Alaska Portable Fire Extinguisher Permits
The Alaska State Division of Fire and Life Safety issues Class level II and III permits for the installation, maintenance, and repair of portable fire extinguishers.
These fire extinguisher permits are issued under the following program policies in accordance with 13AAC 50.030(h).
Class level I permits are no longer issued by the Division of Fire and Life Safety as of November 16, 2012. See adopted Fire and Life Safety Regulations below.
Portable Fire Extinguisher Permits
Portable Fire Extinguisher Permits are valid for 3 years from the date of issue. To renew the permit an individual must complete the same examination procedure as required for
the initial permit. Permits are non-transferable and shall be in possession of the applicant when engaged in activity for which the permit was issued. Violations of the permit law
(13 AAC 50.30 and 13 AAC 55.100) will be subjected to the penalties prescribed in AS 18.70.100. Presently there is no charge for these permits.
Portable Fire Extinguisher Permit Levels
- Class I: Inspection and non-invasive annual maintenance of
portable fire extinguishers.
This includes all annual inspection issues, as long as no invasive maintenance is required. This permit allows such things as weighing the unit, making sure the internal
powder has not settled, inspecting tags, seals, hoses, locking items, etc. It does not include the removal or replacement of parts or pieces of the unit. Class I does not allow a
seal to be replaced even if it appears that no other damage has occurred to the unit or the unit was not used, but it does allow a person to attach a new annual inspection record tag.
Class II: Inspection, recharge, distribution, and maintenance
of portable fire extinguishers.
This includes the elements of Class I and also ability to recharge, install the units in buildings, decide on unit location within a facility, and perform general maintenance.
General maintenance includes the removal and replacement of parts and/or powder, and any required internal inspections. Maintenance issues are further identified in NFPA 10.
Class III: Inspection, recharge, distribution, maintenance,
and hydrostatic testing of portable fire extinguishers.
This includes all the elements of Class I and II, and also the ability to
perform hydrostatic tests on the portable units.
Fire Extinguisher Documents/Forms
Fire and Life Safety Regulation Changes for Portable Fire Extinguishers
(h) A person may not inspect, recharge, maintain, or hydrostatic test portable fire extinguishers unless a permit from the state fire marshal has been issued. The following apply to
permits under this subsection:
13 AAC 50.030(h)(1) is amended to read:
(1) each applicant for a Class II or III fire extinguisher permit must pass a written examination given by the state fire marshal in order to qualify for a permit;
13 AAC 50.030(h)(2) is amended to read:
(2) a permit endorsed with the type of qualification will be issued to each qualified person for Class II and III;
(3) a permit issued under this subsection is presumed to contain the requirement that the applicant carry out the permitted activity in compliance with all the requirements of
state statutes and this chapter; a permit is nontransferable; a permit is valid for three years after the date of issue; an infraction of this chapter or prescribed manuals may be cause
for revocation of the permit;
(4) Permits are classified and defined as follows:
- (A) Class I - inspection and non-invasive maintenance of portable fire extinguishers;
- (B) Class II - inspect, recharge, distribute, and maintain portable fire extinguishers;
- (C) Class III - inspect, recharge, distribute, maintain, and hydrostatic test extinguishers;
13 AAC 50.030(h)(5) is amended to read:
(5) a permit holder shall place or cause to be placed the holder's permit number on the inspection tag of a portable fire extinguisher to identify the work performed under the permit for
Class II and III. Documentation for Class I inspections will consist of the person's signature on the extinguisher inspection tag or appropriately documented in accordance with electronic
monitoring and inspection methods as adopted by NFPA 10 (2010 edition);
13 AAC 50.030(h) is amended by adding a new paragraph to read:
(6) it is the responsibility of the employer to provide training and documentation to enable the employer’s personnel to conduct Class I inspection and non-invasive maintenance of
portable fire extinguishers.
For further information please contact:
Amy Noket
5700 E. Tudor Road
Anchorage, Alaska 99507
Phone: (907) 269-5637
Fax: (907) 269-5018
