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 As used in this chapter, unless the context otherwise requires:
 1. “Alarm system” means a system or portion of a combination system that consists of components and circuits arranged to monitor and annunciate the status of a fire alarm, security alarm, or nurse call or supervisory signal-initiating devices and to initiate the appropriate response to those signals, but does not mean any such security system or portion of a combination system installed in a prison, jail, or detention facility owned by the state, a political subdivision of the state, the department of human services, or the Iowa veterans home.
 2. “Alarm system contractor” means a person engaging in or representing that the person is engaging in the business of layout, installation, repair, alteration, addition, maintenance, or maintenance inspection of alarm systems in this state.
 3. “Alarm system installer” means a person engaged in the layout, installation, repair, alteration, addition, or maintenance of alarm systems as an employee of an alarm system contractor, or as an employee of any employer other than an alarm system contractor in a building or facility owned or occupied by such employer.
 4. “Automatic dry-chemical extinguishing system” means a system supplying a powder composed of small particles, usually of sodium bicarbonate, potassium bicarbonate, urea-potassium-based bicarbonate, potassium chloride, or monoammonium phosphate, with added particulate material supplemented by special treatment to provide resistance to packing, resistance to moisture absorption, and the proper flow capabilities.
 5. “Automatic fire extinguishing system” means a system of devices and equipment that automatically detects a fire and discharges an approved fire extinguishing agent onto or in the area of a fire and includes automatic sprinkler systems, carbon dioxide extinguishing systems, deluge systems, automatic dry-chemical extinguishing systems, foam extinguishing systems, and halogenated extinguishing systems, or other equivalent fire extinguishing technologies recognized by the fire extinguishing system contractors advisory board.
 6. “Automatic sprinkler system” means an integrated fire protection sprinkler system usually activated by heat from a fire designed in accordance with fire protection engineering standards and includes a suitable water supply. The portion of the system above the ground is a network of specially sized or hydraulically designed piping installed in a structure or area, generally overhead, and to which automatic sprinklers are connected in a systematic pattern.
 7. “Carbon dioxide extinguishing system” means a system supplying carbon dioxide from a pressurized vessel through fixed pipes and nozzles and includes a manual or automatic actuating mechanism.
 8. “Deluge system” means a sprinkler system employing open sprinklers attached to a piping system connected to a water supply through a valve that is opened by the operation of a detection system installed in the same area as the sprinklers.
 9. “Fire extinguishing system contractor” means a person engaging in or representing oneself to the public as engaging in the activity or business of layout, installation, repair, alteration, addition, maintenance, or maintenance inspection of automatic fire extinguishing systems in this state.
 10. “Foam extinguishing system” means a special system discharging foam made from concentrates, either mechanically or chemically, over the area to be protected.
 11. “Halogenated extinguishing system” means a fire extinguishing system using one or more atoms of an element from the halogen chemical series of fluorine, chlorine, bromine, and iodine.
 12. “Maintenance inspection” means periodic inspection and certification completed by a fire extinguishing system contractor. For purposes of this chapter, “maintenance inspection” does not include an inspection completed by a local building official, fire inspector, or insurance inspector, when acting in an official capacity.
 13. “Responsible managing employee” means one of the following:

 a. An owner, partner, officer, or manager employed full-time by a fire extinguishing system contractor who is certified by the national institute for certification in engineering technologies at a level three in fire protection technology, automatic sprinkler system layout, or another certification in automatic sprinkler system layout recognized by rules adopted by the fire marshal pursuant to section 100C.7 or who meets any other criteria established by rule.
 b. An owner, partner, officer, or manager employed full-time by an alarm system contractor who is certified by the national institute for certification in engineering technologies in fire alarm systems or security systems at a level established by the fire marshal by rule or who meets any other criteria established by rule under this chapter. The rules may provide for separate endorsements for fire alarm systems, security alarm systems, and nurse call systems and may require separate qualifications for each.