(1) An individual employed by a Fire Protection System Contractor I or II who will be inspecting water based fire protection systems must be issued a permit by the State Fire Marshal in accordance with Florida Statutes § 633.318, to conduct such work.
    (2) The applicant for a Water-Based Fire Protection Inspector Permit shall submit an application on Form DFS-K3-1794, “”Application for Water-Based Fire Protection Inspector Permit,”” (effective: 5-18-08), incorporated herein by reference, and available from the Bureau of Fire Prevention, Regulatory Licensing Section, 200 East Gaines Street, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0342.
    (3) The application shall be accompanied by a fee as prescribed in subFlorida Statutes § 633.132(1)
    (4) The application shall be accompanied by two current full-face color passport size photographs, and a photocopy of the applicant’s driver’s license or identification card issued by the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. Each photograph shall have the name of the applicant printed legibly on the back of the photograph. Each application shall be accompanied by evidence that the applicant holds a NICET Level II certification in a subfield of Inspection and Testing of Water-Based Systems. As an alternative to holding a NICET Level II certification, the applicant may provide proof of equivalent education and training approved by the State Fire Marshal and meeting the criteria outlined in this rule.
    (5) Upon submission of a completed application, fee, and photographs, a permit and photo identification card will be issued to the applicant.
    (6) Permittees must have a valid and subsisting permit upon their persons at all times while engaging in the inspection, testing, and maintenance of fire protection systems. The permit must be produced upon demand. A permittee may perform only those services authorized under the Fire Protection System Contractor I or II employing such permittee.
    (7) A permit shall be valid solely for use by the holder thereof in his or her employment by the licensee under whose license the permit was issued. A permittee changing his or her employer or place of employment shall obtain a new permit under the license of the holder at the new place of employment. The licensee shall notify the Regulatory Licensing Section, in writing, of the termination of a permittee within fifteen days of the termination. A permit and photo identification card of an individual leaving the employment of a Fire Protection System Contractor I or II becomes void and inoperative on the date of termination, pursuant to Florida Statutes § 633.318
    (8) A Water-Based Fire Protection Inspector permittee must qualify and maintain a NICET Level II or equivalent certification in a subfield of Inspection and Testing of Water-Based Systems as a condition to renewal of the permit.
    (9) Courses and certifications equivalent to NICET certification shall be reviewed and approved by the State Fire Marshal. The State Fire Marshal shall approve any course or certification which meets the criteria provided in this rule. Requests for approval shall be submitted to the State Fire Marshal in writing to the address in subsection (2). All requests shall include, at a minimum:
    (a) Passage scores and rates;
    (b) An educational agenda;
    (c) Required number of classroom hours;
    (d) A work experience requirement and system of verification of that experience;
    (e) Description of the minimum standards covered;
    (f) Coverage of technical aspects;
    (g) Formulation of a test bank and sample exam.
    (10) Courses may include both NICET Level I and NICET Level II certification equivalents or may include only a NICET Level II certification equivalent.
    (11) Courses may be presented to the Florida Fire Safety Board for an advisory opinion as to the sufficiency of any equivalent course or certification.
Rulemaking Authority 633.104, 633.318(11) FS. Law Implemented 633.318(4), (8), (10), (11), 633.332(4) FS. History-New 5-18-08, Amended 9-25-12, 7-19-16.