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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10973Mi ORDINANCE N0. 10,973 N � AN ORDINANCE ENTITLED: AN ORDINANCE CREATING A BOARD >1 OF PLUMBING SUPERVISION; PROVIDING FOR THE SUPERVISION, A o REGULATION AND THE INSPECTION OF PLUMBING AND GAS FITTING, 16Ln AND THE LICENSING AND REGISTRATION OF PLUMBERS AND GAS H FITTERS; ADOPTING THE STATE PLUMBING CODE AND THE SOUTHERN (0 N STANDARD GAS CODE; REPEALING ORDINANCES AND PARTS OF WH ORDINANCES IN CONFLICT HEREWITH; DECLARING AN EMERGENCY; a AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES. zs -W 0 rn o BE IT ORDAINED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE CITY OF LITTLE ROCK, .o �i N ARKANSAS: 0 SECTION 1. DEFINITIONS M r; (1) The definitions in this ordinance shall correspond to those 00 of Act 200 of 19.51 and the Arkansas State Plumbing Code. M (2) GAS FITTER: The term "Gas Fitter" as used in this Ordinance '-' shall be construed to include any person who engages in the business N of gas fitting, and the installation of gas piping, gas fired -+ appliances and gas equipment not connected to any water supply or drainage. co . °= (3) BOARD: Board shall mean the Board of Plumbing Supervision 0 of the City of Little Rock. r SECTION 2. BOARD OF PLUMBING SUPERVISION 0 .> (1) BOARD OF PLUMBING SUPERVISION: For the purpose of carrying o out the provisions of this Ordinance there is hereby created a Board b aai of Plumbing Supervision, hereinafter referred to as the Board, consis- ting of the Chief Plumbing Inspector and the City Health Officer of the City of Little Rock or a designated assistant of these officials, two master plumbers and one journeyman, plumber licensed under this ordinance. (a) All members of the Board shall be residents of the City of Little Rock, Arkansas, except the Board of Directors may approve a member who has a bona fide business or is steadily employed in the City of Little Rock but having residence in an area adjacent to the City of Little Rock. (2) APPOINTMENT TERM OF BOARD: The members of the Board shall be appointed by the City Manager and approved by the Board of Directors. The term of the Board shall be two years. (3) CITY EMPLOYEE ON BOARD: The Chief Plumbing Inspector and City Health Officer shall serve as long as they hold such office in the City Goa-ii r— /y -2- of Little Rock, Arkansas, and shall be replaced by their successors. (4) REMOVAL OF BOARD MEMBERS: The Board of Directors may remove for cause any member of the Board. (5) PER DIEM FOR BOARD: Each member of the Board ( except City of Little Rock employees) shall receive the sum of $10.00 per diem each meeting of the Board. SECTION 3. POWERS OF THE BOARD (1) FORMULATION OF RULES AND REGULATIONS: The Board shall act in an advisory capacity in the formulation of rules and regulations to be adopted by the Board of Directors. (2) SUPERVISION OF PLUMBING INSPECTOR: The Board shall act in an advisory capacity to the Chief Plumbing Inspector. (3) The Board shall prepare examinations to be used in determining the qualifications of applicants for license under this Ordinance. The Board may request and use the assistance of additional qualified personnel to assist the Board in preparation of examinations. (4) EXAMINATIONS BY BOARD: The Board shall conduct all examinations for licensing of master or journeyman plumbers. (5) RECIPROCAL LICENSING: The Board shall make an independent determination on all applications for reciprocal licensing. If an applicant presents satisfactory evidence that he is a licensed master or journeyman plumber and at the time his original license was issued, the applicant successfully passed an examination suitable to the Board, and the City of Little Rock has a reciprocal agreement with the City or State issuing the applicant's original license, the applicant may, at the approval of the Board, be licensed without further examination upon paying the reciprocal licensing fee. (6) INVESTIGATIONS, HEARINGS: SUSPENSION, REVOCATION OF LICENSE: (A) The Board may on its own motion make investigations and conduct hearings and may, on its own motion or upon complaint in writing duly signed and verified by the complainant, and upon not less than ten dayst notice to the licensee, suspend any plumber's license or temporary permit if it has reason to believe, and may revoke such license or permit in, the manner hereinafter provided; if it finds that the holder of such license or permit has: ' -3- (a) Made a material misstatement in the application for license or renewal thereof or for temporary permit. (b) Demonstrated