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            As used in this Subpart, the following terms have the meanings specified in this Section:

            (1) “ANSI” means the American National Standards Institute.

            (2) “Apprentice” means a person who is licensed to work under the direct supervision and accompaniment of a technician who is licensed to the same firm and holding a valid license to perform the same acts.

            (3) “ASCE” means the American Society of Civil Engineers.

            (4) “ASME” means the American Society of Mechanical Engineers.

            (5) “Bank-locking specialist” means an individual licensed to certify, inspect, install, integrate, sell, and service mechanical or electronic locks within the confines of a bank, credit union, or other financial institution.

            (6) “Bank-locking system” means locking systems and equipment within a financial institution. The term includes but is not limited to safes, vaults, time locks, safety deposit box locks, combination and electronic locks, key operated locks, teller under counter equipment, master key systems, interchangeable cores, cash dispensers, drive-up systems, money tubes, and other commercial bank furnishings. The scope of work includes selling, installing, and servicing these systems and equipment. Bank-locking systems are a subclassification of locksmith. The term does not include special locking or security systems and equipment as defined in this Subpart.

            (7) “Board” means the Louisiana Life Safety and Property Protection Education Board.

            (8) “Builders’ hardware” or ” architectural hardware” or “door hardware” means stand alone electro/mechanical locks, latches, exit hardware, closures, and hinges mounted onto doors intended to operate and secure the door properly. The term does not include special locking systems.

            (9) “Certify” means to attest to the proper functionality, inspection, installation, integration, programming, and service of life safety and property protection systems and equipment in accordance with all applicable engineered specifications, manufacturer specifications, and submitted plans and per the inspection, testing and maintenance chapters as set forth in the applicable NFPA, ASME, ANSI, and ASCE codes, standards, and manufacturer specifications.

            (10) “Closed circuit television alarm specialist” means an individual licensed to certify, inspect, install, integrate, sell, and service closed circuit television alarm systems.

            (11) “Closed circuit television alarm system” means a system that provides video surveillance of events, primarily by means of transmission, recording, or transmission and recording of visual signals through the use of cameras, receivers, monitors, computer, and other visual imaging systems. Closed circuit television alarm systems are a subclassification of security.

            (12) “Conveyance” or “conveyance device” means any of the following, except those located in one- or two-family dwellings as defined in La. Rev. Stat. 40:1573:

            (a) Hoisting and lowering mechanisms, including elevators, platform lifts, and stairway chair lifts equipped with a car or platform, which move between two or more landings.

            (b) Power-driven stairways and walkways, including escalators and moving walks, for carrying persons between landings.

            (c) Hoisting and lowering mechanisms, including dumbwaiters and material lifts with dumbwaiters with automatic transfer devices equipped with a car, and which serve two or more landings, and are restricted to the carrying of material by their limited size or limited access.

            (13) “Conveyance device inspector” means any person engaged in the certification or inspection of a conveyance device.

            (14) “Conveyance device mechanic” means any person engaged in the erecting, constructing, installing, altering, servicing, dismantling, maintaining, or testing of a conveyance device. 

            (15) “Designated agent” means an owner or a manager of an alarm contracting company or single station fire alarm contracting company, a locksmithing services company, or closed circuit television alarm system contracting company who has been assigned the responsibility of submitting any notice required by this Subpart to the state fire marshal.

            (16) “Detention locking specialist” means an individual licensed to certify, inspect, install, integrate, and service locks and locking systems within the confines of a penal institution only.

            (17) “Detention locking system” means locking systems and equipment within a penal institution. The term includes but is not limited to doors, frames, high security locking, and commercial locking systems. The term also includes locks of various types including pin tumbler-standard and mogul types, lever and wafer tumbler mechanical locks, electromechanical, full electronic, and pneumatic controlled locks. Detention locking systems are a subclassification of locksmith. The term does not include special locking, security, or closed circuit television alarm systems and equipment as defined in this Subpart.

            (18) “Direct supervision” means oversight of a firm’s operations by a qualifier or onsite supervision by a licensed technician or specialist of an apprentice or consultant. The technician or specialist can supervise an apprentice or consultant only in areas he is licensed to perform. Both the technician and apprentice must be licensed to the same firm.

            (19) “Door hardware specialist” means an individual who consults and provides technical advice regarding builders’ hardware, architectural hardware, or door hardware.

            (20) “DOT” means the United States Department of Transportation.

            (21) “DOT hydrostatic testing” means pressure testing fire protection cylinders by approved hydrostatic methods and in accordance with NFPA codes and the U.S. Department of Transportation.

            (22) “DOT hydrostatic testing specialist” means an individual licensed to certify, inspect, and service fire protection cylinders by approved hydrostatic methods and in accordance with NFPA codes and the United States Department of Transportation.

            (23) “Employee” means a person who performs services for wages or salary and receives a W-2 tax form from his employer.

            (24) “Engineered fire suppression system” means fire suppression systems individually integrated or altered in accordance with nationally recognized fire protection system design standards and manufacturer’s guidelines.

