(225 ILCS 317/17)

Sec. 17. Fire sprinkler inspector license; application; minimum qualifications for routine inspection or testing.

(a) Any individual who performs routine inspection or testing of any fire sprinkler system under this Act shall: (i) be employed by a licensed fire sprinkler contractor; and (ii) meet the minimum qualifications of this Section except where the individual is exempted by subsection (c).

Beginning January 1, 2024, any individual who performs routine inspection or testing of any fire sprinkler system under this Act shall be individually licensed and possess on his or her person a fire sprinkler inspector license including a photo identification issued by the Office.

A person applying for an initial fire sprinkler inspector license or renewing a fire sprinkler inspector license shall demonstrate to the Office proof of minimum qualifications as required by subsection (b) of this Section, except where the individual is exempted by subsection (c).

(b) Any individual who performs routine inspection or testing of any fire sprinkler system under this Act shall possess proof of:

(1) current certification by a nationally recognized certification organization, such as NICET certification in Inspection and Testing of Water Based Systems, at an appropriate level, or the equivalent; on or after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 102nd General assembly through December 31, 2022, an appropriate level in NICET certification in Inspection and Testing of Water Based Systems shall be level II; on and after January 1, 2023, an appropriate level in NICET certification in Inspection and Testing of Water Based Systems shall be level III;

(2) current ASSE 15010 certification in inspection, testing, and maintenance for water-based fire protection systems by the American Society of Sanitary Engineering; or

(3) satisfactory completion of a certified sprinkler fitter apprenticeship program approved by the U.S. Department of Labor.

(c) The following are exemptions to the licensing requirements of this Section:

(1) State employees who perform routine inspection or testing on behalf of State institutions and who meet the requirements of subsection (b) need not be licensed under this Section or employed by a fire sprinkler contractor under this Act in order to perform routine inspection or testing duties while engaged in the performance of their official duties.

(2) The requirements of this Section do not apply to individuals performing inspection or testing of fire sprinkler systems on behalf of a municipality, a county, a fire department, a fire protection district, or the Office while engaged in the performance of their official duties.

(3) The requirements of this Section do not apply to a stationary engineer, operating engineer, or other individual employed on a full-time basis by the facility owner or owner's representative performing weekly and monthly inspections and tests in accordance with applicable standards adopted under the rules.

(d) Each fire sprinkler inspector shall be subject to the requirements for license renewal and continuing education under Section 35.

(Source: P.A. 102-612, eff. 8-27-21.)