Chapter 17 Plumbing Part 1 Plumber Licenses 17-101. Master Plumbers and Journeyman Plumbers to Obtain Licenses 17-102. Master Plumber, Journeyman Plumber, Plumbing Work Defined; Master Plumbers and Journeyman Plumbers to Pass Examinations 17-103. Creation of Bristol Borough Plumbing Board 17-104. Powers and Duties of Plumbing Board and Secretary 17-105. Authority of Regional Examination Board of Lower Bucks County Regional Corporation Council 17-106. Annual Fees for Master Plumber s License, Journeyman Plumber s License, and Apprentice Plumber s License 17-107. Renewal of License 17-108. Applicants for Licenses to File Surety Bond and Insurance Policy; Conditions Thereof 17-109. Plumbers Belonging to Recognized Associations Need Not File Bonds 17-110. List of Plumbers Belonging to Recognized Associations Filed Annually 17-111. Notice of Change of Place of Business of Master Plumbers; Surrender of Certificate of License upon Retirement 17-112. Responsibilities of Master Plumbers and Journeyman Plumbers 17-113. Suspension and Revocation of Licenses; When Licenses Become Inoperative; Restrictions on Transfer of Licenses 17-1
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17-101 Plumbing 17-103 Part 1 Plumber Licenses 17-101. Master Plumbers and Journeyman Plumbers to Obtain Licenses. 1. Every master plumber before doing any plumbing work, either by himself or his employees and every journeyman plumber, before doing any plumbing work shall obtain from the Borough Plumbing Board a license, as hereinafter provided. 2. The license shall be signed by the Secretary of the Bristol Borough Plumbing Board. Journeyman plumbers from other towns will be permitted to work under a temporary license until the next examination is held providing their application for examination is placed on file with the Borough Plumbing Board. Journeyman plumbers who are brought into the jurisdiction of the Borough of Bristol during an emergency by licensed master plumbers of the Borough of Bristol may be granted a temporary license for 6 months, after which an examination will be held, providing their application for examination is placed on file in the office of the Borough Manager before starting to work. (Ord. 676, 8/8/1966, 1) 17-102. Master Plumber, Journeyman Plumber, Plumbing Work Defined; Master Plumbers and Journeyman Plumbers to Pass Examinations. 1. A master plumber within the meaning of this code is a person or persons, or corporation, who has a bona fide established place of business. The term bona fide place of business is further defined as follows: the home or residence of the person holding the license and conducting the business. The home or residence of a member of the firm or corporation. A shop or store or portion of the same. An office or space in an office building. Out-of-town firms or corporations not continuously in business shall have their business location at the place where work is to be done. A journeyman plumber is a person who can give sufficient evidence of his practical knowledge of plumbing, house drainage and sanitation. 2. Plumbing work for the purpose of this Part shall be deemed and construed to cover and include the installation and alterations, repairs or connections to any drain, sewer, soil, waste or vent pipe or any pipes connected therewith for sanitary purposes; and new installations or alterations of water supply pipes for sanitary purposes. Provided, however, that nothing herein contained or provided for in any provision of this Part shall be deemed to apply to any process pipes or piping installed, repaired or maintained for the purpose of, or in connection with, the furnishing of water for industrial uses or purposes. 3. Both a master and a journeyman plumber must pass the examinations of the Regional Examination Board of the Lower Bucks County Regional Corporation Council, of which Bristol Borough is a constituent member pursuant to agreement dated March 18, 1966. (Ord. 676, 8/8/1966, 2) 17-103. Creation of Bristol Borough Plumbing Board. 17-3
17-103 Borough of Bristol 17-105 1. For the purpose of administering this Part the Bristol Borough Plumbing Board is created. Said Board shall consist of the Plumbing Inspector of the Borough of Bristol, whose term as member of the Board shall be concurrent with his term in office as Plumbing Inspector, and two master plumbers to be appointed by Borough Council. Each member of the said Board, except the Plumbing Inspector, shall be appointed for a period of 4 years; however, their terms shall be staggered. 2. Whenever a vacancy has occurred, or is about to occur by reason of the expiration of the term of any member, the proper appointing body shall appoint the member of the Board for a 4-year term to succeed the member whose term has expired or is about to expire. An alternate master plumber shall be appointed to serve only in the absence of the original appointees. Vacancies shall be filled for the unexpired term. The master plumbers appointed to membership on said Board may be removed for good cause, at any time, after being afforded a public hearing. 