In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated. “Fire alarm system technician” means a person who is engaged in the performance, installation, documentation, planning, and coordination of the periodic inspection and testing of existing fire alarm systems and their components, not including the commissioning of new systems. “Fire sprinkler contractor” means a person who designs, installs, inspects, tests, repairs, or modifies a fire sprinkler system.

The State Fire Prevention Commission shall adopt regulations to establish a program to license and regulate fire sprinkler contractors in the State. The State Fire Prevention Commission shall adopt regulations to: define fire sprinkler contractor; define fire sprinkler system in a manner that does not conflict with § 12–101(l), (m), or (n) of the Business Occupations and Professions Article; designate and identify exemptions to the regulations; establish requirements for licensure including professional and technical standards and requirements for liability insurance; establish a schedule of fees for licenses that will recover but not exceed the direct and indirect costs associated with the issuance of the licenses; and establish procedures for the State Fire Marshal to deny, suspend, or revoke the license of a person who fails to comply with any regulation adopted by the State Fire Prevention Commission under this subtitle. The State Fire Prevention Commission shall adopt regulations to establish a program to license and regulate fire alarm system technicians and fire alarm system companies in the State. The State Fire Prevention Commission shall adopt regulations to: define fire alarm system technician; define fire alarm system in a manner that does not conflict with § 12–101(l), (m), or (n) of the Business Occupations and Professions Article; designate and identify exemptions to the regulations; establish requirements for licensure, including professional and technical standards and requirements for liability insurance; establish a schedule of fees for licenses that will recover but not exceed the direct and indirect costs associated with the issuance of the licenses; and establish procedures for the State Fire Marshal to deny, suspend, or revoke the license of a person who fails to comply with any regulation adopted by the State Fire Prevention Commission under this subtitle.

Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, a person may not provide services as a fire sprinkler contractor in the State unless the person is licensed by the State Fire Marshal. This subtitle does not prohibit: inspections and tests of fire sprinkler systems by insurance representatives if the representatives are acting in the performance of their assigned duties; inspections, tests, and repairs of fire sprinkler systems by full–time maintenance employees of a property owner if the employees: are knowledgeable about fire sprinkler systems; and are acting in the performance of their assigned duties for the property owner; inspections, tests, plan review, and ensuring the maintenance of fire sprinkler systems, emergency maintenance activity on fire sprinkler systems, or restoration to active service of operating or recently operated fire sprinkler systems by members of State, county, municipal, career, or volunteer fire departments, or authorities with jurisdiction if the members are acting in their capacity as members of the fire departments or authorities; installation of limited area fire sprinkler systems or emergency temporary repairs on fire sprinkler systems performed by master plumbers if the plumbers are acting in accordance with regulations adopted by the State Fire Prevention Commission; or inspections, tests, preparation of design and specification documents, hydraulic calculations, layout, and plan review of fire sprinkler systems by Maryland professional engineers if the engineers are knowledgeable about fire sprinkler systems.

The State Fire Marshal shall: issue fire sprinkler contractors licenses; collect license fees established by the State Fire Prevention Commission; keep records of all fees collected under this subtitle; pay all money collected under this subtitle into the General Fund; and investigate complaints related to violations of this subtitle.

A person may not knowingly violate this subtitle. A person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to imprisonment not exceeding 10 days or a fine not exceeding $1,000 or both.