Third, the bill seeks to regulate only the installation of water sprinkler systems, but it contains an unnecessarily broad definition of “fire suppression” which covers the installation, repair, testing and servicing of “fire protection systems using emulsifier, spray, water, fog, carbon dioxide, clean agent gas, foam, and dry chemical systems.”įire suppression professionals generally specialize in one area of fire prevention, such as water sprinkler systems, dry fire suppression, or special hazard fire suppression systems. These activities would require significant resources, and a significant amount of time to implement, which would cause construction delays throughout the State. Second, the bill does not provide any funding for the Department of State to implement this program, which would require the creation of licensing standards, the promulgation of rules and regulations, and the hiring and training of enforcement staff. However, the Office of Fire Prevention and Control within the Department of State does not currently license fire suppression companies or individuals, and thus signing this bill would bring all fire suppression work to a standstill, and to the extent such work continues, the bill would subject workers to immediate arrest.
Indeed, numerous organizations have recommended that this bill be vetoed, including the Firemen’s Association of the State of New York, the American Fire Sprinkler Association, the General Building Contractors of New York State, the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials, the International Code Council, the National Federation of Independent Businesses, the New York State Building Officials Conference, and the New York State Fire Marshals and Inspectors Association.įirst, the bill has an immediate effective date, and thus any unlicensed individual who engages in fire suppression work after the bill is signed would be guilty of a misdemeanor. There is no question that fire safety is of paramount importance, but this bill has significant flaws, and is not in the best interests of fire protection. This bill exempts fire suppression work in New York City, Nassau and Suffolk counties and any person who performs fire suppression work in a one or two family house owned or leased by that person.
Thereafter, each day that an individual performs fire suppression work without a license is considered a separate offense punishable by a fine of $500 to $1,000. For a first offense, an individual may be fined between $100 and $500. The bill makes any person engaging in fire suppression work without a license guilty of a misdemeanor. Journeymen sprinkler fitters are required to have 10,000 hours of fire suppression experience. This bill requires the State Fire Administrator to issue two types of fire suppression licenses: “apprentice sprinkler fitters” and “journey- men sprinkler fitters.” Apprentice sprinkler fitters must be enrolled in a State registered sprinkler fitter apprenticeship program. “An Act to amend the labor law, in relation to the supervision of fire suppression specialists” I am returning herewith, without my approval, the following bill: NY Gov has the courage to fight unions and kill a bad bill life safety is more important!