[32 Pa.B. 1849]
[Continued from previous Web Page] § 401.5. Waivers.
(a) The Department may grant a request for waiver of the testing requirements of § 401.6 (relating to certification categories and testing) if the applicant meets any of the following criteria:
(1) Passed a test substantially similar to the testing categories in § 401.6 within the 6 years prior to July 12, 2002.
(2) Passed a test substantially similar to the testing categories in § 401.6 within the 6 years prior to July 12, 2002, so long as the applicant submits any of the following to the Department:
(i) Evidence of continued employment as a code administrator in the related field.
(ii) Current certification issued by a model code organization.
(iii) Evidence of completion of 30 hours of continuing education or a college degree program in associated fields.
(3) Passed a certified building official examination. An applicant who passed the examination may be eligible to receive certification in the following categories:
(i) Residential building inspector.
(ii) Building inspector.
(iii) Building plans examiner.
(b) An applicant for waiver shall complete a Department-provided application form and pay the required initial certification fee under § 401.2 (relating to Department fees). If the Department approves the waiver, the applicant shall comply with § 401.4 (relating to application and identification).
§ 401.6. Certification categories and testing.
The Department will issue a certification for a specific category to an applicant who receives a passing grade in all of the examinations required for that category. The Department will accept the following category examinations or successor examinations administered by the Department, the National Certification Program for Construction Code Inspectors, Assessment Services, Incorporated, the National Association of Elevator Safety Authorities or other Nationally-recognized testing program approved by the Department. The Department will list the approved providers on its Internet website.
Examination Number Certification Categories and Name Residential building inspector 1A Building 1 & 2 family dwelling Residential electrical inspector 2A Electrical 1 & 2 family dwelling Residential mechanical inspector 4A Mechanical 1 & 2 family dwelling Residential plumbing inspector 5A Plumbing 1 & 2 family dwelling Residential energy inspector E1 Residential energy plan review & inspection Building inspector 1B Building general
3B Fire protection generalFire inspector F1 Fire prevention inspection general I Electrical inspector 2B Electrical general Mechanical inspector 4B Mechanical general Plumbing inspector 5B Plumbing general Energy inspector E2 Commercial energy inspection Accessibility inspector/plan examiner A1 accessibility inspector/ plan examiner Building plans examiner 1B Building general
1C Building plan review
3B Fire protection general
3C Fire protection plan reviewElectrical plans examiner 2B Electrical general
2C Electrical plan reviewMechanical plans examiner 4B Mechanical general
4C Mechanical plan reviewPlumbing plans examiner 5B Plumbing general
5C Plumbing plan reviewEnergy plans examiner E3 Commercial energy plan review Building code official (code administrator) Department-administered test on State law and application Elevator inspector Qualified elevator inspector test or its equivalent Passenger ropeway inspector Department administered test on ANSI B77.1-1999 edition § 401.7. Certification category specifications.
An individual certified by the Department in the following categories may perform the duties described in the specific category as a construction code official:
(1) Residential building inspector.
(i) Inspects one-family and two-family dwellings and jurisdictional accessory structures to ensure that these structures are free from hazardous structural conditions and comply with the Uniform Construction Code.
(ii) Duties include inspection of footings and foundations, concrete slabs, wood decay and termite protection, floor and ceiling framing, wall framing, roof framing, masonry walls, sheathing, roof covering, interior and exterior wall coverings, means of egress system and safety glazing.
(2) Residential electrical inspector.
(i) Inspects one-family and two-family dwellings and jurisdictional accessory structures to ensure that these structures are free from hazardous electrical installations and comply with the Uniform Construction Code.
(ii) Duties include determining compliance of electrical service, electrical distribution systems, wiring methods, panel boards, control devices, conductors and electrical fixture installation.
(3) Residential mechanical inspector.
(i) Inspects one-family and two-family dwellings and jurisdictional accessory structures to ensure that these structures are free from hazardous mechanical installations and comply with the Uniform Construction Code.
(ii) Duties include determining compliance of mechanical equipment, gas fuel supply systems, venting of appliances, air ducts, combustion air and comfort cooling.
(4) Residential plumbing inspector.