            (25) “False alarm” means a security alarm signal eliciting a response by police when a situation requiring such a response does not exist, including but not limited to the activation or transmission of any alarm signal caused by human error, mechanical or electronic malfunction, negligence of the alarm system user or user’s agent or employee, whether or not the exact cause of the alarm activation is determined, or any other activation or transmission of any alarm signal where no actual police emergency exists.

            (26) “Fire detection and alarm systems” means those assemblies of wiring, electronic transmitting devices, detection devices, and related equipment for the detection of products of combustion or flammable gases, heat and for alerting occupants, including fire department personnel, of a fire emergency.

            (27) “Fire detection and alarm system owner specialist” means an individual who is employed by the owner of a fire detection and alarm system and who is licensed only to perform routine inspection and minor service and repair of fire detection and alarm systems within his employer facilities.

            (28) “Fire detection and alarm system specialist” means an individual licensed to certify, inspect, install, integrate, and service nonrequired fire detection and alarm systems.

            (29) “Fire detection and alarm system technician” means an individual licensed to certify, inspect, install, integrate, and service both required and nonrequired fire detection and alarm systems.

            (30) “Fire hose” means a flexible conduit used to convey water.

            (31) “Fire protection systems and equipment” means those life safety and property loss systems, whether commercial or residential, intended to protect a structure’s occupants or property from the risk and dangers of fire or explosion. Fire protection systems and equipment include but are not limited to portable fire extinguishers, fire detection and alarm systems, fire suppression systems, fire hoses, kitchen hood, and duct installation and cleaning. However, the term “fire protection system and equipment” shall not include a single station smoke or heat detector installed in a private residence by a fire department, the state fire marshal, a public agency, a volunteer association, or their designated representatives where no compensation is received for such installation.

            (32) “Fire sprinkler systems and equipment” means those life safety systems intended to protect a structure’s occupants or property from the risk and dangers of fire or explosion. Fire sprinkler systems and equipment include but are not limited to water-based fire protection systems, fire pumps, standpipe systems, and hose stations.

            (33) “Fire sprinkler systems and equipment inspector” means an individual licensed to certify and inspect water-based fire protection systems, fire pumps, standpipe systems, fire hoses, and hose stations.

            (34) “Firm” means a sole proprietorship, partnership, corporation, limited liability company, or any other entity.

            (35) “Firm license” means that document authorizing a firm to perform life safety and property protection contracting for those endorsements held.

            (36) “Fixed fire suppression systems” means those assemblies of piping, conduits, or containers that convey liquid, powder, or gases to dispersal openings or devices protecting one or more hazards by suppressing or extinguishing fires, but shall not include fire sprinkler systems, as defined in this Subpart.

            (37) “Fixed fire suppression systems technician” means an individual licensed to certify, inspect, install, integrate, and service fixed fire suppression systems.

            (38) “General endorsement” means a broad category of license authorizing its holder to perform multiple aspects of life safety and property protection contracting.

            (39) “Household fire warning system” means a fire alarm, fire alarm system, or portion of such an alarm or system intended to detect or warn of smoke or fire and intended for use in a residential one- or two-family dwelling or wholly within the confines of an individual living unit in a residential multifamily structure. Household fire warning systems are a subclassification of security.

            (40) “Household fire warning system specialist” means an individual licensed to certify, inspect, install, integrate, and service household fire warning systems.

            (41) “Individual license” means that document authorizing an individual to perform life safety and property protection contracting for those endorsements held.

            (42) “Inspect” means a visual examination of life safety and property protection systems or equipment to verify that it appears to be in operating condition and is free of physical damage.

            (43) “Install” means the initial placement of life safety and property protection systems or equipment or an extension of such after initial placement.

            (44) “Integrate” means the act of utilizing accepted and approved life safety and property protection systems or equipment and components in accordance with manufacturers’ direction to develop a unified and functioning system meeting applicable NFPA codes and standards.

            (45) “Intrusion alarm” or “intrusion alarm system” means an alarm, alarm system, or portion of such an alarm or system intended to detect an unauthorized entry or other emergency, not including a fire, in a structure.

            (46) “Kitchen suppression specialist” means an individual licensed to certify, inspect, install, integrate, and service pre-engineered fire suppression systems protecting kitchen appliances.

            (47)(a) “Life safety and property protection contracting” means performing certification, inspection, installation, integration, programming, sale, or service of systems and equipment designed to protect life and property. Life safety and property protection systems and equipment include but are not limited to mechanical or electronic locks, special locking systems and equipment, security systems and equipment, fire sprinkler systems and equipment, fire detection and alarm systems and equipment, fire suppression systems and equipment, portable fire extinguishers, fire hoses, and conveyance devices. Life safety and property protection contracting includes but is not limited to the sale, lease, rent, planning with the intent to prewire, prewiring, hydrostatic testing, erection, construction, dismantling, maintenance, repair, testing, modification, improvement, or alteration of life safety systems and equipment, holding oneself or one’s firm out for hire to perform any such task, or otherwise offering to perform any such task for compensation, either directly or indirectly.             (b) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Subpart, a person licensed as provided in this Subpart shall not install primary power sources of one hundred volts or greater when such power source is being installed to operate low voltage systems, unless the person is licensed by the State Licensing Board for Contractors to perform such installations.

