Fla. Admin. Code Ann. R. 69A-46.040 - Installation Requirements for Automatic Sprinkler Systems Employing Water as the Extinguishing Agent

(1) Fire protection system contractors installing an automatic sprinkler system employing water as the extinguishing agent shall supervise and be responsible for the complete system in accordance with the provisions of section 633.334, F.S. The contractor shall be responsible for installing the complete system in compliance with the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standards adopted in rule chapter 69A-3, F.A.C., except that if a contractor installs only the underground portion of the system from the point of service to the aboveground connection flange, in compliance with subsection 633.334(3), F.S., the contractor shall be responsible for only that portion of the system, and the contractor installing the remaining portion shall be responsible for the system from the point of connection to the underground throughout the remainder of the system.

(2) The complete system begins at the point-of-service as defined in subsection 633.102(24), F.S., and ends at the most remote head inside the facility.

(3) In order to ensure that sufficient water is available at the point-of-service to provide the water inside the facility as required by the plans, the contractor who installs the underground portion shall be responsible for conducting the acceptance tests required by NFPA 13 and shall personally, sign and maintain on file the Contractor's Material and Test Certificate for Underground Piping as specified in NFPA 13, as adopted in rule chapter 69A-3, F.A.C. If the above ground pipe is installed by a contractor other than the one who installed the underground, the contractor shall be responsible to obtain a copy of the underground certificate from the underground contractor and maintain it on file before connection to the underground is made. If the contractor is unable to obtain the certificate, the contractor shall notify the Regulatory Licensing Section.

(4) Upon completion of the final installation of the aboveground piping, the contractor shall conduct the tests and sign and maintain on file the Contractor's Material and Test Certificate for Aboveground Piping as specified in NFPA 13, as adopted in rule 69A-3.012, F.A.C.

(5) Failure to complete and maintain the two certificates described in subsections (3) and (4), above, shall be grounds for disciplinary action as violations of section 633.334, F.S.

(6) The contractor whose name appears on the application for the building permit shall be responsible for the acceptance tests required in NFPA 13, as adopted in rule chapter 69A-3, F.A.C. The contractor or authorized agent shall complete all portions of the Contractor's Material and Test Certificate(s) that are related to the system being tested. The contractor or authorized agent shall sign and date the test certificates. In cases where there is no building permit, the contractor that supervised the installation shall be responsible for the performance of these duties.

(7) The contractor shall maintain on file all Contractor's Material and Test Certificates, and shall provide such to the State Fire Marshal upon his request.

(8) Upon successful completion of acceptance tests, newly installed fire protection systems shall not require a tag until the first inspection occurs in accordance with rule 69A-46.041, F.A.C.

Notes

Fla. Admin. Code Ann. R. 69A-46.040

Rulemaking Authority 633.104 FS. Law Implemented 633.306, 633.334, 633.338 FS.

New 12-21-88, Amended 8-1-90, 10-20-93, 11-21-01, Formerly 4A-46.040, Amended 5-18-08, Amended by Florida Register Volume 42, Number 130, July 6, 2016 effective 7/19/2016.

New 12-21-88, Amended 8-1-90, 10-20-93, 11-21-01, Formerly 4A-46.040, Amended 5-18-08, 7-19-16.