incompetency to act as a plumber; or (c) Has willfully violated a second time any provisions of this Act or any rule, regulation or order prescribed by the Board. (B) A copy of the complaint with notice of the suspension of license or permit, if ordered by the Board, shall be served on the person complained against, and his answer thereto shall be filed in the time allowed for the filing of answers in legal proceedings by the statutes of the State of Arkansas. (C) No order revoking a license or permit shall be made until after a public hearing set by the Board not less than sixty days after the serving of a notice of suspension on the person complained against. Such hearing shall be had at the place designated by the Board. The person complained against shall have the right to be represented by counsel and to introduce any evidence in his defense. The conduct of the hearing shall be in accordance with recognized rules of legal procedure. An appeal may be made from such hearing or order of suspension or revocation to the City Manager, City of Little Rock, Arkansas. (D) Any member of the Board or representative designated by the Board shall have the authority to administer oaths for the taking of testimony. Six months after revocation, an application may be made for a new license. (7) STATE LICENSE: The Board shall not grant any license or permit to any person not holding a state license or permit for the type of license he is seeking. (8) RECORDS OF THE BOARD: The Board shall keep an acenaate record of all their official transactions and render such reports to the City Manager, after each meeting. An annual report shall be made to the Board of Directors. (9) JURISDICTION OF BOARD: The Board shall be under the jurisdiction of the City Manager. (10) GAS AND FLUE PIPING BOARD MEETINGS: In matters of gas piping and flue piping for gas fired equipment, a representative designated by the Arkansas Louisiana Gas Company and a gas fitter licensed under the provisions of this ordinance, shall be invited to such Board meeting, and shall be considered as members of the Board in all matters concerning gas including preparation of examinations, conduction of examination, and the granting of gas fitters licenses. SECTION 4. PLUMBING INSPECTOR (1) PROVISION FOR INSPECTOR AND ASSISTANTS: There is hereby created the position of Chief Plumbing Inspector of the City of Little Rock, Arkansas, who shall also be the Chief Gas Inspector, and as many assistants as are needed to discharge the duties of this office. (2) APPOINTMENT OF INSPECTOR AND ASSISTANTS: The Chief Plumbing Inspector and his assistants shall be selected under the regulations of the Little Rock Civil Service Commission. (a) The Chief Plumbing Inspector and his assistants shall be licensed under the provision of this Ordinance, and shall have a minimum of six years experience in plumbing. (3) LIMITATIONS OF INSPECTOR: The Chief Plumbing Inspector and his assistants shall not be connected in any business engaged in plumbing and gas fitting or the sale of plumbing and gas fixtures, appliances and material, either directly or indirectly. (4) SALARY OF INSPECTOR: The salary of the Chief Plumbing Inspector and his assistants shall be set by the Board of Directors of the City of Little Rock, Arkansas, payable at the time other officers of the City of Little Rock, Arkansas are paid. (5) DUTIES OF INSPECTOR (INSPECTION) : The Chief Plumbing Inspector and his staff shall inspect all plumbing, drainage, gas piping for compliance with this Ordinance, and all regulations herein. provided for. (6) DUTIES OF INSPECTOR (BOARD MEMBERS) : The Chief Plumbing Inspector or duly authorized assistant shall act as Secretary at all meetings of the Board. (7) DUTIES OF INSPECTOR (INVESTIGATION, ENFORCEMENT): It shall be the duty of the Chief Plumbing Inspector and his assistants to make investigations, apprehend unlicensed persons, check any installation, of plumbing, air - conditioning and gas equipment at any time he may see fit. (8) DUTIES OF INSPECTOR (RECORDS OF OFFICE) : The Chief Plumbing Inspector shall keep or cause to be kept, records of his office including: List of license, bonds, record of inspections, violations -5- or notice of violations or other records, when deemed necessary by the City Manager or by his authorized representative. (9) DUTIES OF INSPECTOR (REPORT OF INSPECTOR): The Chief Inspector shall prepare a report for each meeting of the Board. A copy or copies of such report to be furnished the City Manager and /or other officials designated by the City Manager. (10) INSPECTOR - RIGHT OF ENTRY: The Chief Plumbing