SENATE BILL REPORT

SHB 2342

BYHouse Committee on Commerce & Labor (originally sponsored by Representatives Vekich, Zellinsky, R. King, Cole, Schmidt, Leonard, Winsley, Prentice, Ferguson, Sayan and Jones)

Licensing fire protection sprinkler system contractors.

House Committe on Commerce & Labor

Senate Committee on Economic Development & Labor

Senate Hearing Date(s):February 19, 1990; February 23, 1990

Majority Report:  Do pass as amended.

      Signed by Senators Anderson, Vice Chairman; McDonald, McMullen, Matson, Murray, Smitherman, Williams.

Senate Staff:Traci Anderson (786-7452)

                  February 26, 1990

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT & LABOR, FEBRUARY 23, 1990

BACKGROUND:

The automatic fire sprinkler industry has experienced substantial growth in the last 15 years.  Many local building codes require fire sprinkler systems in new residential structures as well as other buildings that are generally open to the public. However, there is no statewide licensing scheme covering fire protection sprinkler system contractors.

SUMMARY:

Fire protection sprinkler system contractors are subject to licensing procedures.

The state Director of Fire Protection within the Department of Community Development is given the authority to administer this chapter.  The director shall set reasonable fees for the issuance of licenses and certificates, establish such testing procedures as may be required, and investigate complaints.  The director is also authorized to refuse or revoke licenses and certificates for reasons including fraud, dishonest practices, felony convictions, and gross incompetence or negligence.  Appeals are provided for in accordance with the state Administrative Procedure Act.  The director shall implement a program that will require certificate holders to place their numbers on fire sprinkler installations and thus, make it possible to identify who installed a specific fire protection sprinkler system.

To hold a certificate of competency, an applicant must have three years' experience in the field and pass an examination or have already met a certain level of national certification in engineering technologies.  Provision is made for the issuance of temporary certificates of competency, for those who have less than three years of experience.

To become a licensed fire protection sprinkler system contractor a person or firm must:  1) be or employ a holder of a certificate of competency; 2) comply with surety bond requirements; and 3) apply for a license and pay the fee.

The fire protection contractor license fund is created in the custody of the State Treasurer.  All receipts from license and certificate fees shall be deposited into the fund.  No appropriation is required for expenditures.

A technical advisory committee is established and is appointed by the Director of the Department of Community Development.  The committee shall advise the Director of Fire Protection in developing rules and regulations.  The committee is made up of three members from the fire sprinkler industry, one registered fire protection engineer, one member of the Washington Surveying and Rating Bureau, one member each, representing:  a city fire department, a county fire marshal, a residential sprinkler company, and the Washington State Association of Fire Chiefs.

Appropriation:    none

Revenue:    yes

Fiscal Note:      available

Effective Date:The bill takes effect May 1, 1991.

SUMMARY OF PROPOSED SENATE AMENDMENTS:

Only an owner occupier of a single family residence who is performing his or her own installation of a fire sprinkler system in that residence is exempted from the licensing requirements of this act.

The state Director of Fire Protection and the Fire Protection Sprinkler System Technical Advisory Committee are given the authority to develop eligibility criteria for those individuals seeking to obtain a certificate of competency.  The eligibility criteria originally included in the bill are removed.

The fire sprinkler contractor is required, within a specific period of time, to notify the state Director of Fire Protection when a certificate of competency holder leaves the employment of the fire sprinkler contractor.

Senate Committee - Testified: Gregory Dean, Seattle Fire Department; Gordon Walgren, Washington Fire Sprinkler Association; Otto Jensen, Washington State Association of Fire Chiefs; Richard Boulanger, Washington Fire Sprinkler Association; Russ Ford, Martin Selig Real Estate; Dick Small, Department of Community Development, Director of Fire Protection Services; Robert Neale, Bellingham Fire Department; Larry Stevens, Mechanical Contractors Association