State Assembly Bill 433 (2013) refers to all Fire Sprinkler Technicians. At the end of 2017, these requirements went into effect.

The provisions of State Assembly Bill 433 spell out new requirements for the training, certification and ongoing education of technicians working on water-based fire protection systems in all applications besides single-family homes and duplexes. 

Under the new regulations, all jobs will require at least one certified fitter per job to supervise the work as of January 1, 2018. In addition, starting in 2019, all novice technicians must serve an apprenticeship and test for certification through a third party approved by Cal Fire/OSFM. Once certified, a Certified Fire Sprinkler Fitter must complete three units of American National Standards Institute (ANSI/IACET) accredited continuing education within a three-year period.

These new regulations are intended to ensure only qualified, knowledgeable technicians work on life safety projects. An advisory memo from the Woodside Fire Protection District stated that as of July 1, 2018, they began enforcing the provisions of Bill 433 and additional regulations from Cal Fire. Because of the critical nature of these systems, Statcomm fully supports and complies with the provisions of Bill 433. This allows us to deliver the highest quality and best performance consistently to our clients. It’s all part of the ongoing commitment to excellence and safety which is Statcomm’s daily mode of doing business. Statcomm has certified technicians available to serve our clients.  Statcomm requires training and certification of all their techs within 15 months of hire.

To recap: 

• Work covered – installation, alteration or repair of all water-based fire protection systems including wet, dry, pre-action, and deluge sprinkler systems, small hose connections, standpipe systems, private fire service systems, foam water systems, fire pumps, water storage tanks, low, medium, and high expansion foam systems, and water mist systems.
• Includes all occupancies required to have a fire sprinkler system except single-family homes or duplexes.
• Implementation Period – Current industry professionals with prior experience may qualify without examination through 12/31/2017
• January 1, 2018 – Certification card required for fitters, one certified fitter per job.
• January 1, 2019 – An apprenticeship must be served and a written test conducted by a third-party CAL FIRE- OSFM Contractor must be taken and passed.
• Employer Responsibilities – Ensure all fire sprinkler fitters, apprentices and trainees under their employment are certified or registered.

• Continuing Education – Certified Fire Sprinkler Fitter must complete three units of American National Standards Institute (ANSI/IACET) accredited continuing education within a three year period.

If you would like to see the full text of Bill 433 and its requirements, please click here. For a complete list of requirements under Bill 433 as stated by Cal Fire, click here. 


 

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