50-39-101. License and endorsements required. (1) A person or entity shall obtain a license from the department of labor and industry before engaging in the business of servicing fire extinguishers or before engaging in the business of selling, servicing, or installing fire alarm systems, special agent fire suppression systems, or fire extinguishing systems. Each individual, except an apprentice, employed by the licensee to perform services under the license shall obtain from the department an endorsement to sell, service, or install:

Terms Used In Montana Code 50-39-101

  • Apprentice: means a person who is working in a training capacity to service or install fire alarm systems, special agent fire suppression systems, or fire extinguishing systems and who is studying in accordance with a program approved by the department of labor and industry. See Montana Code 50-39-108
  • Endorsement: means a document, issued by the department of labor and industry to an individual who has met qualifications, that authorizes the individual to sell, service, and install fire alarm systems, special agent fire suppression systems, or fire extinguishing systems. See Montana Code 50-39-108
  • Entity: means any business, partnership, sole proprietorship, organization, association, corporation, firm, governmental organization, fire agency, or any other business association. See Montana Code 50-39-108
  • Fire alarm system: means a combination of approved compatible devices with the necessary electrical interconnection and energy to produce an alarm signaling the event of fire or system activation. See Montana Code 50-39-108
  • Fire extinguisher: means a portable device containing an extinguishing agent that can be expelled under pressure for the purpose of suppressing or extinguishing a fire. See Montana Code 50-39-108
  • Fire extinguishing system: means a fire sprinkler system designed in accordance with nationally recognized standards that consists of an assembly of piping or conduits that conveys water, foam, or air with or without other agents to dispersal openings or devices to extinguish, control, or contain fire and to provide protection from exposure to fire or the products of combustion. See Montana Code 50-39-108
  • Install: means the technical work that may be performed only by an endorsed individual or an apprentice in the assembly of a fire alarm system, special agent fire suppression system, or fire extinguishing system. See Montana Code 50-39-108
  • Knowingly: means only a knowledge that the facts exist which bring the act or omission within the provisions of this code. See Montana Code 1-1-204
  • License: means the document issued by the department of labor and industry that authorizes a person or entity to engage in the business of servicing fire extinguishers or to engage in the business of selling, servicing, or installing fire alarm systems, special agent fire suppression systems, or fire extinguishing systems. See Montana Code 50-39-108
  • Person: includes a corporation or other entity as well as a natural person. See Montana Code 1-1-201
  • Special agent fire suppression system: means an approved system and components that require individual engineering in accordance with manufacturer specifications and includes dry chemical, carbon dioxide, halogenated, gaseous agent, foam, and wet chemical systems. See Montana Code 50-39-108

(a)fire alarm systems;

(b)special agent fire suppression systems; or

(c)fire extinguishing systems.

(2)The license and endorsement or endorsements must be prominently displayed at the business premises, and copies must be carried by the person conducting each installation or servicing and must be shown to anyone who requests to see them.

(3)It is a misdemeanor to knowingly or purposely service a fire extinguisher or sell, service, or install a fire alarm system, special agent fire suppression system, or fire extinguishing system without the required license and endorsement.

(4)This chapter may not be construed to prohibit a licensed electrician, practicing within the scope of practice of electricians, as provided in Title 37, chapter 68, from installing components of fire protection equipment if the installation is inspected and approved by an individual endorsed to sell, service, or install fire protection equipment.