2.3 Business Location, Designated Employee and Vehicle Identification (§ 34.610)
Key Takeaways
- A registered firm must maintain a specific business location shown on the certificate, and it must be a physical address, not a mailing address or P.O. Box (§ 34.610(a)).
- Each registered firm must specify one full-time employee holding a license under Subchapter F as its designated employee on Form SF031 and renewal Form SF084 (§ 34.610(b)).
- A change of designated employee must be submitted in writing to the SFMO within 14 days of the change, and an individual may not serve as designated employee for more than one registered firm (§ 34.610(b)).
- Vehicles regularly used in installation, service, maintenance, testing, or certification must display the company name, telephone number, and certificate number in letters and numbers at least one inch high, permanently affixed or magnetically attached to each side, in a contrasting color (§ 34.610(c)).
- The certificate of registration number must be shown in the format "TX ACR-number" (§ 34.610(c)).
Why This Section Matters
Section 34.610 produces more field citations than any other rule in Subchapter F, because it governs things an inspector can see from the street: the truck lettering and whether a real office exists at the address on the certificate. It is also precisely worded, which makes it excellent multiple-choice material.
1. Business Location (§ 34.610(a))
"A specific business location must be maintained by each registered firm. The location must be indicated on the certificate. The business location must be a physical address, not a mailing address or P.O. Box."
Combine this with § 6002.003(f), which forbids a political subdivision from requiring the firm to maintain a business location or residency inside the jurisdiction. Texas requires a physical location — not one in every city you work in.
2. The Designated Employee (§ 34.610(b))
| Element | Rule |
|---|---|
| How many | One full-time employee holding a license under Subchapter F |
| Where declared | Fire Alarm Certificate of Registration Application, Form SF031, and Renewal Application, Form SF084 |
| Change notice | Submitted in writing to the SFMO within 14 days of the change occurring |
| Exclusivity | An individual may not serve as designated employee for more than one registered firm |
What "full-time" means. Do not import an outside number. 28 TAC § 34.606(10) defines full-time as "the number of hours that represents the regular, normal, or standard amount of time per week each employee of the firm devotes to work-related activities," and § 34.606(11) defines full-time employment as working per week at least the average number of hours worked per week by all other employees of the firm. The measure is relative to the firm — there is no fixed 30- or 40-hour threshold in the rule.
Related staffing rules.
- § 34.613(a)(4): at least one full-time licensed individual at each main or branch office location.
- § 34.611(e): the registered firm must submit notification of any licensee employment, termination, or resignation within 14 days of its occurrence.
- § 34.613(a)(7): a monitoring licensee identified on a registration application may not serve in that capacity for another registered firm.
3. Vehicle Identification (§ 34.610(c))
"All vehicles regularly used in installation, service, maintenance, testing, or certification activities must prominently display the company name, telephone number, and certificate number. The numbers and letters must be at least one inch high and permanently affixed or magnetically attached to each side of the vehicle in a color contrasting with the background color of the vehicle. The certificate of registration number must be designated in the following format: TX ACR-number."
Break that into its six testable elements:
| # | Element | Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Which vehicles | Those regularly used in installation, service, maintenance, testing, or certification |
| 2 | What information | Company name, telephone number, and certificate number — all three |
| 3 | Size | Letters and numbers at least one inch high |
| 4 | Attachment | Permanently affixed OR magnetically attached — magnetic signs are allowed |
| 5 | Placement | Each side of the vehicle |
| 6 | Contrast and format | Contrasting color; number formatted TX ACR-number |
Two classic distractors. (a) Answer choices that omit the telephone number — the rule requires it. (b) Answer choices that say markings must be painted or permanently applied only — the rule expressly permits magnetic attachment.
4. Proof of License in the Field (§ 34.611(b))
Section 34.611(b)(1) requires that a licensee must be able to show proof of licensure while engaged in the activities of the business. Section 34.611(b)(2) requires an approved instructor to carry the instructor's approval while providing training at an approved training school.
The rule says "show proof of licensure" — it does not prescribe a particular card format. Carrying the SFMO-issued license is the normal way to comply.
5. Duplicates and Revisions
| Event | Rule | Deadline | Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Certificate lost or destroyed | § 34.610(g) | Written notification without delay | $20 |
| Firm name, location, or mailing address change | § 34.610(h) | Written notification within 14 days after the change | $20 |
| License lost or destroyed | § 34.611(c) | Written notification without delay | $20 |
| Licensee name, mailing address, or new/additional employing firm | § 34.611(d) | Written notification within 14 days after the change | $20 |
| Instructor name or mailing address; training school mailing address | § 34.611(h) | Written notification within 14 days after the change | $20 |
| Change of address request | § 34.614(c)(7) | — | $0 |
Note the split: a change of address request is free under § 34.614(c)(7), while a duplicate or revised certificate, approval, or license — or any other requested change — costs $20 under § 34.614(c)(8).
6. Applying the Rules
Scenario A. Your designated employee resigns on the 3rd of the month. The owner hires a replacement on the 20th and notifies the SFMO in writing on the 22nd. → The change notice is late: § 34.610(b) requires written notice within 14 days of the change occurring, which ran from the 3rd. Notice is due regardless of whether a replacement has been found.
Scenario B. A service van carries a 3-inch magnetic sign with the company name and "TX ACR-12345" on the driver's door only. → Two violations: the telephone number is missing, and the markings are not on each side. Magnetic attachment itself is fine.
Scenario C. A firm lists a UPS Store box as its business address on Form SF031. → Violates § 34.610(a); the location must be a physical address, not a mailing address or P.O. Box.
Under 28 TAC § 34.610(c), what must appear on a vehicle regularly used for fire alarm installation, service, maintenance, testing, or certification in Texas?
How does 28 TAC § 34.606 define "full-time employment" for purposes of a registered firm's designated employee?
A registered firm changes its designated employee on March 3. When and how must the State Fire Marshal's Office be notified?