the field of fire protection, automatic sprinkler system layout.
E. Class IIc Fire Sprinkler Contractor License.
(1) A fire sprinkler contractor engaged in the installation, repair, modification, and layout of residential fire sprinkler systems that are in accordance with NFPA 13D or NFPA 13R shall possess a class IIc fire sprinkler contractor license.
(2) To obtain a class IIc fire sprinkler contractor license, a person shall:
(a) Have not less than 3 years experience in the installation, repair, modification and layout of residential fire sprinkler systems as determined by the State Fire Marshal; and
(b) Employ at least one designated qualified individual who possesses and maintains a NICET Engineering Technician Level II or higher certification or equivalent in the field of fire protection, automatic sprinkler system layout.
(3) For potable water multipurpose piping systems, contractors shall also possess a Maryland master plumber license, and shall comply with all applicable provisions of the Business Occupations and Professions Article, Title 12, Annotated Code of Maryland.
F. Class IId Fire Sprinkler Contractor License.
(1) A fire sprinkler contractor engaged in the installation, repair, or modification of residential fire sprinkler systems that are in accordance with NFPA 13D shall possess a class IId fire sprinkler contractor license.
(2) To obtain a class IId fire sprinkler contractor license, a person shall:
(a) Possess a Maryland master plumber license and comply with all applicable provisions of Business Occupations and Professions Article, Title 12, Annotated Code of Maryland; and
(b) Employ at least one designated qualified individual who possesses and maintains a NICET Engineering Technician Level II or higher certification or equivalent in the field of fire protection, automatic sprinkler system layout.
G. Class IIIa Fire Sprinkler Contractor License.
(1) A fire sprinkler contractor engaged in the installation, repair, or modification of commercial and residential fire sprinkler systems that are in accordance with NFPA 13, 13D, or 13R shall possess a class IIIa fire sprinkler contractor license.
(2) To obtain a class IIIa fire sprinkler contractor license, a person shall:
(a) Have not less than 5 years experience in the installation, repair or modification of commercial and residential fire sprinkler systems as determined by the State Fire Marshal; and
(b) Employ at least one designated qualified individual who possesses and maintains a NICET Engineering Technician Level II or higher certification or equivalent in the field of fire protection, automatic sprinkler system layout.
(3) For potable water multipurpose piping systems, contractors shall also possess a Maryland master plumber license, and shall comply with all applicable provisions of the Business Occupations and Professions Article, Title 12, Annotated Code of Maryland.
H. Class IIIb Fire Sprinkler Contractor License.
(1) A fire sprinkler contractor engaged in the layout of commercial or residential fire sprinkler systems that are in accordance with NFPA 13, 13D, or 13R shall possess a class IIIb fire sprinkler contractor license.
(2) To obtain a class IIIb fire sprinkler contractor license, a person shall:
(a) Have not less than 5 years experience in the layout of commercial and residential fire sprinkler systems as determined by the State Fire Marshal; and
(b) Employ at least one designated qualified individual who possesses and maintains a NICET Engineering Technician Level III or higher certification or equivalent in the field of fire protection, automatic sprinkler system layout.
I. Class IIIc Fire Sprinkler Contractor License.
(1) A fire sprinkler contractor engaged in the installation, repair, modification, and layout of commercial or residential fire sprinkler systems that are in accordance with NFPA 13, 13D, or 13R shall possess a class IIIc fire sprinkler contractor license.
(2) To obtain a class IIIc fire sprinkler contractor license, a person shall:
(a) Have not less than 5 years experience in the installation, repair, modification and layout of commercial and residential fire sprinkler systems as determined by the State Fire Marshal; and
(b) Employ at least one designated qualified individual who possesses and maintains a NICET Engineering Technician Level III or higher certification or equivalent in the field of fire protection, automatic sprinkler system layout.
(3) For potable water multipurpose piping systems, contractors shall also possess a Maryland master plumber license, and shall comply with all applicable provisions of the Business Occupations and Professions Article, Title 12, Annotated Code of Maryland.
J. A person may not be permitted to serve as a designated qualified individual for more than three licensed fire sprinkler contractors.
K. Additional Authorized Work.
(1) A fire sprinkler contractor in possession of a class IIIa fire sprinkler contractor license may engage in any fire sprinkler system work covered by a class IIa or class IId fire sprinkler contractor license.
(2) A fire sprinkler contractor in possession of a class IIIb fire sprinkler contractor license may engage in any fire sprinkler system work covered by a class IIb fire sprinkler contractor license.
