§ 6-204. Definitions.

The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this article, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:

Alarm system means any electrical device, signaling device, or combination of electrical devices used to signal or detect a burglary, fire, robbery, or medical emergency.

Alarm system contractor means a person whose business includes the execution of contracts requiring the ability, experience, science, knowledge, and skill to lay out, fabricate, install, maintain, alter, repair, monitor, inspect, replace, or service alarm systems for compensation, including, but not limited to, all types of alarm systems for all purposes. This term also means any person, firm, or corporation that engages in the business of alarm contracting under an expressed or implied contract; that undertakes, offers to undertake, purports to have the capacity to undertake, or submits a bid to engage in the business of alarm contracting.

Alarm system contractor I means an alarm system contractor whose business includes all types of alarm systems for all purposes and who is registered with the department and may contract only in Okaloosa County.

Alarm system contractor II means an alarm system contractor whose business includes all types of alarm systems, other than fire, for all purposes and who is registered with the department and may contract only in Okaloosa County.

Applicant means an individual or business entity making application for registration as an alarm system contractor, an electrical contractor or a specialty electrical contractor.

Board means the Okaloosa County Electrical Competency Board.

Burglar alarm system agent means a person who is employed by a licensed alarm system contractor or licensed electrical contractor; who is performing duties which are an element of an activity which constitutes alarm system contracting requiring licensure under this part; and whose specific duties include any of the following: altering, installing, maintaining, moving, repairing, replacing, servicing, selling, or monitoring an intrusion or burglar alarm system for compensation.

Certificate means a certificate of competency issued by the Okaloosa County Department of Growth Management.

Contracting means, except where exempted herein, engaging in business as a contractor or performing electrical or alarm work for compensation and includes, but is not limited to, performance of any of the acts found in this article which define the services which a contractor is allowed to perform. The attempted sale of contracting services and the negotiation or bid for a contract on these services also constitutes contracting. If the services offered require licensure or agent qualification, the offering, negotiation for a bid, or attempted sale of these services requires the corresponding licensure.

Contractor means a person who is qualified to engage in the business of electrical or alarm system contracting pursuant to a certificate or registration issued by the Okaloosa County Department of Growth Management.

Department means the Okaloosa County Department of Growth Management.

Electrical contractor means a person who conducts business in the electrical trade field and who has the experience, knowledge, and skill to install, repair, alter, add to, or design, in compliance with law, electrical wiring, fixtures, appliances, apparatus, raceways, conduit, or any part thereof, which generates, transmits, transforms, or utilizes electrical energy in any form, including the electrical installations and systems within plants and substations, all in compliance with applicable plans, specifications, codes, laws, and regulations. The term means any person, firm, or corporation that engages in the business of electrical contracting under an express or implied contract; or that undertakes, offers to undertake, purports to have the capacity to undertake, or submits a bid to engage in the business of electrical contracting.

Financially responsible officer means a person other than the primary qualifying agent who with the approval of the board assumes personal responsibility for all financial aspects of the business organization.

Fire alarm system agent means a person who is employed by a licensed fire alarm contractor or certified unlimited electrical contractor; who is performing duties which are an element of an activity that constitutes fire alarm system contracting requiring certification under this part; and whose specific duties include any of the following: altering, installing, maintaining, moving, repairing, replacing, servicing, selling, or monitoring a fire alarm system for compensation.

Licensure means any type of certification or registration provided for in this article.

Monitoring means to receive electrical or electronic signals, originating from any structure within the state or outside the state, regardless of whether those signals are relayed through a jurisdiction outside the state, where such signals are produced by any security, medical, fire, or burglar alarm, closed circuit television camera, access-control system, or related or similar protective system and are intended by design to initiate a response thereto. A person shall not have committed the act of monitoring if:

(a)

The person is an occupant of, or an employee working within, protected premises;

(b)

The person initiates emergency action in response to hearing or observing an alarm signal;

(c)

The person's action is incidental to his or her primary responsibilities; and

(d)

The person is not employed in a proprietary monitory facility, as defined by the National Fire Protection Association pursuant to rule adopted under chapter 633.

Personal emergency response system means any device which is simply plugged into a telephone jack or electrical receptacle and which is designed to initiate a telephone call to a person who responds to or has a responsibility to determine the proper response to personal emergencies, but does not include hard-wired or wireless alarm systems designed to detect intrusion or fire.

