HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES STAFF ANALYSIS
BILL #: CS/CS/HB 669 Alarm Systems
SPONSOR(S): Commerce Committee, Regulatory Reform Subcommittee, Maggard
TIED BILLS: IDEN./SIM. BILLS: SB 1140
REFERENCE ACTION ANALYST STAFF DIRECTOR or
BUDGET/POLICY CHIEF
1) Regulatory Reform Subcommittee 17 Y, 0 N, As CS Brackett Anstead
2) Commerce Committee 17 Y, 0 N, As CS Brackett Hamon
SUMMARY ANALYSIS
Electrical contractors and alarm system contractors are certified by or registered with the Electrical
Contractors’ Licensing Board (ECLB) housed within the Department of Business and Professional Regulation.
An “alarm system” is defined as “any electrical device, signaling device, or combination of electrical devices
used to signal or detect a burglary, fire, robbery, or medical emergency.”
A fire alarm system agent is a person who is employed by a licensed fire alarm contractor or certified electrical
contractor, and performs duties that requires licensure as a fire alarm system contractor or certified electrical
contractor. A fire alarm system agent must have an identification card that must be renewed every two years.
A “low-voltage alarm system project” is a project related to work on a new or existing alarm system that is
hardwired and operating at low voltage or a new or existing low-voltage electric fence, and ancillary
components or equipment attached to such system or fence. Instead of needing a permit to work on a low-
voltage alarm system project, licensed electrical contractors and alarm system contractors need a uniform
basic permit label, which does not require building plans and can be purchased in bulk.
The bill:
Reduces the training to become a fire alarm system agent and the training to renew a identification
card, if the person or agent has a certain fire alarm system certification from the National Institute of
Certification in Engineering Technologies or the Electronic Security Association.
Clarifies that low-voltage alarm system project includes video cameras and closed-circuit television
systems used to signal or detect a burglary, fire, robbery, or medical emergency.
Provides that a local building department may not require a licensed electrical or alarm system
contractor to provide plans in order to obtain a building permit for a “fire alarm system project.”
o A local building department may require a licensed electrical or alarm system contractor to
submit a completed permit application and payment in order to obtain such permit.
Defines “fire alarm system project” as:
o A fire alarm system alteration of a total of 20 or fewer initiating and notification devices; or
o The installation or replacement of a fire communicator connected to an existing fire alarm
control panel in an existing commercial, residential, apartment, cooperative, or condominium
building.
Requires a building department that issues a permit for a fire alarm system project to require at
least one inspection to ensure the work complies with the applicable codes.
Requires an electrical contractor or alarm system contractor to keep plans for a fire alarm system
project at the worksite and available for the inspector.
The bill does not appear to have a fiscal impact on state and local governments.
The bill provides for an effective date of July 1, 2022.
This docum ent does not reflect the intent or official position of the bill sponsor or House of Representatives .
STORAGE NAME: h0669c.COM
DATE: 1/25/2022
FULL ANALYSIS
I. SUBSTANTIVE ANALYSIS
A. EFFECT OF PROPOSED CHANGES:
Electrical and Alarm System Contractors – Current Situation
Contractors are regulated by ch. 489, F.S., which outlines the law pertaining to contractors in the state
of Florida. Part I of ch. 489, F.S., covers contracting regulated by the Construction Industry Licensing
Board (CILB) and pt. II of ch. 489, F.S., covers contracting regulated by the Electrical Contractors’
Licensing Board (ECLB). Both boards are housed in the Department of Business and Professional
Regulation (DBPR).
Electrical contractors, alarm system contractors, and electrical specialty contractors are certified by or
registered with the ECLB. Certified contractors can practice statewide and are licensed and regulated
by ECLB. Registered contractors are licensed and regulated by a local jurisdiction and may practice
within that locality.1
Electrical contractors may work on electrical wiring, fixtures, appliances, apparatus, raceways, and
conduits which generate, transmit, transform, or utilize electrical energy in any form. 2
Alarm system contractors may lay out, fabricate, install, maintain, alter, repair, monitor, inspect,
replace, or service alarm systems. An “alarm system” is defined as “any electrical device, signaling
device, or combination of electrical devices used to signal or detect a burglary, fire, robbery, or medical
emergency.”3
There are two types of alarm system contractors:4
Alarm system contractor I:
o An alarm system contractor I is a contractor whose business includes all types of alarm
systems for all purposes, including fire alarms.
