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    v1.0.30
    OpenPayerPolicy UpdatesAdministrative/Operational PolicyIdaho Insurance Sprinkler Rules Update | OpenPayer
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    CurrentIdaho Department of InsurancePolicy N/A

    Fire Protection Sprinkler Contractors

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    Governs Idaho persons and organizations that sell, design, install, modify, repair, inspect, service, or maintain fire protection sprinkler systems, including licensing, qualification, bonding, insurance, plan approval, testing, inspection, fees, and enforcement.

    Policy Summary
    PayerIdaho Department of Insurance
    PolicyFire Protection Sprinkler Contractors
    Policy CodePolicy N/A
    Change TypeNo material change
    Effective DateN/A
    Next Review DateN/A
    Key ActionLicensed contractors must obtain approval of applicable plans from the State Fire Marshal and local fire department before work begins.
    SourceLink
    POLICY UPDATE CHANGES

    No material clinical or coverage changes in this revision.

    1 yearLicense validity
    $2,000License bond
    $250,000Liability minimum
    120 daysPlan approval period

    OpenPayer is powered by Trek Health's payer performance platform. Trek continuously ingests, validates, and normalizes Transparency in Coverage data alongside payer policies and other commercial payer data to create a structured payer intelligence foundation. OpenPayer uses this foundation to deliver personalized search results, dynamically generated policy pages, and tailored policy monitoring based on each user's payers, specialties, billing codes, and areas of interest. The same intelligence powers broader payer performance workflows, including reimbursement benchmarking, contract evaluation, payer negotiations, and financial decision-making.

    2 years
    Maximum suspension
    NFPASystem standard

    Applicability and Licensing Requirements

    Persons and Activities Subject to the Rule

    This rule applies to persons and organizations that undertake, offer, or represent that they can undertake fire protection sprinkler system work in Idaho.

    Persons and organizations within scope

    • Any person, individual, partnership, joint venture, corporation, combination thereof, association, business trust, or organized group of persons is subject to the rule when acting alone or through others.
    • The person or organization offers to undertake, represents themselves as being able to undertake, or undertakes contracting for the sale, design, installation, modification, alteration, repair, maintenance, or maintenance inspection of a fire protection sprinkler system or its appurtenances.
    • A fire protection sprinkler contractor is a person described above who contracts to install, repair, modify, or maintain fire sprinkler systems.

    Contractor Licensing Criteria

    A person within the rule’s scope must satisfy the contractor qualification, licensing, bonding, insurance, and business-location requirements before acting or advertising as a fire protection sprinkler contractor.

    Contractor licensing criteria

    • Applicant qualification pathway

      • ALL of the following

        • The applicant is an owner, officer, or manager of the company, corporation, partnership, or proprietorship.
        • The applicant satisfactorily passes an examination prescribed by the State Fire Marshal.
        • The applicant provides proof that they supervised or installed at least four fire sprinkler systems, each with more than 200 heads, including the name, description, and location of each system.

      • ALL of the following

        • The applicant is an owner, officer, or manager of the company, corporation, partnership, or proprietorship.

    System Installation and Operational Criteria

    Licensed contractors and persons supervising sprinkler systems must use approved equipment, comply with applicable standards, complete required testing and documentation, and obtain plan approvals before work begins.

    Installation and operational requirements

    • The State Fire Marshal may suspend or revoke a license for any cause prescribed by the rule and may refuse to grant a license for any cause that would support suspension or revocation.
    • No component or device of an automatic fire sprinkler system may be sold, leased, or installed in Idaho unless it is approved, labeled, or listed by Underwriters Laboratories, Underwriters Laboratories of Canada, Factory Mutual Laboratories, or another testing laboratory approved by the State Fire Marshal.
    • Only new standard commercial or other listed sprinklers may be used in a sprinkler system.
    • Automatic fire sprinkler systems installed in Idaho meet minimum NFPA standards.

    Standards, Licenses, and Fees

    Required fire sprinkler standardsmixed
    NFPA 13Applicable standard for automatic fire sprinkler system design and installation, including contractor material and test certification reference
    NFPA 25Inspection, testing, and maintenance standard referenced for responsible maintenance employee checklists
    Required documented system experience
    Qualification pathwayPass the State Fire Marshal’s examination and provide proof of the required system experience.
    Minimum systemsAt least four fire sprinkler systems.
    Minimum system sizeEach system must have more than 200 sprinkler heads.
    License validity
    Maximum validityNot longer than one year.
    Expiration dateDecember 31 of each year.
    Issuance month

    Contractor, Plan, and System Obligations

    Denial Risk

    Contractor License Required

    Do not act, represent yourself, or advertise as a fire protection sprinkler contractor without a license obtained under and in compliance with IDAPA 18.08.02.

