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House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
House of Representatives
Session of 2017 - 2018
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | June 22, 2018 03:52 PM |
|---|---|
| From: | Representative Lynda Schlegel Culver |
| To: | All House members |
| Subject: | Fire Equipment Distributor Certification Legislation |
| In the near future, I will be introducing legislation to establish statewide licensure and regulation of the Commonwealth's Fire Protection Industry that will ensure a consistent baseline competency is offered to the marketplace for the proper installation and service of portable fire extinguishers, fire suppression systems, and building fire alarm systems. The legislation is in response to serious issues raised by the Pennsylvania Association of Fire Equipment Distributors (PAFED) during the SR6 discussions occurring throughout the state. The Commonwealth's fire equipment and distributor industry provides the first line of emergency response to ensure Commonwealth schools, governments, businesses and private residences are equipped with state and locally mandated fire suppression systems that protect against personal and property losses. During the SR6 meetings, it was brought to my attention that the City of Altoona adopted a resolution requiring persons providing or conducting maintenance on portable fire extinguishers to maintain International Council Code certification, valid business address, proper photo identification and a local certificate issued by the city in order to conduct business. The City's resolution was adopted in response to two local firms that were caught placing certification stickers on extinguishers and then requiring the owner of the fire extinguisher to have it tested someplace else. This is not the first time that incidence of potential fraud in the industry has been brought to my attention and I belive that the actions taken by the City of Altoona should be replicated statewide to ensure a minimum level of competency, certification, and standardization for all fire equipment distributors, installation and service companies to follow. The legislation, which is modeled after similar statutes enacted in Georgia, Florida and NJ, would task the State Office of Fire Commissioner with promulgating regulations for the licensure of fire equipment and distribution companies and certification of their employees. The General Assembly must remain steadfast in its mission to continuously work toward improving the economic environment, business performance, and technical competence of companies operating in the fire equipment industry in Pennsylvania. I believe that standardizing the safe operation of fire equipment and suppression systems will protect the health, safety and welfare of the general public, as well as, public and private property by assuring the competence of those who perform fire equipment and suppression system services through state licensure and certification. Please join me in co-sponsoring this legislation. Thank you. |
Introduced as HB2649