Inspector, his assistants and other persons authorized by the Inspector may with the consent of the owner enter and inspect at reasonable hours plumbing, air conditioning and gas installations on private or public property in the City of Little Rock, Arkansas, and may disseminate information relative to the provisions of this Ordinance. If the owner refuses to grant permission for entry and inspection, the Plumbing Inspector is hereby authorized to obtain a warrant for such purposes. (11) INSPECTOR (ATTEND MEETINGS): The Chief Plumbing Inspector, his assistants and other persons authorized by the Inspector, may conduct investigations and experiments for the advancement of technical knowledge relating to plumbing, air conditioning or gas fitting and may hold public meetings and attend or be represented at such meetings within the City or within or without the State, providing, however, that trips out of the Little Rock area shall be approved by the City Manager. (12) INSPECTOR - TEMPORARY PERMITS: The Chief Plumbing Inspector may issue temporary revocable permits to master and journeyman plumbers pending examination, subject to the approval of the Plumbing Board, providing that any temporary permit shall be valid only until the next regularly conducted examination. SECTION 5. LICENSING (1) ALL PLUMBING UNDER LICENSED MASTER PLUMBER: Hereinafter, no person, firm, or corporation shall install plumbing in the City of Little Rock, Arkansas unless at all times a licensed master plumber is in charge, who shall be responsible for proper installation. (2) LICENSES REQUIRED: No person shall engage in or work at the business of a master or journeyman plumber in the City of Little Rock, Arkansas, unless licensed by the State of Arkansas and the City of Little Rock. A master may work as a journeyman. 0 -6 - (3) GAS LICENSE REQUIRED: Hereinafter, no person shall engage in or work at the business of gas piping, gas fitting or the installation of gas fired equipment, appliances and materials in the City of Little Rock, Arkansas, unless licensed under this Ordinance as a master or journeyman plumber or as a gas fitter. (4) LICENSE RENEWAL AND PENALTY: No license shall be issued for longer than one year and all licenses shall expire on December thirty - first in each year and such license may be renewed upon application made within thirty days proceeding or following date of expiration. After February first an additional penalty of $1.00 per month shall be prescribed. (5) LICENSE AND EXAMINATION FEES A. For master plumber examination ....................$50.00 B. For journeyman plumber examination ......0000.00000$10000 C. For master plumber license and /or renewal... ...... $20oOO D. For journeyman plumber license and /or renewal ..... $ 5.00 E. For gas fitters examination .......................$10.00 F. For gas fitters license and /or renewal.. ...... . ... $ 5.00 G. For reciprocal license, master litense............$20.00 H. For reciprocal license, journeyman license ........ $ 5.00 I. Reciprocal licenses may be renewed by the Board as any other license. J. It is further provided that an applicant who fails to pass the examination shall be refunded a portion of the fee as follows: A master applicant shall be refunded $25.00, Forfeiting $25.00. SECTION 6. BONDS (1) BONDS REQUIRED FOR PLUMBERS AND GAS FITTERS: It is herein provided that every master plumber, person, firm or corporation who shall engage in the business of installing, repairing or re- modeling any plumbing or gas piping, appliances, fixture, equipment or material, shall execute a bond in the sum of $1,000.00, approved by the City of Little Rock conditioned that he will indemnify and save harmless the City of Little Rock, Arkansas, of and from all accident and damage caused by negligence in protecting his work or by any inadequate work done by virtue of his license. That he pay all fines, licenses, -7- penalties, and permits imposed on him for any violation of this ordinance or its adopted regulations. SECTION 7. PERMITS (1) PERMIT REQUIRED - PLUMBING AND GAS: No plumbing or drainage piping gas piping or the installation of or the replacement of, plumbing or gas appliance, fixtures, equipment or materials shall be done in any building or property in the City of Little Rock, Arkansas, without applying for and obtaining permit to do such work. (2) REQUEST FOR INSPECTION: All applications for inspections shall be made to the office of the Chief Plumbing Inspector. All permits must be secured prior to request for inspection. (3) PENALTY FOR NO PERMIT: The failure to obtain a permit shall be considered a violation of this Ordinance and shall carry the penalty described in Section 15 of this Ordinance. (4) APPLICATION FOR PERMITS - PAYMENT OF FEES: Application for permits and payment of fees under this Ordinance shall be made to the City of Little Rock during official business hours and according to current regulations or administrative procedure set by the City Manager. (5) FEES: The following fees shall be paid to the City Collector of the City of Little Rock, Arkansas, as regulated by the City. A. PLUMBING FEES: Plumbing rough -in inspection ..........................