    Prior Authorization

    Prior Approval Before Work Begins

    Obtain approval of sprinkler-system plans from both the State Fire Marshal and the local fire department before work begins. Work may begin from conceptual drawings only when both authorities approve that approach.

    • Submit the applicable plan-review fee with plans sent to the State Fire Marshal: $2 per sprinkler head for up to 1,000 heads, capped at $2,000, or $100 per system when fewer than 50 heads.
    • Two sprinkler heads on an arm-over count as one sprinkler head for fee purposes.

    Defined Terms

    Fire Protection Sprinkler System
    System typeAn integrated underground and overhead piping system designed under fire protection engineering standards.
    Water supplyConnected to a water supply, such as a gravity tank, fire pump, reservoir, pressure tank, or underground water-supply connection.
    System componentsIncludes a systematically arranged sprinkler network, a controlling valve, and an alarm-actuating device.
    Activation and dischargeUsually activated by heat from a fire and discharges water over the fire area.
    Fire Protection Sprinkler Contractor
    Covered person or entityA person or entity described in the rule’s persons-affected provision.
    Policy Summary
    PayerIdaho Department of Insurance
    PolicyFire Protection Sprinkler Contractors
    Policy CodePolicy N/A
    Change TypeNo material change
    Effective DateN/A
    Next Review DateN/A
    Key ActionLicensed contractors must obtain approval of applicable plans from the State Fire Marshal and local fire department before work begins.
    SourceLink
    On This Page
    Applicability and Licensing RequirementsStandards, Licenses, and FeesContractor, Plan, and System ObligationsDefined Terms
    The applicant provides proof of successful attainment of Level III Certification in fire protection, Automatic Sprinkler System Design, from the National Institute for Certification in Engineering Technologies or an equivalent certification.
  1. No person within the rule’s purview may act, assume to act, or advertise as a fire protection sprinkler contractor without the required license.
  2. Each branch office of a licensed firm doing business in Idaho obtains a branch office license.
  3. Each branch office license identifies a shop or vehicle as a place of business that is properly equipped and subject to inspection by the authority.
  4. A separate license is required for each business location; advertising installation or maintenance services is prima facie evidence that the premises or location is a separate business location.
  5. The contractor provides a license bond of at least $2,000 in favor of the State of Idaho through a surety company authorized to do business in Idaho.
  6. The license bond remains in full force until released by the State Fire Marshal or canceled by the surety; cancellation requires 30 days’ advance notice to both the contractor and the State Fire Marshal, without prejudice to previously incurred liability.
  7. Before license issuance, and at all times thereafter, the applicant obtains and maintains a full-term comprehensive general liability insurance policy from an insurer authorized to do business in Idaho, with aggregate limits of at least $250,000.
  8. Evidence of the required insurance is filed with the State Fire Marshal’s Office.
  9. License fees are deposited in the Arson, Fire, and Fraud Prevention Account under Section 41-268(d), Idaho Code.
    10. Partial installations prescribed for compliance with life-safety codes are approved by the local fire department or the State Fire Marshal.
  10. Where an automatic fire sprinkler system is installed, the installer completes the contractor’s material and test certificates, NFPA 13 1-10.1.
  11. Every system is under the supervision of a contractor or R.M.E.; the supervising person conducts proper tests and inspections at prescribed intervals and has general charge of alterations and additions to the supervised system.
  12. A service tag conforming to the requirements of the chapter is attached to every system.

  13. Plan submission and approval

    • A licensed contractor submits detailed plans in accordance with applicable NFPA standards to the local fire department and the State Fire Marshal for approval.
    • Specifications state that the installation conforms to the applicable standards listed in the rule and is approved by the local fire department and the State Fire Marshal.
    • Specifications include the specific tests needed to meet the standards for approval by the local fire department and the State Fire Marshal.
    • Plans are drawn to an indicated scale or suitably dimensioned and are prepared so they can be easily reproduced.
    • Plans contain sufficient detail to evaluate the effectiveness of the system.
    • Plans are submitted to and approved by the State Fire Marshal and local fire department before work starts.
    • Work may begin before final plans are submitted only when conceptual drawings have been approved by the local fire department and the State Fire Marshal.
    • The applicable plan-review fee accompanies plans sent to the State Fire Marshal: $2 per sprinkler head for systems of up to 1,000 heads, capped at $2,000; $100 per system when the system has fewer than 50 sprinkler heads; and two sprinkler heads on an arm-over count as one sprinkler head for fee purposes.

