9127F ORDINANCE NO. 9127
AN ORDINANCE RELATING TO THE PROTECTION OF PUBLIC HEALTH
AND PROVIDING F' OR THE SUP RVISION, REGULATION AND INSPEC-
TION OF PLUMBING AND GAS FITTING, AND THE LICENSING AND
REGISTRATION OF PLUMBERS, AND FOR OTHER PURPCL ES
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS:
SECTION 1. Definitions.
1. The term "Master Plumber ", as used in this ordinance, shall
be construed to include any person who, under a contract or agreement
between himself and another, engages in , or works at, the business
of plumbing or gas fitting, or both, or installs or places any plumb-
ing, plumbing fixtures, gas piping, gas fixtures, or plumbing or gas
material, or who directs or supervises the installing or placing of
same, within any building within the City of Little Rock.
2. The term "journeyman Plumber" as used in this ordinance shall
be construed to include any person who, under the direction of and in
the employ of a Master Plumber, works at the business of plumbing or
gas fitting, or both, or who installs or places any plumbing, plumb-
ing fixtures, gas piping, gas fixtures, or plumbing or gas material,
within any building within the City of Little Rock.
3. Building. A building means any structure erected for the
support, shelter and enclosure of persons, animals, chattels or
movable property of any kind.
4. Plumbing. In this ordinance the definition of plumbing shall.
correspond to that given in Section I (1) of Act 200 of 1951.
SECTION 2. Board of Plumbing Supervision. For the purpose
of carrying out the provisions of this ordinance, there is hereby
created "A Board of Plumbing Supervision".. hereinafter referred to as
the Board, consisting of two Master Plumbers and one Journeyman
Plumber, who are residents of this city and registered under this
ordinance, to be appointed by the Mayor for a period of two years and
approved by the City Council; the City Health Officer and the Chief
Plumbing Inspector of Little Rock. The members of said Board shall
hold office until his successor shall be legally chosen and qualified.
The Mayor may remove the three appointed members of the Board for
malfeasance in office, neglect of duty, or incapacity, provided, however,
that the accused shall be given reasonable notice and reasonable
opportunity for making a defense in his behalf. Each member of the
Board who is not an employee of the City of Little Rock shall be paid
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a per diem of ten dollars per day for the actual number of days
served by such member in the actual performance of his duties.
The per diem shall be paid to the Board from the examination fees
collected as hereinafter provided.
SECTION 3. Duties of the Board. The Board shall conduct
examinations for the purpose of determining the competency and
knowledge of plumbing and drainage work of persons who are required
by this ordinance to possess such certificate. Said Board shall
annually elect a chairman and a vice - chairman from the members.
The vice - chairman shall preside in the absence of the chairman.
The Chief Plumbing Inspector shall act as secretary- treasurer of
the Board. The Board shall adopt such rules and regulations as
they see fit as approved by the Council, for the proper.and
efficient discharge of their official duties. The Board shall
determine the character of the examination to be given any applicant
therefor, and by majority vote, pass or reject such applicant upon
his showing, as the case may be. The Board shall keep an accurate
record of all their official transactions and render such reports
annually to the Mayor or City Council.
SECTION 4. Examination of Applicants. Any person desir-
ing to be registered as a Journeyman or Master Plumber shall make
application therefor to the Board on application blanks provided
for that purpose by the secretary, and pay tine examination fee
hereinafter provided. The secretary shall notify any applicant
for examination to appear before said Board for e:�.amina tion at their
regular meeting, at which time the Board shall examine the applicant
as to his knowledge of plumbing and drainage work and any rules,
regulations or laws relevant thereto, that they might deem necessary
and proper. If the applicant successfully passes the examination,
he shall be issued a Certificate of Registration as a Master or
Journeyman Plumber; provided, however, that no person may be issued
a Certificate of Registration as a Master or Journeyman Plumber
unless such person is licensed as a Master or Journeyman Plumber in
the State of Arkansas, as the case may be. Regular examinations
shall be held at least four times each year and special examinations
may be held at such time and place as may be fixed by" t?T6 -, Board.
SECTION 5• Re- Examinations. Any person i�4o.fails the
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examination may apply for re- examination after the expiration of
thirty (30) days. Should such person fail to pass the second time,
the Board may refuse a third app2ioation until after the expiration
of six (6) months.
SECTION 6. Temporary Permits. The Board may issue
temporary revocable permits to Journeyman Plumbers pending examina-
tion. No such permit shall be valid beyond the date of the meeting
of the first subsequent examination. Only one such permit shall
be issued to one applicant.
SECTION 7. Examination Fees. The fees, to be paid to
General Revenue funds, a re as follows:
1. For Master Plumbers Examination . . . . . . . . . $10.00
2. For Journeyman Plumbers Examim tion . . . . . 5.00
3.
For
Master License. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . 2.00
4.
For
Journeyman License . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . 2.00
5.
For
Renewal of Master or Journeyman License . .