$2.00 Final inspection and certificate ...................... 2.00 For each plumbing fixture outlet, fixture or appliance.1.00 Further providing that a complete inspection for one fixture or fixture connection shall be considered a minimum charge of .......................... ...........................3.00 B. GAS FEES: For gas service and five gas outlets or less .......... $2.00 For each gas outlet above five ........................ 050 For each water heater .. ............................... 2.00 For each floor furnace . ............................... 2.00 For each unit heater ... ............................... 2.00 For each boiler... 5.00 For each central heating unit... 3.00 For each conversion burner.... oeo****0*06040009004600005000 For each vented wall heater of any type ............... 2.00 } -8- (6) EXTRA FEE FOR ADDITIONAL INSPECTION: It is further provided that any extra trip by the Chief Inspector or his assistant caused by negligence of the plumber or gas fitter to be ready for test, or having failed to comply with this Ordinance, its adopted regulation., a penalty of $3.00 shall be charged for each and every such trip. SECTION 8. INSPECTION AND TEST (1) NUMBER OF TESTS (PLUMBING): There shall be a minimum of two tests or inspections by the Chief Plumbing Inspector or his assistant. First known as the Rough -in Inspection. and the Second or Final Inspection. (2) ROUGH -IN TEST (PLUMBING): The rough -in test and inspection is to be made when all plumbing drainage, water piping or gas piping is in, place but uncovered. A. The plumber shall have all water outlets closed except one opening and water pressure on the entire system. B. The water test shall be applied to all drainage and vent piping in its entirety or in sections as outlined in. the Arkansas State Plumbing Code. (3) ADDITIONAL OR SUBSTITUTE TEST (PLUMBING AND GAS): Additional test or other test may be required or substituted by the Chief Plumbing Inspector. (4) MATERIAL AND LABOR TEST (PLUMBING AND GAS): Material and labor necessary for Inspection and test shall be furnished by the licensed master plumber. (5) TEST REQUIRED (GAS): All gas piping, fixtures, appliances, equipment and materials including gas vents or flues shall be subjected to such test as required by the Chief Plumbing Inspector, providing that the Inspector shall require some approved test to insure safe operation of such piping equipment, appliance or materials. (6) INSPECTION AND TEST OF EXISTING INSTALLATION (PLUMBING AND GAS): The Chief Plumbing Inspector shall have the legal right to require any existing plumbing, drainage, or gas installation to meet inspection and test when he may have reason to believe that such system is not safe for the use it is intended. When such inspections and test indicate a faulty and unsafe system, the owner shall recondition such system or installation to render it safe. -9- SECTION 9. EXCAVATION (1) EXCAVATION: No person, firm or corporation shall dig or cause to be dug or excavated within, through or wader, any improved street, alley, sidewalk or public highway, within the City Limits of Little Rock, Arkansas, for any purpose without first obtaining a permit from the proper authority. All such work shall be properly protected by barricades, sign and lights. SECTION 10. STREET REPLACEMENT AND MAINTENANCE: (1) All excavations in improved streets under jurisdiction of the City of Little Rock, Arkansas, shall be replaced and maintained by the City of Little Rock, Arkansas, and charged for, to the person making•application.for excavation, at a current rate scheduled by the City of Little Rock, Arkansas, providing that the rate be supplied the person making excavation at the time he secures the permit. Such rates to be set from time to time by the City Manager. SECTION 11. SIGNS (1) SIGNS (PLACE OF BUSINESS AND TRUCKS): All persons, firm or corporation engaged in the installation, repair or remodeling of plumbing or gas piping, appliances, fixtures, equipment or materials, shall display on all