Compilation of Rules and Regulations of the State of Georgia › Department 120 - OFFICE OF COMMISSIONER OF INSURANCE, SAFETY FIRE COMMISSIONER AND INDUSTRIAL LOAN COMMISSIONER › Chapter 120-3 - RULES OF SAFETY FIRE COMMISSIONER › Subject 120-3-23 - RULES AND REGULATIONS FOR INSTALLATION, INSPECTION, RECHARGING, REPAIRING, SERVICING AND TESTING OF PORTABLE FIRE EXTINGUISHERS OR FIRE SUPPRESSION SYSTEMS › Rule 120-3-23-.08 - Requirements for Pre-Engineered Industrial Fire Suppression System License

Current through Rules and Regulations filed through June 27, 2024
(1)A firm may
				obtain a license to install, inspect, repair, recharge, service or test
				pre-engineered industrial fire suppression systems upon meeting the following
				requirements:
(a) The applicant for a license
				to install, inspect, service and test pre-engineered industrial fire
				suppression systems has completed an application form acceptable to the
				Commissioner.
(b) The applicant for
				a license to install, inspect, service and test pre-engineered industrial fire
				suppression systems has paid an annual license fee of fifty dollars ($50.00)
				and a one time non-refundable filing fee of fifty dollars ($50.00) to the
				Commissioner.
(c) The applicant for
				a license to install, inspect, service and test pre-engineered industrial fire
				suppression systems has submitted evidence of the firm's registration as a
				current Georgia Corporation.
(d)
				The applicant for a license to install, inspect, service and test
				pre-engineered industrial fire suppression systems has submitted to the
				Commissioner a certificate of liability insurance listing the physical address
				of the business that provides proof of a valid comprehensive liability
				insurance policy purchased from an insurer or surplus lines broker authorized
				to do business in Georgia. The certificate of liability insurance shall list
				the Insurance Commissioner as the certificate holder to the address of the
				Safety Fire Division, 2 Martin Luther King Drive, 620 West Tower, Atlanta, GA
				30334. The coverage must include bodily injury and property damage, products
				liability, completed operations, and contractual liability. The minimum amount
				of said coverage shall be one million dollars ($1,000,000.00), provided,
				however, the amount of insurance required may be higher if so specified by the
				Commissioner. An insurer which provides such coverage shall notify the
				Commissioner of any change in coverage.
(e) The applicant for a license to install,
				inspect, service and test pre-engineered industrial fire suppression systems
				has submitted to the State Fire Marshal's Office the following:
1. A letter on company letter head indicating
				the areas the company intends to provide services.
2. A minimum of three (3) samples of all
				service tags, maintenance labels, test labels, non-compliance tags and high
				pressure cylinder stamps to be used by the company as indicated by the above
				service letter received, meeting the requirements of Rule
				120-3-23-.14. Where stamps are
				allowed to utilized, ink stamped impressions showing the applicants DOT (RIN)
				number shall be submitted with a copy of the firm's DOT approvals and renewals.
				Tags and labels may be printed and established for any period of time. However,
				after each printing, a minimum of three newly printed sample tags and labels
				must be forwarded to the State Fire Marshal's office as indicated in this
				paragraph and under Rule
				120-3-23-.14.
(f) The applicant for a license to install,
				inspect, service or test pre-engineered industrial fire suppression systems has
				submitted to the Commissioner evidence of compliance with one of the following:
1. The applicant has maintained a valid
				permit issued by the Commissioner to install, inspect, service or test
				pre-engineered industrial fire suppression systems for a minimum of a three
				year period; or,
2. Proof of one
				full time employee of the firm that has maintained a valid permit issued by the
				Commissioner to install, inspect, service or test pre-engineered industrial
				fire suppression systems for a minimum of a three year period.
Exception to (f)
: Applicants that meet the
				  provisions of subparagraph (g)1. or subparagraph (g)6. denoted
				  below.
(g) The
				applicant for a license to install, inspect, service and test pre-engineered
				industrial fire suppression systems has submitted to the Commissioner evidence
				of compliance with the following:
1. Current
				certification from the manufacturer of the pre-engineered industrial fire
				suppression system denoting the specific system and areas in which the
				applicant has been successfully trained and certified; or
2. Notification from the National Institute
				of Certification in Engineering Technologies (NICET) denoting the successful
				completion of Level III, Technician certification exam requirements for Special
				Hazards Suppression Systems; or
3.
