Florida Senate - 2021 SB 286
By Senator Perry
8-00305B-21 2021286__
1 A bill to be entitled
2 An act relating to fire sprinklers; amending s.
3 633.102, F.S.; revising the definition of the term
4 "Contractor V" to authorize such fire protection
5 system contractors to design and alter certain
6 systems; revising the definition of the term “fire
7 protection system”; providing an effective date.
8
9 Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
10
11 Section 1. Subsections (3) and (11) of section 633.102,
12 Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
13 633.102 Definitions.—As used in this chapter, the term:
14 (3)(a) “Contractor I” means a contractor whose business
15 includes the execution of contracts requiring the ability to lay
16 out, fabricate, install, inspect, alter, repair, and service all
17 types of fire protection systems, excluding preengineered
18 systems.
19 (b) “Contractor II” means a contractor whose business is
20 limited to the execution of contracts requiring the ability to
21 lay out, fabricate, install, inspect, alter, repair, and service
22 water sprinkler systems, water spray systems, foam-water
23 sprinkler systems, foam-water spray systems, standpipes,
24 combination standpipes and sprinkler risers, all piping that is
25 an integral part of the system beginning at the point of service
26 as defined in this section, sprinkler tank heaters, air lines,
27 thermal systems used in connection with sprinklers, and tanks
28 and pumps connected thereto, excluding preengineered systems.
29 (c) “Contractor III” means a contractor whose business is
30 limited to the execution of contracts requiring the ability to
31 fabricate, install, inspect, alter, repair, and service carbon
32 dioxide systems, foam extinguishing systems, dry chemical
33 systems, and Halon and other chemical systems, excluding
34 preengineered systems.
35 (d) “Contractor IV” means a contractor whose business is
36 limited to the execution of contracts requiring the ability to
37 lay out, fabricate, install, inspect, alter, repair, and service
38 automatic fire sprinkler systems for detached one-family
39 dwellings, detached two-family dwellings, and mobile homes,
40 excluding preengineered systems and excluding single-family
41 homes in cluster units, such as apartments, condominiums, and
42 assisted living facilities or any building that is connected to
43 other dwellings. A Contractor IV is limited to the scope of
44 practice specified in NFPA 13D.
45 (e) “Contractor V” means a contractor whose business is
46 limited to the execution of contracts requiring the ability to
47 fabricate and install, install, inspect, alter, repair, and
48 service the underground piping for a fire protection system
49 using water as the extinguishing agent beginning at the point of
50 service as defined in this act and ending no more than 1 foot
51 above the finished floor. A Contractor V may inspect, alter,
52 repair, and service underground piping for a water-based fire
53 protection system only under the direction of a Contractor I or
54 Contractor II.
55
56 The definitions in This subsection may not be construed to
57 include engineers or architects within the defined terms and
58 does do not limit or prohibit a licensed fire protection
59 engineer or architect with fire protection design experience
60 from designing any type of fire protection system. A distinction
61 is made between system design concepts prepared by the design
62 professional and system layout as defined in this section and
63 typically prepared by the contractor. However, a person
64 certified under this chapter as a Contractor I or, Contractor
65 II, or Contractor IV under this chapter may design new fire
66 protection systems of 49 or fewer sprinklers;, and may design
67 the alteration of an existing fire sprinkler system if the
68 alteration consists of the relocation, addition, or deletion of
69 not more than 49 or fewer sprinklers, notwithstanding the size
70 of the existing fire sprinkler system; or may design the
71 alteration of an existing fire sprinkler system if the
72 alteration consists of the relocation or deletion of 249 or
73 fewer sprinklers, notwithstanding the size of the existing fire
74 sprinkler system, if there is no change of occupancy, as defined
75 in the Florida Building Code, of the affected areas and there is
76 no change in the water demand as defined in NFPA 13, “Standard
77 for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems,” and if the occupancy
78 hazard classification as defined in NFPA 13 is reduced or
79 remains the same as a result of the alteration. A person
80 certified as a Contractor I, Contractor II, or Contractor IV may
81 design or alter a fire protection system, the scope of which
82 complies with NFPA 13D, “Standard for the Installation of
83 Sprinkler Systems in One- and Two-Family Dwellings and
84 Manufactured Homes,” as adopted by the State Fire Marshal,
85 notwithstanding the number of fire sprinklers. Contractor
86 developed plans may not be required by any local permitting
87 authority to be sealed by a registered professional engineer.
88 (11) “Fire protection system” means a system individually
89 designed to protect the interior or exterior of a specific
90 building or buildings, structure, or other special hazard from
91 fire. Such systems include, but are not limited to, water
92 sprinkler systems, water spray systems, foam-water sprinkler
93 systems, foam-water spray systems, carbon dioxide systems, foam
94 extinguishing systems, dry chemical systems, and Halon and other
95 chemical systems used for fire protection use. Such systems also
96 include any overhead and underground fire mains, fire hydrants
97 and hydrant mains, standpipes and hoses connected to sprinkler
98 systems, sprinkler tank heaters, air lines, thermal systems used
99 in connection with fire sprinkler systems, and tanks providing
100 water supply or pump fuel piping, and pumps connected to fire
101 sprinkler systems.
102 Section 2. This act shall take effect July 1, 2021.