Section 280.20  Fire Equipment Distributor License

No person, fire association or corporation shall act as a Fire Equipment Distributor or as an agency licensed under the Act, or advertise or assume to act as such, or use any title that suggests the person is engaged in such practice or occupation, unless licensed by the Office.

a)         Criteria for Licensure as a Fire Equipment Distributor

1)         Any person, company, or corporation that services, recharges, installs, hydro-tests, inspects, maintains, alters, repairs or replaces fire suppression devices or systems, other than water sprinkler systems, shall accomplish the following to become licensed as a Fire Equipment Distributor:

A)        Submit a completed application to the Office (this form will be provided by the Office).

B)        Submit the annual license fee as follows:

i)          Class A Fire Equipment Distributor License to service, recharge, hydro-test, install, maintain or inspect all types of fire extinguishers shall be $100.

ii)         Class B Fire Equipment Distributor License to service, recharge, hydro-test, install, maintain or inspect all types of pre-engineered fire suppression systems shall be $200.

iii)        Class C Fire Equipment Distributor license to service, repair, hydro-test, inspect or engineer all types of engineered fire suppression systems shall be $300.

C)        Provide evidence of registration as an Illinois corporation or evidence of compliance with the Assumed Business Name Act [805 ILCS 405].

D)        Provide evidence of financial responsibility in a minimum amount of $1,000,000 through liability insurance, self-insurance, group insurance, group self-insurance or risk retention group.

E)        Provide a copy of the identification number issued to the applicant by the United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) if engaged in hydro-testing and/or visually inspecting fire suppression devices or systems utilizing USDOT specification cylinders.

2)         Upon submission of the requisite information and fees, the applicant will be assigned a license number and issued a certificate of licensure.  The certificate shall be prominently displayed in the office of the distributor, or in a location where the inspection may readily verify the distributor's compliance with licensing requirements.  The certificate will bear the following information:

A)        Name and location of distributor

B)        License number

C)        Classifications as outlined in subsection (a)(1)(B)

D)        Expiration date

E)        Signature of the State Fire Marshal

b)         Renewal of Fire Equipment Distributor License

1)         The expiration and renewal dates for each distributor licensed under this Part shall be at one year intervals.  The Office will notify the distributor, by issuance of an annual invoice, 30 days prior to the expiration of the license.  Failure of licensee to receive the invoice is not a valid reason for operating on an expired license.

2)         Failure to renew by the end of the 60 day period following the expiration date shall lapse the license.  The lapsed license may not be reinstated until a written application is filed and the renewal and reinstatement fees are paid (see Section 280.50).

3)         Renewal and reinstatement fees shall be waived for persons who did not renew while on active duty with the military and who file for renewal or restoration within 1 year after discharge from service.

4)         The distributor shall ensure that the information provided under subsection (a) for initial licensure is still correct or shall update any incorrect information and provide any additional information requested.

c)         Amending Current Distributor Licenses

1)         Any licensed Fire Equipment Distributor that changes its name, address, or business organization (partnership, corporation, sole proprietorship, etc.) shall inform the Office within 10 days, in writing, of such changes and pay any requisite processing fees (see Section 280.50).

2)         Adding Classifications

A)        Any licensed Fire Equipment Distributor that applies for additional classifications, prior to the expiration date of the currently held license, shall:

i)          Submit a completed application that specifies the classifications to be added; and

ii)         Submit payment of the fees for the additional classifications, in accordance with subsection (a)(1)(B).

The expiration date of the license the distributor currently holds will remain the same for all classifications of the license, new and existing.

B)        Distributors applying to add classifications to their license for the next renewal period shall:

i)          Submit a completed application that specifies the classifications to be added; and

ii)         Submit payment of the fees for the additional classifications and for the currently licensed classifications, in accordance with subsection (a)(1)(B) and any applicable fees due under Section 280.50.

            The expiration date of the added classifications shall be the same as the re-newed license.

(Source:  Amended at 32 Ill. Reg. 4191, effective March 5, 2008)