Section 251.20  Definitions

"Act":  The Fire Equipment Distributor and Employee Regulation Act of 2000 [225 ILCS 216].

"Approved":  Meeting the requirements of the Illinois State Fire Marshal's Office contained in this Part.

"Fire Equipment Distributor":  Any person, company or corporation that services, recharges, hydro-tests, inspects, installs, maintains, alters, repairs, or replaces fire extinguishers and/or fire suppression devices or systems other than water sprinklers.  The term does not include a person, company or corporation that only hydro-test cylinders that store extinguishment materials.

"Employee":  A licensee or person who is currently employed by a distributor licensed under the Act, whose full- or part-time duties may include servicing, recharging, hydro-testing, installing, maintaining or inspecting fire extinguishers and/or fire suppression devices or systems other than water sprinkler systems.

"Engineered Fire Suppression Systems":  Any detection and special agent fire suppression system requiring individual calculation and design, the components of which have been tested and listed or approved by a nationally recognized testing laboratory.  The design of the system must be within the manufacturer's parameters for the fire suppression system and components to protect a specific hazard.  The design shall meet the applicable fire protection codes and standards.  Engineered fire suppression systems shall not include water sprinkler systems.

"License" or "Licensed":  The license issued by the Office pursuant to the Fire Equipment Administrative Procedures (41 Ill. Adm. Code 280).

"Maintenance":  The thorough examination of all components of a fire extinguisher or fire suppression device or system by a properly licensed employee to ensure the fire extinguisher and/or fire suppression device or system will operate effectively and safely in accordance with the NFPA standard adopted in this Part.

"NFPA":  The National Fire Protection Association.

"Office" or "OSFM":  The Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal.

"Portable Fire Extinguisher":  A portable device, carried or on wheels and operated by hand, containing an extinguishing agent that can be expelled under pressure for the purpose of suppressing or extinguishing fire.

"Pre-Engineered Fire Suppression System":  A fire suppression system having predetermined flow rates, nozzle pressures, and quantities of extinguishing agents.  These systems may have specific pipe size, maximum and minimum pipe lengths, flexible hose specifications, number of fittings and number and types of nozzles prescribed by a testing lab.  The hazards protected by these systems are specifically limited as to type and size by a testing lab based upon actual fire tests.  Limitations on hazards that can be addressed by a system are contained in the manufacturer's installation manual, which is referenced as part of the listing.

"Trainee":  An individual who is employed by a distributor and is training under the direct supervision of an employee who is licensed in the same class for which the trainee has applied or will apply in accordance with this Part and the Fire Equipment Administrative Rules.

"UL":  Underwriters Laboratory.