2007 Minnesota Statutes

CHAPTER 299M. FIRE PROTECTION INDUSTRY LICENSING

299M.01 DEFINITIONS.
    Subdivision 1. Scope. For the purposes of this chapter, the following terms have the
meanings given them in this section.
    Subd. 2. Apprentice sprinkler fitter. "Apprentice sprinkler fitter" means a person, other than
a fire protection contractor or journeyman sprinkler fitter, who is regularly engaged in learning the
trade under the direct supervision of a licensed fire protection contractor or journeyman sprinkler
fitter and is registered with a state or federal approval agency.
    Subd. 3. Commissioner. "Commissioner" means the commissioner of public safety.
    Subd. 4. Council. "Council" means the Minnesota Advisory Council on Fire Protection
Systems.
    Subd. 5. Department. "Department" means the Department of Public Safety.
    Subd. 6. Fire protection contractor. "Fire protection contractor" means a person who
contracts to sell, design, install, modify, alter, or inspect a fire protection system or its parts
or related equipment.
    Subd. 7. Fire protection system. "Fire protection system" means a sprinkler, standpipe,
hose system, or other special hazard system for fire protection purposes only, that is composed
of an integrated system of underground and overhead piping connected to a water source. "Fire
protection system" does not include the water service piping to a city water main, or piping used
for potable water purposes, or piping used for heating or cooling purposes. Openings from potable
water piping for fire protection systems must be made by persons properly licensed under section
326.40. Persons properly licensed under section 326.40 may also sell, design, install, modify or
inspect a standpipe, hose system only.
    Subd. 8. Journeyman sprinkler fitter. "Journeyman sprinkler fitter" means a person who is
certified as competent to engage in installing, connecting, altering, repairing, or adding to a fire
protection system for and under the supervision of a fire protection contractor.
    Subd. 8a. Multipurpose potable water piping system contractor. "Multipurpose potable
water piping system contractor" means a person who contracts to sell, design, install, modify, or
inspect a multipurpose potable water piping system, its parts, or related equipment.
    Subd. 8b. Multipurpose potable water piping system. "Multipurpose potable water
piping system" means a potable water piping system that is intended to serve both domestic and
fire protection needs throughout a one- or two-family dwelling unit. No person may install a
multipurpose potable water piping system unless that person is licensed pursuant to section
326.40 and is certified pursuant to section 299M.03.
    Subd. 8c. Multipurpose potable water piping system installer. "Multipurpose potable
water piping system installer" means a person who is certified as competent to engage in
installing, connecting, altering, repairing, or adding to a residential multipurpose potable water
piping system in a one- or two-family dwelling unit.
    Subd. 9. Municipality. "Municipality" means a town or statutory or home rule charter city.
History: 1992 c 508 s 1; 1998 c 367 art 11 s 10; 1Sp2003 c 2 art 4 s 14-16

299M.02 FIRE PROTECTION ADVISORY COUNCIL.
    Subdivision 1. Creation. The commissioner shall establish a Fire Protection Advisory
Council.
    Subd. 2. Membership. The council consists of the commissioner of public safety, or
the commissioner's designee, and eight members appointed for a term of three years by the
commissioner. Two members must be licensed fire protection contractors or full-time, managing
employees actively engaged in a licensed fire protection contractor business. Two members must
be journeyman sprinkler fitters certified as competent under this chapter. One member of the
council must be an active member of the Minnesota State Fire Chiefs Association. One member
must be an active member of the Fire Marshals Association of Minnesota. One member must be a
building official certified by the Department of Administration, who is professionally competent
in fire protection system inspection. One member must be a member of the general public. The
commissioner or designee is a nonvoting member.
    Subd. 3. Duties. The council shall advise the commissioner of public safety on matters
within the council's expertise or under the regulation of the commissioner.
History: 1992 c 508 s 2; 1998 c 367 art 11 s 11

299M.03 LICENSE OR CERTIFICATE REQUIRED.
    Subdivision 1. Contractor license. Except for residential installations by the owner of an
occupied one- or two-family dwelling, a person may not sell, design, install, modify, or inspect a
fire protection system, its parts, or related equipment, or offer to do so, unless annually licensed
to perform these duties as a fire protection contractor. No license is required under this section
for a person licensed as a professional engineer under section 326.03 who is competent in fire
protection system design or a person licensed as an alarm and communication contractor under
section 326.2421 for performing activities authorized by that license.
    Subd. 1a. Multipurpose potable water piping system contractor license. Except for
residential installations by the owner-occupant of a one- or two-family dwelling, a person may
not sell, design, install, modify, or inspect a multipurpose potable water piping system, its parts,
or related equipment, or offer to do so, unless annually licensed to perform these duties as a
multipurpose potable water piping system contractor. No license is required under this section
for a person licensed as a professional engineer under section 326.03 who is competent in fire
protection system design.
    Subd. 2. Journeyman certificate. Except for residential installations by the owner of an
occupied one- or two-family dwelling, a person may not install, connect, alter, repair, or add to a
fire protection system, under the supervision of a fire protection contractor, unless annually
certified to perform those duties as a journeyman sprinkler fitter or as a registered apprentice
sprinkler fitter. This subdivision does not apply to a person altering or repairing a fire protection
system if the system uses low pressure water and the system is located in a facility regulated
under the federal Mine Occupational Safety and Health Act.
    Subd. 3. Multipurpose potable water piping system installer certificate. Except for
residential installations by the owner-occupant of a one- or two-family dwelling, a person may
not install, connect, alter, repair, or add to a multipurpose potable water piping system, unless
annually certified to perform these duties as a multipurpose potable water piping system installer.
A multipurpose potable water piping system installer certificate only allows the certificate holder
to work on one- and two-family residential units.
    Subd. 4. Certification fee; annual appropriation. The state fire marshal shall charge $55
to conduct and administer the journeyman sprinkler fitter certification process. Money received
by the State Fire Marshal Division for the administration of this program must be deposited in
the state treasury and credited to a state fire marshal dedicated account in the special revenue
fund. All money in the state fire marshal account is annually appropriated to the commissioner
of public safety to administer this program.
History: 1992 c 508 s 3; 1995 c 265 art 2 s 27; 1998 c 367 art 11 s 12,13; 1Sp2003 c
2 art 4 s 17-19