. 2.00
SECTION 8. Expiration and Renewal of License. No license
shall be issued for longer than one year and all licenses shall expire
on the 31st day of December. All licenses may be renewed during the
month of December upon payment of the renewal fee of two dollars
($2.00) to the Board. Any license lapsed for failure to pay renewal
fee may be reinstated by the Board upon payment of all delinquent
fees and proof of good moral character.
SECTION 9. License Required. No person shall engage in
or work at the business of a master plumber or journeyman plumber
within the City of Little Rock unless licensed to do so by the Board.
No person, firm or corporation shall install plumbing unless at all
times a licensed master plumber is in charge, who shall be responsible
for proper installation. No such license shall be transferable. It
shall be unlawful for a licensed master plumber to allow the use of
his license, directly or indirectly, for the purpose of obtaining
permits, materials and supplies, for others. Nor shall he allow the
use of his license by others to install plumbing. Each member or
employee of a..do4pArtnership or each officer or employee of a
corporation engaging in the act of supervising plumbing installations
shall be required to obtain a master plumber's license before engaging
in such work.
.
SECTION 10. Revocation of License. The Board shall have
the power to suspend or revoke the Certificate of Registration of
any person registered under this ordinance, if such person is found
guilty of fraud or deceit in securing a Certificate of Registration,
or of negligence or incompetency in the practice of plumbing. pro -
ceedings for revocation or suspension of a- certificate shall be begun
by filing with the Secretary of the Board written charges against the
accused. The Board, unless it deems such charges to be trivial or
unfounded, shall-designate a time, not later than one month from the
date of the filing of such charges, and a place for hearing. The
accused shall be immediately furnished with a copy of such charges
and shall be given reasonable notice of the time and place of the
hearing and shall have a reasonable opportunity to appear by counsel,
to cross - examine witnesses, and tD produce evidence in his own behalf.
If, after such hearing, a majority of the members of the Board shall
be of the opinion that the accused is guilty and shall so vote, then
the certificate of such accused shall be revoked; provided, that the
Board shall have authority, when it shall deem it to be more just to
the accused and not more harmful to the public health, convenience,
safety, or to property, or the public welfare, to suspend the said
accused and prohibit him from practicing his trade in the City of
Little Rock for a period of not less than thirty days or more than
ninety days. Any registrant whose Certificate of Registration has
been revoked or suspended under the provisions of this ordinance may
appeal from such order of suspension or revocation to the City Council
within thirty days, whose decision shall be final as to the question
of fact. Six months after the date of revocation, upon proof of good
moral character, an application may be made for a new license, upon
which an examination shall be given.
SECTION 11. Administration and Enforcement. To provide
for the administration and enforcement of this ordinance, there is
hereby created the position of Chief plumbing Inspector, who shall
also be the Chief Gas Inspector, and as many assistants as are needed
to discharge the duties of his office. Said Inspectors shall be
chosen by the Civil Service Commission in the :;fanner provided by law;
said Inspectors shall be registrants under this ordinance with ten
years practical e;; perience in the business of plumbing and shall not
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be connected in any way with any firm or corporation, directly or
indirectly engaged in the business of plumbing. The salary of the
Chief Plumbing Inspector and his assistants shall be fixed by the
City Council and approved by the Mayor. The Chief I lumbing Inspector
or his assistants shall have the right of entry, during usual business
hours, to inspect any and all plumbing in buildings while in the
performance of their duties.
SECTION 12. Jurisdiction. The Board of Plumbing Super-
vision shall be under the jurisdiction of the City Board of Health
and the Chief Plumbing Inspector shall be under the supervision of
the City Health Department.
SECTION 13. Duties of Chief Plumbing Inspector. It shall
be the duty of the Chief Plumbing Inspector to have general charge of,
and supervision over, all plumbing and drainage done within any build-
ing that is located in or under the jurisdiction of the City of
Little Rock. And it shall be his special duty to require all plumbing
so done to conform to the provisions of this ordinance. It shall be
the duty of the Inspector to issue all permits for plumbing, to
inspect and pass upon all plumbing of any character being installed,
or already in use which he may find, or have reason to believe is
out of repair or imperfect, and by written notice to the owner or
agent in charge, of any building or premises wherein any imperfect
' or out -of- repair plumbing or gas piping, or plumbing or gas fixtures
may be located, notify them to have the same properly constructed or
repaired, and he shall stop the installation or use of any plumbing
or plumbing fixtures, gas piping or gas fixtures, or any plumbing or
gas material until the same shall have been made to conform to the
provisions of this ordinance. No owner or agent in charge of any
building or premises, or plumber in charge of any plumbing, who shall
receive written notice from the Inspector that the plumbing or the
gas piping or the plumbing fixtures or gas fixtures are being or were
improperly installed or are out of repair or are defective shall continue
the installation of or the use of such plumbing or gas fitting or
plumbing fixturesi or gas fixtures, but shall at once make all necessary
changes or repairs to conform to the provis =ons of this ordinance. The
Chief Plumbing Inspector, or his assistants, shall investigate all
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alleged violations of plumbing ordinances reported to him, or coming
to his knowledge, and shall file affidavits for warrant of merest
against any person, firm or corporation he may find to be guilty of
violations, and he, or his assistants, shall perform such other
services and duties as may be required or contemplated by this ordinance.
