Louisiana access control installers and special locking

The definitions statute for Louisiana, R.S. 40:1664.3, includes a term that covers card readers and keypads well. The law defines special locking systems as any electro-mechanical lock, electronic lock or electronic locking arrangement that controls entry or exit.

Intrusion alarms, closed circuit television, household fire alarms and special locking systems all fall under Security systems in that law. Installing and servicing security systems, along with special locking systems, falls under a security technician's license.

Licenses from the Fire Marshal fall into two groups: Property Protection and Life Safety. Locksmith, Door Hardware and Security are the 3 technical endorsements that Property Protection gets under R.S. 40:1664.9. A technical endorsement lets you do all the specialty work tied to it.

Pay attention to the narrower versions. A limited security endorsement lets you handle intrusion alarms and cameras, but it does not allow work on special locking. The limited locksmith endorsement doesn't permit special locking work, either. Ordinary stand-alone door hardware belongs under door hardware, and that category leaves out special locking systems.

• Security technical endorsement covers intrusion, camera, household fire and special locking work.
• Special Locking specialty endorsement gives you special locking, nothing else.
• Fire Alarm technical endorsement: this one belongs in the separate Life Safety group.

Property protection firms must keep an operating office in Louisiana, according to the Fire Marshal's security endorsement checklist. The qualifier for each firm must live within 150 miles of the firm's location.

The qualifier has to possess an approved industry training credential, for example a Level 2 alarm technician course. A general liability policy of at least $500,000 is required, and if the firm employs people, workers' compensation is needed too. Each owner submits fingerprints for a background check.

Request the firm's license number and the list of endorsements it holds. The fire marshal's licensing requirements page contains a link to the search for licenses and registrations. Check the date, because each license is valid for 1 year, unless a multi-year version is issued.

Under R.S. 14:206.1, doing contract work without a license is a criminal act. The possible sentence includes jail for up to 90 days, fines of up to $500 daily, or a combination.

Created in 2005, the Louisiana Uniform Construction Code Commission examines the construction codes used across the state. The 2021 International Building Code and the 2020 National Electrical Code appear in its code summary. Coming in the next cycle are the 2023 NEC and the 2024 ICC codes; the ICC editions start on January 1, 2027.