SB1381eng 99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SB1381 Engrossed LRB099 04225 HAF 24247 b

AN ACT concerning regulation.

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly:

Section 5. The Fire Sprinkler Contractor Licensing Act is amended by changing Sections 15, 20, and 120 as follows:

(225 ILCS 317/15)

Sec. 15. Licensing requirements.

(a) It shall be unlawful for any person or business to engage in, advertise, or hold itself out to be in the business of installing or repairing fire sprinkler systems in this State after 6 months after the effective date of this Act, unless such person or business is licensed by the State Fire Marshal.

(b) In order to obtain a license, a person or business must submit an application to the State Fire Marshal, on a form provided by the State Fire Marshal containing the information prescribed, along with the application fee.

(c) A business applying for a license must have a designated certified person employed at the business location and the designated certified person shall be identified on the license application.

(d) A person or business applying for a license must show proof of having liability and property damage insurance in such amounts and under such circumstances as may be determined by the State Fire Marshal. The amount of liability and property damage insurance, however, shall not be less than the amount specified in Section 35 of this Act.

(e) A person or business applying for a license must show proof of having workers' compensation insurance covering its employees or be approved as a self-insurer of workers' compensation in accordance with the laws of this State.

(f) A person or business so licensed shall have a separate license for each business location within the State or outside the State when the business location is responsible for any installation or repair of fire sprinkler systems performed within the State.

(g) When an individual proposes to do business in her or his own name, a license, when granted, shall be issued only to that individual.

(h) If the applicant requesting licensure to engage in contracting is a business organization, such as a partnership, corporation, business trust, or other legal entity, the application shall state the name of the partnership and its partners, the name of the corporation and its officers and directors, the name of the business trust and its trustees, or the name of such other legal entity and its members and shall furnish evidence of statutory compliance if a fictitious name is used. Such application shall also show that the business entity employs a designated certified person as required under Section 20. The license, when issued upon application of a business organization, shall be in the name of the business organization and the name of the qualifying designated certified person shall be noted thereon.

(i) No license is required for a person or business that is engaged in the installation of fire sprinkler systems only in single family or multiple family residential dwellings up to and including 8 family units that do not exceed 2 1/2 stories in height from the lowest grade level.

(j) All fire protection system layout documents of fire sprinkler systems, as defined in Section 10 of this Act, shall be prepared by (i) a professional engineer who is licensed under the Professional Engineering Practice Act of 1989, (ii) an architect who is licensed under the Illinois Architecture Practice Act of 1989, or (iii) a holder of a valid NICET level 3 or 4 certification in water-based (formerly automatic sprinkler) systems fire protection technology automatic sprinkler system layout who is either licensed under this Act or employed by an organization licensed under this Act.

(Source: P.A. 97-112, eff. 7-14-11.)

(225 ILCS 317/20)

Sec. 20. Designated certified person requirements.

(a) A designated certified person must either be a current Illinois licensed professional engineer or hold a valid NICET level 3 or higher certification in "water-based (formerly automatic sprinkler) systems fire protection technology, automatic sprinkler system layout".

(b) At least one member of every firm, association, or partnership and at least one corporate officer of every corporation engaged in the installation and repair of fire sprinkler systems must be a designated certified person.

(c) A designated certified person must be employed by the licensee at a business location with a valid license.

(d) A designated certified person must perform his or her normal duties at a business location with a valid license.

(e) A designated certified person may only be the designated certified person for one business location and one business entity.

(f) A designated certified person must be directly involved in supervision. The designated certified person does not, however, have to be at the site of the installation or repair of the fire sprinkler system at all times.

(Source: P.A. 92-871, eff. 1-3-03.)

(225 ILCS 317/120)

Sec. 120. Grandfather clause. Any person or business that, as of the effective date of this Act, is installing or repairing fire sprinkler systems in the State of Illinois and has a minimum of 3 years of experience in installing or repairing fire sprinkler systems is exempt from having a designated certified person as required in Section 20. After January 1, 2016, no initial licenses shall be issued under this Section.

(Source: P.A. 92-871, eff. 1-3-03.)