(3) A fire sprinkler contractor in possession of a class IIIc fire sprinkler contractor license may engage in any fire sprinkler system work covered by all other classes of fire sprinkler contractor licenses except class I.
(4) A fire sprinkler contractor in possession of a class IIa fire sprinkler contractor license may engage in any fire sprinkler system work covered by a class IId fire sprinkler contractor license only on residential sprinkler systems that are in accordance with NFPA 13D or NFPA 13R.
(5) A fire sprinkler contractor in possession of a class IIc fire sprinkler contractor license may engage in fire sprinkler system work covered by a class IIa, class IIb, or class IId fire sprinkler contractor license only on residential fire sprinkler systems that are in accordance with NFPA 13D or NFPA 13R.
L. Fire Sprinkler System Layout.
(1) Layout of plans and preparation for automatic fire sprinkler systems shall be prepared under the supervision of one of the following:
(a) The designated qualified individual employed by a fire sprinkler contractor who meets the qualification listed for the appropriate license classification under §D, E, H, or I of this regulation; or
(b) A Maryland registered professional engineer, knowledgeable in areas about fire sprinkler systems.
(2) Plans shall be marked with the fire sprinkler contractor license number and one of the following:
(a) The designated qualified individual's original signature, NICET level, certification number, and expiration date; or
(b) The original signature and seal of a professional engineer who is registered in Maryland.
(3) Plans submitted utilizing an electronic format shall be marked with the fire sprinkler contractor license number and one of the following:
(a) The designated qualified individual's digital signature, NICET level, certification number and expiration date; or
(b) The digital signature and seal of a professional engineer who is registered in Maryland.
M. Notification Requirements.
(1) Within 14 days of any change of address, the fire sprinkler contractor shall:
(a) Notify the Office of the State Fire Marshal in writing of the change;
(b) Return the license certificate requiring the revision; and
(c) Submit the fee as specified in §Q of this regulation for a revised license certificate.
(2) Within 5 business days from the termination of a designated qualified individual, the fire sprinkler contractor shall notify the Office of the State Fire Marshal in writing of the termination.
(3) Within 30 days of termination of the designated qualified individual, or prior to the expiration of a current license, whichever occurs first, the fire sprinkler contractor shall submit a new application to the Office of the State Fire Marshal identifying the new designated qualified individual as defined in Regulation .03 of this chapter.
(4) Within 14 days of any change to information submitted on the license application, the fire sprinkler contractor shall notify the Office of the State Fire Marshal in writing of the change.
N. License Expiration. All fire sprinkler contractor licenses expire 2 years after the date issued.
O. Liability Insurance Requirements.
(1) To hold any class fire sprinkler contractor license, a person shall maintain continuous comprehensive general liability insurance coverage and provide proof of this coverage in the form of a certificate of insurance with a 30-day cancellation notification provision. The Office of the State Fire Marshal shall be named as the certificate holder. Coverage under this subsection shall include:
(a) A minimum of $1,000,000 combined single limit bodily injury or death and property damage liability insurance; and
(b) Products and completed operations insurance.
(2) Failure to maintain the required coverage is considered sufficient grounds for suspension or revocation of the license.
P. Application.
(1) An application for an initial fire sprinkler contractor license shall be made to the State Fire Marshal on a form designated by the State Fire Marshal.
(2) An application for renewal of a fire sprinkler contractor license shall be submitted to the Office of the State Fire Marshal at least 30 days before the expiration date of the license on a form designated by the State Fire Marshal.
(3) The application shall be signed by the sole proprietor, by each partner of the partnership, or by an officer of the corporation or organization.
(4) Proof of the required insurance coverage, in the form of a certificate of insurance with a 30-day cancellation notification provision shall be submitted with the application. The Office of the State Fire Marshal shall be named as the certificate holder.
(5) Proof of current NICET qualification or professional engineer registration status shall be submitted with the application.
(6) The appropriate nonrefundable fee as specified in §Q of this regulation shall be submitted with the application.
Q. Fees.
(1) A nonrefundable fee set by the State Fire Prevention Commission shall be paid to the Office of the State Fire Marshal to obtain or renew a fire sprinkler contractor license or for services as follows:
(a) Initial application-$300;
(b) Renewal application-$200; and
(c) Duplicate or revised license certificate-$25.
(2) A fire sprinkler contractor who does not submit a renewal application on or prior to the expiration date of the license shall pay a late fee of $300 in addition to the license renewal fee.
(3) The State Fire Marshal shall collect the fees, keep all records of fees paid, and pay all fees collected to the General Fund of the State.
Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. Maryland may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.
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