1. (a) In this Section:

   "Fire alarm system" means a system that automatically triggers notification to local emergency responders when activated.

   "Staffing plan" means a plan to staff a kennel operator anytime dogs or cats are on the premises. At a minimum, a staffing plan must include the kennel operator's hours of operation, number of staff, names of staff, and the staff's contact information. The Department may adopt rules adding requirements to a staffing plan.

   "Qualified fire inspector" means a local fire official or a building inspector working for a unit of local government or fire protection district who is qualified to inspect buildings for fire safety or building code compliance.

2. (b) A kennel operator that maintains dogs or cats for boarding and that is not staffed at all times dogs or cats are on the premises shall be equipped with at least one fire alarm system or fire sprinkler system in operating condition in every building of the kennel operator that is used for the housing of animals. The kennel operator shall certify in its license application and annually certify in its license renewal that either:

   1. (1) its facility has a fire alarm system or a fire sprinkler system, and shall include with the application or license renewal an attached description and picture of the make and model of the system used; or
   2. (2) the kennel is staffed at all times dogs or cats are on the premises, and shall include with the application or license renewal an attached staffing plan. The Department shall include this certification on each application for license or license renewal.
3. (c) A qualified fire inspector may inspect a kennel operator that maintains dogs and cats for boarding during the course of performing routine inspections. If, during a routine inspection, a qualified fire inspector determines that the kennel operator does not have a fire alarm system or fire sprinkler system, the inspector may inform the Department.
4. (d) For the purposes of this Section, veterinary hospitals, practices, or offices are not kennel operators.

(Source: P.A. 101-210, eff. 1-1-20; 102-558, eff. 8-20-21.)