South Carolina Code of Regulations
Chapter 71 - DEPARTMENT OF LABOR, LICENSING AND REGULATION-DIVISION OF LABOR
Article 8 - OFFICE OF STATE FIRE MARSHAL
Subarticle 4 - PORTABLE FIRE EXTINGUISHERS AND FIXED FIRE EXTINGUISHING SYSTEMS
Section 71-8303.4 - Licensing and Permitting Requirements

1. Each dealer testing and performing maintenance on portable fire extinguishers; installing, testing, and performing maintenance on fixed fire extinguishing systems or engineered special hazard fire suppression systems shall have a license issued by the OSFM.

2. Each dealer's license shall be displayed in a conspicuous location at their place of business.

3. Each dealer shall apply as prescribed by the OSFM, for the license classification the dealer is seeking.

4. Each dealer shall employ a primary qualifying party permitted by OSFM and identify the primary qualifying party on the application for licensure.

5. Each dealer shall furnish a certificate of insurance with their application in the amount required for their license classification. The dealer shall list the Office of State Fire Marshal and its agents as a certificate holder. The coverage company must be an insurer which is either licensed by the DOI in this State or approved by the DOI as a nonadmitted surplus lines carrier for risks located in this State. In the event the liability insurance is canceled, suspended, or not renewed, the insurer shall give immediate notice to the OSFM.

6. Each dealer shall possess or have access to the equipment necessary for the class of license sought.

7. Licenses issued under this subarticle are not transferable.

8. All licenses expire when insurance coverage lapses or is cancelled and on the day of expiration shown on the license and shall be renewed every three (3) years.

9. All licenses are suspended upon no primary qualifying party being employed by the dealer for the systems contained in the dealer's licensure category.

10. Each dealer shall furnish a notarized affidavit as required in S.C. Code Ann. Section 23-9-45 on a form supplied by the OSFM.

1. Each individual performing maintenance, recharging, repairing, installing, or testing portable fire extinguishers, fixed fire extinguishing systems, or engineered special hazard fire suppression systems shall possess a valid permit issued by the OSFM.

2. Each individual shall apply as prescribed by the OSFM, for the permit classification they are seeking.

3. Applicants must be at least eighteen (18) years old.

4. Applicants shall provide proof of a current National Association of Fire Equipment Dealers (NAFED) certification through ICC for the applicable permit classification.

5. Each applicant shall furnish a notarized affidavit as required in S.C. Code Ann. Section 23-9-45 on a form supplied by the OSFM.

6. Permit holders shall have their permits in their possession while working on equipment or systems covered by their permit.

7. Permit holders shall display their permits at the request of any AHJ.

8. Permit holders shall be limited to specific type of work allowed by the class of permit they hold and the specific systems covered by their permit and shall not perform maintenance or repair on systems not covered by the permit for which they are trained.

9. Permits issued under this subarticle are transferable to another licensed affiliated company. Upon leaving the employment of the specifically identified company, the permit immediately becomes invalid until transferred to another licensed dealer.

10. Permits shall expire on the day of expiration shown on the permit and shall be renewed every three (3) years.

1. Class "A" - may service, perform maintenance, recharge, or repair, all types of portable fire extinguishers, including recharging carbon dioxide units; and as applicable, to conduct hydrostatic tests on all types of fire extinguishers with a current retester identification number (RIN) issued by DOT or its designated agency.

2. Class "B" - Reserved.

3. Class "C" - Reserved.

4. Class "D" - may install, inspect, repair, recharge, service, maintain or test all types of pre-engineered fire extinguishing systems.

5. Class "E" - may install, inspect, repair, recharge, service, maintain or test engineered special hazard fire suppression systems.

1. Designate on their application for licensing each type of pre-engineered fire extinguishing system for which they want to be licensed;

2. Employ a minimum of one (1) full time employee permitted by the OSFM.

3. Provide proof of public liability insurance for an amount not less than one million ($1,000,000) dollars; and

4. Provide proof of manufacturer's certification for at least one type of pre-engineered fire extinguishing system.

5. For each additional type of pre-engineered fire extinguishing system, the applicant may submit proof of a manufacturer's certification or an affidavit which shall attest to the ability to obtain the proper manufacturer's installation, maintenance and service manuals and manufacturer's parts or alternative components that are listed for use with the specific extinguishing system and provide testament that all installations and maintenance shall be performed in complete compliance with the manufacturer's installation, maintenance and service manuals and NFPA standards.

1. Designate on their application for licensing each type of pre-engineered fire extinguishing system for which they want to be permitted.

2. Provide proof of manufacturer's certification for at least one type of pre-engineered fire extinguishing system.

3. For each additional type of pre-engineered fire extinguishing system, the applicant may submit proof of a manufacturer's certification or an affidavit which shall attest to the ability to obtain the proper manufacturer's installation, maintenance and service manuals and manufacturer's parts or alternative components that are listed for use with the specific extinguishing system and provide testament that all installations and maintenance shall be performed in complete compliance with the manufacturer's installation, maintenance and service manuals and NFPA standards.