SECTION 14. Permits and Inspections. No plumbing or
drainage work shall be done within any building within the City o f
Little Rock without applying for Wand obtaining a permit to do such
work. Application for all plumbing and gas permits and inspections
shall be made to the of:i ice of the Chief Plumbing Inspector. Morn-
ing notices for inspection must be made before 9;00 A.M., and after-
noon notices before 1;30 P.M. The Chief Plumbing Inspector must be
notified before any work requiring an inspection is started. A permit
must be secured before a request for inspection is made. A penalty of
three times the permit and inspection fees shall be charged for failure
of any person to comply with this section. No work shall be covered
until inspections have been made and a notice is posted in a conspicuous
place that said work complies with the provisions of this ordinance.
Where work is condemned for any cause under this ordinance, and the
plumber doing the work is responsible, a second inspection fee shall
be charged and must be paid before further permits may be issued.
SECTION 15. Inspection Fees. The following fees or charges
shall be paid to the City Collector at the time application for permit
and inspection is made;
Plumbing roughing in inspection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $1.00
For each plumbing fixture outlet. . . . . . . . . . . . . 050
For final Certificate of Inspection . 1.00
Minimum inspection fee. . . . . . . . 0 ; . . .2.50
SECTION 16. Tests. There shall be two tests or inspections
by the inspector, who shall be notified by the plumber before the work
is ready for inspection, as follows;- First, the soil and vent pipes
must be tested by water from the end of the pipe to its termination
above the roof, or 10 pounds air test in the presence of such inspector;
such tests shall include all drains, soil and vent lines, the ✓lead
branches, traps and ferrule joints; Second, when all fixtures are in
place and plumbing is reported as complete, the Chief Plumbing Inspector
shall inspect, or cause to be inspected, all of said work and, if he
finds that same complies with the foregoing rules and ordinances, he
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shall issue a certificate of acceptance. If the work does not comply
with the aforesaid
rules
and ordinances, the
plumbing inspector shall
at once notify the
Master
F lumber to rectify
same.
SECTION 17. Plumbing Standards. The following rules shall
govern the installation of all plumbing, drainage and water piping
done in the City of Little Rock, Arkansas:
1. The City of Little Rock adopts by reference the Rules and
Regulations of the State Board of Health governing the Construction,
Installation and Inspection of Plumbing and Drainage commonly known
as the "Arkansas State Plumbing Code ", and amendments thereto (as
provided in Act 267 of 1949), with the following additions and amendments;
a. Minimum Size of Building Drain and Soil Stack. Soil pipes
receiving the discharge of one or more water c losets shall not be less
than four inches in internal diameter and carried full size through the
roof.
b. Distance from Trap to Vent. Horizontal branch lines
shall not extend more than twenty -four (24) inches from vent to seal
of trap, except for the following fixtures;- water c losets, bathtubs,
showers, automatic home laundries and floor drains, which shall be
three (3) feet.
c. Drainage Piping. Drainage piping within buildings shall
be cast iron soil pipe, type K copper tubing or lead pipe.
d. Vent Pipin. Vent piping shall be of galvanized iron,
cast iron soil pipe brass, copper or lead pipe.
e. Distance of Trap to Fixture. All traps shall be placed
as near the fixture as possible but in no case more than eighteen (18)
inches, with the exception of automatic home laundry equipment, which
must be installed with stand pipe.
f. All closet bowls that have traps above floors must be
connected with the closet stub by means of a cast brass or hard lead
flange, soldered to the lead and bolted to the closet flange. Co=ec-
tion between cast iron and closet bowl shall be made by means of a fl-
inch lead pipe and a brass ferrule with a full wiped soldered joint.
g. Waste and vent pipes shall not be less than the follow-
ing sizes;- For water closets, 4 -inch waste, 4 -inch vent and 2 -inch
revent; slop sinks, 2- inch waste and 2 -inch vent; bath -tubs, 12 -inch
waste and 12 -inch vent; basins, 14 -inch waste, 14 -inch vent; sinks,
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SECTION 20. Penalties. Any person, firm or corporation
who engages in or follows the business or occupation of, or
advertises or acts temporarily or otherwise as a Master or Journey-
man Plumber without first having secured the required license or
permit, or who otherwise violates any provision of this ordinance,
shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction
thereof, shall be fined not less than Ten Dollars ($10.00) nor more
than One Hundred Dollars 0100.00) or by imprisonment in the City
Jail for not less than thirty days, or by both such fine and
imprisonment. Each day during which a violation continues shall
be a separate offense.
SECTION 21. If any part of this ordinance shall be
declared invalid or unconstitutional, such determination shall
not invalidate any other part.
SECTION 22. All ordinances and parts of ordinances in
conflict herewith are hereby repealed, except Sewer Ordinances
7466 and 6405, which are hereby expressly reserved. This ordinance
tcction
° m of t",
w e alth and safety, an
emergency) is hereby deaclared to exist and this ordinance shall be
in full force andeffect from and after its passage and approval.
PASSED; February 16, 1953
AT`EST . APPROVED: P44*
City Clerk Mayor