(i) Inspects one-family and two-family dwellings and jurisdictional accessory structures to ensure that these structures are free from hazardous plumbing installations and comply with the Uniform Construction Code.
(ii) Duties include determining compliance of water service, building sewer, water distribution, drainage, waste and vents and fixtures.
(5) Residential energy inspector.
(i) Inspects one-family and two-family dwellings and jurisdictional accessory structures to ensure that energy installations are made in the manner specified in the Uniform Construction Code.
(ii) Duties include determining compliance of conditioned or unconditioned spaces, R-values for roof/ceiling, floor and wall assemblies and insulation placement, installation of materials for the building envelope and its components, moisture control methods such as caulking, sealing and weather-stripping, duct and dipping insulation and sealing criteria, thermostats for each heating and cooling system, electrical metering, lighting installation and controls and piping insulation, circulation pump controls, heat traps, shower heads and pool cover installations.
(6) Building inspector.
(i) Ensures that buildings and structures are constructed in accordance with the Uniform Construction Code.
(ii) Duties include inspection of construction site and building location, footings and foundations, wood and steel framing and connections, masonry construction, precast and cast-in-place concrete, exterior weather boarding, fire-stopping and draft-stopping, building components related to life safety and fire protection systems and building components related to size, installation and workmanship.
(iii) May perform residential inspector duties listed in paragraph (1).
(7) Electrical inspector.
(i) Ensures that electrical installations are made in accordance with the Uniform Construction Code regardless of the size or components used in the installation.
(ii) Duties include determining compliance of raceways (installations, size), cables, panel boards and boxes, conductors, control devices, motors and generators, electrical equipment and special occupancies.
(iii) May perform residential electrical inspector duties listed in paragraph (2).
(8) Mechanical inspector.
(i) Ensures that mechanical installations are made in the manner specified in the Uniform Construction Code.
(ii) Duties include determining compliance of fuel piping systems, heating, cooling and ventilation, fuel-fired equipment venting, steam and hot water heating systems and piping and energy conservation.
(iii) May perform residential mechanical inspector duties listed in paragraph (3).
(9) Plumbing inspector.
(i) Ensures that plumbing installations are made in accordance with the Uniform Construction Code.
(ii) Duties include determining compliance of underground piping installation, rough-in inspections, drain-waste-venting (DWV) systems, pressure testing, water distribution systems, observation and elimination of cross connections, system pumps, tanks and pressure vessels and fixtures, traps and valves and their connections.
(iii) May perform residential plumbing inspector duties listed in paragraph (4).
(10) Energy inspector.
(i) Ensures that the building envelope, mechanical systems, electrical power and lighting systems and building service systems and equipment comply with the approved construction documents and the Uniform Construction Code.
(ii) Duties include verifying that building envelope and components meet minimum requirements for installation of materials and that building envelope penetrations are caulked, sealed and weather-stripped, determining compliance of moisture control methods, installation of and types of mechanical equipment and efficiencies, heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) equipment, ducts and piping, insulation and sealing, lighting installation and lighting controls for building interiors and exteriors, permanently wired poly-phase motors and their efficiencies, piping insulation, circulation pump controls, heat traps, point-of-use controls and pool cover installations.
(iii) May perform residential energy inspector duties listed in paragraph (5).
(11) Accessibility inspector/plans examiner.
(i) Ensures that buildings and structures are constructed in accordance with the accessibility provisions of the Uniform Construction Code and that construction documents submitted as part of a permit application comply with the accessibility provisions of the Uniform Construction Code.
(ii) Duties include inspection of building sites and all interior building components to verify compliance with the accessibility standards or review of construction documents to verify that the design of building sites and all interior components comply with the accessibility standards.
(12) Building plans examiner.
(i) Determines that the construction documents submitted as part of a permit application comply with the Uniform Construction Code.
(ii) Duties include determining the degree of compliance necessary for new construction projects, alterations or repairs, proper use group/type of construction classification, determining height and area requirements, minimum means of egress requirements, minimum light and ventilation requirements, minimum design structural loads, adequacy of soils investigations, adequacy of footing and foundation designs, minimum fire-resistance requirements, adequacy of barrier-free designs, minimum energy conservation requirements and adequacy of fire-protection systems.
