PE Allowed to Perform ITM for Fire Suppression?

12/8/2021

I'm having some confusion concerning credentials for inspection testing & maintenance (IT&M) of fire suppression systems.

Can (or is it allowed to have) a PE in Fire Protection Engineering perform inspection, testing and maintenance for a suppression system?

Or, must the PE also meet NICET certificates (for NICET states) or whatever the local jurisdiction requires for certification requirements in IT&M of fire protection systems?

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16 Comments

Dan Wilder

12/8/2021 07:55:36 am

For Arizona (likely other states)...

"The Phoenix Fire Code requires that all fire protection systems be inspected and tested by a contractor licensed by the State of Arizona who is a current qualified contractor approved by the Phoenix Fire Department to work on that particular fire protection system. It shall be the responsibility of the system owner to ensure that these requirements are met."

It is a company license that needs to be held with the state and there may be additional requirements for the actual inspector. There are some states that an individual must possess the required license and that may also get registered to the company. It's pretty specific to the AHJ.

Chapter 4 of NFPA 25 allows the owner to choose or designate a representative to be responsible, the AHJ likely has additional requirements of that same person.

Jesse

12/8/2021 08:08:45 am

It depends on your state.

In Texas, fire protection contractors must be licensed by the state. The state fire marshal designates numerous certification levels for inspections, design, etc. The levels are consistent with NICET Levels, the highest being NICET III which can do everything; inspection, testing, design, etc. PEs that pass the state FPE exam can also do everything.

Check with your state. In Texas, local AHJs are prohibited by law from requiring further registration and such, but your case may be different.

Kelley Stalder link

2/3/2022 02:56:01 pm

In Texas, the practice of ITM for fire alarms, fire sprinklers, and fire extinguishers is regulated by the State Fire Marshal's Office-SFMO (part of the Department of Insurance). Specific professions NOT regulated by the SFMO, such as engineering, are excluded by this statute with this or similar language: ."..an engineer licensed under Chapter 1001, Occupations Code, acting solely in the engineer's professional capacity;"

The engineer's professional capacity does not typically include ITM though the statute does not preclude, for instance an engineer performing a survey for locating design deficiencies or for making additions to the system to accommodate new or changes hazards. However, if they operate any part of the system, engineering rules require that they be competent.

Here is the guidance created by a joint effort between the SFMO and Engineering Board:

https://pels.texas.gov/nm/firesprinkler04.htm

https://pels.texas.gov/nm/firealarm04.htm

I would point out that the engineering statute in Texas does not require a person to have taken and passed the FPE exam in order to perform design of fire protection or fire alarm systems. However any licensed engineer in Texas performing such activities will be held professional responsible for being competent to perform such work.

Greg

12/8/2021 08:22:01 am

I believe you should go to the source of the requirement. If that is the State, you may need to ask for an interpretation if the language is not clear within the regulation. If the requirement is within a federal contract or similar, the standard owner, the contract officer, or similar authority within the organization.

Glenn Berger

12/8/2021 08:52:29 am

As stated above, local rules will apply.

In general - Is that PE - FPE qualified to do the Inspection, Testing, and Maintenance work. Typical not!

As a PE - FPE, I will not do the actual ITM work, but will witness and on some projects recommend acceptance or rejection of the procedures that I had seen.

Alex

12/8/2021 09:34:43 am

I agree with Glenn here. As a PE, I don't feel qualified to do ITM work. I know the process and like to oversea the work, but would need some additional time before I would want to complete it myself.

Jeff link

12/8/2021 09:08:39 am

Agree with the above. The NFSA has a state-by-state licensing map found here: https://nfsa.org/contractor-licensing-and-application-forms/

Manny Rios

12/8/2021 11:03:16 am

In Nevada the state fire marshal is the AHJ who can deigna

Manny Rios

12/8/2021 11:09:16 am

In the state of Nevada, the state fire marshal is the AHJ and may designate certified deputies from local jurisdictions to perform the required ITM for the life safety systems. Designers historically do not have the required certifications to perform what is required.

Anthony Validzic

12/8/2021 12:17:47 pm

Unfortunately, the State of New York does not have a license requirement for fire suppression (sprinkler) contractors/installers. The only requirement is that a fire suppression (sprinkler) system be designed by a Professional Engineer. Lastly, a NICET certification is not recognized by this state.

Martin J. Moffitt

12/9/2021 10:03:10 pm

You would think New York would be a lot more stringent with something such as this, hopefully it is in the works.

John

12/8/2021 07:13:05 pm

In South Carolina, inspectors don't have to be licensed. The office has to have a Nicet Level IV license holder. More detail is in the State Legislature law. In Georgia, ITM can be done by a Nicet Level III Inspector who applies for a license from the state. You can get a Provisional License if you are Nicet Level II (ITM 25) under the condition that you'll be awarded Level III w/in 2 years. SC doesn't do Red, Yellow, and Green tags. Georgia, on the other hand does require Color tags that are punched and you write your License # on the tag. I'm waiting for SC to start requiring Nicet but they may never do that. Basically, in both states you're working under someone until your Level III in my view.

John

12/8/2021 07:19:52 pm

Sorry to confuse...I read over your question again and my comment deals strictly with sprinkler inspection. The suppression guys I've crossed path with know their trade. Accidentally discharging bottles gets expensive.

sean

12/9/2021 07:24:38 am

I would say you have two parts. Local rules and insurance. Inspection insurance is different from your errors and omission insurance.

Pete D.

12/9/2021 08:05:07 am

I suspect there are misconceptions about who is allowed to inspect. In my home state of Tennessee, building personnel can perform quarterly and semi-annual inspections. A licensed contractor must perform annuals, hydrostatic test, 5-year internals, 3-yr full trips, etc.
Same thing applies to pumps, and fire alarm, except in my home city we are a UL alarm jurisdiction. The monitoring dealer must be UL or FM certified and must perform semi-annual and annual alarm inspections.
Anyone can inspect gear that they own at any time of their volition. The question is, are the resulting reports accepted by the AHJ?

Anthony Validzic

12/9/2021 08:08:08 am

The answer to your question is the ask the AHJ. As you can read from these posts, the answers vary and I have learned that it is always best to ask to avoid any misunderstandings.

PE Allowed to Perform ITM for Fire Suppression?

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