  14. Enforcement consequences and procedural protections

    • A license may be suspended or revoked for fraud, bad faith, misrepresentation, or bribery in securing the license or conducting business; failure to perform a contract with the property owner; manipulation of assets or accounts through fraud or bad faith; failure to display the license; failure to secure or maintain workers’ compensation insurance when not authorized to self-insure; knowingly contracting with an unregistered contractor for licensable work; a felony guilty plea or conviction; or violation of any provision of the rule.
    • A license suspension may not exceed two years.
    • A person whose license is revoked may not apply for a new license until two years after revocation.
    • When refusal to grant, revocation, or refusal to renew a license is proposed, the State Fire Marshal provides adequate notice and a hearing if requested; written notice is sent by registered or certified mail with return receipt requested at least 15 days before the hearing.
    15. The license expires on December 31 regardless of the month issued.
    Annual license renewal fee
    Annual renewal fee$100.
    Renewal periodA qualifying license may be renewed for an additional one-year period.
    Renewal conditionRenewal requires the prescribed application and fee, and the license must not have been suspended or revoked.
    Duplicate license fee
    Duplicate license fee$10.
    Issuance conditionA duplicate may be issued for a license that is lost, destroyed, or mutilated upon application.
    License markingThe duplicate is stamped “duplicate” and bears the same number as the replaced license.
    Branch office fee
    Branch office fee$100.
    Separate licensingA separate license is required for each business location.
    Location requirementsEach branch location must provide a properly equipped shop or vehicle subject to inspection.
    Minimum license bond
    Minimum bondAt least $2,000.
    Bond beneficiaryThe bond is in favor of the state of Idaho.
    Surety requirementThe bond must be issued by a surety company authorized to do business in Idaho.
    Minimum general liability aggregate
    Required policyA full-term comprehensive general liability insurance policy.
    Minimum aggregate limitAt least $250,000.
    Maintenance and filingThe policy must be obtained before license issuance, maintained at all times, and evidenced to the State Fire Marshal’s Office.
    Maximum license suspension
    Maximum suspensionTwo years.
    Enforcement actionA license may be suspended for violations identified under the rule.
    Hearing protectionWhen suspension or another adverse licensing action is proposed, the State Fire Marshal provides notice and a hearing if requested.
    Reapplication waiting period after revocation
    Waiting periodTwo years after revocation.
    Eligibility restrictionA person whose license is revoked is not eligible to apply for a new license until the waiting period expires.
    Applies toAny person whose license is revoked under the rule.
    Plan review fee for systems with 50 or more heads
    Per-head fee$2 per sprinkler head.
    Head limitThe fee applies to up to 1,000 sprinkler heads per system.
    System maximumThe maximum fee is $2,000 per fire protection sprinkler system.
    Plan review fee for smaller systems
    Small-system fee$100 per fire protection sprinkler system.
    Applicability thresholdApplies when the system has fewer than 50 sprinkler heads.
    Fee submissionThe applicable fee must accompany the plans sent to the State Fire Marshal.
    Documentation Required

    Contractor Qualification Requirements

    The contractor-license applicant must be an owner, officer, or manager of the company and must satisfy the examination and experience or certification requirements.

    • Pass the State Fire Marshal examination and provide proof of supervising or installing at least four fire sprinkler systems with more than 200 heads each, including each system’s name, description, and location; or
    • Provide proof of Level III Certification in fire protection, Automatic Sprinkler System Design, from NICET or an equivalent credential.
    Documentation Required

    License Number on Bids and Drawings

    Place the contractor’s license number on all written bids, proposals, and offers, as well as all shop and field installation drawings.

    Documentation Required

    Insurance Documentation and Maintenance

    Before a contractor license is issued, obtain and continuously maintain full-term comprehensive general liability insurance from an insurer authorized to do business in Idaho, with aggregate limits of at least $250,000. File evidence of the insurance with the State Fire Marshal’s Office.

    • Maintain the required insurance at all times during the license term.
    • A license bond of at least $2,000 may also be required in favor of the State of Idaho.
    Documentation Required

    Materials, Testing, and Supervision

    Use only approved, labeled, or listed automatic fire sprinkler components and devices, and use only new standard commercial or other listed sprinklers. Complete the required contractor’s material and test certificates and keep each system under the supervision of a contractor or R.M.E.