Alarm system contractor II:
o An alarm system contractor II is a contractor whose business includes all types of alarm
systems for all purposes, except fire alarms.
Electrical certified specialty contractors are contractors whose scope of work is limited to a particular
phase of electrical contracting, such as electrical signs. Certified electrical specialty contractors can
practice statewide. The ECLB creates electrical certified specialty contractor licenses through
rulemaking, and has created the following certified specialty contractor licenses: 5
Lighting maintenance specialty contractor;
Sign specialty electrical contractor;
Residential electrical contractor;
Limited energy systems specialty contractor; and
Utility line electrical contractor.
The scope of work for certified electrical contractors includes any work that an alarm system
contractor is able to perform.6
1 See generally s. 489.505, F.S.
2 Ss. 489.505(12) & 489.537(7), F.S.
3 S. 489.505(1)-(2), F.S.
4 S. 489.505(2)(a) and (b), F.S.; Email from Conner Mann, Legislative Affairs Coordinator, Department of Business and
Professional Regulation, RE: Alarm System Contractors (Jan. 4, 2022).
5 S. 489.505(19), & 489.511(4), F.S; Rule 61G6-7.001, F.A.C.
6 S. 489.537(7), F.S.
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Registered electrical contractors may install raceways for alarm systems.7 They may also bid on
electrical contracts, which include alarm systems as part of the contract, but they must subcontract the
work on such alarm systems to an alarm system contractor. 8
Fire Alarm System Agents
A “fire alarm system agent” is a person:9
Who is employed by a licensed fire alarm contractor or certified electrical contractor;
Who is performing duties which are an element of an activity that constitutes fire alarm system
contracting requiring licensure as an alarm contractor or certified electrical contractor; and
Whose specific duties include any of the following: altering, installing, maintaining, moving,
repairing, replacing, servicing, selling, or monitoring a fire alarm system for compensation.
In order to be a fire alarm system agent, a person must:10
Be at least 18 years of age or have evidence of a court-approved declaration of emancipation;
Have not been convicted within the last 3 years of a crime that directly relates to the business
for which employment is being sought.
o A certified electrical contractor or licensed fire alarm contractor must obtain a completed
fingerprint and criminal background check from the Department of Law Enforcement
(DLE) for each applicant for employment as a fire alarm system agent.
Have not been committed for controlled substance abuse or been found guilty of a crime related
to controlled substances within the 3-year period immediately preceding the date of application
for employment, unless the person establishes that he or she is not currently abusing any
controlled substance and has successfully completed a rehabilitation course.
Have completed a minimum of 14 hours of training from an ECLB approved provider.
o The training must include basic fire alarm system technology in addition to related
training in National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) codes and standards and access
control training, with at least 2 hours of training in the prevention of false alarms.
A person is not required to complete the required training to be a fire alarm system agent if they are:
A certified electrical contractor;
A registered electrical contractor who is doing electrical work up to the alarm panel;
A certified or registered fire alarm system contractor;
A journeyman electrician licensed by a local government;
An alarm technician licensed by a local government that requires an examination and
experience/training as a qualification for licensure;
A non-supervising employee working as a helper or apprentice under direct, onsite, supervision
by one of the above licensed individuals;
A burglar alarm system agent employed by a fire alarm system contractor or certified electrical
contractor; or
Only monitoring a fire alarm.
7 A “raceway” is an enclosed channel designed to hold wires, cables, or busbars. Mike Holt, Understanding Raceways,
EC&M (Feb. 13, 2018) https://www.ecmweb.com/national-electrical-code/code-basics/article/20903368/understanding -
raceways#:~:text=The%20NEC%20defines%20a%20raceway,permitted%20in%20t his%20Code%20% 5BArt . (last visited
Jan. 4, 2022).
8 S. 489.537(2)(b), F.S.
9 S. 489.505(28), F.S.
10 S. 489.5185(1), F.S.
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A certified electrical contractor or licensed fire alarm contractor must furnish each of his or her fire
alarm system agents with an identification card. A fire alarm system agent must have their identification
card in their possession while engaged in fire alarm system agent duties. 11
The card shall must be in a format approved by the ECLB, and must include: 12
a picture of the agent;
the name of the agent;
the name and license number of the certified unlimited electrical contractor or licensed fire alarm
contractor;
name and address of the business organization; and
the signature of the contractor and the agent.
Each identification card is valid for 2 years after the date of issuance, and must be renewed every 2
years. In order to renew an identification card a fire alarm system agent must: 13
Have an updated criminal background check from DLE.
