Vancouver and NICET

ENDORSEMENT PROGRAM
Effective July 1, 2009, Vancouver Fire Department will begin enforcement of the contractor endorsement program as detailed in the Vancouver Municipal Code (VMC). The ordinance applies to fire protection system contractors and persons installing, inspecting, maintaining, servicing or testing fire protection systems or any part of such a system inside the city limits of Vancouver.

All fire protection contractors working on fire protection systems must have a valid endorsement from the Vancouver Fire Marshal’s Office (VFMO). In order to obtain a no cost contractor level endorsement, contractors must demonstrate at least one employee is adequately trained to work on the specific types of equipment by having at least one qualified individual on staff possessing the necessary individual endorsement(s). An application must be filed for each contractor endorsement type requested, along with the matching individual applications.

Individuals may obtain the appropriate individual endorsement(s) by completing an application and submitting supporting documentation identifying they meet the requirements found in Administrative Policy 9.01. Individuals performing work within the City of Vancouver may be requested by VFMO staff to provide verification they posses an active endorsement.

Failure of either the fire protection contractor and/or employees performing work to secure or maintain an endorsement is a violation of the Vancouver Municipal Code.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
You can find additional information on the contractor endorsement program on our website (http://www.cityofvancouver.us/fire.asp?fireID=44422&fireSub=47978&itemID=47986).

PENALTIES
Contractors and individuals working on fire protection systems within the City of Vancouver without a valid endorsement are in violation of VMC 16.04.095.

Working without and endorsement
As part of the implementation process of this new program, contractors and individual employees will be issued a Notice of Order and Correction and will be given five business days to submit the appropriate endorsement applications. If the application is not received within five business days a $1,000 civil citation will be issued for the first violation for working without a required endorsement. Subsequent violations may result in civil citations of $2,500 for a second violation, or $5,000 for third and subsequent violations. Civil citations may be issued to both the contractor and the individual(s) who were performing the work.

Supervision of regulated work
At least one individual possessing the necessary endorsement must be on site overseeing work (supervisory control) on fire protection systems. Contractors or individuals performing work without an active endorsement holder on site will be subject to the same penalties of working without an endorsement. If a company or individual possessing an active endorsement fail to provide adequate supervisory control, VFMO may revoke the endorsements for 1 month for the 1st violation, 6 months for the 2nd violation and 12 months for subsequent violations. It is a misdemeanor for a contractor or individual to knowingly fail to provide adequate supervisory control.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
We have assembled and posted a number of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s) on our website to help you understand these changes. The FAQ’s cover questions such as:
Will new installation permit applications be rejected if I don’t have an endorsement?
Can I get final approval on existing permits without an endorsement?
Are contractors required to submit copies of test reports to the VFMO?
Will my test reports be rejected and customers require to retest if I don’t have an endorsement?

APPLICATIONS
Be sure to include all the required documents with your application. Expired certifications from outside agencies will not be accepted.

When applying for the contractor endorsement, do not forget to include a copy of:
- City of Vancouver Business License
- Certificate with your Washington Business Identifier Number
- Washington Electrical License issued by Labor & Industries (fire alarm contractors only)
- Washington Contractors License issue by Labor & Industries (not required for fire alarm contractors)
- Washington Sprinkler Contractor License issued by the Washington State Fire Marshal’s Office (sprinkler contractors only)

When applying for an individual endorsement you must be linked to a contractor who has submitted an application for a contractor endorsement. Be sure to include with your application:
- Appropriate and current certificate (i.e. NICET, IKECA)
- Electrical License issued by Labor & Industries (fire alarm installation and repair employees only)
- Certificate of Competency issued by the Washington State Fire Marshal’s Office (fire sprinkler design, installation or repair employees only)
- Inspection and Testing Certificate issued by the Washington State Fire Marshal’s Office (fire sprinkler testing employees only)

VANCOUVER BUSINESS LICENSE
City of Vancouver registration information and business license application materials can be obtained online (http://www.cityofvancouver.us/businesslicense.asp?menuid=10464&submenuid=10521&itemID=15268); however, the application materials and check must be mailed or delivered to one of the addresses shown on the application form (not the VFMO). Mastercard, Visa, and debit cards can be used for payments of up to $2,000 in person or on the telephone with receipt of completed application materials.

If your business generates less than $12,000 of average annual gross receipts from engaging in business with the City you may be exempt from the Vancouver Business License.

STATE OF WASHINGTON LICENSING
Anyone conducting any business in the state of Washington must register for a Master Business License and obtain a UBI (Unified Business Identifier) number for tax purposes. Construction and electrical contractors must register with Labor and Industry as well as provide proof of bonding and insurance. For convenience both the contractor registration and application for a Master License can be obtained through the Labor and Industry office or online (http://www.lni.wa.gov/TradesLicensing/LicensingReq/LicensesRegistration/default.asp).