299M.04 RULES, FEES, ORDERS, PENALTIES.
The commissioner shall adopt permanent rules for operation of the council; regulation
by municipalities; qualifications, examination, and licensing of fire protection contractors;
licensing of multipurpose potable water piping system contractors; certification of multipurpose
potable water piping system installers; certification of journeyman sprinkler fitters; registration
of apprentices; and the administration and enforcement of this chapter. Permit fees must be a
percentage of the total cost of the fire protection work.
The commissioner may issue a cease and desist order to cease an activity considered an
immediate risk to public health or public safety. The commissioner shall adopt permanent rules
governing when an order may be issued; how long the order is effective; notice requirements;
and other procedures and requirements necessary to implement, administer, and enforce the
provisions of this chapter.
The commissioner, in place of or in addition to licensing sanctions allowed under this
chapter, may impose a civil penalty not greater than $1,000 for each violation of this chapter
or rule adopted under this chapter, for each day of violation. The commissioner shall adopt
permanent rules governing and establishing procedures for implementation, administration,
and enforcement of this paragraph.
History: 1992 c 508 s 4; 1996 c 305 art 3 s 31; 1998 c 367 art 11 s 14; 1999 c 250 art 3 s
26; 1Sp2003 c 2 art 4 s 20

299M.05 [Repealed, 1998 c 367 art 11 s 27]

299M.06 REVOCATION, SUSPENSION, REFUSAL.
The commissioner may revoke, suspend, or refuse to issue or renew a license or certificate
issued under this chapter. Any person aggrieved by the commissioner's action may request a
hearing before the commissioner. The provisions of sections 14.57 to 14.69 apply to the hearing
and to any subsequent proceedings.
History: 1992 c 508 s 6

299M.07 MUNICIPAL REGULATION.
A municipality by ordinance may require payment of permit fees for competent inspection
of fire protection systems.
A municipality enacting an ordinance after July 1, 1992, shall notify the commissioner
of public safety.
A municipality may not require licensing, certification, registration, bonding, or insurance
that is in addition to the state requirements outlined under this chapter.
History: 1992 c 508 s 7

299M.08 MISDEMEANOR.
It is a misdemeanor for any person to intentionally commit or direct another person to
commit either of the following acts:
(1) to make a false statement in a license application, request for inspection, certificate, or
other form or statement authorized or required under this chapter; or
(2) to perform fire protection system work without a proper permit, when required, or
without a license or certificate for that work.
History: 1992 c 508 s 8; 1998 c 367 art 11 s 15

299M.09 AUTHORITY TO CONTRACT.
The commissioner may contract for services with local units of government.
History: 1992 c 508 s 9

299M.10 MONEY CREDITED TO GENERAL FUND.
The fees and penalties collected under this chapter, except as provided in section 299M.07,
must be deposited in the state treasury and credited to the general fund. Money received by the
State Fire Marshal Division in the form of gifts, grants, reimbursements, or appropriation from
any source for the administration of this chapter must also be deposited in the state treasury and
credited to the general fund.
History: 1992 c 508 s 10

299M.11 FEES.
    Subdivision 1. Licensing fee. A person required to be licensed under section 299M.03,
subdivision 1 or 1a, shall, before receipt of the license and before causing fire protection-related
work or multipurpose potable water piping system work to be performed, pay the commissioner
an annual license fee.
    Subd. 2. Certification fee. Employees required to be certified under section 299M.03,
subdivision 2 or 3, shall, before performing fire protection-related work or multipurpose potable
water piping system work, pay the commissioner an annual certification fee.
    Subd. 3. Registration fee. Employees required to be registered under section 299M.03,
subdivision 2 , shall, before performing fire protection-related work, pay the commissioner an
annual registration fee.
    Subd. 4. Surcharge fee. Before beginning fire protection-related work, a fire protection
contractor shall pay a project surcharge fee to the commissioner based on a percentage of the
total costs of the fire protection-related work.
    Subd. 5. Deposit of fees. Fees collected under this section must be deposited in the state
treasury and credited to the general fund.
History: 1992 c 508 s 11; 1Sp2003 c 2 art 4 s 21,22

299M.12 CONFLICTS OF LAWS.
This chapter is not intended to conflict with and does not supersede the State Building
Code or the State Fire Code.
History: 1992 c 508 s 12; 1998 c 367 art 11 s 16; 2005 c 136 art 9 s 14