(1) No installation, modification, alteration, or repair of a fire suppression system shall be completed and cleared for use, and no structure or partial structure in which such fire suppression system is installed, modified, altered, or repaired shall be cleared for occupancy, until such fire suppression system has been approved by a certified fire suppression systems inspector. Approval shall include review of approved working plans and hydraulic calculations, installation inspections, and final tests.

(2) (a) Each county, municipality, and special district that has fire suppression systems enforcement responsibilities shall, as needed, provide a certified fire suppression systems inspector. Such inspector shall conduct all fire suppression systems inspections that are required by this part 12. The governing body of the county, municipality, or special district that has fire suppression systems enforcement responsibilities may provide a schedule of fees to pay the costs of plan review and inspections conducted pursuant to this subsection (2) and related administrative expenses, and collect said fees from the fire suppression contractor.

(b) Two or more counties, municipalities, or special districts that have fire safety enforcement responsibilities may jointly employ or contract with a fire safety inspector.

(c) The administrator or his agent shall be available to provide such fire safety inspections to any county, municipality, or special district on a contractual or job-by-job basis. The county, municipality, or special district shall pay the actual costs of such inspections by the administrator or his agents.

(3) Every inspection of a fire suppression system conducted pursuant to this part 12 shall be by a person certified as having met the inspection training requirements set by the administrator. Such person shall:

(a) Be at least eighteen years of age;

(b) Not have been engaged in any of the activities specified in section 24-33.5-1206.6 (2); and

(c)

(I) Have satisfactorily completed the fire suppression systems inspector certification examination as prescribed by the administrator; or

(II) Have demonstrated to the administrator that the applicant has met such other equivalent qualifications, including but not limited to education and experience, as may be prescribed by rule and regulation. If the head of a county, municipality, or special district that has fire suppression system enforcement responsibility determines that the applicant has met the qualifications adopted pursuant to this subparagraph (II), then he shall notify the administrator, who shall certify the applicant; or

(III) Have received in another state training which is determined by the administrator to be at least equivalent to that required by the administrator for approved certified fire safety inspector education and training programs in this state.

(4) Every certificate issued by the administrator is valid for a period of three years from the date of issuance. Renewal of certification shall require the affected person to complete a proper application for renewal and meet any other requirements for renewal as prescribed by the administrator, including successful passage of an examination as established by the administrator.