SENATE BILL REPORT

                   SB 6624

                    As of February 4, 1998

Title:  An act relating to backflow protection devices.

Brief Description:  Exempting backflow protection devices from plumbing regulations.

Sponsors:  Senator McCaslin.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Commerce & Labor:  2/5/98.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE & LABOR

Staff:  Traci Ratzliff (786-7452)

Background:  Under current law, an individual may not engage in the trade of plumbing unless he or she has a journeyman certificate, a specialty certificate, a temporary permit, or a training certificate.  Plumbing means the craft of installing, altering, repairing and renovating potable water systems, liquid waste systems and medical gas piping systems within a building.  The installation in a water system of water softening or water treatment equipment is not defined as plumbing under current law

A backflow prevention device must be installed in piping carrying used water, chemicals, liquids, gases or other substances that is interconnected with piping that carries potable water, if there is the possibility that undrinkable substances could flow into the pipe or potable water system.  Backflow prevention devices prevent the unwanted flow of undrinkable substances from flowing into pure or potable water systems, thus preventing the poisoning of such systems.

Backflow devices must be inspected annually by backflow assembly testers who are certified by the Department of Health.  Backflow assembly testers who install or repair backflow prevention devices located within a building are, under current law, required to be licensed as plumbers.

Summary of Bill:  The definition of plumbing is modified to exclude the installation, testing or repair of a backflow protection device by a certified backflow assembly tester.

Certified backflow assembly testers are not required to obtain a plumber=s license in order to install, test or repair backflow protection devices in water systems.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

Effective Date:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.