(13) Fire inspector.
(i) Conducts basic fire prevention inspections and has a general knowledge of applicable codes and standards.
(ii) Duties include field inspections, preparation of correspondence and inspection reports, handling complaints, and maintaining files related to inspections that were conducted.
(14) Electrical plans examiner.
(i) Determines that the construction documents submitted as part of a permit application comply with the Uniform Construction Code.
(ii) Duties include determining proper number of services, proper location of services, adequacy of emergency systems, proper service size, proper over-current protection, special use applications and proper conductor size and application.
(15) Mechanical plans examiner.
(i) Determines that the construction documents submitted as part of a permit application comply with the Uniform Construction Code.
(ii) Duties include determining compliance of fuel piping systems, fuel-burning appliances, mechanical refrig-eration systems, incinerators, energy conservation equipment and controls, boilers and pressure vessels, venting systems, hydronic and steam-piping systems and ventilation air systems.
(16) Plumbing plans examiner.
(i) Determines that the construction documents submitted as part of a permit application comply with the Uniform Construction Code.
(ii) Duties include determining that water service, building sewer/storm sewer and other underground piping are properly sized and located, determining that proper drainage fixture units, fixture locations and clearances are used, determining the adequacy of drain-waste-venting (DWV) riser diagrams and water distribution systems and determining the proper number of fixtures and proper materials as proposed.
(17) Energy plans examiner.
(i) Ensures that the design criteria specified for a building are correct and in accordance with the Uniform Construction Code and that alterations, additions and change of use or occupancy are in compliance with the Uniform Construction Code.
(ii) Duties include determining compliance of the design conditions specified, conditioned or unconditioned spaces, R values for roof/ceiling, floor and wall assemblies and insulation placement, insulation of materials for the building envelope and its components, moisture control methods such as caulking, sealing and weather-stripping, duct and dipping insulation and sealing criteria, thermostats for each heating and cooling system, electrical metering, lighting installation and controls, piping insulation, circulation pump controls, heat raps, shower heads and pool cover installations.
(18) Building code official.
(i) Manages, supervises and administers building code enforcement activities. The Department, municipality or a third-party agency that operates an enforcement program under the act will employ at least one person certified or registered as a building code official.
(ii) Duties include management of building code enforcement activities, supervision of building inspectors or plans examiners, issuing building permits, occupancy permits, notice of violations and orders to vacate, and initiation of prosecutions.
(19) Elevator inspector.
(i) Inspects electric and hydraulic elevators, conveying systems and other lifting devices to ensure that these installations are free from conditions that would present a life safety or fire hazard to persons using the installations.
(ii) Duties include determining compliance with the Uniform Construction Code regarding door closers, interlocks, car safeties, over-speed governors, safety tests, reshackling, ropes, fireman's recall, brakes and other related elevator equipment and the investigation of accidents.
(20) Passenger ropeway inspector.
(i) Inspects passenger ropeways to ensure that the installation is free from conditions that would present a life safety or fire hazard to a person using the installation.
(ii) Duties include investigation of accidents and determining compliances of power units, auxiliary power units, carriers, cabins, cars, location, vertical and horizontal clearances, haul rope sleeves, guides, haul rope condition and splice, structures and foundations, capacity, speed, acceleration/deceleration, loading and unloading areas, required stopping devices, brakes and rollback devices, tension systems, manual and automatic control devices, haul rope grips, operation and maintenance of equipment, electrical components, emergency shut down circuits, bypass circuits, speed regulating devices, and other related ropeway equipment with the Uniform Construction Code.
§ 401.8. Certification renewal.
(a) A certification holder shall renew a certification every 3 years from date of issuance to continue to act as a code administrator. If a certification holder receives certification in an additional category, the expiration date of all his certifications shall be the date of expiration of the certification that was last issued to the certification holder.
(b) To renew a certification, an applicant shall submit a completed Department-provided renewal form, acceptable proof of completion of continuing education and the required certification fee under § 401.2 (relating to Department fees). The Department will post this form on its Internet website (www.dli.state.pa.us) and provide it upon request.
