Current through Register Vol. 56, No. 6, March 18, 2024
(a) After June 30, 2003, no fire protection contractor shall engage in the installation, service, repair, inspection or maintenance of fire protection equipment without holding or employing a person who holds a valid certificate of certification issued in accordance with this chapter.
1. Persons holding a license to engage in the fire alarm business pursuant to P.L. 1997, c. 305 (45:5A-23 et seq.) by March 1, 2004, or who are electrical contractors as defined in section 2 of P.L. 1962, c.162 (45:5A-2 ), are exempt from the requirement of obtaining a certificate of certification under this chapter to engage in the fire alarm business to the extent that such persons are acting within the scope of practice of their profession or occupation.
2. The Division shall not require an in-house employee to obtain a certificate of certification for performing routine maintenance or monthly, weekly, or daily inspection or testing of fire protection equipment provided:
i. The employer has a documented, readily-available procedure in effect governing routine maintenance and monthly, weekly or daily inspections and testing; and
ii. The employer can provide proof the personnel performing the work have been trained on the current Uniform Fire Code provisions governing routine maintenance or monthly, weekly, and daily inspection or testing for the work they may be required to perform.
3. A non-certified person shall not perform any quarterly, annual, or other non-routine, required maintenance.
4. A certificate of certification shall not be required if an in-house employee responds in-house to equipment malfunction or damage that requires immediate attention provided:
i. Certified personnel verify the operation of the equipment within 48 hours after the onset of the emergency;
ii. A log is kept of all emergency work performed including the date and time the work was verified by a certified person and the name, certification number and signature of the verifier;
iii. Trained personnel perform the emergency work; and
iv. A documented, readily-available procedure is in effect.
5. A certificate of certification shall not be required for employees of a nuclear power plant if such employees are qualified through the Institute of Nuclear Power Operations accredited training programs. This exemption does not apply to private contractors performing work within the nuclear power plant.
i. Training records must be kept on each nuclear power plant employee detailing the areas of training that the employee has completed along with a copy of the curriculum.
6. A certificate of certification shall not be required if a person owning and residing in a detached one- or two-family dwelling performs work within his or her residence.
(b) The Division shall issue a certificate to any person who has been employed as a fire protection contractor for a period of not less than five years on or before June 30, 2003, upon application with submission of satisfactory proof and payment of the appropriate fee on or before January 1, 2004. The certificate issued shall be for three years, at which time the certificate shall be renewed pursuant to the requirements established by this chapter. Applications received after January 1, 2004 shall be required to meet the full certification criteria established by this chapter.
(c) The following certified classifications are hereby established:
1. An "All Fire Protection Equipment Contractor" is authorized to install, service, repair, inspect and maintain all fire protection equipment;
2. A "Fire Sprinkler System Contractor" is authorized to install, service, repair, inspect and maintain fire sprinkler systems;
3. A "Special Hazard Fire Suppression System Contractor" is authorized to install, service, repair, inspect and maintain special hazard fire suppression systems and kitchen fire suppression systems;
4. A "Fire Alarm System Contractor" is authorized to install, service, repair, inspect and maintain all fire alarm systems;
5. A "Portable Fire Extinguisher Contractor" is authorized to install, service, repair, inspect and maintain all portable fire extinguishers; and
6. A "Kitchen Fire Suppression System Contractor" is authorized to install, service, repair, inspect and maintain all kitchen fire suppression systems.
(d) A certified fire protection contractor shall perform work only within the scope of the contractor's certification class.
(e) Whenever the Division shall find cause to deny an application for a certificate of certification or to suspend or revoke a certificate, the Division shall notify the application or the holder of the certificate and state the reasons for the denial or suspension, as appropriate.
(f) Any person subject to certification under this chapter shall be exempt from any other State, county or municipal certification, licensing or registration requirements for installing, servicing, repairing, inspecting or maintaining fire protection equipment.
