Title 28. Insurance Part 1. Texas Department Of Insurance Chapter 34. State Fire Marshal Subchapter F. Fire Alarm Rules

TITLE 28. INSURANCE PART 1. TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF INSURANCE CHAPTER 34. STATE FIRE MARSHAL SUBCHAPTER F. FIRE ALARM RULES

1. 28 TAC § 34.613 (2008)


§ 34.613. Applications(a) Certificates of registration.

(1) Applications for certificates and branch office certificates must be submitted on forms provided by the state fire marshal and be accompanied by all fees, documents, and information required by the Insurance Code, Article 5.43-2, and the sections of this chapter. An application will not be deemed complete until all required forms, fees, and documents have been received in the State Fire Marshal's office.

(2) Applications must be signed by the sole proprietor, or by each partner of a partnership, or by an officer of a corporation. For applicants using an assumed name, the application must also be accompanied by evidence of compliance with the Assumed Business or Professional Name Act, Texas Business and Commerce Code, Chapter 36. The application must also include written authorization by the applicant permitting the state fire marshal or his representative to enter, examine, and inspect any premises, building, room, or establishment used by the applicant while engaged in the business to determine compliance with the provisions of the Insurance Code, Article 5.43-2, and the sections of this chapter.

(3) For corporations, the application must also include the name of each shareholder owning more than 25% of the shares issued by the corporation, the corporate taxpayer identification number, the charter number, a copy of the corporate charter of a Texas corporation, or, in the case of a foreign corporation, a copy of the Texas certificate of authority to do business, and a copy of the corporation's current franchise tax certificate of good standing issued by the State Comptroller's office.

(4) A registered firm must employ at least one full-time licensed individual at each location of a main or branch office.

(5) Insurance required.(A) The state fire marshal will not issue a certificate of registration under these sections unless the applicant files with the State Fire Marshal's office evidence of an acceptable general liability insurance policy.(B) Each registered firm must maintain in force and on file in the State Fire Marshal's office a certificate of insurance identifying the insured and the exact nature of the business insured. In identifying the named insured, the certificate of insurance must include either an assumed name or the name of the corporation, partners, if any, or sole proprietor, if applicable.

(6) A firm billing a customer for monitoring is engaged in the business of monitoring and must comply with the insurance requirements of this subchapter for a monitoring firm.

(7) Applicants for a certificate of registration who engage in monitoring must provide the specific business location(s) where monitoring will take place and the name and license number of the fire alarm licensee(s) at each business location. In addition, the applicants must provide evidence of listing or certification as a central station by a testing laboratory approved by the commissioner and a statement that the monitoring service is in compliance with adopted NFPA 72.

(8) Applicants for a certificate of registration--single station must provide a statement, signed by the sole proprietor, a partner of a partnership, or by an officer of the corporation, indicating that the firm exclusively engages in the business of planning, certifying, leasing, selling, servicing, installing, monitoring, or maintaining single station devices.(b) Fire alarm licenses.(1) In order to be complete, applications for a license from an employee or agent of a registered firm must be submitted on forms provided by the state fire marshal and be accompanied by all fees, documents, and information required by the Insurance Code, Article 5.43-2, and this subchapter. Applications must be signed by the applicant and by a person authorized to sign on behalf of the registered firm. All applicants for any type of license must successfully complete a qualifying test regarding Insurance Code, Article 5.43-2, and the Fire Alarm Rules as designated by the State Fire Marshal's Office.(2) Applicants for fire alarm technician licenses must:(A) furnish notification from NICET confirming the applicant's successful completion of the test requirements in work elements pertaining to fire alarm systems, as determined by the state fire marshal; or(B) successfully complete a technical qualifying test as designated by the State Fire Marshal's Office.(3) Applicants for a fire alarm monitoring technician license must successfully complete a technical qualifying test as designated by the State Fire Marshal's Office or provide evidence of current registration in Texas as a registered engineer.(4) Applicants for a residential fire alarm superintendent (single station) license must successfully complete a technical qualifying test as designated by the State Fire Marshal's Office.(5) Applicants for a residential fire alarm superintendent license must:(A) furnish notification from NICET confirming the applicant's successful completion of the test requirements in work elements pertaining to fire alarm systems, as determined by the state fire marshal; or(B) successfully complete a technical qualifying test as designated by the State Fire Marshal's Office.(6) Applications for a fire alarm planning superintendent license must be accompanied by one of the following documents as evidence of technical qualifications for a license:(A) proof of registration in Texas as a professional engineer; or(B) a copy of NICET's notification letter confirming the applicant's successful completion of the test requirements for NICET certification at Level III for fire alarm systems.