Title: Fire Sprinkler System Project Permitting

Summary: Defining terms; requiring replacement fire sprinkler system components to meet certain criteria; requiring local enforcement agencies to perform at least one inspection for a fire sprinkler system project; requiring contractors to keep certain documentation available at a worksite for a fire sprinkler system project and make such documentation available for inspection, etc.

Full Text:
An act relating to fire sprinkler system project permitting; creating s. 553.7953, F.S.; defining terms; requiring replacement fire sprinkler system components to meet certain criteria; authorizing local enforcement agencies to require contractors to submit certain documentation and payment for obtaining a permit for a fire sprinkler system project; prohibiting local enforcement agencies from requiring contractors to submit certain documentation and payment for obtaining a permit for a fire sprinkler system project; requiring local enforcement agencies to issue certain permits in person or electronically; requiring local enforcement agencies to perform at least one inspection for a fire sprinkler system project; requiring contractors to keep certain documentation available at a worksite for a fire sprinkler system project and make such documentation available for inspection; requiring contractors to retain instructions for components; providing an effective date. Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida: Section 1. Section 553.7953, Florida Statutes, is created to read: 553.7953  Simplified permitting process for fire sprinkler system projects.  (1) As used in this section, the term: (a) Component  means valves, fire sprinklers, escutcheons, hangers, compressors, or any other item deemed acceptable by the local enforcement agency. For the purposes of this paragraph, the term  valves  does not include pressure-regulating, pressure-reducing, or pressure-control valves. (b) Contractor  means a person qualified to engage in the business of fire sprinkler systems contracting pursuant to a certificate or registration issued by the department under s. 633.318. (c) Fire sprinkler system project  means a fire protection system alteration of a total of or fewer fire sprinklers that have the same K-factor which does not result in a change of hazard classification or an increased system coverage area, or the installation or replacement of an equivalent fire sprinkler system component,in an existing commercial, residential, apartment, cooperative, or condominium building. (2)  A contractor replacing a fire sprinkler system component must use a component with the same or better characteristics as the component being replaced, including electrical, hydraulic, pressure losses, required listings, and spacings. (3)(a)  A local enforcement agency may require a contractor, as a condition of obtaining a permit for a fire sprinkler system project, to submit a completed application and make a payment. (b) A local enforcement agency may not require a contractor to submit plans or specifications as a condition of obtaining a permit for a fire sprinkler system project as defined in this section. (4) A local enforcement agency shall issue a permit for a fire sprinkler system project in person or electronically. (5) A local enforcement agency shall require a fire sprinkler system project to have at least one inspection to ensure compliance with applicable codes and standards. If a fire sprinkler system project fails an inspection, the contractor must take corrective action as necessary to pass inspection. (6 ) If the fire sprinkler system project is to alter a fire sprinkler system,the contractor must keep a copy of the plans or as-built plans at the fire sprinkler system projec tworksite and make such plans available to the inspector at each inspection. (7 ) If the project is to replace a component of the fire system, the contractor must keep a copy of the manufacturer s installation instructions and any related testing instructions needed to certify or accept the component at a fire sprinkler system project and must make such documents available to the inspector at each inspection. Section 2. This act shall take effect July 1, 2023.