Complete 6 hours of continuing education on fire alarm system installation and repair and
false alarm prevention every 2 years from an ECLB approved sponsor and training course.
National Institute of Certification in Engineering Technologies (NICET)
NICET is an organization that was established in 1961 to create certification for engineering technicians
and technologists. According to NICET’s website, over 148,000 technicians and technologists have
received NICET certification.14
Currently, NICET offers engineering technician certification in the following fire protections areas: 15
Fire alarm systems;
Inspection and testing of fire alarm systems;
Inspection and testing of water-based systems;
Special hazards systems; and
Water-based systems layout.
Currently, there are four levels of fire alarm system certification with Level I being the lowest and Level
IV being the highest, and there are two levels of inspection and testing of fire alarm systems with Level
I being the lowest and Level II being the highest.
In order to obtain a Level II fire alarm certification, a person must: 16
Pass an exam; and
Have at least 2 years of fire detection and signaling systems experience, which must include at
least 12 months of fire alarm systems experience, including alarm and detection, notification,
sprinkler monitoring, and interfaces and controls for agent releasing.
11 S. 489.5185(4), F.S.
12 S. 489.5185(4), F.S.; R. 61G6-12.003, F.A.C.
13 S. 489.5185(4) and (5), F.S.
14 NICET, About Us, https://www.nicet.org/about-us/ (last visited Dec. 30, 2021).
15 NICET, Certification Programs, https://www.nicet.org/certification-programs/ (last visited Dec. 30, 2021).
16 NICET, Certification Requirements, https://www.nicet.org/certification-programs/electrical-and-mechanical -systems/fire-
alarm-systems/certification-requirements/ (last visited on Dec. 30, 2021).
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In order to obtain a Level II inspection and testing of fire alarm systems certification, a person must:17
Pass an exam; and
Have at least 18 months of experience in the inspection and testing of fire alarm and
suppression systems.
NICET certifications must be recertified every three years. Recertification is completed by upgrading a
certification or completing at least two of the following:18
Performing the associated technical tasks of the certification practice area as part of a person’s
main job;
Completing additional education;
Performing activities that advance the profession such as being a course instructor or serving
on a committee;
Working towards upgrading a certification or obtaining an additional NICET certification in a
related area; or
Passing a special recertification exam.
Electronic Security Association (ESA)
ESA is an organization that was established in 1948 to represent the electronic security and life safety
industry. According to ESA’s website, they are the largest trade association in the U.S., with more than
500,000 industry professionals employed by ESA member companies. 19
Currently, ESA offers certification in the following fire protection areas:20
Certified Alarm Technician Level I;
Certified Fire Alarm Technician Level II Fire;
Certified Fire Alarm Designer Level III Fire; and
Certified Residential Fire Alarm Inspector.
In order to obtain certification as a Fire Alarm Technician Level II, a person must:21
Be certified as an ESA Alarm Technician Level I;
Have 24 months of work history or have been certified as an ESA Alarm Technician Level I for
24 months or more; and
Have completed the following two courses within the previous five years:
o Fire Alarm Installation Methods course and pass the examination.
o Life Safety Code course or International Building Code course and pass examination.
In order to obtain certification as a Fire Alarm Designer Technician Level III, a person must:22
Be certified as an ESA Fire Alarm Technician Level II;
Have 60 months of work history in the field of fire alarms;
Have a personal recommendation; and
Have completed the Fire Alarm Designer course and pass the examination.
17 NICET, Certification Requirements, https://www.nicet.org/certification-programs/electrical-and-mechanical -
systems/inspection-and-testing-of-fire-alarm-systems/certification-requirements/ (last visited Dec. 30, 2021).
18 NICET, Recertify, https://www.nicet.org/recertify/ (last visited Dec. 30, 2021).
19 ESA, About Us, https://esaweb.org/about/ (last visited Jan. 3, 2022).
20 ESA, ESA Certifications for Security, Sales and Fire, https://esaweb.org/training/certifications/certification-types/ (last
visited Jan. 3, 2022).
21 ESA, ESA Certified Fire Alarm Technician Level 2 (CFAT), https://esaweb.org/training/certifications/cfat/ (last visited
Jan. 3, 2022).
22 ESA, Certified Fire Alarm Designer (CFAD) Level III Fire Certification, https://esaweb.org/training/certifications/cfad/
(last visited Jan. 3, 2022).
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ESA certifications must be renewed every two years. Renewal is completed by c