				Current certification as a Pre-Engineered Industrial Fire Extinguishing System
				Technician by the National Association of Fire Equipment Distributors (NAFED);
				or
4. Current certification or
				testing by other nationally recognized organizations as deemed appropriate and
				acceptable by the Commissioner; or
5. Proof of one full time employee of the
				firm with documentation of current certification as a Pre-Engineered Industrial
				Fire Extinguishing System Technician by the National Association of Fire
				Equipment Distributors (NAFED); or
6. Proof of one full time employee of the
				firm with documentation of current certification from the manufacturer of the
				pre-engineered industrial fire suppression system denoting the specific system
				and areas in which the full time employee has been successfully trained and
				certified; or
7. Proof of one full
				time employee of the firm with documentation of notification from the National
				Institute of Certification in Engineering Technologies (NICET) denoting the
				successful completion of Level III, Technician certification exam requirements
				for Special Hazards Suppression Systems; or
8. Proof of one full time employee of the
				firm with documentation of current certification or testing by other nationally
				recognized organizations as deemed appropriate and acceptable by the
				Commissioner.
(h) An
				inspection by means as determined by the Commissioner has determined that the
				minimum equipment listed below for the activities the applicant requested to be
				licensed to perform was present at the service location and/or in each mobile
				service vehicle utilized by the firm.
1.
				Proper wrenches with non-serrated jaws or strap wrenches.
2. Non-serrated needle nose pliers or valve
				puller.
3. Inspection light
				suitable for internal inspection of pre-engineered industrial fire suppression
				system cylinders.
4. Accurate
				weighing scales in pound increments for pre-engineered industrial fire
				suppression system cylinder inspection and filling.
5. Accurate weighing scales in ounce
				increments for pre-engineered industrial fire suppression system cartridge
				inspection and/or filling.
6. Fixed
				vise appropriately sized for its intended use.
7. A supply of extinguishing agent(s) or
				compatibly listed agent(s) appropriate for the types of pre-engineered
				industrial fire suppression systems the firm requests to fill, and facilities
				for the proper storage of extinguishing agents as set forth by the
				specifications from the agent manufacturer.
8. Commercial dry nitrogen supply with a dew
				point of -60°F (-51°C) or lower (CGA nitrogen specification G10.1,
				grades D through P) and pressure regulator with supply and regulated pressure
				gages calibrated and suitable for properly pressurizing pre-engineered
				industrial fire suppression system.
9. Equipment, which allows for the complete
				immersion of a cylinder, shall be on hand at the stationary facility location
				for leak testing pressurized pre-engineered industrial fire suppression system
				cylinders. Service vehicles may use a spray bottle containing a soap solution
				for leak testing pressurized system cylinders or their installations.
10. A supply of adapters, fittings, tools and
				equipment required for properly servicing, repairing, maintaining and or
				recharging all pre-engineered industrial fire suppression systems the firm
				solicits or accepts for service, repair, maintenance or recharge. These needs
				shall be based on the service or recharge specifications of the pre-engineered
				industrial fire suppression system manufacturer and is not intended to prohibit
				the use of compatibly listed parts meeting the specifications of the
				pre-engineered industrial fire suppression system manufacturer.
11. Inventory of manufacturer or compatibly
				listed spare parts to include system detector and control parts as applicable
				for all pre-engineered industrial fire suppression systems the firm solicits or
				accepts for service, repair, maintenance or recharge based on the service or
				recharge specifications of the systems manufacturer.
12. A copy of the applicable standards of the
				National Fire Protection Association currently adopted by the Commissioner, and
				copies of installation, service and maintenance manuals from the manufacturer
				of each make or brand of pre-engineered industrial fire suppression system the
				firm installs, services, recharges, repairs, or maintains.
13. A supply of required service, maintenance
				and test tags meeting the provisions of Rule
				120-3-23-.14 of this
				Chapter.
14. Pipe threader and
				associated tools and dies.
15.
				Appropriate replacement cylinders for exchange if pre-engineered industrial
				fire suppression system cylinders are removed for service.
(i) If the applicant includes in the request
				for a license the request for hydrostatic testing of low pressure DOT or
				non-DOT regulated pre-engineered industrial fire suppression system cylinders,
				in addition to the appropriate minimum equipment listed in subparagraphs
				(h)1.-15., the applicant must possess low pressure hydrostatic testing
				equipment as follows:
1. Appropriate,
				hydrostatic test equipment for low-pressure cylinders as well as manuals in
				accordance with DOT and the applicable NFPA Standards.
2. Approved drying method for low-pressure
				pre-engineered industrial fire suppression system cylinders after the
				hydrostatic test in accordance with DOT requirements and the applicable NFPA
				Standards.
3. Adequate safety cage
				for hydrostatic testing of low pressure pre-engineered industrial fire
				suppression system cylinders in accordance with DOT requirements and the
				applicable NFPA Standards.
4.
				Low-pressure hydrostatic test labels for DOT or non-DOT regulated
				pre-engineered industrial fire suppression system cylinders containing at least
				the minimum information required by Paragraph (5) of Rule
				120-3-23-.14 of this Chapter.
