Z-0754

AN ACT Relating to plumbing; amending RCW 18.106.010; adding a new section to chapter 18.106 RCW; creating a new section; providing an effective date; and declaring an emergency.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

Sec. 1. RCW 18.106.010 and 1983 c 124 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:

Unless a different meaning is plainly required by the context, the following words and phrases as hereinafter used in this chapter shall have the following meaning:

(1) "Advisory board" means the state advisory board of plumbers;

(2) "Department" means the department of labor and industries;

(3) "Director" means the director of department of labor and industries;

(4) "Irrigation systems installer" means a person who, within the scope of his or her employment, is required to install nonpotable water systems or that portion of the potable water system adjacent to the backflow preventer assembly so as to facilitate the irrigation system installation, but does not include plumbers licensed or certified by the department of labor and industries;

(5) "Journeyman plumber" means any person who has been issued a certificate of competency by the department of labor and industries as provided in this chapter;

((~~(5)~~)) (6) "Secretary" means the secretary of health;

(7) "Specialty plumber" means anyone who has been issued a specialty certificate of competency limited to installation, maintenance, and repair of the plumbing of single family dwellings, duplexes, and apartment buildings which do not exceed three stories;

((~~(6)~~)) (8) "Plumbing" means ((~~that~~)) the craft involved in ((~~installing, altering, repairing and renovating~~)) the installation, alteration, repair, and renovation of the potable water ((~~systems and liquid waste systems within a building~~)) distribution and supply piping from the water meter and all plumbing fixtures and drainage systems, including respective joints and connections, devices, receptacles, and appurtenances within the building: PROVIDED, That installation in a water system of water softening or water treatment equipment shall not be within the meaning of plumbing as used in this chapter. Plumbing does not include piping, joints, connections, devices, receptacles, or appurtenances installed downstream of a backflow preventer assembly separating a potable water supply line from an irrigation system if no part of the irrigation system is used as a source of water for human consumption.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. A new section is added to chapter 18.106 RCW to read as follows:

(1) The secretary and director shall jointly establish separate certification requirements for backflow preventer assembly installers and backflow preventer assembly maintainers and testers.

(a) The director shall establish minimum requirements by rule adopted according to chapter 34.05 RCW for education, on the job training, and continuing education for backflow preventer assembly installers.

(b) The secretary shall establish minimum requirements by rule adopted according to chapter 34.05 RCW for education, on the job training, and continuing education for backflow preventer assembly maintainers and testers.

(2) The director shall certify those persons who have been working as irrigation/landscape systems installers for one year or more as backflow preventer assembly installers prior to the effective date of this act if the person applies for certification within six months of the effective date of this act.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. It is not the intent of this act to affect the current scope of work for testers and maintainers in the servicing and repair of backflow assembly installation.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 4. This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and shall take effect July 1, 1991.