HomeMy WebLinkAbout33-Building and Safety
CITY OF SAN 8ERN~RDINO LQUEST FO~ COUNCIL ACTION
From:
Larry E. Reed, Direc~~E'o.~ADRHt ($f)ject:
Building and Safety l:;"'f"l I""T. . ....
,](I:,i uL I 3 PM 12: ~ 5
Licensing of Journeyman
Plumbers & Related Piping
Tradespersons
Dept:
Date:
October 18, 1989
Synopsis of Previous Council action:
none
Recommended motion:
That the concept of licensing of Journeyman Plumbers and related
piping trades persons be referred to Council Legislative Review
Committee for discussion.
r?~
Signature
Jim Richardson, Deputy city Administrator
Larry E. Reed
Contact person: Phone:
Staff Report
Supporting data attached:
384-5274
FUNDING REQUIREMENTS:
Amount:
#
Source: (Acct. No.)
Ward:
N/A (Amt. to be determined)
City wide
(Acct. DescriPtion)
Source would be proposed
license and testing fees
Finance:
Council Notes:
75-0262
Agenda Item No._ 33
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CITY OF SAN BERNARDINO - R.QUEST FOR COUNCIL ACTION
STAFF REPORT
Although many of the tradespersons in the plumbing and mechanical field-
continue to have high quality skills and current knowledge, the number
is declining. Over the last ten (10) to fifteen (15) years there has
been a general decline in the skill level of the average mechanic in
the plumbing profession. Consequently, the public and building owners
are not getting quality plumbing and piping installations. The decline
of skill level and current knowledge has an impact on the San
Bernardino Department of Building and Safety. Inspectors doing
plumbing inspections will tell you they are faced with an increasing
lack of Code knowledge, incompetence and poor workmanship. City
inspectors are spending more and more time: teaching, explaining code
requirements, showing how to, writing more correction notices and
making more reinspections.
The public (meaning the consumer and the tax payer) is affected most by
the plumbing profession's low skill level and lack of code knowledge in
the following ways:
1. Incompetent mechanics increase inspection costs.
2. City inspectors cannot see every piece of a plumbing installation.
with poor mechanics, the inspector has difficulty even insuring
that the minimum code is met on many jobs. The result is many
substandard installations are being passed on to the unsuspecting
consumer.
3. Among other things, substandard plumbing inspections may result in
contaminated water supplies, sewer gas released in buildings
(explosion and health hazard), unnecessary and extensive
maintenance and repairs, and the premature deterioration / blight
of a property.
The public deserves the m~n~mum protection of a City Ordinance
requiring that persons actually installing plumbing and piping in the
city of San Bernardino have been trained, certified, tested for
competency.
The Department of Building and Safety in conjunction
Industry and Education Trust (PIPE) is proposing
journeyman certification ordinance.
with the Piping
a competency
A piping trade certification Ordinance will cost the City very little,
or nothing, because the test fees collected from the candidates Dor
journey level certification covers the cost of the program.
CA.STAFF-7
10/18/89
Page 1
75-0264
'-'"
STAFF REPORT
An outline of how the program will operate is as follows:
1. The City adopts an Ordinance relating to the testing of journey
level plumbers and related piping trade installers. This Ordinance
would have a six (6) month to one (1) year phase-in period (see
sample Ordinance - Exhibit A).
2. The City would enter into an agreement / contract with Piping
Industry Progress and Education Trust for the purpose of providing
testing and certification of journey level plumbers and piping
trades persons (see Exhibit B - sample agreement).
3. The City notifies the local plumbing industry as to the timetable
when all plumbers and piping trades must have their training and
certification in place.
4.
The city begins enforcement of certification
field during construction, six (6) months to
Ordinance is adopted.
requirements in
a year after
the
the
COUNCIL:STAFF-7
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CA.STAFF-7
10/18/89
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