Exception to (i)
: The provisions in
				  subparagraph (i) shall not to apply to a primary firm that accepts low-pressure
				  pre-engineered industrial fire suppression system cylinders for hydrostatic
				  testing by a secondary firm which is licensed and equipped to provide this
				  service. The secondary firm actually hydrostatically testing the pre-engineered
				  industrial fire suppression system cylinder must properly label the cylinder in
				  conformance with paragraph (5) of Rule
				  120-3-23-.14 of this Chapter. The
				  primary firm must properly tag the pre-engineered industrial fire suppression
				  system after proper inspection and maintenance is performed.
(j) If the applicant includes in
				the request for a license for the hydrostatic testing of high-pressure DOT
				regulated pre-engineered industrial fire suppression system cylinders, in
				addition to the appropriate minimum equipment in listed in listed in
				subparagraphs (h)1.-15., the applicant must submit with the application a copy
				of its DOT approvals and renewals.
Exception
: The provision in subparagraph (j)
				  shall not apply to a primary firm that accepts high-pressure pre-engineered
				  industrial fire suppression system cylinders for hydrostatic testing by a
				  secondary firm which is licensed and equipped to provide this service. The
				  secondary firm actually hydrostatically testing the pre-engineered industrial
				  fire suppression system cylinder must properly stamp the cylinder with their
				  current DOT (RIN) number when required by and in conformance with this Chapter
				  and DOT regulations.
(k) If
				the applicant includes in the request for a license activities that involve the
				transfer of clean agent pre-engineered industrial fire suppression agents, in
				addition to the minimum equipment listed in subparagraphs (h)1.-15., the
				applicant must have the following equipment:
1. Listed clean agent filling
				equipment/pumping station and/or closed recovery system at the clean agent
				recharge location only for each type of clean agent being utilized.
2. Chemical supply tank(s) for each type of
				clean agent extinguisher being serviced.
Exception to (k)
: The provisions in (k)
				  shall not apply to the primary firm that accepts clean agent pre-engineered
				  industrial fire suppression system cylinders for recharge by a secondary firm
				  which is licensed and equipped to provide this service. The secondary firm
				  actually recharging and servicing the pre-engineered industrial fire
				  suppression system cylinders must properly install a service collar onto the
				  pre-engineered industrial fire suppression system cylinders in conformance with
				  paragraph (5) of Rule
				  120-3-23-.14 of this Chapter. The
				  primary firm must tag the pre-engineered industrial fire suppression system
				  cylinders with their company tag in conformance with Rule
				  120-3-23-.14 of this Chapter after
				  conducting a proper maintenance inspection.
(l) If the applicant includes in the request
				for a license the service, maintenance, repair or recharge of
				CO2 pre-engineered fire suppression systems the
				following equipment shall be provided at the service location(s) in addition to
				the appropriate minimum equipment listed in subparagraphs (h)1.-15., the
				applicant must have the following equipment:
1. CO2 cascade system
				for proper filling of CO2 pre-engineered industrial fire
				suppression system cylinders; or
2.
				An approved electric pump system for proper filling of
				CO2 pre-engineered industrial fire suppression system
				cylinders; or
3. An approved
				pneumatic pump system for proper filling of CO2
				pre-engineered industrial fire suppression system cylinders; or
4. An alternate system for proper filling of
				CO2 pre-engineered industrial fire suppression system
				cylinders based on new technology may be used provided the level of safety
				prescribed by the appropriate standard is not lowered and the system is
				approved by the Commissioner after being evaluated.
5. Approved drying method for low-pressure
				pre-engineered industrial fire suppression system cylinders after the
				hydrostatic test in accordance with DOT requirements and the applicable NFPA
				Standards.
6. Equipment shall be on
				hand at the stationary facility location and each service vehicle for leak
				testing pressurized pre-engineered industrial fire suppression system
				cylinders. Use of a spray bottle containing a soap solution for leak testing
				pressurized pre-engineered industrial fire suppression system cylinders is
				permitted.
Exception to (l)
: The provisions in
				  subparagraph (l) shall not apply to a primary firm that accepts
				  CO2 pre-engineered industrial fire suppression system
				  cylinders for recharge by a secondary firm which is licensed and equipped to
				  provide this service provided the primary firm tags the
				  CO2 fire extinguisher after conducting a proper
				  maintenance inspection on the CO2 pre-engineered
				  industrial fire suppression system cylinders.
(m) Nothing shall preclude the Commissioner
				from verifying by an announced or unannounced re-inspection of the service
				location and/or in each mobile service vehicle utilized by the firm that such
				equipment listed and required in subparagraphs (g) through (k) exists and is
				readily available. The Commissioner may give the registered agent of the firm
				up to 30 days as deemed appropriate by him/her to correct any deficiencies
				discovered by such inspection. Furthermore, nothing shall preclude the
				Commissioner from verifying such evidence of notification, certification or
				testing as required in subparagraph (g) and experience as required in
				subparagraph (f).