Chapter 145

CHAPTER 145

PLUMBING AND FIRE PROTECTION SYSTEMS AND SWIMMING POOL PLAN REVIEW

145.01   Definitions.

145.02   Powers of department.

145.04   Water and sewerage systems.

145.045   Certification of soil testers.

145.05   Plumbing supervisors, supervision.

145.06   License or registration required; exemptions.

145.07   Licenses and registration; examinations.

145.08   Fees; expiration of license; registration.

145.09   State comity.

145.10   Investigations, hearings; suspension, revocation.

145.11   Advertising restrictions.

145.12   Prohibitions and penalties.

145.14   Plumbers license (restricted).

145.15   Licenses.

145.16   Fire sprinkler system apprentices, registration.

145.165   Automatic fire sprinkler fitter-maintenance only registration.

145.17   Inspectors and rule making.

145.175   Automatic fire sprinkler-maintenance only registration.

145.18   Temporary permits.

145.19   Sanitary permits.

145.195   Building on unsewered property.

145.20   Private on-site wastewater treatment systems.

145.23   Rules.

145.24   Variances.

145.245   Private on-site wastewater treatment system replacement or rehabilitation.

145.26   Public swimming pool plan review.

Ch. 145 Cross-reference Cross-reference: See also chs. SPS 305, 381, 382, 383, 384, 385, 386, 387, and 391, Wis. adm. code.

145.01 145.01 Definitions. In this chapter:

145.01(1) (1) Automatic fire sprinkler contractor. “Automatic fire sprinkler contractor” means any individual, firm or corporation who has paid the annual license fee and obtained a license to conduct a business in the design, installation, maintenance or repair of automatic fire sprinkler systems.

145.01(2) (2) Automatic fire sprinkler system. “Automatic fire sprinkler system”, for fire protection purposes, means an integrated system of underground and overhead piping designed in accordance with fire protection engineering standards. The system includes a suitable water supply, such as a gravity tank, fire pump, reservoir or pressure tank or connection beginning at the supply side of an approved gate valve located at or near the property line where the pipe or piping system provides water used exclusively for fire protection and related appurtenances and to standpipes connected to automatic sprinkler systems. The portion of the sprinkler system above ground is a network of specially sized or hydraulically designed piping installed in a building, structure or area, generally overhead, and to which sprinklers are connected in a systematic pattern. The system includes a controlling valve and a device for actuating an alarm when the system is in operation. The system is usually activated by heat from a fire and discharges water over the fire area.

145.01(3) (3) Automatic fire sprinkler system apprentice. “Automatic fire sprinkler system apprentice” means any person other than an automatic fire sprinkler system contractor or a journeyman automatic fire sprinkler system fitter who is engaged in learning and assisting in the installation of automatic fire sprinkler systems and who is employed under an apprentice contract under s. 106.01.

145.01(3m) (3m) Cross-connection control device. “Cross-connection control device” means any mechanical device that automatically prevents backflow from a contaminated source in or into a water supply system.

145.01(3s) (3s) Cross-connection control tester. “Cross-connection control tester” means a person who conducts a performance test of an installed cross-connection control device.

145.01(4) (4) Department. “Department” means the department of safety and professional services.

145.01(4m) (4m) Failing private on-site wastewater treatment system. “Failing private on-site wastewater treatment system” has the meaning specified under s. 145.245 (4).

Effective date note NOTE: Sub. (4m) is affected eff. June 2025 by 2023 Wis. Act 19 to read:

Effective date text (4m) Failing private on-site wastewater treatment system. “Failing private on-site wastewater treatment system” means a private on-site wastewater treatment system that meets the criteria established by the department for determining if a private on-site wastewater treatment system is failing. A failing private on-site wastewater treatment system is one that causes or results in any of the following conditions:

Effective date text (a) The discharge of sewage into surface water or groundwater.

Effective date text (b) The introduction of sewage into zones of saturation that adversely affects the operation of a private on-site wastewater treatment system.

Effective date text (c) The discharge of sewage to a drain tile or into zones of bedrock.

Effective date text (d) The discharge of sewage to the surface of the ground.

Effective date text (e) The failure to accept sewage discharges and back up of sewage into the structure served by the private on-site wastewater treatment system.

145.01(5) (5) Governmental unit responsible for regulation of private on-site wastewater treatment systems. “Governmental unit responsible for the regulation of private on-site wastewater treatment systems” or “governmental unit”, unless otherwise qualified, means the county except that in a county with a population of 750,000 or more these terms mean the city, village or town where the private on-site wastewater treatment system is located.

145.01(6) (6) Journeyman automatic fire sprinkler fitter. “Journeyman automatic fire sprinkler fitter” means any person other than an automatic fire sprinkler contractor who is engaged in the practical installation of automatic fire sprinkler systems.

145.01(7) (7) Journeyman plumber. “Journeyman plumber” means any person other than a master plumber, who is engaged in the practical installation of plumbing.

145.01(8) (8) Master plumber. “Master plumber” means any person skilled in the planning, superintending and the practical installation of plumbing and familiar with the laws, rules and regulations governing the same.

145.01(9) (9) Pipelayer. “Pipelayer” means a person registered under s. 145.07 (11).

145.01(10) (10) Plumbing.

145.01(10)(a) (a) “Plumbing” means:

145.01(10)(a)1. 1. All piping, fixtures, appliances, equipment, devices, and appurtenances in connection with water supply systems, water distribution systems, wastewater drainage systems, reclaimed water systems, and stormwater use systems, including hot water storage tanks, water treatment devices, and water heaters connected with these systems and also includes the installation thereof.

145.01(10)(a)2. 2. The construction, connection, installation, service, or repair of any drain or wastewater piping system that connects to the mains or other terminal within the bounds of, or beneath an area subject to easement for highway purposes, including private on-site wastewater treatment systems and stormwater treatment and dispersal systems, and the alteration of any such systems, drains or wastewater piping.

145.01(10)(a)3. 3. The construction, connection, installation, service, or repair of water service piping that connects to the main or other water utility service terminal within the bounds of, or beneath an area subject to easement for highway purposes and its connections.

145.01(10)(a)4. 4. The water pressure system other than municipal systems as provided in ch. 281.

145.01(10)(a)5. 5. A plumbing and drainage system so designed and vent piping so installed as to keep the air within the system in free circulation and movement; to prevent with a margin of safety unequal air pressures of such force as might blow, siphon or affect trap seals, or retard the discharge from plumbing fixtures, or permit sewer air to escape into the building; to prohibit cross-connection, contamination or pollution of the water supply and distribution systems; and to provide an adequate supply of water to properly serve, cleanse and operate all fixtures, equipment, appurtenances and appliances served by the plumbing system.

145.01(10)(br) (br) “Plumbing” does not include any of the following:

145.01(10)(br)1. 1. A rainwater gutter or downspout down to the point that it discharges into a plumbing system, a subsoil drain, or a foundation drain.