Can You Repair Your Company/District's Device?
Question;
Good Morning Terry,
As per our phone conversation yesterday there are three area's that were talked about in our round table discussion that I would like to get your plumbing code interpretation, as senior plumbing official for the State of Oregon.
Oregon certified backflow testers with either a CCB (Construction Contractors Board) or LCB (Landscaper Contractor Board) license may test and repair backflow protection assemblies for the following;
1. Stand alone fire lines. (Fire line comes directly off public water main). Please elaborate also on assemblies that come off potable water lines.
2. Stand alone irrigation. (Irrigation lines that are for irrigation only). Please elaborate on irrigation system coming off potable water lines.
The third concern we had and were a little fuzzy on the code were the employee's of business's and industries both municipal and private. Are they allowed to repair backflow assemblies that belong to the business or industrial complex or public municipalities whom they are employed by without being a licensed plumber but hold an Oregon Certified Backflow Testers Certificate? Concern was for City employees being able to test and repair city owned assemblies, however would like to expand to any employee performing maintenance on company owned assemblies, including hospitals, large industrial complex, factories etc.
Thank you,
Floyd Hensley
with OR-ABPA
Answer;
Subject: Re: OR-ABPA seminar
Date: Fri, 15 Feb 2008
Floyd,
I agree that a stand alone fire supply service and irrigation supply service and backflow devices are not regulated as plumbing in Oregon and therefore do not require a journeyman plumber license to install or repair backflow devices on these installations.
On employees of municipal or private property owners, I do not believe there is an exemption to the plumbing licensing requirement. I believe city employees may only do backflow repairs or installation on devices which are a part of the water distribution system up to the water meter or property line when no water meter is installed.
I hope this information clarifies the current licensing issues.
Terry SwisherChief Plumbing Inspector