24.144.501    WHO MUST OBTAIN AN ENDORSEMENT

(1) Except as provided in (2) , a person must obtain an endorsement from the department prior to selling, servicing or installing fire alarm systems, special agent fire suppression systems or fire extinguishing systems.

(2) The following persons need not obtain an endorsement:

(a) a manufacturer filling or charging a fire extinguisher prior to its initial sale.

(b) an apprentice, so long as the person performs the installation or service of fire protection equipment under the immediate personal supervision of a person holding an endorsement.

(c) an owner, manager or maintenance personnel making monthly inspections on their own facilities of fire extinguishers.

(d) an owner or occupant of a single family residence performing installation of fire protection equipment as long as the authority having jurisdiction approves the installation.

(3) An apprenticeship program must assure that the person completes the program in no longer than:

(a) four years for the service or installation of fire alarm systems;

(b) two years for the service or installation of special agent fire suppression systems;

(c) five years for the service or installation of fire extinguishing systems.

(4) An apprentice will be registered and issued a card each year while in good standing that indicates the individual is in a training position and shall not install, inspect, recharge, repair, service or test fire protection equipment without the direct and immediate supervision of a person endorsed by the department.

(5) An apprentice shall obtain an endorsement within 90 days after completion of the apprentice program.

(6) The following persons or entities are exempt from the licensing requirements imposed by these rules:

(a) Persons or entities that engage only in the routine visual inspection of fire alarm systems, special agent fire suppression systems or fire extinguishing systems owned by the person or entity and installed on property under their control are exempt from obtaining a license or endorsement from the department; however, these persons or entities are not exempt if they service or install fire protection equipment.

(b) A licensed electrician who installs smoke detection and fire alarm equipment pursuant to building specifications is exempt from obtaining a license or endorsement under this chapter, provided the installation is inspected and approved by a person endorsed to service or install the fire protection equipment.

(c) An owner or occupant of a single family residence performing installation of fire protection equipment, as long as the authority having jurisdiction approves the installation.

History: 50-3-102, 50-3-103, 50-39-107, MCA; IMP, 50-3-102, 50-39-101, 50-39-102, 50-39-103, 50-39-104, 50-39-105, 50-39-106, 50-39-107, MCA; NEW, Eff. 10/5/75; AMD, Eff. 12/4/76; AMD, 1983 MAR p. 15, Eff. 1/14/83; AMD, 1985 MAR p. 936, Eff. 7/12/85; AMD, 1991 MAR p. 1839, Eff. 9/27/91; AMD, 1993 MAR p. 2953, Eff. 12/10/93; TRANS, AMD, 1996 MAR p. 748, Eff. 3/22/96; AMD, 1998 MAR p. 458, Eff. 2/13/98; TRANS, from Commerce, 2005 MAR p. 261.