Amending Chapter 9-2500 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Fire Suppression System Workers," to modify licensing requirements applicable to Fire Suppression System Workers.

THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA HEREBY ORDAINS:

SECTION 1. Title 9 of The Philadelphia Code is hereby amended to read as follows.

CHAPTER 9-2500. FIRE SUPPRESSION SYSTEM WORKERS.

§ 9-2501. Definitions.

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(7) Registered Fire Suppression System Apprenticeship Program. A program of apprenticeship training approved by and registered with the United States Department of Labor or a State Apprenticeship Council pursuant to 29 C.F.R. § 29.1 through § 29.13 consisting of at least 8,000 hours of documented practical experience in the installation or maintenance of fire suppression systems and at least [800]

576

hours of classroom, shop or related instruction in the fire suppression system trade.

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§ 9-2507. Fire Suppression System Apprentice Permitting.

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(2) The Department shall issue a fire suppression system apprentice permit to any person who:

(a) completes an application for such a permit established by the Department; and

[is enrolled] in a registered fire suppression system apprenticeship program

, sufficient proof of which shall include without limitation a program application or a letter from a sponsor or educational institution attesting to the permit applicant’s participation, neither of which shall require a permit applicant to provide an apprentice identification number

(3) [A fire suppression system apprentice permit issued by the Department shall be valid only for such time as the holder is enrolled in a registered fire suppression system apprenticeship program

in accordance with this Chapter.

(4)] Nothing in this Chapter shall be construed to prohibit a fire suppression system apprentice who is issued a permit pursuant to this Chapter from engaging in work regulated by this Chapter, provided the apprentice is working under the supervision of a fire suppression system certificate holder certified in the relevant classification of work.

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§ 9-2510. Expiration of Permits and Certificates.

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(6) An applicant seeking the renewal of an apprentice permit shall provide proof [that he or she is currently enrolled]

of participation, as defined by § 9-2507,

in a registered fire suppression system apprenticeship program.

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§ 9-2511. Penalties.

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(3) The Department may revoke or suspend a certificate or apprentice permit for any violation of this Chapter [or regulation adopted by the Department under this Chapter or upon a finding of technical incompetence.]

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SECTION 2. The Department shall, no later than 15 days after this ordinance becomes effective, issue or reinstate, under all original terms and conditions including but not limited to expiration date, a fire suppression apprentice permit for any person whose permit was revoked, suspended, or subject to a notice of intent to revoke or a request for documentation since January 1, 2021, based in whole or in part upon a notice of intent that references whether the applicant is enrolled in a registered apprenticeship program or demonstrated 800 hours of instruction, or based on any other provision inconsistent with this Ordinance. The issuance or reinstatement of permits pursuant to this Section 2 shall be automatic and shall not require such persons entitled to issuance or reinstatement herein to take any action including without qualification the production of a United States Department of Labor Apprenticeship Apprenticeship Agreement (Form 671) or Registered Training Instruction (RTI) report. The Department shall correct the registry of fire suppression system certificate and permit holders to provide that such persons entitled to issuance or reinstatement pursuant to this Section 2 hold permits or certificates that were issued and not revoked. The Department shall also reimburse all such persons for related penalties.

SECTION 3. This Ordinance shall be effective immediately.

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Italics

indicate matter added.

[Brackets] indicate matter deleted.

End