(c) An applicant for renewal shall obtain identification in accordance with § 401.4 (relating to application and identification).
(d) The Department will not renew a certification that is expired for more than 1 year unless the applicant submits a certification application under § 401.4 and passes the required examinations under § 401.6 (relating to certification categories and testing).
(e) An applicant for certification renewal shall submit proof of completion of each continuing education course. The proof of completion shall be completed by the course provider and contain the following information:
(1) The name and address of the training provider.
(2) The dates attended.
(3) The credit hours claimed.
(4) The title of the course.
(5) The subject matter of the course.
(f) The Department will not renew the certification of a person who was decertified in accordance with § 401.14 (relating to decertification or refusal) during the period that the Department ordered the decertification.
§ 401.9. Continuing education.
(a) Prior to certification renewal, an applicant shall complete 15 credit hours of continuing education in courses relating to the professional competency of code administrators. An applicant with multiple certification areas shall complete 15 credit hours of continuing education for each category after the issuance of the certification or most recent renewal of certification. The applicant is not required to complete more than 45 credit hours for renewal. At least 1/3 of the applicant's continuing education requirement shall be in approved courses relating to the applicant's certification categories.
(b) The Department will approve credit as follows:
(1) One credit hour for each 60 minutes actually spent at one course except as otherwise listed in this subsection.
(2) One credit hour for each 60-minutes of completion time for a self-study course calculated by the sponsor. The Department may modify credit hours for a self-study course to comply with this section.
(3) Five credit hours for successful completion of an examination for an additional certification category under subsection (c)(5).
(4) One credit hour for each 60 minutes actually spent in attendance at a model code organization code change hearing under subsection (c)(6).
(c) The Department approves the following as acceptable courses of study for continuing education credits:
(1) Attendance at a seminar or technical presentation by an approved provider.
(2) Completion of a self-study course offered by an approved provider.
(3) Completion of a classroom course offered by an accredited academic institution.
(4) Instruction at a continuing education seminar or technical presentation for an approved provider.
(5) Successful completion of an examination for an additional certification category listed in § 401.6 (relating to certification categories and testing)
(6) Attendance at a model code organization code change hearing.
§ 401.10. Department-approved providers.
(a) The following providers are approved to offer instruction for continuing education credit hours:
(1) The National Conference of States on Building Codes and Standards.
(2) A Federal, Commonwealth or state agency.
(3) An accredited academic institution.
(4) A model code organization or its accredited local chapter.
(5) A trade association representing design professionals or the construction industry.
(6) A National standards writing organization.
(7) An association serving or representing Commonwealth municipalities.
(8) Approved testing providers under § 401.6 (relating to certification categories and testing) for credit hours under § 401.9(c)(5) (relating to continuing education).
(b) The Department will approve additional providers who demonstrate the competency to provide approved continuing education programs. An applicant for approval as a provider shall submit a completed Department-provided application and appropriate documentation that it meets the requirements of § 401.9. The Department will post a list of approved providers on its Internet website (www.dli.state.pa.us) and provide the list upon request.
(c) The Department may revoke approval of any provider that does not comply with § 401.9 or this section. Actions will be taken subject to the right of notice, hearing and adjudication in accordance with 2 Pa.C.S. (relating to administrative law and procedure).
§ 401.11. Certification of third-party agency.
(a) Current certification as a third-party agency is required to act as a construction code official, perform plan review of construction documents, inspect construction or administer and enforce codes and regulations in accordance with the act under contract with a person, firm, corporation or the Commonwealth.
(b) An applicant for certification as a third-party agency shall submit a completed Department-provided application to the Department and pay the required fee.
(c) An applicant for certification as a third-party agency shall submit documentation that its employees or agents who act as construction code officials and perform plan review of construction documents, inspect construction or administer or enforce codes and regulations under the act are currently registered or certified in the specific categories applicable to the work performed.
(d) An applicant for certification under this section shall submit acceptable documentation of insurance coverage required under § 401.12 (relating to liability insurance).
(e) A third-party agency shall provide written notification to the Department within 60 days of the hiring or change of employment status of an employee or agent who acts as a construction code official and performs plan review of construction documents, inspects construction or administers or enforces codes and regulations under the act.
