STATE BOARD OF PLUMBING



STATE BOARD OF PLUMBING

BUSINESS MEETING

MINUTES

DATE: June 17, 2010

TIME: 10:50 a.m.

PLACE: 500 North Calvert Street

Room 302

Baltimore, Maryland 21202

PRESENT: Charles J. Morgan, Jr., Chair

Russell Wiebking, Board Member

Charles Lenderking, Board Member

Michael Kastner, Board Member

Joseph Radtka, Board Member

Jon Garner, Board Member

Keith Horton, Board Member

ABSENT:

OTHERS PRESENT:

Sloane Fried Kinstler, Assistant Attorney General

Steven Smitson, Assistant Commissioner

Brenda Clark, Administrative Officer

Diane Kastner, MD PHCC

Jim Berndt, MD PHCC

Andrew Scott, Member of the public

CALL TO ORDER:

Chairman Morgan called the Business Meeting of the State Board of Plumbing to Order at 10:50 a.m.

EXECUTIVE SESSION:

Upon Mr. Radtka’s Motion, and Mr. Lenderking’s Second, the Board unanimously voted to enter into Executive Session at 10:40 a.m. in the 3rd Floor Conference Room, 500 North Calvert Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21202, in order to consult with the Board’s Counsel regarding license applications. Upon completion of this session, the Board convened to the public meeting at 10:50 a.m.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES:

The Members reviewed the minutes of the Business Meeting and Executive Session held on May 20, 2010. Upon Mr. Garner’s Motion, and Mr. Lenderking’s second, the Board unanimously voted to approve the Minutes of the Business Meeting and the Executive Session as presented.

COMPLAINT COMMITTEE REPORT:

INVESTIGATION

Pl 10-58

RE-OPEN COMPLAINT

Pl 08-118

CONSENT ORDER

PL 10-61

MORE INFORMATION

10-22

Upon Mr. Kastner’s Motion, and Mr. Lenderking’s second, the Board unanimously voted to approve the complaint committee report.

OLD BUSINESS:

REVIEW OF THE PSI EXAMINATION STATISTICAL SUMMARY INFORMATION FOR MAY 2010

Plumber Candidates Tested Passed Failed Pass %

Journey Natural Gas Fitter 1 1 0

Journey Plumber/Gas Fitter 58 19 39 33%

Master Natural Gas Fitter 0 0 0 0%

Master Plumber/Gas Fitter 12 6 6 50%

Totals 71 26 45 37%

NEW BUSINESS:

A. DRAFT CORRESPONDENCE REGARDING PLUMBING INSPECTORS

Mr. Smitson informed the Board that the correspondence to be sent to all municipalities requesting verification of training, the curriculum, a list of inspectors participating in the training and verification of the required 8 hours a year training has been drafted and is currently being reviewed by Harry Loleas, Deputy Commissioner.

B. MR. ANDREW SCOTT, MEMBER OF THE PUBLIC ADDRESSED THE BOARD

Mr. Scott addressed the Board regarding his concerns with obtaining the required 7,500 hours under the direction and control of a licensed Maryland Master Plumber to qualify for the Journey Examination. He explained to the Board the difficulty he is having in obtaining the required hours in a timely manner due to the economy; he informed the Board that he has 2,000 hours to date. Mr. Lenderking informed Mr. Scott that he could obtain an additional 1,500 hours if he were to attend an (educational) apprenticeship program but emphasized that the hours would have to be accumulated.

C. MR. DALE TROLL ADDRESSED THE BOARD REGARDING UNLICENSED INDIVIDUALS

Mr. Troll, from Local 486 and MDPT addressed the Board regarding his concerns of unlicensed individuals. He explained that out-of-state contractors come into this state and do not abide by the law. Mr. Troll informed the Board that if there was someone to go out to the jobsites to check for licenses, it would help put a stop to the violators and the state could benefit from the revenue of the penalties imposed. Mr. Kastner suggested that Mr. Troll file a complaint with the Board for each jobsite that he can verify unlicensed individuals are performing plumbing services.

CORRESPONDENCE:

A. CORRESPONDENCE FROM MR. JEREMY BROWN REGARDING HB 372

The Board reviewed correspondence from Mr. Jeremy Brown, Codes & Regulatory Manager for NSF International. Mr. Brown sent correspondence to the Board offering information and his assistance as a resource regarding HB 372. Upon the Board’s review, it was determined that the Board would like to table this correspondence for the July business meeting to review HB 372 in detail.

B._CORRESPONDENCE FROM MR. JOE MIEDUSIEWSKI REGARDING HB 372

The Board reviewed correspondence from Mr. Miedusiewski, who informed the Board that he is associated with Plumbing Manufactures Institute (“PMI”), PMI is a voluntary non-profit international association of manufactures of plumbing products. He also informed the Board that the law defines “lead-free” and prohibits the sale and use of plumbing materials containing greater than .25% lead from being used in the installation or repair of plumbing intended to dispense water for human consumption and that the law also requires the State Board of Plumbing to adopt regulations as part of the State Plumbing Code to carry out the purposes of and to enforce §§ 12-605.1 and 12-605.2 of TITLE 12. Mr. Miedusiewski informed the Board that PMI advocates for water efficiency, reuse and consumer safety. He requested that the Board conduct hearings to promulgate regulations insuring that the water for human consumption in Maryland is lead fee and that PMI be informed of and included in any proceedings regarding such regulations.

C. CORRESPONDENCE FROM A BUSINESS OWNER

The Board reviewed correspondence from an HVAC business owner informing the Board that he is performing more gas furnace change outs and currently uses a licensed plumber to pull the permits and to do the final gas hook up on change outs. He inquired as to if the gas fitters license examination is something that he can test for that would allow him to do the change outs. Upon the Board’s review it was determined that if qualified, it would be required to successfully pass and obtain either a master gas/fitter license or a master plumber gas/fitter license.

D. CORRESPONDENCE FROM A CONSUMER

The Board reviewed correspondence from a consumer inquiring as to what plumbing code is recognized and which plumbing code takes precedence. Upon the Board’s review, Mr. Smitson agreed to inform the consumer of the current plumbing, natural gas and LP gas codes.

E. CORRESPONDENCE FROM ELITE ELECTRICAL CORPORATION

The Board reviewed correspondence from a company office manager requesting information as to what type license is required to install propane tanks and the gas line used by a back up generator. The office manager informed the Board that the licensee for the company currently holds a master natural gasfitter license. Upon the Board’s review, it was determined that it would be required to have a propane license to install propane tanks.

F. CORRESPONDENCE FROM A CONSUMER

The Board reviewed correspondence from a consumer requesting information on the code for water pressure for a single family house. Upon the Board’s review, the Board requested that Ms. Clark refer the consumer to COMAR 09.20.01.01 the national standard plumbing code, chapter 10, water supply.

CHAIR’S REPORT

None

COUNSEL’S REPORT

None

APPROVAL OF FINDINGS MADE DURING EXECUTIVE SESSION:

Upon Mr. Kastner’s Motion, and Mr. Weibking’s second, the Board unanimously voted to approve the findings made during Executive Session.

ADJOURNMENT:

A Motion was made by Mr. Lenderking, Seconded by Mr. Garner and unanimously carried by the Board to adjourn the meeting at 11:55 p.m.

___________________________________

Charles J. Morgan, Jr., Chairman

__________ Without Corrections

__________ With Corrections

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