Chapter 10.29
Contractors and Workers

Sections:

10.29.010 Blasting – License and Permit.

10.29.011 Blasting – Exemptions.

10.29.012 Blasting – Prohibited Activities.

10.29.013 Blasting – Definitions.

10.29.014 Blasting – Regulations.

10.29.020 Boilers – Operator’s License.

10.29.022 Boilers – Operators on Duty.

10.29.023 Boilers – Responsibilities of Operators.

10.29.030 Heating Mechanics – License.

10.29.031 Term of Licenses.

10.29.032 Mechanical Contractors – Apprentices.

10.29.040 Plumbing – Apprentices.

10.29.060 Registered Servicer – License.

10.29.070 License Suspension.

10.29.010 Blasting – License and Permit.

A.  No person may work as a blaster or operate as a contractor using explosives or blasting agents without a current license issued by the city engineer, bond and insurance as provided in SMC 11.02.03458.

B.  No person may conduct blasting operations without a blasting permit as provided in SMC 11.02.0824.

C.  The blasting license and permit are in the nature of a class IIE license under SMC chapter 4.04.

D.  Additionally, IFC section 105.6.15 requires a permit from the fire official to:

1.   manufacture, possess, store, sell, use or dispose of explosives or blasting agents;

2.   operate a terminal for handling explosives or blasting agents, and to deliver or receive same at a terminal during the hours of darkness; or

3.   transport explosives or blasting agents or transport blasting caps on the same vehicle with explosives.

[Ord. passed: 6/28/2004]

10.29.011 Blasting – Exemptions.

This chapter does not apply to:

A.  the Armed Forces of the United States or any state militia;

B.  the United States Bureau of Mines, Secret Service, Federal Bureau of Investigation, or state or local law enforcement or emergency services personnel acting in an official capacity;

C.  explosives in a form prescribed in the official United States Pharmacopoeia;

D.  the possession and use of approved fireworks in accordance with SMC chapter 10.33A;

E.  small arms ammunition or special industrial explosive devices; or

F.  the use of not more than twenty pounds of smokeless propellant and two thousand primers for hand loading of small arms ammunition for personal use.

[Ord. C25511 § 3]

10.29.012 Blasting – Prohibited Activities.

This chapter does not authorize and the city engineer does not issue a permit for the use of:

A.  liquid nitroglycerin;

B.  dynamite, except gelatin dynamite, containing over sixty percent liquid explosive ingredient;

C.  dynamite having an unsatisfactory absorbent or one that permits leakage of a liquid explosive ingredient under conditions liable to exist during storage;

D.  nitrocellulose in a dry and uncompressed condition in a quantity greater than ten pounds net weight in one package;

E.  fulminate of mercury in a dry condition or fulminate of all other metals in any condition except as a component of manufactured articles not forbidden;

F.  explosive compositions that ignite spontaneously or undergo marked decomposition rendering the product or its use more hazardous when subjected to forty-eight consecutive hours or less of a temperature of one hundred sixty-seven degrees Fahrenheit;

G.  new explosives not approved by the United States Department of Transportation;

H.  explosives condemned by the Department of Transportation;

I.  explosives not packed and marked as required by the Department of Transportation;

J.  explosives containing an ammonium salt and a chlorate.

[Ord. C25511 § 4]

10.29.013 Blasting – Definitions.

For purposes of this code, words and phrases have the meanings set forth in this section and in the Fire Code (SMC chapter 11.07) apply.

A.  The terms “authorized,” “approved” or “approval” mean authorized, approved, or approval by the department of labor and industries.

B.  The term “blasting agent” means and includes any material or mixture consisting of a fuel and oxidizer, that is intended for blasting and not otherwise defined as an explosive; if the finished product, as mixed for use or shipment, cannot be detonated by means of a number 8 test blasting cap when unconfined. A number 8 test blasting cap is one containing two grams of a mixture of eighty percent mercury fulminate and twenty percent potassium chlorate, or a blasting cap of equivalent strength. An equivalent strength cap comprises 0.40 to 0.45 grams of PETN base charge pressed in an aluminum shell with bottom thickness not to exceed 0.03 of an inch, to a specific gravity of not less than 1.4 g/cc., and primed with standard weights of primer depending on the manufacturer.

