Current through Register Vol. 63, No. 9, September 1, 2024
(1)
Authorization and Scope. This rule creates a limited specialty plumbing license
to install and replace residential water heaters.
(2) Persons Eligible for Licensing. A
registered plumbing contractor also licensed under ORS
479.630 as an electrical limited
maintenance specialty contractor can apply for this license. This allows
licensing of:
(a) An individual holding a
Limited Maintenance Specialty Contractor License;
(b) Officers or employees designated by a
corporate Limited Specialty Contractor; or
(c) Any partner where a partnership is the
Limited Specialty Contractor.
(3) Employees of a sole proprietor or of a
partnership identified in subsections (2)(a) and (c) of this rule cannot be
licensed under this rule.
(4)
Procedure for Licensing. An applicant for licensing shall:
(a) Pay applicable fees;
(b) Have the application signed by the
plumbing-electrical contractor;
(c)
Attend an approved eight-hour training class for limited specialty residential
water heater plumbing installation; and
(d) Pass a division-approved
examination.
(5) Training
Class and Examination Requirements.
(a) A
limited specialty residential water heater plumbing class shall cover the
requirements for installation of residential water heaters and the related
administrative and enforcement provisions in statutes, rules and codes to
obtain Chief Plumbing Inspector approval.
(b) The examination shall test applicant's
knowledge of the items covered in subsection (a) of this
section.
(6) Scope of
Plumbing Authorized. As used in ORS
693.103(2):
(a) "Installation and replacement of one- or
two-family dwelling residential water heaters" includes open (non-covered and
not intended to be covered) plumbing work in a one- or two-family dwelling
related to work listed in (A)-(C) below; that does not include any work that
changes the location of the water heater.
(A)
Replacement or fuel conversion of an existing water heater, including:
(i) Conversion to a different fuel
type;
(ii) Replacement of a storage
tank water heater with an instantaneous on demand water heater; and
(iii) Replacement of an instantaneous on
demand water heater with a storage tank water heater.
(B) Installation of up to two nipples with no
nipple exceeding six inches and flex piping not exceeding 96 inches for each of
the cold and hot water connections; and
(C) Installation of piping and related
appurtenances applicable to the temperature pressure relief valve.
(b) "Existing plumbing" means the
exposed pre-installed approved cold water supply piping used or designed to
connect to the water heater extending to the exposed cold water shut-off supply
valve. If there is no cold water shut-off supply valve, "existing plumbing"
extends to and includes the connected water heater and does not allow a
replacement by a limited specialty plumbing licensee under these
rules.
(c) "Alteration of existing
plumbing" means any changes to existing plumbing and includes installation or
replacement of a cold water shut-off supply valve regardless of whether one was
initially installed. Alterations are not authorized under these rules and the
limited specialty plumbing license.
Statutory/Other Authority: ORS
693.103
Statutes/Other Implemented: ORS
693.103