    • Approved testing laboratories include Underwriters Laboratories, Underwriters Laboratories of Canada, Factory Mutual Laboratories, or another laboratory approved by the State Fire Marshal.
    • The supervising contractor or R.M.E. must conduct proper tests and inspections at prescribed intervals and have general charge of alterations and additions under supervision.
    Denial Risk

    License Enforcement Risk

    A license may be revoked, suspended, or not renewed for misconduct, contract failures, insurance violations, failure to display the license, contracting with an unregistered contractor, felony conviction, or violation of the rule.

    • Grounds include fraud, bad faith, misrepresentation, bribery, failure to perform a contract, manipulation of assets or accounts, failure to maintain workers’ compensation insurance when required, and any rule violation.
    • A suspension may last up to two years; after revocation, the person may not apply for a new license for two years. A hearing is available when issuance, renewal, or continuation is proposed to be denied.
    Prior Authorization

    Submit and Obtain Sprinkler-Plan Approval

    For every automatic fire sprinkler installation, a licensed contractor must submit detailed plans to the local fire department and the State Fire Marshal and obtain approval before installation begins.

    • Plans must follow applicable NFPA standards, state the required standards and tests, be drawn to scale or suitably dimensioned, be reproducible, and contain enough detail to evaluate system effectiveness.
    • Specifications must identify the tests required for approval by the local fire department and the State Fire Marshal.
    Documentation Required

    Corrected Plans for Substantial Field Changes

    When field conditions require a substantial change from an approved plan, submit a corrected plan showing the system as installed to the local fire department and the State Fire Marshal for approval.

    Billing Rule

    Meet Minimum Sprinkler-System Standards

    Install automatic fire sprinkler systems to at least the minimum applicable NFPA standards. Partial installations used for life-safety-code compliance require approval by the local fire department or the State Fire Marshal.

    • Do not sell, lease, or install system components unless they are approved, labeled, or listed by an authorized or State Fire Marshal-approved testing laboratory.
    • Use only new standard commercial or other listed sprinklers.
    Documentation Required

    Maintain Supervision, Testing, Inspections, and Service Tags

    Maintain ongoing supervision, testing, inspections, alterations, and service-tag documentation for every sprinkler system. A compliant service tag must be attached to each system, and a new tag must be installed whenever work is performed.

    • The supervising contractor or R.M.E. must conduct tests and inspections at prescribed intervals and oversee alterations and additions.
    • Use the form prescribed by the State Fire Marshal. For electrically supervised control valves, attach the tag so the valve can be closed for testing without removing the tag; for non-electrically supervised valves, the tag serves as the valve seal.
    Prior Authorization

    Request a Local-Government Plan-Review Exemption

    A city or county may request a written exemption from State Fire Marshal plan review. The request must be signed by the fire chief, designated representative, or elected local official and explain the reasons for the request.

    • The State Fire Marshal must determine that the request is justified and issue written notice of exemption.
    • The exemption continues until terminated by the State Fire Marshal and does not apply to plans or inspections for structures owned, leased, or controlled by the state or a state agency.
    Documentation Required

    Qualify for and Obtain a Fitter License

    To obtain a fitter license, provide an affidavit signed by a licensed fire protection sprinkler contractor showing at least 1,000 hours of fitter work per year for three consecutive years, pass the State Fire Marshal’s written examination, and pay the required fees.

    • Examination fee: $25; original license fee: $50.
    • No examination will be taken and no license will be issued until the applicable fees are paid.
    Documentation Required

    Renew Fitter Licenses Annually

    Fitter licenses are valid for no more than one year and expire each December 31, regardless of the month issued. Renew an unsuspended and unrevoked license by paying the renewal fee and filing the State Fire Marshal’s prescribed renewal application.

    • Annual renewal fee: $25.
    • Renewal extends the license for one additional year from expiration.
    Contracting activitiesContracts to install, repair, modify, or maintain fire sprinkler systems.
    Regulated subjectThe definition applies to contractors working on fire sprinkler systems.
    Fitter
    RoleA person who installs and maintains fire sprinkler systems.
    SupervisionWorks under the supervision of a Fire Protection Sprinkler Contractor.
    Covered dutiesInstallation and maintenance of fire sprinkler systems.
    Responsible Maintenance Employee
    Employment relationshipA person employed by the owner of premises containing an installed fire sprinkler system.
    Inspection dutyRegularly inspects the fire sprinkler system.
    Maintenance dutyMaintains the system using the maintenance checklist provided by the State Fire Marshal.
    Checklist standardThe checklist follows NFPA 25 guidelines for inspection, testing, and maintenance of water-based fire protection systems.