Bill Text: FL S0286 | 2021 | Regular Session | Introduced

NOTE: There are more recent revisions of this legislation. Read Latest Draft

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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-Introduced.html

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       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.