C.  The term “explosive” or “explosives” means and includes any chemical compound or mechanical mixture that is commonly used or intended for the purpose of producing an explosion, that contains any oxidizing and combustible units, or other ingredients, in such proportions, quantities or packing, that an ignition by fire, by friction, by concussion, by percussion, or by detonation of any part of the compound or mixture may cause such a sudden generation of highly heated gases that the resultant gaseous pressures are capable of producing destructive effects on contiguous objects or of destroying life or limb. In addition, the term “explosives” shall include all material which is classified as division 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, or 1.6 explosives by the United States department of transportation. Small arms ammunition, small arms ammunition primers, smokeless powder not exceeding fifty pounds, and black powder not exceeding five pounds are not defined as explosives, unless possessed or used for a purpose inconsistent with small arms use or other lawful purpose.

D.  Classification of explosives includes but is not limited to the following:

1.   Division 1.1 and 1.2 Explosives: possess mass explosion or detonating hazard and include dynamite, nitroglycerin, picric acid, lead azide, fulminate of mercury, black powder exceeding five pounds, blasting caps in quantities of one thousand one or more, and detonating primers.

2.   Division 1.3 Explosives: possess a minor blast hazard, a minor projection hazard, or a flammable hazard and include propellant explosives, including smokeless powder exceeding fifty pounds.

3.   Division 1.4, 1.5, and 1.6 Explosives: include certain types of manufactured articles which contain division 1.1, 1.2, or 1.3 explosives, or all, as components, but in restricted quantities, and also include blasting caps in quantities of one thousand or less.

E.  The term “explosive-actuated power devices” means any tool or special mechanized device which is actuated by explosives, but not to include propellant-actuated power devices.

F.  The term “magazine” means and includes any building or other structure, other than an explosives manufacturing building, used for the storage of explosives.

G.  The term “improvised device” means a device which is fabricated with explosives or destructive, lethal, noxious, pyrotechnic, or incendiary chemicals and which is designed, or has the capacity, to disfigure, destroy, distract, or harass.

H.  The term “inhabited building” means and includes only a building regularly occupied in whole or in part as a habitation for human beings, or any church, schoolhouse, railroad station, store, or other building where people are accustomed to assemble, other than any building or structure occupied in connection with the manufacture, transportation, storage, or use of explosives.

I.  The term “explosives manufacturing plant” means and includes all lands, with the buildings situated thereon, used in connection with the manufacturing or processing of explosives or in which any process involving explosives is carried on, or the storage of explosives thereat, as well as any premises where explosives are used as a component part or ingredient in the manufacture of any article or device.

J.  The term “explosives manufacturing building” means and includes any building or other structure (excepting magazines) containing explosives, in which the manufacture of explosives, or any processing involving explosives, is carried on, and any building where explosives are used as a component part or ingredient in the manufacture of any article or device.

K.  The term “railroad” means and includes any steam, electric, or other railroad which carries passengers for hire.

L.  The term “highway” means and includes any public street, public alley, or public road, including a privately financed, constructed, or maintained road that is regularly and openly traveled by the general public.

M.  The term “efficient artificial barricade” means an artificial mound or properly revetted wall of earth of a minimum thickness of not less than three feet or such other artificial barricade as approved by the department of labor and industries.

N.  The term “person” means and includes any individual, firm, partnership, corporation, company, association, society, joint stock company, joint stock association, and including any trustee, receiver, assignee, or personal representative thereof.

O.  The term “dealer” means and includes any person who purchases explosives or blasting agents for the sole purpose of resale, and not for use or consumption.

P.  The term “forbidden or not acceptable explosives” means and includes explosives which are forbidden or not acceptable for transportation by common carriers by rail freight, rail express, highway, or water in accordance with the regulations of the federal department of transportation.

Q.  The term “handloader” means and includes any person who engages in the noncommercial assembling of small arms ammunition for his own use, specifically the operation of installing new primers, powder, and projectiles into cartridge cases.

R.  The term “handloader components” means small arms ammunition, small arms ammunition primers, smokeless powder not exceeding fifty pounds, and black powder as used in muzzle loading firearms not exceeding five pounds.

S.  The term “fuel” means and includes a substance which may react with the oxygen in the air or with the oxygen yielded by an oxidizer to produce combustion.

T.  The term “motor vehicle” means and includes any self-propelled automobile, truck, tractor, semi-trailer or full trailer, or other conveyance used for the transportation of freight.

U.  The term “natural barricade” means and includes any natural hill, mound, wall, or barrier composed of earth or rock or other solid material of a minimum thickness of not less than three feet.

V.  The term “oxidizer” means a substance that yields oxygen readily to stimulate the combustion of organic matter or other fuel.

W.  The term “propellant-actuated power device” shall be held to mean and include any tool or special mechanized device or gas generator system which is actuated by a propellant or which releases and directs work through a propellant charge.

X.  The term “public conveyance” means and includes any railroad car, streetcar, ferry, cab, bus, airplane, or other vehicle which is carrying passengers for hire.

