SENATE BILL REPORT
SB 5772
BYSenators Warnke, Newhouse, Vognild, Smitherman and West
Regulating fire and life systems.
Senate Committee on Commerce & Labor
Senate Hearing Date(s):March 3, 1987; March 5, 1987
Majority Report: That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5772 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass and refer to Committee on Ways & Means.
Signed by Senators Warnke, Chairman; Smitherman, Vice Chairman; Anderson, Cantu, Tanner, Vognild, West, Williams, Wojahn.
Senate Staff:Patrick Woods (786-7430)
March 5, 1987
Senate Committee on Ways & Means
Senate Hearing Date(s):March 9, 1987
Majority Report: That Second Substitute Senate Bill No. 5772 be substituted therefor, and the second substitute bill do pass.
Signed by Senators McDermott, Chairman; Gaspard, Vice Chairman; Bauer, Fleming, Moore, Rasmussen, Rinehart, Talmadge, Vognild, Warnke, Williams, Wojahn.
Minority Report: Do not pass.
Signed by Senators Bluechel, Craswell, Lee, McDonald, Saling.
Senate Staff:Stephen Rose (786-7443)
March 11, 1987
AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON WAYS & MEANS, MARCH 9, 1987
BACKGROUND:
Currently state and local government laws regarding fire protection installation and inspections are not uniform. It is possible for buildings in the same locality to be subject to different fire protection requirements due to overlapping jurisdictions between state and local fire officials. In addition, inspection requirements vary between municipalities in the state. This has resulted in confusion among building owners and fire protection system companies.
Under the State Building Code Act, the uniform building code and uniform fire code standards are adopted by reference. The Act requires county and city governments to administer the uniform building and fire codes. Generally, the uniform building code pertains to construction standards, including fire protection system requirements for all buildings except single family residences. The uniform fire code primarily addresses the subsequent and continuing fire protection requirements which buildings must meet. The fire chief, local building department and/or electrical inspections division of the Department of Labor and Industries are responsible for overseeing the installation of fire protection systems which fall under the building code. In addition, local fire chiefs are authorized to set local maintenance standards and inspection requirements for fire protection systems under the uniform fire code.
The State Fire Marshal is statutorily responsible for fire protection requirements, in premises licensed by the Department of Social and Health Services, i.e., hotels, motels, nursing homes, group care facilities and hospitals. The State Fire Marshal reviews and approves construction and maintenance standards for fire protection systems in these facilities. The Department of Labor and Industries currently requires installers of fire and life safety systems to hold a limited energy or journeyman certificate.
SUMMARY:
A comprehensive system regulating the installation and inspection of fire and life safety systems is established within the Department of Labor and Industries and the State Fire Marshal's office.
Installation and modification to electrical fire alarm systems require a certificate of approval from an electrical inspector prior to being placed in service. Electrical inspectors of the Department of Labor and Industries and local municipalities are required to obtain a certificate of competency from the Department in order to inspect electrical fire and life safety systems.
Currently licensed and certified electricians are required to obtain a fire alarm endorsement in order to install or service electrical fire alarm systems. The requirements to obtain an endorsement include: passing an examination as prescribed by the Board of Electrical Examiners and the Department of Labor and Industries; and successfully completing an approved course in fire alarm systems. One member from the electrical fire alarm industry is appointed to the Board of Electrical Examiners.
A certificate of competency for the installation and servicing of nonelectrical fire and life safety systems is established in the office of the State Fire Marshal. The certificate may contain endorsements for the following systems: sprinkler; hood and vent; halon; fire extinguisher; miscellaneous; and a master certificate for all systems.
An individual or firm is prohibited from installing or servicing nonelectrical fire and life safety systems equipment without first obtaining a certificate of competency from the Fire Marshal's office. Exemptions are provided to: firms engaged exclusively in the business of installing or servicing fire and life safety systems on aircraft or vessels; members of fire departments engaged in servicing fire department equipment; employees of the federal government engaged in servicing equipment owned by federal government; employees of state government servicing or testing equipment used for the protection of public rights of way; employees of the Washington Surveying and Rating Bureau or recognized insurance organization engaged in testing of fire and life safety equipment not required by this chapter; individuals servicing their own fire extinguishers; and individuals under the direct supervision of another employee who holds a valid certificate of competency.
The Director of the Department of Community Development is authorized to: set fees; adopt rules; investigate violations; assess fines; administer licensing examinations; and establish certificate expiration dates. To obtain a certificate the individual must be 17 years of age or older and receive a passing grade on the certificate examination. Reciprocity is provided for individuals from other states and countries. A certificate may be suspended or revoked by the Director for due cause. A decision of the Director may be appealed to the superior court in the county in which the individual maintains his or her business.
The fire and life safety systems advisory technical committee is established. The committee is made up of five members appointed by the Director of the Department of Community Development consisting of a representative from: fire sprinkler firms; gaseous extinguisher firms; the public fire service sector; licensed electrical contractor; and the general public. The committee is authorized to advise the Director on the adoption of rules and regulations regarding fire and life safety systems. Local municipalities are authorized to enforce the provisions of the act and may establish schedules and procedures for conducting testing of fire alarm systems provided they are at least equivalent to those established by the Director.
It is the responsibility of an owner of a building with installed fire and life safety systems or appliances to maintain the system in proper operating conditions. The fire and life safety fund is established in the custody of the State Treasurer. The Department of Community Development is required to deposit in the fund all fees received which are designated solely for the operation of the fire and life safety program. The fund is subject to the allotment procedure provided in the Budget and Accounting Act. An undisclosed appropriation amount is provided to both the Department of Labor and Industries and the Department of Community Development for the administration of the Act.
EFFECT OF PROPOSED SUBSTITUTE:
The newly appointed member on the Electrical Board of Engineers is required to hold a valid fire alarm system endorsement. The Director of the Department of Community Development is to coordinate with political subdivisions and state agencies to ensure that building owners are not subject to multiple testing requirements by regulating agencies.
EFFECT OF PROPOSED SECOND SUBSTITUTE:
$722,000 from the Electrical Licensing Account and $187,000 from the general fund are appropriated to carry out the purposes of this bill.
An effective date of July 1, 1988 is added to the certification process for electrical fire alarm competency.
Fiscal Note: available
Senate Committee - Testified: COMMERCE & LABOR: No one
Senate Committee - Testified: WAYS & MEANS: Otto Jensen, Washington Association of Fire Chiefs; Artie Roberson