FINAL BILL REPORT

HB 1631

C 74 L 03

Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description: Regulating fire protection sprinkler system contractors.

Sponsors: By Representatives McCoy, Cooper, Conway, Romero, Lovick, Simpson and Kenney.

House Committee on Commerce & Labor

Senate Committee on Commerce & Trade

Background:

The state Director of Fire Protection (the State Fire Marshal) administers licensing requirements for persons who install fire sprinkler systems. To be licensed, a contractor must employ a holder of a certificate of competency issued by the State Fire Marshal, meet minimum insurance requirements, and pay a license fee.

Persons who install fire sprinkler systems may be subject to criminal penalties. A licensed contractor who maliciously constructs, installs, or maintains a fire sprinkler system in a way that threatens the safety of someone in a fire is guilty of a class C felony. An unlicensed person who constructs, installs, or maintains a fire sprinkler system in any dwelling other than an owner-occupied, single-family dwelling is guilty of a gross misdemeanor.

Summary:

The State Fire Marshal must adopt rules defining civil infractions and fines applicable to fire protection sprinkler system contractors. A licensed contractor who commits these infractions is subject to civil penalties from $200 to $5,000. One who fails to obtain a certificate of competency is subject to civil penalties from $1,000 to $5,000.

Votes on Final Passage:

House 90  4

Senate 49  0

Effective: July 27, 2003