3. The Bristol Borough Plumbing Board shall fix stated times and places of meetings which shall be held on written call of the chairman by 2 days notice to each member of the Board. (Ord. 676, 8/8/1966, 3) 17-104. Powers and Duties of Plumbing Board and Secretary. The members of the Bristol Borough Plumbing Board first appointed under this Part shall meet within 5 days after the adoption of this Part and organize by selecting one of their number as chairman, and thereafter said Plumbing Board shall meet on the first Tuesday of January each year, and organize in like manner; the Plumbing Inspector shall be the Secretary of the Plumbing Board. It shall be the duty of the Secretary to keep full and complete minutes of the meetings of the Plumbing Board; to properly file all applications and other papers of the Board; to keep an accurate account of the moneys received by him under the provisions of this Part, and to promptly certify to the Borough Manager the names of all persons, firms and corporations that have passed the examinations of the Regional Examination Board of the Lower Bucks County Regional Corporation Council and desire to be licensed in Bristol Borough as master plumbers or journeyman plumbers. (Ord. 676, 8/8/1966, 4) 17-105. Authority of Regional Examination Board of Lower Bucks County Regional Corporation Council. The Regional Examination Board of Lower Bucks County Regional Corporation Council shall have power to make all necessary rules and regulations covering the filing of applications, the form of applications and the examination of applicants. It shall be its duty to examine all applicants for a master plumber s license as to their knowledge of plumbing, house drainage, ventilation and sanitation, which examination shall be practical as well as theoretical, and to examine all applicants for a journeyman plumber s license, as to their practical knowledge and ability of plumbing, house drainage, sanitation. If the applicant shows himself to be competent, the Regional Examination Board, aforesaid, shall so certify to the Bristol Borough Plumbing Board, and shall recommend to the Bristol Borough Plumbing Board that the applicant be given a license as a master plumber or journeyman plumber as the case may be upon 17-4
17-105 Plumbing 17-108 the payment of fees hereinafter provided and the fulfillment of the conditions hereinafter imposed. (Ord. 676, 8/8/1966, 5) 17-106. Annual Fees for Master Plumber s License, Journeyman Plumber s License, and Apprentice Plumber s License. Each master plumber who has been certified as herein provided, each journeyman plumber, and apprentice plumber shall deposit the sum required for the annual license as shall be established by resolution of Borough Council. Such deposits shall have been paid to the Borough Inspector before anyone may conduct any plumbing work in the Borough of Bristol. (Ord. 676, 8/8/1966, 8; as amended by Ord. 954, 5/14/1981; and by Ord. 1005, 7/14/1986, 17-106) 17-107. Renewal of License. 1. Plumber s licenses shall be renewed for a fee as shall be established by resolution of Borough Council. 2. A license need not be renewed in any year the licensee does not desire to work in Bristol Borough. However, if a license is not renewed within 5 years from the date a license was last issued, then the applicant must take and pass another examination by the Regional Examining Board of the Lower Bucks County Regional Cooperation Council. All license fees are subject to change from time to time by resolution of the Borough Council. 3. A license may be issued on a one time, one job basis for plumbers qualified under this Part at a rate established by resolution of Borough Council. (Ord. 676, 8/8/1966, 9; as amended by Ord. 954, 5/14/1981; as amended by Ord. 1005, 7/14/1986, 17-107) 17-108. Applicants for Licenses to File Surety Bond and Insurance Policy; Conditions Thereof. 1. Before any license shall be issued to any applicant therefor, said applicant shall execute and file with the Secretary of Borough Council a surety bond, approved as to form and the qualifications of the surety or sureties by the Solicitor for said Borough, in the principal sum of $2,000, the conditions and obligation of which bond shall be that the said applicant shall indemnify and save harmless the Borough of Bristol in the County of Bucks, and each and every officer, representative, agent or employee thereof, the owner of any property upon which said applicant shall do or perform any plumbing work, and any person or persons who, or firm or corporation which, shall employ said applicant to do or perform any plumbing work against any damages by reason of injury or otherwise resulting from any obstruction in or upon any tunnel, excavation or other opening of any kind in or under any street, avenue, alley or other place on either public or private property made or caused by said applicant, or by any agent, servant or employee of said applicant, for any purpose in connection with plumbing work; that said applicant shall keep and maintain conspicuously placed, during every night from sunset to sunrise, during the continuance of any obstruction, excavation, tunnel or opening authorized by any permit such number of red lights along or near the same and during 17-5
17-108 Borough of Bristol 17-110 the daytime such barricades as shall be necessary for the safety of all persons and property, and to warn any and all persons of the danger of any such obstruction, tunnel, excavation or opening; that said applicant shall restore and replace, and remove any obstructions placed on or about, any and all property and all portions thereof, excavated or disturbed in connection with any said work in the same condition as before said work was done or performed and shall keep and maintain any excavated, obstructed, or disturbed portion of any such property in proper condition for a period of at least 6 months after any such excavation, obstruction or disturbance thereof; that said applicant shall keep and maintain, or restore or replace if necessary, any and all plumbing work done and performed by said applicant, insofar as any labor or materials shall have been furnished by said applicant are concerned, in a proper condition for at least 3 months after such labor or materials shall have been furnished by said applicant; that said applicant shall pay all fines and penalties imposed upon said applicant by any magistrate or any court of competent jurisdiction for the violation of any of the provisions of this Part or any other ordinance, or any rule or regulation adopted by said Borough Council of the Borough of Bristol in the County of Bucks, which shall result from any act or omission of said applicant in any way connected with the doing or performing of any plumbing work by said applicant; that the said bond shall provide that the provisions thereof shall be for the benefit of any person, persons or corporation having a just claim against said applicant in connection with any plumbing work done or performed by said applicant as well as for the obligee therein named. 