21 nCAC 50 .0515             FIRE SPRINKLER MAINTENANCE Technician LICENSE

(a)  License in the Fire Sprinkler Maintenance Technician classification is required of the technician who carries out periodic maintenance observation or testing of water-based fire protection systems.  Licenses shall be issued based on experience and training, as described in Rules .0301 and .0306 of this Chapter and expire annually.  This license is limited to work on the systems at the locations of the employer of the licensee for which experience was demonstrated.  Upon termination of employment at the location for which certified, the Fire Sprinkler Maintenance Technician license shall lapse, and a new license shall be obtained for the systems at the new place of employment by compliance with the requirements of Rule .0306 of this Chapter.  Insurers who carry out inspections for the limited purpose of underwriting or rating for insurance purposes, in situations where the physical tasks are carried out by the on-site Fire Sprinkler Maintenance Technician licensee of the insured, are not required to be licensed pursuant to this Rule.

(b)  Persons holding a Fire Sprinkler Maintenance Technician license may only:

(1)           Operate and lubricate hydrants and control valves;

(2)           Adjust valve and pump packing glands;

(3)           Bleed moisture and condensation from air compressors, air lines and dry pipe system auxiliary drains;

(4)           Clean strainers;

(5)           Check for painted, damaged or corroded sprinklers, corroded or leaking piping and verify control valves are open;

(6)           Replace painted, corroded or damaged sprinkler head, using identical serial numbers;

(7)           Replace missing or loose hangers;

(8)           Replace gauges;

(9)           Clean water motor gong;

(10)         Perform air compressor maintenance;

(11)         Reset dry pipe valves;

(12)         Exercise fire pumps, not including conduct of a flow measurement test;

(13)         Perform periodic maintenance observation or testing, not including the annual NFPA-25 inspections; or

(14)         Perform repairs other than the foregoing on an emergency basis where necessary to restore a system to operation, provided the holder of the Fire Sprinkler Maintenance Technician license documents his efforts and inability to obtain the services of the holder of a license as a Fire Sprinkler Installation Contractor prior to performing the repairs, but obtains such services within 72 hours thereafter.

History Note:        Authority G.S. 87-21;

Eff. January 1, 2004;

Amended Eff. January 1, 2010; May 1, 2006; March 1, 2005;

Pursuant to G.S. 150B-21.3A, rule is necessary without substantive public interest Eff. August 22, 2015.