| |
| |
|
|
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
|
|
|
AN ACT
|
|
|
relating to the regulation of multipurpose residential fire |
|
|
protection sprinkler specialists by the Texas State Board of |
|
|
Plumbing Examiners. |
|
|
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
|
|
SECTION 1. Section 1301.002, Occupations Code, is amended |
|
|
by adding Subdivision (5-a) to read as follows: |
|
|
(5-a) "Multipurpose residential fire protection |
|
|
sprinkler specialist" means a person who holds an endorsement |
|
|
issued under Section 1301.3565. |
|
|
SECTION 2. Section 1301.352, Occupations Code, is amended |
|
|
to read as follows: |
|
|
Sec. 1301.352. EXAMINATION REQUIRED. The board shall issue |
|
|
a license or endorsement as a master plumber, journeyman plumber, |
|
|
plumbing inspector, tradesman plumber-limited license holder, |
|
|
medical gas piping installation endorsement holder, [or] water |
|
|
supply protection specialist, or multipurpose residential fire |
|
|
protection sprinkler specialist to a person who demonstrates the |
|
|
fitness, competence, and qualifications to receive the license or |
|
|
endorsement by passing a uniform, reasonable examination. |
|
|
SECTION 3. Subchapter G, Chapter 1301, Occupations Code, is |
|
|
amended by adding Section 1301.3565 to read as follows: |
|
|
Sec. 1301.3565. ENDORSEMENT: MULTIPURPOSE RESIDENTIAL |
|
|
FIRE PROTECTION SPRINKLER SPECIALIST. (a) A person may not engage |
|
|
in the installation of a multipurpose residential fire protection |
|
|
sprinkler system that uses potable cold water to provide water for |
|
|
domestic plumbing fixtures and for fire protection sprinklers |
|
|
unless the person: |
|
|
(1) is licensed under this chapter as a master plumber |
|
|
or journeyman plumber; and |
|
|
(2) holds an endorsement issued under this section. |
|
|
(b) The board shall issue an endorsement as a multipurpose |
|
|
residential fire protection sprinkler specialist to a person who: |
|
|
(1) holds the license described by Subsection (a); |
|
|
(2) applies to the board on a form prescribed by the |
|
|
board; |
|
|
(3) pays a fee set by the board; |
|
|
(4) presents evidence satisfactory to the board of |
|
|
successful completion of a certification program approved by the |
|
|
board for multipurpose residential fire protection sprinkler |
|
|
specialists; and |
|
|
(5) passes an examination required by the board. |
|
|
(c) An endorsement issued under this section is valid until |
|
|
the third anniversary of the date of issuance and may be renewed on |
|
|
compliance with any requirements prescribed by board rule. |
|
|
(d) A person who holds an endorsement under this section may |
|
|
represent to the public that the person is a multipurpose |
|
|
residential fire protection sprinkler specialist. |
|
|
(e) A plumbing inspector who meets the requirements of the |
|
|
board may inspect a multipurpose residential fire protection |
|
|
sprinkler installation. |
|
|
SECTION 4. (a) Not later than November 1, 2009, the Texas |
|
|
State Board of Plumbing Examiners shall adopt rules necessary to |
|
|
implement Section 1301.3565, Occupations Code, as added by this |
|
|
Act. |
|
|
(b) Not later than December 1, 2009, the Texas State Board |
|
|
of Plumbing Examiners shall begin administering examinations and |
|
|
issuing multipurpose residential fire protection sprinkler |
|
|
specialist endorsements under Section 1301.3565, Occupations Code, |
|
|
as added by this Act. |
|
|
SECTION 5. (a) Except as provided by Subsection (b) of this |
|
|
section, this Act takes effect September 1, 2009. |
|
|
(b) Section 1301.3565(a), Occupations Code, as added by |
|
|
this Act, takes effect March 1, 2010. |