ESA/NTS Fire Alarm Certifications Recognized by Texas State Fire Marshal’s Office
Irving, Texas (PRWEB) September 23, 2014 -- Texas is the latest state to approve the Electronic Security Association’s (ESA) fire alarm certifications as an acceptable testing resource for three of the state’s fire alarm licenses: Fire Alarm Technician (FAL), Residential Fire Alarm Superintendent (RAS) and Fire Alarm Planning Superintendent (APS).
ESA’s National Training School (NTS) submitted the curriculum and on the job training requirements needed to obtain the Certified Fire Alarm Technician Level II (CFAT) and Certified Fire Alarm Designer Level III (CFAD) certifications to the Texas State Fire Marshal’s Office earlier this year. As a result, the State Fire Marshal’s Office announced on Sept. 18 that ESA’s fire alarm certifications would be accepted immediately as an option to fulfill the technical requirements for licensing. Individuals applying for a FAL or RAS license now have the option to obtain the CFAT certification in place of taking the Fire Alarm Technical TFM12 test or being NICET Level II. Individuals applying for the APS license can obtain the CFAD certification as an alternative to NICET Level III. All three licenses would still require an individual to pass the Fire Alarm Statute & Rules TFM11 test.
“Being recognized as an additional testing resource for the Fire Alarm Technician (FAL), Residential Fire Alarm Superintendent (RAS) and Fire Alarm Planning Superintendent (APS) licenses by the Texas State Fire Marshal’s Office is a major achievement for NTS and the association,” said Michelle Yungblut, ESA vice president of training and certification. “Thanks to the diligence of NTS staff and volunteers, applicants for licensure in Texas now have the option of a formal education program. NTS fire certifications as an alternative for NICET speaks volumes about the quality of our training program.”
To achieve CFAT status, students must complete the following NTS courses: Certified Alarm Technician (Level I), Fire Alarm Installation Methods (FAIM), and either Life Safety Code (LSC) or International Building Code (IBC) and must have at least 24 months of field experience. All CFAT courses are available as instructor-led or online with a proctored exam.
Individuals seeking CFAD accreditation must hold the CFAT designation, successfully complete the Professional Fire Alarm Design instructor-led course and have at least 36 months of field experience.
Click here to learn more about fire alarm licensing in Texas. To find out more about ESA courses and certifications, please visit http://www.ESAweb.org/NTS.
ABOUT ESA
Established in 1948, the Electronic Security Association (ESA) is the largest trade association representing the electronic life safety and security industry. Member companies install, integrate and monitor intrusion and fire detection, video surveillance and electronic access control systems for commercial, residential, industrial and governmental clients. In cooperation with an alliance of chapter associations, ESA provides technical and management training, government advocacy and delivers information, advice, tools, and services that members use to grow their businesses and prosper. ESA may be reached at (888) 447-1689 or on the Web at http://www.ESAweb.org.
Shannon Murphy, Electronic Security Association, http://www.ESAweb.org, +1 (972) 807-6835, [email protected]
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