Y.  The term “public utility transmission system” means power transmission lines over ten KV, telephone cables, or microwave transmission systems, or buried or exposed pipelines carrying water, natural gas, petroleum, or crude oil, or refined products and chemicals, whose services are regulated by the utilities and transportation commission, municipal, or other publicly owned systems.

Z.  The term “purchaser” means any person who buys, accepts, or receives any explosives or blasting agents.

AA. The term “pyrotechnic” means and includes any combustible or explosive compositions or manufactured articles designed and prepared for the purpose of producing audible or visible effects which are commonly referred to as fireworks as defined in RCW chapter 70.77.

AB. The term “small arms ammunition” means and includes any shotgun, rifle, pistol, or revolver cartridge, and cartridges for propellant-actuated power devices and industrial guns. Military-type ammunition containing explosive bursting charges, incendiary, tracer, spotting, or pyrotechnic projectiles is excluded from this definition.

AC. The term “small arms ammunition primers” means small percussion-sensitive explosive charges encased in a cup, used to ignite propellant powder and shall include percussion caps as used in muzzle loaders.

AD. The term “smokeless powder” means and includes solid chemicals or solid chemical mixtures in excess of fifty pounds which function by rapid combustion.

AE. The term “user” means and includes any natural person, manufacturer, or blaster who acquires, purchases, or uses explosives as an ultimate consumer or who supervises such use.

Words used in the singular number shall include the plural, and the plural the singular.

[Ord. C33038 § 2; Passed: 7/1/2002]

Cross Reference: RCW 70.74.010.

10.29.014 Blasting – Regulations.

A.  Every person using explosives or blasting agents must at all times and in all respects use the highest degree of care in the protection of life and property.

B.  Subject to specific regulation and direction of the city engineer and fire official, every licensee and permittee must:

1.   conduct blasting operations during daylight hours;

2.   give at least twenty-four hours’ notice of the time and place of blasting operations to the appropriate officials of all utilities having facilities in the vicinity;

3.   cover with a mat capable of preventing the discharge of rocks into the air any blast in a congested area close to a structure, road, railway, or other property that may be damaged;

4.   place all surplus explosives and blasting agents in a safe place, remove to a safe distance, or sufficiently cover all persons and vehicles, and sound a loud warning signal before firing a blast;

5.   take precautions against accidental discharge of electric blasting caps from current induced by radio or radar transmitters, lightning, power lines, dust storms, or other sources of extraneous electricity, including at a minimum,

a.   suspending operations and removing personnel from the site during the approach and progress of an electrical storm, and

b.   posting signs warning against the use of mobile transmitters on all roads within five hundred feet of the site;

6.   ensure that all tools used to open packages of explosives or blasting agents are made of nonsparking materials;

7.   ensure that all handling and firing of explosives and blasting agents is done by licensed persons or by adult employees under the direct supervision of a licensed person;

8.   prevent the handling of explosives or blasting agents by a person under the influence of an intoxicant or narcotic;

9.   prevent all persons from smoking or carrying matches while handling explosives or blasting agents or while in the vicinity;

10.  prevent the use of open flame light in the vicinity of explosives or blasting agents;

11.  destroy by burning at an approved outdoor isolated location all empty boxes and paper and fiber packing materials which previously contained high explosives; and

12.  properly dispose of all explosives and blasting agents and not abandon them.

[Ord. C25511 §§ 1, 6]

10.29.020 Boilers – Operator’s License.

No person may operate or have charge of a steam boiler of any size or a hot water heating or supply boiler of five hundred thousand BTU input or larger without a license, issued by the construction services department, of the appropriate class as follows.

A.  A low-pressure boiler operator’s license authorizes the holder to have charge of and operate any specifically described and located fifteen-pound steam boiler or hot water boiler used for heating purposes only not exceeding four million BTU, or

B.  A small high-pressure boiler operators license authorizes the holder to have charge of an operate a small high-pressure boiler not exceeding eight hundred thousand BTU input or one hundred fifty pounds psi.

C.  A third class boiler operators license authorizes the holder to have charge of:

1.   and operate a high-pressure (power) boiler not exceeding four million BTU input, or

2.   and operate any size low-pressure boiler, or

3.   an opposite shift to a second class boiler operator.

D.  A second class boiler operators license authorizes the holder to have charge of:

1.   and operate a high-pressure boiler not exceeding eight million BTU, or

2.   an opposite shift to a first class boiler operator, or

3.   and operate any size low-pressure boiler.

