“To enact and enforce rules as necessary to ensure a statewide standard of safety concerning the design, installation, testing, and/or maintenance of fire sprinkler systems in Washington State”

In 1991, the state legislature passed into law requirements that companies offering to contract for the design, installation, testing, and/or maintenance of fire sprinkler systems in Washington State must be licensed. In cooperation with the national sprinkler associations and NICET [National Institute for Certification in Engineering Technologies], the Office of the State Fire Marshal adopted NICET levels II, III and IV certification requirements for persons designing commercial fire sprinkler systems within the state of Washington.

With the support of the sprinkler industry, a testing system was created and adopted by the state to provide level I certification for persons designing and installing single family fire sprinkler systems, and level U certification for persons installing the underground piping portion of any and all fire sprinkler systems.

In addition to design levels, an additional level of certification was adopted in September of 2005 as a direct result of the statewide adoption of the International Family of Codes and with it, the National Fire Protection Association's (N.F.P.A.) standard number 25, the Inspection, Testing, and Maintenance of Water-Based Fire Protection Systems. Any individual person personally performing the physical work of inspection and testing of water-based fire protection systems under contract must possess state certification.

Under the Revised Code of Washington [RCW] 18.160 and the Washington Administrative Code [WAC] 212-80 , the licensing program for Fire Sprinkler Contractors and Fire Sprinkler Certificate of Competency Holder certification is administered by the Washington State Patrol Fire Protection Bureau.

More detailed information is available at our program specific web pages or by contacting our office by phone at (360) 596-3916.

Relevant Web Page Links

Sprinkler Licensing Program:

• Sprinkler Contractor Licensing Program
• Certificate of Competency Holder Certification Program
• Inspection and Testing Technician Certification Program
• Temporary Certificate of Competency Program
• Levels of Licensing
• Forms and Reports Page

Sprinkler Contractor Licensing Laws and Rules:

• The Revised Code of Washington [R.C.W]. 18.160
• The Washington Administrative Code [W.A.C.] 212-80