(1) All applications must be made on the forms provided by the director and include the required fees provided by WAC
212-90-098 and documentation for the required level of experience as provided by this section.
(a) For journey-level sprinkler fitter certification, the applicant must:
(i) Provide evidence on the forms provided by the director of at least 8,000 hours of trade related fire protection sprinkler system experience in installation, alteration, and repair;
(ii) Not have more than 3,000 hours of the required 8,000 hours of experience in residential sprinkler fitting; and
(iii) Satisfactorily pass an examination provided by the director with a final score of 80 percent.
(b) For residential level sprinkler fitter certification, the applicant must:
(i) Provide evidence on the forms provided by the director, of at least 4,000 hours of trade related fire protection sprinkler system experience in installation, repair, and maintenance;
(ii) Satisfactorily pass an examination provided by the director with a final score of 80 percent; and
(iii) Be considered and acts as a trainee level fitter certification when working on journey level work.
(c) For trainee level sprinkler fitter certification, the applicant must:
(i) Provide evidence to the director, on the forms provided by the director, of trade related employment by a licensed contractor;
(ii) Remain employed by a licensed contractor to maintain trainee status; and
(iii) Only engage in the fire protection sprinkler system trade when under the supervision of a certified journey level or residential installer.
(A) All trainee level fitters must be supervised under the proper ratio prescribed by law of:
(I) Residential level work: A residential or journey level fitter can supervise not more than two trainee level fitters at any one time.
(II) Journey level work: A journey level fitter can supervise not more than one residential or trainee level fitter at any one time.
(B) Any sprinkler contractor, certificate holder, company, or individual found in operation without proper supervision will constitute a Level 1 violation.
Certificate Level | Application Required | Exam Required | Type of Work Performed by Certificate Holder |
Journey Sprinkler Fitter | Yes | Pass an exam (See WAC 212-90-093) | Installs and repairs NFPA 13D, 13R, or 13 fire sprinkler systems |
Residential Sprinkler Fitter | Yes | Pass an exam (See WAC 212-90-093) | Installs, repairs, and performs maintenance on fire sprinkler systems in residential occupancies |
Trainee Sprinkler Fitter | Yes | No | Installs, repairs, and performs maintenance on a fire sprinkler system only under the supervision of a properly certified residential/journey level fitter |
(2) All information submitted by an applicant to the director to apply for a certificate must be true and accurate. If the director finds that information or documents submitted by an applicant is false, misleading, or has been altered in an effort to meet the requirements provided by this chapter, the finding will constitute a Level 3 violation.
(3) A violation of this section that involves a contractor allowing an employee to engage in performing fire protection sprinkler fitting work:
(a) By engaging in the trade of fire sprinkler fitting without having a valid sprinkler fitter certificate of competency issued for the work being conducted is a Level 3 violation.
(b) By a trainee sprinkler fitter engaging in the trade of fire sprinkler fitting without the direct supervision of a certified residential or journey sprinkler fitter is a Level 3 violation.
(c) As a trainee without a trainee certificate but with the direct supervision of a certified residential or journey sprinkler fitter is a Level 1 violation.
(d) Any individual using a certification and/or certification number not issued to them by the director.