Safety First - Always licensed Electricians and Plumbers
- Target:
- State of New Jersey- Department of Consumer Affairs
- Region:
- United States of America
- Website:
- www.njeca.org
Attention New Jersey Electricians and Plumbers and residents of New Jersey,
This petition involves UCC N.J.A.C. 5:23-2.14(b) 2 I.
"Plumbing and electrical work shall not be undertaken except by persons licensed to perform such work pursuant to law, except in the case of a single family homeowner on his own dwelling."
Historically, the above mentioned code would not allow a person to perform electrical or plumbing work without a license on a secondary or investment property. He/she would have to hired a licensed individual to perform said work. However, if this person wanted to perform plumbing and electrical on his primary residence he/she could perform the work himself without hiring a licensed contractor. THE PURPSOE OF THIS POLICY IS AND WAS TO PROTECT THE PUBLIC FROM UNSAFE WORK AND TO PREVENT HARM TO THE PUBLIC. This should be DCA's primary purpose.
Hurricane Sandy devastated many buildings and homes which lead to a large shortage of not only supplies, but qualified licensed electricians and plumbers. During this emergency, guidelines and or interpretations of codes were stretched or re-interpreted. Individuals who were not licensed to perform work were doing so, without the benefit of proper training education and experience. Inspectors are reporting an definite increase in unsatisfactory work being performed by unlicensed investors. This is a very real concern because it is a public safety issue.
This misinterpretation is continuing to this day. This misuse and abuse allowing individuals who are buying properties with the sole purpose of renovating and selling or “flipping” properties to do this work without hiring licensed contractors! This carelessness will lead to inferior workmanship and will cause serious safety issues because the quality of this work is below standards.
According to the Board of Examiners of Electrical Contractors Law, #10. 45:5A-18 (n), “Work performed by a person on a dwelling that is occupied solely as a residence for himself or for a member or members of his immediate family.” This definition is how the UCC should be interpreted and should be enforcing.
NJECA is taking the position that this practice has to stop immediately and revert back to the original interpretation and spirit of this code. We are asking the Department of Consumer Affairs to provide the same amount of safety before storm safety by reinstating or clarifying the original meaning of code UCC N.J.A.C. 5:23-2.14(b) 2 I. Reinstate that only owner occupied individuals can perform unlicensed work on their own personal owner occupied properties.
We will be asking you to put your name and license number on this petition so that we can convey our position to the proper authorities.
Thank you for your cooperation on this matter.
You can further help this campaign by sponsoring it
The Safety First - Always licensed Electricians and Plumbers petition to State of New Jersey- Department of Consumer Affairs was written by New Jersey Electrical Contractors Association and is in the category Miscellaneous at GoPetition.