            (48) “Locksmith technician” means an individual who sells, repairs, rebuilds, recodes, services, adjusts, installs, manipulates, or bypasses a special locking system, mechanical locking device or electronic locking devices for controlled access or egress to premises, safes, vaults, safe doors, lock boxes, automatic teller machines, or other devices for safeguarding areas or certifies, inspects, installs, integrates, sells and services closed circuit television alarm systems.

            (49) “Mechanical locks” means a mechanical device or door hardware intended to control access or egress to or from a structure or area.

            (50) “NFPA” means the National Fire Protection Association.

            (51) “Officer” means the president, vice president, secretary, treasurer, comptroller, or any other person who performs functions for a life safety and property protection contracting firm corresponding to those performed by those officers.

            (52) “Operating location” means a physical address that houses an entity that performs life safety and property protection contracting. All business records including but not limited to payroll records, sales invoices, inspection reports, and service records shall be maintained at the operating location. The operating location shall be open during normal business hours for the inspection of records. The use of a storage facility, telephone answering service, or post office box shall not constitute a location for purposes of this Subpart.

            (53) “Person” means a natural person or individual.

            (54) “Portable fire extinguisher” means any portable device that contains liquid, powder, or gases for suppressing or extinguishing fires.

            (55) “Portable fire extinguisher and fire hose technician” means an individual licensed to certify, inspect, install, and service portable fire extinguishers and fire hoses.

            (56) “Pre-engineered fire suppression specialist” means an individual licensed to certify, inspect, install, integrate, and service pre-engineered fire suppression systems.

            (57) “Pre-engineered fire suppression system” means packaged fire suppression systems which consist of system components intended to be installed according to pre-tested limitations as approved or listed by a testing laboratory.

            (58) “Principal” means a person or entity that has a controlling interest of a life safety and property protection firm regardless of the form of organization. “Principal” includes a person or entity entitled to exercise the prerogatives or indicia of ownership or control of a property protection firm whether by direct action, assignment, or any other kind of substitution or subrogation.

            (59) “Property protection systems and equipment” means those life safety and property protection systems intended to protect lives and property from the risk of theft, unauthorized entry, or other physical harm to a structure’s occupants or property. Property protection systems and equipment include, but are not limited to intrusion alarms, closed circuit television, mechanical locks, and electronic locks.

            (60) “Qualifier” means a person who possesses the appropriate training or experience credentials enabling a firm to obtain a life safety and property protection license. A qualifier shall be a paid employee of the firm for which he qualifies and works a minimum of thirty-two hours per week. A qualifier shall be actively involved in overseeing the life safety and property protection contracting for the firm for which he qualifies. An individual may only qualify one firm.

            (61) “Security sales specialist” means an individual licensed to sell or specify security systems and equipment.

            (62) “Security systems and equipment” means those life safety and property protection systems intended to protect lives and property from the risk of theft, unauthorized entry, or other physical harm to a structure’s occupants or property. Security systems and equipment include but are not limited to intrusion alarms, closed circuit television, household fire alarm, and special locking systems.

            (63) “Security technician” means an individual licensed to certify, inspect, install, integrate, sell, and service security systems and equipment or special locking systems.

            (64) “Sell” means to solicit another on behalf of a property protection firm by any means, including but not limited to telephone or electronic device, public notice or advertisement, door-to-door or any other type of personal interaction. The term includes designing property protection systems.

            (65) “Service” means to repair or maintain.

            (66) “Specialist” means an individual who is trained and certified to perform life safety and property protection contracting within a specific limited endorsement.

            (67) “Special locking specialist” means an individual who certifies, designs, inspects, installs, integrates, sells, or services a special locking system protecting a controlled access area or egress to premises.

            (68) “Special locking systems” means an electro-mechanical lock, electronic lock, or electronic locking arrangement intended to control access or egress to a structure or area.

            (69) “Specialty endorsement” means a narrow category of license authorizing its holder to perform only one aspect of life safety and property protection contracting.

            (70) “State fire marshal” means the Department of Public Safety and Corrections, office of state fire marshal, code enforcement and building safety, and its authorized representatives empowered to enforce the provisions of this Subpart.

            (71) “Technical endorsement” means a broad category of license authorizing its holder to perform multiple aspects of life safety and property protection contracting within a certain endorsement.

            (72) “Technician” means an individual who is trained and certified to perform life safety and property protection contracting within a technical endorsement.

            Acts 2006, No. 307, §2, eff. Jan. 1, 2007; Acts 2010, No. 984, §§1, 2; Acts 2018, No. 598, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2019; Acts 2020, No. 339, §1, eff. June 13, 2020.