Bill Text: FL S0286 | 2021 | Regular Session | Enrolled
Bill Title: Fire Sprinklers
Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill
Status: (Passed) 2021-06-23 - Chapter No. 2021-123, companion bill(s) passed, see CS/CS/CS/HB 1209 (Ch. 2021-113) [S0286 Detail]
Download: Florida-2021-S0286-Enrolled.html
ENROLLED
2021 Legislature CS for SB 286
2021286er
1
2 An act relating to fire sprinklers; amending s.
3 633.102, F.S.; revising the definition of the term
4 “Contractor V”; authorizing certain fire protection
5 system contractors to design certain systems; revising
6 the definition of the term “fire protection system”;
7 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, install, inspect, alter, repair, and service the
48 underground piping for a fire protection system using water as
49 the extinguishing agent beginning at the point of service as
50 defined in this act and ending no more than 1 foot above the
51 finished floor. A Contractor V may inspect underground piping
52 for a water-based fire protection system under the direction of
53 a Contractor I or Contractor II.
54
55 The definitions in This subsection may not be construed to
56 include engineers or architects within the defined terms and
57 does do not limit or prohibit a licensed fire protection
58 engineer or architect with fire protection design experience
59 from designing any type of fire protection system. A distinction
60 is made between system design concepts prepared by the design
61 professional and system layout as defined in this section and
62 typically prepared by the contractor. However, a person
63 certified under this chapter as a Contractor I or, Contractor
64 II, or Contractor IV under this chapter may design new fire
65 protection systems of 49 or fewer sprinklers;, and may design
66 the alteration of an existing fire sprinkler system if the
67 alteration consists of the relocation, addition, or deletion of
68 not more than 49 or fewer sprinklers, notwithstanding the size
69 of the existing fire sprinkler system; or may design the
70 alteration of an existing fire sprinkler system if the
71 alteration consists of the relocation or deletion of 249 or
72 fewer sprinklers, notwithstanding the size of the existing fire
73 sprinkler system, if there is no change of occupancy of the
74 affected areas, as defined in the Florida Building Code and the
75 Florida Fire Prevention Code, and there is no change in the
76 water demand as defined in NFPA 13, “Standard for the
77 Installation of Sprinkler Systems,” and if the occupancy hazard
78 classification as defined in NFPA 13 is reduced or remains the
79 same as a result of the alteration. A person certified as a
80 Contractor I, Contractor II, or Contractor IV may design a new
81 fire protection system or design the alteration of an existing
82 fire protection system, the scope of which complies with NFPA
83 13D, “Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems in One-
84 and Two-Family Dwellings and Manufactured Homes,” as adopted by
85 the State Fire Marshal, notwithstanding the number of fire
86 sprinklers. Contractor-developed plans may not be required by
87 any local permitting authority to be sealed by a registered
88 professional engineer.
89 (11) “Fire protection system” means a system individually
90 designed to protect the interior or exterior of a specific
91 building or buildings, structure, or other special hazard from
92 fire. Such systems include, but are not limited to, water
93 sprinkler systems, water spray systems, foam-water sprinkler
94 systems, foam-water spray systems, carbon dioxide systems, foam
95 extinguishing systems, dry chemical systems, and Halon and other
96 chemical systems used for fire protection use. Such systems also
97 include any overhead and underground fire mains, fire hydrants
98 and hydrant mains, standpipes and hoses connected to sprinkler
99 systems, sprinkler tank heaters, air lines, thermal systems used
100 in connection with fire sprinkler systems, and tanks providing
101 water supply or pump fuel, including piping for such tanks, and
102 pumps connected to fire sprinkler systems.
103 Section 2. This act shall take effect July 1, 2021.