(f) A certification expires 3 years after date of issuance. The Department will renew a third-party agency certification when the applicant meets all of the following:
(1) Submits a completed Department-provided renewal form.
(2) Pays the required fee under § 401.2 (relating to Department fees).
(3) Submits proof of liability insurance coverage under § 401.12.
(4) Not decertified under § 401.14 (relating to decertification).
§ 401.12. Liability insurance.
(a) A third-party agency shall carry errors and omissions liability insurance in at least the amount of $1 million for each person and each occurrence to satisfy claims or judgments for property damage or personal injury, or both.
(b) As a condition for obtaining and renewing certification, a third-party agency shall submit to the Department satisfactory evidence that it has obtained errors and omissions liability insurance as required by this section. A certification or renewal will not be issued unless the third-party agency provides proof of insurance which shall consist of a certificate of insurance or copy of the declaration page from the insurance policy setting forth the effective date, expiration date and policy coverage in the amounts required.
(c) A third-party agency shall notify the Department immediately of the cancellation of its errors and omissions liability insurance, the failure or refusal to renew its errors and omissions liability insurance, change of insurance carrier, change of policy dates or changes of coverage amounts. Upon notice of loss or cancellation of insurance coverage, the Department will immediately initiate action to decertify the third party agency under § 401.14 (relating to decertification or refusal to certify).
§ 401.13. List of code administrators.
The Department will maintain a list of code administrators indicating their categories of certifications on its Internet website (www.dli.state.pa.us). The Department will also make the list available to municipalities and, upon request, the public.
§ 401.14. Decertification or refusal to certify.
(a) Decertification or refusal to certify. The Department may initiate action against a code administrator or refuse to issue certification for just cause. Just cause includes the following:
(1) Failure to remedy an error or omission specified in a formal warning or to comply with an order issued by the Department under this section.
(2) Fraud or deceit or making untrue representations in obtaining a certification.
(3) Failure to remit the required certification fee.
(4) Violation of the act or this chapter.
(5) Incompetence or gross negligence.
(6) Acting in a manner presenting a danger to the public health and safety.
(7) Pleading guilty, entering a plea of nolo contendere, being found guilty, receiving probation without verdict, disposition in lieu of trial or an Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition to a felony or any crime relating to the business of code administrator in the courts of this Commonwealth, a Federal court or a court of any other state, territory or insular possession of the United States.
(8) Having a certification or any authorization to engage in the business of code administrator revoked or suspended or having other disciplinary action taken, or an application for certification or authorization to engage in the business of code administrator refused or denied by the proper authority of another state or Federal district, territory or insular possession of the United States, the Federal government or Canada.
(9) Failing to complete continuing education requirements of the act or engaging in deceit or misrepresentation in the reporting of continuing education requirements.
(10) Engaging in fraud, deceit or an act of moral turpitude while acting as code administrator.
(11) Failing to enforce the act or Uniform Construction Code.
(12) Knowingly aiding and abetting a person engaging in code administrator activity who is not currently certified or registered.
(13) Being a third-party agency that does not comply with § 401.12 (relating to liability insurance).
(14) Engaging in the activities of a code administrator or advertising as a code administrator without a current certification required for the work performed, or registration issued by the Department.
(b) Notice and hearing. Actions of the Department relating to decertification under this section will be taken subject to the right of notice, hearing and adjudication in accordance with 2 Pa.C.S. (relating to administrative law and procedure). Decertification proceedings shall be con-ducted under 1 Pa. Code Part II (relating to the General Rules of Administrative Practice and Procedure).
(c) Procedure for decertification.
(1) The Department will serve the code administrator with an order to show cause under 1 Pa. Code § 35.14 (relating to orders to show cause). The order to show cause shall contain notification that the certification may be subject to action and the grounds for the action. The order to show cause shall contain notification that the code administrator is to respond in writing within 30 days after the date of service of the order. The Department will also serve a copy of the order to show cause upon the supervising official in the municipality where the alleged incidents occurred and upon the code administrator's current employer.
