Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research | BILL ANALYSIS |
Local Government Committee |
HB 1295
This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent. |
Brief Description: Concerning the installation of residential fire sprinkler systems.
Sponsors: Representatives Van De Wege, Hurst, Tharinger, Fitzgibbon and Liias.
Brief Summary of Bill |
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Hearing Date: 2/8/11
Staff: Miranda Leskinen (786-7291) and Ethan Moreno (786-7386).
Background:
A fire protection sprinkler system is a series of pipes connected to the primary water supply of a residence that transfers water to extinguish, control, or contain a fire. Sprinkler systems provide protection from exposure to fire or other combusted materials.
Fire Protection Contractor License Fund.
Fire protection sprinkler systems contractors must obtain and maintain a license issued by the State Director of Fire Protection. An annually-renewed certificate of competency is also required of individuals who install sprinkler systems. Both the contractor's license and certificate of competency are subject to a required annual renewal fee, the proceeds of which are placed in the fire protection contractor license fund along with funds generated from related rules and regulations.
Expenditures of this fund may be used for limited purposes, including:
hospital fire protection inspections; and
assistance with activities that identify recalled sprinkler system components.
Impact Fees.
Counties, cities, and towns planning under the Growth Management Act may impose impact fees on development activity to help pay for public facilities. Persons required to pay impact fees cannot also be required to pay a fee for comparable purposes under the state Environmental Policy Act.
Role of the Department of Health.
The Department of Health (Department) must develop leakage standards for water distribution systems as part of an overall effort to promote water use efficiency. The Department must establish a compliance process for municipal water suppliers regarding these standards, as well as provide technical and compliance assistance to municipal water suppliers and local governments upon request.
Summary of Bill:
Fire Protection Contractor License Fund.
Fire Protection Contractor License Fund expenditures may be used for generating educational material related to residential fire sprinkler effectiveness.
Impact Fees.
Individuals installing a residential fire sprinkler system in a single-family home are exempted from paying the fire operations portion of the impact fee not including their fair share of the costs for emergency medical services delivery.
Role of the Department of Health.
Water distribution system leakage standards are expressly defined to include:
estimated additional metering losses; and
demand increases due to meter upsizing required when a residential fire sprinkler system is installed.
A public water system is provided immunity from damages incurred from shutting off the water to a residential home with an installed fire sprinkler system if the shut off is due to the following:
routine water system management;
customer nonpayment for service; or
water system emergencies.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Not requested.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.