vehicles, trailers, or places of business, a sign giving firm name and address in letters of at least two inches in size. SECTION 12. PLUMBING STANDARDS (1) The following rules and regulations shall govern the installation of all plumbing, drainage and water piping done in the City of Little Rock, Arkansas. (2) ADOPTION OF STATE PLUMBING CODE: The City of Little Rock, Arkansas, adopts by reference the "Rules and Regulations of the State Board of Health governing the Constructions 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 provisions or amendments: A. That each installation shall have one main waste four inches in diameter to the first water closet. Additional facilities may be added using the sizing covered by the Arkansas State Plumbing Code. -10- B. That no galvanized pipe shall be used for waste lines. C. That joints in. lead pipe and between lead pipe and other materials shall be fully wiped joints. SECTION 13. GAS CODE (1) SCOPE OF GAS CODE: The following rules and regulations shall govern the installation of all gas piping, appliances, equipment and materials, including gas flue and /or gas vent piping or construction in the City of Little Rock, Arkansas. (2) ADOPTIONS OF SOUTHERN STANDARD GAS CODE: The City of Little Rock, Arkansas, adopts by reference the rules and regulations of the Southern Building Code Congress governing the installation of gas piping, appliances, equipment, including gas flue and /or gas vent piping or construction, commonly known as the "Southern Standard Gas Code" and amendments thereto (as provided in Act 267 of 1949), with the following additions: 4.15 GAS LIGHTS 4.15.1 Installation. - - Approved gas lights may be installed by Gas Company or other qualified agency. 4.15.2 Piping. - -Gas light piping shall be 3/8 inch semi - annealed copper tubing or equivalent and shall be buried where feasible. All joints shall be flared. The length of such piping shall not exceed that which will permit a satisfactory pressure being maintained to the gas light. No curving or bending of copper tubing shall be permitted which would impair the efficiency of the gas flow or which would weaken tubing. 4.15.3 Connection. -- Connections of gas light piping to house piping shall be above ground only, and such connections shall be saddle tees with neoprene seats or approved equivalent connections. A cut -off valve assembly shall be located at the point of connection with the house piping. SECTION 14. SCOPE OF THIS ORDINANCE (1) The provisions of this Ordinance, its adopted regulations and amendments thereto, shall have the effect and force of law and shall apply to all buildings, private or public, rural or urban, where such buildings are located within the City Limits of the City of Little Rock, Arkansas. SECTION 15. PENALTIES (1) Any person, firm or corporation who engages in or follows the -11- business or occupation of, or advertises or holds himself or itself out as or act temporarily or otherwise as a master plumber without first having secured the required license or permit, or who otherwise violated any provisions of this ordinance, shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction thereof, shall be punished by a fine of not less than Ten Dollars nor more than One Hundred Dollars or by imprisonment in the county jail for not less than thirty days, or by both fine and imprisonment. Each day during which a violation continues shall be a separate offense. (2) Any person who shall do any act prohibited by this Ordinance or fail or refuse to comply therewith or fail or refuse to obey a lawful order of the Plumbing Inspector shall be punished by imprisonment for not more than three months or by a fine not exceeding One Hundred Dollars. SECTION 16. VALIDITY: This Ordinance being for the regulation of plumbing and for the protection of the public, the provisions hereof are declared to be separable, and the invalidity of any clause, sentence, paragraph or section hereof shall not affect the validity of the remainder of this Ordinance. SECTION 17. All Ordinances and parts of ordinances in conflict with this Ordinance are hereby repealed. SECTION 18. EMERGENCY CLAUSE: The Board of Directors of the City of Little Rock, Arkansas, hereby finds that the public has been and will be injured through improper plumbing and improper construction of sewage and drain pipes and that this Ordinance is necessary for the public health and safety, and an emergency is hereby declared to exist and this Ordinance shall be in full force and effect from and after its passage and approval. PASSED: August 17, 1959 ATTEST: APPROVED: try C1 e� Mayo