Fire Extinguisher Service Regulations

The commissioner is responsible for establishing rules to ensure safety in the fire suppression industry.

Companies involved in installing or servicing fire extinguishers must register with the commissioner.

Individuals who install or service fire extinguishers must pass an exam and obtain a license.

The commissioner sets requirements for installing and servicing both portable and fixed fire systems.

The commissioner must set clear guidelines for the application and qualification process for various fire suppression licenses, permits, and certificates.

The commissioner may not create rules that restrict advertising or bids unless they are intended to prevent false, misleading, or deceptive practices.

Rules prohibiting false, misleading, or deceptive practices cannot restrict the use of specific advertising mediums, personal appearances, or specific ad parameters.

Companies can advertise their fire suppression services under a trade name, even with restrictions on misleading ads in place.

The process by which the Texas Department of Insurance evaluates a firm's qualifications to perform fire extinguisher installation, servicing, or testing.

A certificate authorizing a firm to operate in the business of installing or servicing portable or fixed fire extinguisher systems.

The approval granted to a testing laboratory that meets specific standards for fire extinguisher testing.

The process by which the Texas Department of Insurance issues certifications to qualified firms.

The process by which the Texas Department of Insurance issues licenses, apprentice permits, and authorizations to perform hydrostatic testing.

The fee that must be paid to the Texas Department of Insurance for an initial firm registration certificate.

The annual fee that must be paid to the Texas Department of Insurance to renew a firm registration certificate.

The annual fee that must be paid to the Texas Department of Insurance to renew an employee license.

A certificate that expires and renews on the same date as the main office's certificate.

The total change in ownership of a firm requires a new certificate of registration. This must be applied for 14 days before the change takes effect.

A partial change in ownership that affects the name, location, or mailing address requires a revised certificate.

Changes in a corporation's officers must be reported to the state fire marshal within 14 days. This change does not require a new or revised certificate.

A replacement certificate that can be obtained from the state fire marshal if the original certificate is lost or destroyed.

A certificate updated to reflect changes in the firm's name, location, or mailing address. It must be submitted within 14 days of the change.

A firm's certificate cannot be transferred to another firm, even temporarily.

Existing branch office certificates of registration will align their expiration and renewal dates to match the main office's certificate. Fees will be prorated accordingly.

Shop drawings for fire extinguisher systems must be signed by a licensed technician, including their license number, installation date, and the registered firm's certificate number.

A rubber stamp can be used to provide the required information on shop drawings, but a stamped signature is not allowed.

After a fixed fire extinguisher system is installed, an installation label must be attached to the control panel or head.

The label certifies the system was installed according to regulations and must include specific information like the firm's details, licensee signature, installation date, and manufacturer's manual details.

After installing, modifying, or adding to a fixed fire extinguisher system, a certificate of installation must be completed by the licensee in the format provided by the state fire marshal.

The initial cost for a Certificate of Registration, a document that allows businesses to operate in certain industries in Texas.

The fee charged for renewing a Certificate of Registration for two years.

Penalties assessed when a Certificate of Registration expires and is not renewed within 90 days, including a base fee and an additional fee for each branch office.

A higher penalty charged when a Certificate of Registration expires and is not renewed within two years, including a base fee and an additional fee for each branch office.

The initial fee for establishing a branch office of a registered business.

The fee to maintain a branch office for a period of two years.

The fee charged for the initial test required for certain licenses, if administered by the State Fire Marshal's Office.

The cost of retaking a test for a license if administered by the State Fire Marshal's Office.

Servicing kitchen hood fire extinguishing systems requires replacement of fusible links within one year of manufacture date. Each link must include a manufacturer's date stamp and the system service tag should include the manufacturer's year, temperature, and quantity of replaced links.

When replacing disposable actuation cartridges in a kitchen hood system, the date of replacement must be clearly marked on the new cartridge.

During portable fire extinguisher maintenance, a new tamper seal must be attached with the attachment year imprinted or embossed on the flag, not written with a marker.

New, remodeled, or relocated pre-engineered dry chemical fixed fire extinguishing systems must meet the minimum requirements of the second edition (1996) or a more recent edition of UL Standard 1254.

Installing or servicing a fixed fire extinguishing system that also involves parts of a fire alarm or detection system, or a fire sprinkler system (except for mechanical or pneumatic detection/actuation devices), requires satisfying the licensing requirements of Texas Insurance Code Chapters 6002 or 6003.

When a fixed fire extinguisher system for special hazards is installed, the company must provide shop drawings and hydraulic calculations to the building owner or their representative. They must also keep a copy of these documents for the life of the system.

Any changes or additions to an existing fixed fire extinguisher system require updated plans to be provided to the owner. The firm must also keep these updated plans for the life of the system.

When installing a fixed extinguisher system for special hazards, a set of shop drawings and hydraulic calculations detailing system piping, calculations, and alarm configurations must be provided to the building owner or their representative upon completion.