E.  A first class boiler operators license authorizes the holder to have charge of any size high-pressure or low-pressure boiler.

F.  Boiler operators licenses are class IIB licenses under SMC chapter 4.04. They are annual licenses which expire on December 31st.

[Ord. C32225; Passed: 7/27/1998]

10.29.022 Boilers – Operators on Duty.

A.  No licensed boiler operator may leave the boiler room area for longer than fifteen minutes when a steam boiler under his or her charge is being operated at a pressure greater than fifteen pounds per square inch (gauge) unless relieved by a properly licensed person.

B.  Low pressure hot water heating boilers, low pressure steam heating boilers, hot water supply boilers with a combined capacity of ten million BTU per hour input of all fired pressure vessels in the boiler room require at least a twice daily check with an interval of at least six hours by a properly licensed operator. For combined capacity of greater than ten million BTU per hour, the operator on duty requirement of subsection (A) of this section applies. A variance from this requirement may be granted by the board of boiler examiners upon favorable evaluation of a written application.

[Ord. C31590; Passed: 3/25/1996]

10.29.023 Boilers – Responsibilities of Operators.

In addition to the ongoing responsibility of every boiler operator to operate any boilers and steam plants in his or her charge in strict accordance with the boiler code (SMC chapter 11.03) and accepted safety standards, every operator is responsible for:

A.  maintaining sufficient water in the boiler;

B.  preventing the carrying of more pressure than authorized;

C.  reporting to the owner of the premises and to the city boiler inspector any damage to or malfunction of a boiler or related equipment which endangers safety;

D.  remaining free from the influence of intoxicants or other drugs while on duty;

E.  displaying his or her license conspicuously; and

F.  notifying the boiler inspector in writing whenever leaving or changing employment.

[Ord. C32225; Passed: 7/27/1998]

10.29.030 Heating Mechanics – License.

No person may perform work requiring a mechanical permit without a license issued by the building services department of the appropriate type as follows:

A.  An apprentice heating mechanic license authorizes the holder to do gas fitting and oil burner work in the presence and under the supervision of a licensed heating mechanic or oil burner installer.

B.  A gas heating mechanic I license authorizes the holder to do:

1.   gas fitting work on a gas system or gas appliance utilizing up to four hundred thousand BTU input per hour; or

2.   gas fitting work on a gas appliance in excess of four hundred thousand BTU input per hour under the direct supervision and in the presence of a gas heating mechanic II.

C.  A gas heating mechanic II license authorizes the holder to do industrial gas fitting work (exceeding four hundred thousand BTU) on any permit a mechanical contractor can take out.

D.  An oil burner installer’s license authorizes the holder to do any installation or service work respecting oil burners and oil burning equipment.

[Ord. C25831 §§ 5.100 – 5.104]

10.29.031 Term of Licenses.

Licenses for heating mechanics are class IIB licenses under SMC chapter 4.04 which expire on December 31st.

[Ord. C28839; Passed: 8/17/1987]

Cross Reference: SMC 11.02.03457.

10.29.032 Mechanical Contractors – Apprentices.

No mechanical contractor may employ more than one apprentice for each licensed heating mechanic or oil burner installer on the job, subject to rules promulgated under SMC 11.02.03457(D).

[Ord. C25831 § 5.108]

10.29.040 Plumbing – Apprentices.

A plumbing contractor may employ any number of apprentices on a job so long as they are under the supervision of a licensed journeyman plumber, subject to rules promulgated under SMC 11.02.03457(D).

[Ord. C25831 § 5.108]

10.29.060 Registered Servicer – License.

A.  No person may install, maintain, repair, alter, test, or provide an addition to a:

1.   supervised fire alarm system, except that a person who is a certified journeyman electrician as determined by the state department of labor and industries is not required to be registered with the fire official for installation of supervised fire alarm systems,

2.   portable fire extinguisher,

3.   rangehood system,

4.   sprinkler system,

5.   standpipe system, or

6.   underground critical material storage tank, without being registered with the fire official.

B.  A registered servicer license is a class IIF license under SMC chapter 4.04.

[Ord. C32238; Passed: 8/10/1998]

10.29.070 License Suspension.

A.  In supplementation of SMC chapter 4.04, the building official may order the suspension of a license under this chapter, except a blasting license, upon any of the following grounds attributable to the licensee:

1.   unworkmanlike installations;

2.   code infractions;

3.   habitual excessive use of alcohol or drugs;

4.   misrepresentation in obtaining the license;

5.   special circumstances which require suspension in the interests of public safety and welfare.

B.  The licensee may appeal as provided in SMC 4.04.100.

[Ord. C25831 § 5.111]