(2) The code administrator may respond in writing to the allegations in the order to show cause in accordance with 1 Pa. Code § 35.37 (relating to answers to orders to show cause). If made, the answer shall be filed with the Department within 30 days after the date of service of the order to show cause.
(3) At the request of the code administrator, the Department will hold a hearing on the matter. The Secretary will designate a presiding officer to conduct the hearing and to issue a proposed report under 1 Pa. Code §§ 35.201--35.207 (relating to proposed reports generally).
(4) The presiding officer shall have the power to conduct hearings under 1 Pa. Code §§ 35.185--35.190 (relating to presiding officers). The presiding officer shall issue a proposed report that shall be served upon counsel of record or to the parties in the hearing. The presiding officer shall transmit the proposed report and the certified record to the Secretary within 15-days after issuance of the proposed report.
(5) A participant desiring to appeal to the Secretary shall, within 30 days after the service of a copy of the proposed report, file exceptions to the proposed report under 1 Pa. Code § 35.211 (relating to procedure to except to proposed report). A response may be filed within 20 days to the exceptions.
(6) The Secretary or a designee will issue a final order under 1 Pa. Code § 35.226 (relating to final orders).
(d) Types of corrective action. When the Department is authorized to take action against a code administrator, the Department may:
(1) Administer a formal warning.
(2) Require the code administrator to take remedial educational courses.
(3) Decertify the code administrator for a period set by the Department. The Department will order the code administrator to surrender his certificate after decertification.
(4) Deny the application for certification.
(e) Conditions for reinstatement. Unless ordered to do so by a court of competent jurisdiction, the Department will not reinstate certification to a person who was decertified until the following conditions are met:
(1) The full period of decertification ordered by the Department has elapsed.
(2) The person has complied with conditions imposed by the Department's order of decertification and recertifi-cation would not be detrimental to the public health and safety.
(3) The person complies with § 401.4 (relating to application and identification).
(f) Subsection (c) supplements 1 Pa. Code §§ 35.14, 35.37, 35.201--35.207, 35.185--35.190, 35.211 and 35.226.
§ 401.15. Registration of current code administrators.
(a) A current code administrator engaged in plan review or inspection of one-family or two-family residential property may continue to engage in these activities without meeting the training and certification requirements of this chapter until 3 years from effective date of the adoption of the final-form regulations for the Uniform Construction Code. To engage in plan review or inspection of one-family or two-family dwelling units after 3 years from effective date of adoption of the final-form regulations for the Uniform Construction Code, a current code administrator shall meet the certification and training requirements of this chapter.
(b) A current code administrator engaged in plan review or inspection of other buildings and structures that are not one-family or two-family residential structures may continue to engage in these activities without meeting the training and certification requirements of this chapter until 5 years from effective date of adoption of the final-form regulations for the Uniform Construction Code. To engage in plan review and inspection of other buildings and structures after 5 years from the effective date of adoption of the final-form regulations for the Uniform Construction Code, a current code administrator shall meet the training and certification requirements of this chapter.
(c) A current code administrator shall register with the Department by submitting a completed Department-provided form and furnishing required documentation. Documentation is to consist of an affidavit completed by the employer responsible for oversight of the current code administrator's activities and an affidavit completed by the current code administrator containing a description of the current code administrator's duties, employment and length of employment.
(d) The Department will issue an identification card to a current code administrator who meets the requirements of this section, completes a Department-provided form and pays the required fee under § 401.2 (relating to Department fees).
(e) The identification card will expire as registration on the date that the current code administrator must meet the training and certification requirements of this chapter.
(f) A current code administrator shall notify the Department in writing if the identification card is lost or destroyed. The Department will charge a required fee for issuance of a new identification card under § 401.2.
(g) A current code administrator is not required to obtain a new registration for a change of employer.
(h) A current code administrator may not approve plans or perform inspections relating to accessibility requirements without being currently certified by the Department as an accessibility inspector/plans examiner.
§ 401.16. Change of address or employer.
A certification or registration holder shall notify the Department of any change of mailing address or employer within 30 days.
[Pa.B. Doc. No. 02-568. Filed for public inspection April 12, 2002, 9:00 a.m.]
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