2. In addition thereto, said applicant shall present to the Secretary of Borough Council evidence of a current and fully paid insurance policy insuring for and against public liability and property damage in such amount as may be specified by the Borough Council from time to time by resolution. If said applicant employs a person other than himself, he shall also present to the Secretary of Borough Council evidence of a currently paid up, and presently effective, Workmen s Compensation insurance policy. (Ord. 676, 8/8/1966, 10) 17-109. Plumbers Belonging to Recognized Associations Need Not File Bonds. No individual bond shall be required under the provisions of 17-108 of any plumber who is a member in good standing of a master plumbers association recognized by Borough Council of the Borough of Bristol bonded in the sum of $2,500 by an indemnity company authorized to do business in this State and approved by the Borough Council. When a master plumber ceases to be a member in good standing of the association, he is no longer protected under the bond of said association. All bonds required by this Part shall be filed in the office of the Secretary of Borough Council. (Ord. 676, 8/8/1966, 11) 17-110. List of Plumbers Belonging to Recognized Associations Filed Annually. The Secretary of the master plumbers association shall file with the Secretary of said Borough Council on or before the first day of January of each year a list of the members of his association to be covered by the bond. The names appearing on the list 17-6
17-110 Plumbing 17-113 covered by the bond shall be so covered for a period of l year, except as hereinafter provided for new members. The names of new members admitted during the year can be added by written notification to the Secretary of said Borough Council. Old members, whose names do not appear on the list of members, to be covered by the bond shall be required to furnish individual bonds. (Ord. 676, 8/8/1966, 12) 17-111. Notice of Change of Place of Business of Master Plumbers; Surrender of Certificate of License upon Retirement. Every licensed master plumber shall give immediate notice to the Borough Manager of any change in place of business and upon retirement from business shall surrender the certificate of license to the Borough Manager. (Ord. 676, 8/8/1966, 13) 17-112. Responsibilities of Master Plumbers and Journeyman Plumbers. 1. Master plumbers shall be held responsible for the violation of any of the provisions of this Part or any rule or regulation adopted by Borough Council pertaining to plumbing work by journeyman plumbers or others while in their employ. 2. No master plumber shall allow his name to be used by any other person or party, either for the purpose of obtaining permits or doing any work under his license. 3. Master and journeyman plumbers must have their licenses in their possession at all times while doing any plumbing work, which license shall be subject to inspection by the Plumbing Inspector, any local police officer at any time, or by the owner of property on which said work is taking place. No journeyman plumber shall allow his name or license to be used by any other person or party. No master plumber shall direct a journeyman plumber in his employ to perform plumbing work contrary to the provisions of this code. (Ord. 676, 8/8/1966, 14) 17-113. Suspension and Revocation of Licenses; When Licenses Become Inoperative; Restrictions on Transfer of Licenses. 1. The licenses granted under this Part may be suspended or revoked by the Plumbing Board when a master plumber, firm or corporation or the licensed representative thereof, shall violate any of the provisions of this Part or any rule or regulation and shall refuse or neglect to make the necessary corrections to work not approved by the Borough Manager, or his authorized agent, within a reasonable time after notification thereof. 2. The license of a journeyman plumber may be suspended or revoked by the Plumbing Board for imperfect work in violation of any of the provisions of this Part or any rule or regulation adopted by Borough Council pertaining to the plumbing work. 3. The forfeiture or suspension of the license of a master plumber shall operate as a forfeiture or suspension of the license of any co-partner; the forfeiture or suspension of a constituted representative of the firm or corporation shall operate as a forfeiture or suspension of the license of the firm or corporation. A separate license shall not be granted to any person interested or employed by said firm or corporation 17-7
17-113 Borough of Bristol 17-113 as long as the person who incurred the forfeiture may be interested or employed by the firm or corporation. 4. A license issued to a firm shall become inoperative on the dissolution of said firm and a separate bond must be filed for the party continuing the business. A master plumber s license shall become inoperative whenever the party or parties to whom it was issued has no longer a bona fide established place of business or shop. 5. A firm or corporation having been licensed by the examination of a duly constituted representative, such license shall immediately become inoperative as to such firm or corporation at the time such person leaves the employ of such firm or corporation. 6. A master plumber s license shall not be transferred to any successor in the business and a master plumber s license or journeyman plumber s license shall not be transferred to any person whatever, under any circumstances. (Ord. 676, 8/8/1966, 15) 17-8