Primary qualifying agent means a person who possesses the requisite skill, knowledge, and experience, and has the responsibility, to supervise, direct, manage, and control the electrical or alarm system contracting activities of the business organization with which he or she is connected; who has the responsibility to supervise, direct, manage, and control the electrical or alarm system contracting activities on a job for which he or she has obtained the permit; and whose technical and personal qualifications have been determined by investigation and examination as provided in this article by the department, as attested to by the board; and who has been issued a certificate of competency by the department.

Registration means registration with the department of business and professional regulation.

Residential alarm system contractor means an alarm system contractor whose business is limited to burglar alarm systems in single-family residential, quadruplex housing, and mobile homes of a residential occupancy class and who is registered with the department and may contract only in Okaloosa County.

Secondary qualifying agent means a person who possesses the requisite skill, knowledge, and experience, and has the responsibility to supervise, direct, manage, and control the electrical or alarm system contracting activities on a job for which he or she has obtained a permit; and whose technical and personal qualifications have been determined by investigation and examination as provided in this article by the department, as attested to by the board; and who has been issued a certificate of competency by the department.

Specialty contractor means a contractor whose scope of practice is limited to a specific segment of electrical or alarm system contracting, including, but not limited to, residential electrical contracting, maintenance of electrical fixtures, and fabrication, erection, installation, and maintenance of electrical advertising signs together with the interrelated parts and supports thereof. Categories of specialty contractor include:

1.

Lighting maintenance specialty electrical contractor. The scope of registration of a lighting maintenance specialty contractor is limited to the installation, repair, alteration, or replacement of lighting fixtures in or on buildings, signs, billboards, roadways, streets, parking lots and other similar structures. However, the registration does not include the provision of, or work beyond, the last electrical supplying source, outlet, or disconnecting means.

2.

Limited energy systems specialty contractor. The scope of registration of a limited energy systems specialty contractor includes the installation, repair, fabrication, erection, alteration, addition to, or design of electrical wiring, fixtures, appliances, thermostats, apparatus, raceways, conduit, and fiber optics (transmission of light over stranded glass) or any part thereof not to exceed 77 volts, when those items are for the purpose of transmitting data, proprietary video (satellite systems which are not part of a community antenna television, cable television, or radio distribution system), radio frequency, central vacuum, or electric locks, data distribution networks, home theater systems, surrounded sound systems, public address systems or telephone systems.

(a)

The scope of registration is limited to electrical circuits and equipment governed by the applicable provisions of Articles 725 (Class 2 and 3 circuits only), 770, 800, 810, and 820 of the National Electrical Code, 2005 edition.

(b)

The scope of registration shall not include work performed by public utilities exempt under the terms of Section 489.503(5), Florida Statutes, or exempt due to the regulatory jurisdiction of the Florida Public Service Commission.

3.

Residential electrical contractor. The scope of registration of a residential electrical contractor includes installation, repair, alteration, addition to, or design of electrical wiring, fixtures, appliances, apparatus, raceways, conduit, or any part thereof, in a one-, two-, three- or four-family residence not exceeding two stories in height, and accessory use structures in connection with the residence. The electrical service installed or worked upon is limited to single phase, 400 ampere single service.

4.

Sign specialty electrical contractor. The scope of registration of a sign specialty electrical contractor includes the structural fabrication, concrete foundation, erection, installation, alteration, repair, service and wiring of electrical signs and outline lighting. The scope of registration shall not include the provision of, or any electrical work beyond, the last disconnect mean or terminal points; however, a contractor certified under this section may provide the electrical entrance requirements for metering and main disconnect of remote billboards or signs which are independent of any structure or building and which require no more than 25 kilowatts at 250 volts maximum.

5.

Utility line electrical contractor. The scope of registration of a utility line electrical contractor includes a utility contractor whose business includes all types of transmission electrical circuits, distribution electrical circuits, and substation construction done for investor owned electrical utilities, city municipal electrical utilities, and cooperatives under the rural electrical authority between point of origin and point of delivery.

State board means the electrical contractor's licensing board created by Chapter 489, Florida Statutes.

(Ord. No. 07-48, § 2(Exh. A), 9-4-2007)