SB 0060

CHAPTER 300

SB 60-FN - FINAL VERSION

AN ACT relative to voluntary certification of persons installing or servicing propane gas, natural gas, or heating oil equipment.

SPONSORS: Sen. Green, Dist 6

I. Establishes within the office of the state fire marshal a voluntary certification program for persons installing or servicing heating fuels or heating fuel equipment.

II. Provides penalties for those who falsely claim to be certified heating equipment installers, heating equipment service personnel, and gas piping installers.

III. Establishes an advisory committee to provide advice to the state fire marshal in carrying out the fire marshal's duties under this bill.

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Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.

AN ACT relative to voluntary certification of persons installing or servicing propane gas, natural gas, or heating oil equipment.

Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:

300:1 New Subdivision; Certification of Heating Equipment Installers. Amend RSA 153 by inserting after section 16-a the following new subdivision:

153:16-b Certification of Heating Equipment Installers, Heating Equipment Service Personnel, and Gas Piping Installers; Penalty.

I. The state fire marshal shall establish a voluntary certification program for certifying the following:

(a) Individuals involved in the installation of residential and commercial heating equipment systems, domestic water heating systems, or appliances using heating oil, liquefied petroleum gas (propane), or natural gas.

(b) Individuals involved in the servicing and repair of heating equipment, domestic water heating systems, or appliances using heating oil, liquefied petroleum gas, or natural gas.

(c) Individuals involved in the installation of gas piping for heating systems, domestic water heating systems, or appliances using natural gas or liquefied petroleum gas.

(d) Individuals involved in the installation of hearth systems using liquefied petroleum gas or natural gas.

II. The commissioner of the department of safety shall adopt rules, pursuant to RSA 541-A, relative to the establishment of minimum education and training standards for voluntarily certified heating equipment installers, heating equipment service personnel, gas piping installers, and hearth system installers.

III. The commissioner of the department of safety shall adopt rules, which shall not be subject to RSA 541-A, relative to the establishment of fees for voluntary certification under this section. After the first year of this program, such fees shall be sufficient to produce estimated revenues equal to 125 percent of the direct operating expenses of the previous fiscal year. Fees shall be deposited in the fire standards and training and emergency medical services fund, established in RSA 21-P:12-d.

IV. Whoever falsely claims to be certified under this section through advertising, signage, or verbal representation shall be guilty of a violation if a natural person, or guilty of a misdemeanor if any other person.

I. There is established a heating system certification advisory committee appointed by the commissioner of the department of safety. The term of office for the members shall be 3 years and until a successor is appointed. The initial members of the commission shall serve staggered terms. Vacancies shall be filled in the same manner and for the unexpired terms.

II. The advisory committee shall assist the state fire marshal in carrying out the duties assigned under RSA 153:16-b by providing advice regarding:

(c) Two representatives of the oil heat industry, one recommended by the Oil Heat Council of New Hampshire, and one recommended by the New Hampshire chapter of the National Association of Oil Heating Service Managers.

(d) Two representatives of the mechanical trades, one recommended by the New Hampshire chapter of the National Plumbing, Heating, and Cooling Contractors Association, or its successor organization, and one recommended by the New Hampshire chapter of the Propane Gas Association of New England.

(e) One individual experienced in the training and education of heating system installers, recommended by the commissioner of the regional community-technical colleges.

(f) One representative of the New Hampshire Association of Fire Chiefs, recommended by the association.

(h) One representative from the New Hampshire Plumbing and Mechanical Contractors Association.

(i) One person experienced in the training and education of hearth system installers, recommended by the Northeast Hearth, Patio, and Barbecue Association.