Los Angeles Municipal Code § 57.117 Certificates of Fitness

No person shall, without a valid Certificate of Fitness as required by this article, conduct any of the operations stated in Sections 57.117.1.1 through 57.117.1.6.

No person shall, without a valid Certificate of Fitness as required by this article, conduct any blasting operation.

No person shall, without a valid Certificate of Fitness as required by this article, conduct any test or certify the following fire protection equipment or systems:

1. Automatic sprinkler systems.

2. Class I standpipe systems.

3. Class II standpipe systems.

4. Class III standpipe systems.

5. Combined standpipe systems.

6. Automatic elevators.

7. Automatic fire assemblies.

8. Emergency power systems (generators and battery systems).

9. Fire escapes.

10. Fire protective signaling systems (alarm, notification, and communication systems).

11. Fire pumps.

12. Smoke control systems.

EXCEPTIONS:

1. The Chief may allow persons who are employees of the firm or corporation where the fire protection equipment or systems are to be tested to perform required tests provided such tests are performed in accordance with Regulation No. 4, “Testing of Fire Protection Equipment.”

2. Members of the Department of Building and Safety.

3. Uniformed members of the Fire Department.

No person other than a uniformed member of the Fire Department assigned to the Bureau of Fire Prevention and Public Safety shall, without a valid Certificate of Fitness as required by this article, perform as a fire safety officer.

No person shall, without a valid Certificate of Fitness as required by this article, perform as a health care facility instructor.

No person shall, without a valid Certificate of Fitness as required by this article, perform as a high-rise life/safety service.

No person shall, without a valid Certificate of Fitness as required by this article, conduct any test or certify any gas detection system.

All applications for Certificates of Fitness shall be filed in the office of the Bureau of Fire Prevention and Public Safety upon forms provided by the Fire Department.

Information required for Certificates of Fitness shall include the specific information required in Sections 57.117.2.1.1 through 57.117.2.1.5.

Applicants for a Certificate of Fitness to conduct blasting operations shall furnish such information as may be required by the Chief to establish competency with and adequate knowledge of explosive materials, equipment, techniques, and safety precautions necessary to conduct safe blasting operations.

Applicants for a Certificate of Fitness to conduct any test as specified in Regulation No. 4 shall furnish such information as may be required by the Chief to establish competency with and knowledge of the materials, formulas, equipment, techniques, standards, ordinances, and recognized good practices pertaining to the Certificate of Fitness for which they are applying.

Applicants for a Certificate of Fitness to perform as a fire safety officer shall furnish such information as may be required by the Chief to establish familiarity with, and possession of a thorough knowledge of applicable fire prevention procedures, the Los Angeles Fire Code, State Fire Marshal’s Rules and Regulations as contained in Title 19 of the California Code of Regulations, and other applicable regulations dealing with fire, explosion, and life safety.

Applicants for a Certificate of Fitness to perform as a health care facility instructor shall furnish such information as may be required by the Chief to establish the possession of a thorough knowledge of the health care facility requirements contained in the Los Angeles Fire Code, the California Code of Regulations, and the California Health and Safety Code, and the necessary qualifications to instruct others in health care facility requirements.

Applicants for a Certificate of Fitness to perform as a high-rise life/safety service shall furnish such information as may be required by the Chief to establish qualification to instruct and possession of a thorough knowledge of the Los Angeles Fire Code and other applicable regulations with regard to developing and/or conducting training in emergency planning, evacuation procedures, and the use of first-aid fire equipment in high-rise buildings in the City of Los Angeles.

Certificates of Fitness shall be valid only for the person designated on the certificate.

Every Certificate of Fitness issued in accordance with the provisions of this chapter shall be valid for a period of three years from the date of issuance, and may be renewed for additional three-year periods at the discretion of the Chief as set forth below.

Applications for renewal of a Certificate of Fitness shall be filed in the same manner as for an original Certificate of Fitness.

Applications shall be accompanied by a renewal fee. Whenever the application for renewal is filed prior to the expiration date of the Certificate of Fitness, the renewal fee shall be 50% of the fee for a new Certificate of Fitness. Whenever the application for renewal is filed after the expiration date of the Certificate of Fitness, the renewal fee shall be the same as for a new Certificate of Fitness.

The granting of a renewal of a Certificate of Fitness shall be processed in the same manner as for an original Certificate of Fitness.

The Chief shall examine each applicant for competence to perform the duties required for the particular Certificate of Fitness for which they have applied. The applicant shall:

1. Submit a written resume stating experience and training qualifications.

2. When required, appear before the Chief for a personal interview.

3. When required, satisfactorily complete a written and/or practical test pertaining to the Certificate of Fitness.

The Chief may require additional information as necessary to process any application for a Certificate of Fitness.

When the Chief determines the applicant for a Certificate of Fitness conforms to all the requirements of this article, the Chief shall issue the Certificate of Fitness.

The Chief shall have the power to suspend or revoke any Certificate of Fitness in accordance with the provisions of Section 57.105.5.

Each person holding a Certificate of Fitness shall notify the Department in writing of any change of the person’s business, residential, or notification address within ten days after such change. Failure on the part of said person to give such notification shall constitute grounds for revocation of said certificate.

The Certificate of Fitness issued by the Chief shall be in the form of an identification card which shall:

1. State the purpose for which it has been issued;

2. State the date it is issued and the date of expiration;

   3. Contain such information as may be necessary to identify the person to whom it is issued;

   4. Have affixed one print of a photograph of the person to whom it is issued;

   5. Have the signature of the person to whom it is issued;

   6. Have the signature of the Fire Marshal;

   7. Have printed thereon in bold type the following: “THIS CERTIFICATE IDENTIFIES, BUT DOES NOT RECOMMEND THE BEARER:”; and

   8. Contain additional information which the Chief considers necessary and proper to affect the purpose of this article.

Any person having been certified as required by this article shall, upon request, display their identification and Certificate of Fitness to any person to whom they may seek to render service or to the Chief.

Any applicant who takes the examination and fails may not re-apply within 30 days, and in no event shall the examination be given to the same person more than twice in any one-year period.

Before accepting an application for a Certificate of Fitness required by this chapter, the Department shall collect the fees required therefor as set forth in the most current cost recovery schedule published, as provided by Section 57.106.7 and applicable thereto.

1. Conduct blasting operations.

2. Conduct any test or certify the following categories of fire protection equipment, systems, or devices:

   (a) Automatic sprinkler systems.

   (b) Class I standpipe systems.

   (c) Class II standpipe systems.

   (d) Class III standpipe systems.

   (e) Combined standpipe systems.

   (f) Automatic elevators.

   (g) Automatic fire assemblies.

   (h) Emergency power systems (generators and battery systems).

   (i) Fire escapes.

   (j) Fire protective signaling systems (alarm, notification, and communication systems).

   (k) Fire pumps.

   (l) Smoke control systems.

   (m) Methane Gas Detection.

   (n) Fire Safety Officer.

   (o) Health Care Facility Instructor.

   (p) High-Rise Life/Safety Service.

Whenever an applicant fails an examination and takes a second examination within 90 days of such failure, the fee for the second examination shall be 50% of the fees set forth in Section 57.117.10.