HOUSE BILL REPORT
ESHB 1968
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.
As Passed House:
March 14, 2007
Title: An act relating to sprinkler fitters.
Brief Description: Requiring certification for sprinkler fitters.
Sponsors: By House Committee on Commerce & Labor (originally sponsored by Representatives Simpson, Conway and Ormsby).
Brief History:
Commerce & Labor: 2/16/07, 2/26/07 [DPS].
Floor Activity:
Passed House: 3/14/07, 74-21.
Brief Summary of Engrossed Substitute Bill |
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HOUSE COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE & LABOR
Majority Report: The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass. Signed by 5 members: Representatives Conway, Chair; Wood, Vice Chair; Green, Moeller and Williams.
Minority Report: Do not pass. Signed by 2 members: Representatives Condotta, Ranking Minority Member and Chandler, Assistant Ranking Minority Member.
Staff: Jill Reinmuth (786-7134).
Background:
The state Director of Fire Protection (Director) administers state laws relating to licensing of
fire protection sprinkler system contractors and certification of persons designing and
installing certain sprinkler systems.
Licensing and Certification Requirement
To construct, install, or maintain a fire protection sprinkler system in an occupancy, a person
must be licensed as a fire protection sprinkler system contractor. This requirement does not
apply to owners/occupiers of single-family dwellings installing a sprinkler system in those
dwellings, government employees acting in their official capacities, and certain other persons.
A municipality may not require a contractor to obtain a license from the municipality to
install sprinkler systems. A licensed fire protection sprinkler system contractor is qualified to
install, inspect, maintain, or service a fire protection sprinkler system. To become a licensed
fire protection sprinkler system contractor, a person or firm must:
To become a certificate holder, a person must satisfy criteria established by the Director, and
pass an examination. The Director may accept equivalent proof of qualification in lieu of
examination. The Director is authorized to refuse or revoke licenses and certificates for
reasons including fraud, dishonest practices, felony convictions, and gross incompetence or
negligence. Licensing decisions may be appealed as provided in the state Administrative
Procedure Act.
Administration
As noted above, the Director administers the licensing and certification requirements. The
Director must adopt rules necessary for the administration of these requirements, administer
examinations, set reasonable fees for licenses and certificates, investigate complaints, and
take other actions necessary to enforce these provisions.
Dedicated Account
The Fire Protection Contractor License Fund (Fund) exists in the custody of the State
Treasurer. License and certificate fees are deposited into the Fund. No appropriation is
required for expenditures.
Summary of Engrossed Substitute Bill:
In addition to licensing and certification requirements applicable to fire protection sprinkler
system contractors, the state Director of Fire Protection (Director) must administer
certification requirements applicable to sprinkler fitters.
Certification Requirement
A certification requirement for sprinkler fitters is established. A person may not engage in
the sprinkler fitting trade without having a journey-level or residential certificate, trainee
certificate, or temporary permit. Similarly, a contractor may not employ a person to perform
sprinkler fitting work who does not have such a certificate or permit. An exception to the
certification requirement allows a plumber to install a residential sprinkler system connected
to potable water.
Certification With Examination
To obtain a certificate, a person must submit an application, pass the appropriate
examination, and pay application and examination fees. In addition, for a journey-level
sprinkle fitter certificate, the person must have 8,000 hours of trade-related sprinkler fitting
experience. For a residential sprinkler fitter certificate, the person must have 4,000 hours of
trade-related sprinkler fitting or residential sprinkler fitting experience. For a trainee
certificate, the person must have trade-related employment with a licensed fire protection
sprinkler system contractor.
Certification Without Examination
A grandfather clause allows a person to obtain a certificate without examination. The person
must have 8,000 hours of employment as a journey-level sprinkler fitter for a journey-level
certificate, or 4,000 hours of employment as a journey-level or residential sprinkler fitter for a
residential certificate. The person must apply for the certificate within 90 days of the act's
effective date.
A reciprocity clause allows a person who is a journey-level or residential sprinkler fitter in
another state to become certified without examination. The certification requirements in the
other state must be substantially equivalent to the requirements in Washington. The other
state must extend the same privilege to a person who is a certified journey-level or residential
sprinkler fitter in Washington.
Administration and Enforcement
The Director is authorized to investigate alleged violations of the certification requirement.
A person wishing to appeal an infraction must file an appeal within 20 days of the notice of
infraction in accordance with the Administrative Procedures Act.
Monetary penalties are set by rule. All receipts from fees and penalties are deposited in the
Fire Protection Contractor License Fund.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect January 1, 2009.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony:
(In support) This year's bill is slightly different than last year's bill. It clarifies that the
requirement applies only to sprinkler fitting within the building.
This bill does not require any particular sprinkler fitter system. Instead, if you are going to
install sprinkler fitter systems, you must do so with trained personnel. Just because a system
is designed perfectly does not mean that it will be installed perfectly. There should be
assurances that systems that are properly designed and engineered will be installed by
someone who can read those blueprints.
This industry has experienced many changes in recent years. There used to be just 12 types
of sprinkler heads, and there are now 2,000 types. Installers need education to do their jobs.
The designers and the contractors are licensed. The installers should be too.
A technical correction is needed on page 4, line 29. The reference should be to section 3
instead of section 2.
(Opposed) None.
Persons Testifying: (In support) Pete Crow, Washington State Association of Plumbers and Pipefitters; John Brooks, Darrin Parsons, Rick Toland, and Mike Dahl, Sprinkler Fitters Local 669; and Larry Stevens, National Electrical Contractors Association and Mechanical Contractors Association.