STORAGE NAME: h0869.IPA
DATE: 3/17/2025
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FLORIDA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
BILL ANALYSIS
This bill analysis was prepared by nonpartisan committee staff and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.
BILL #: HB 869
TITLE: Underground Utility and Excavation Contractors
SPONSOR(S): Sapp
COMPANION BILL: SB 808 (Yarborough)
LINKED BILLS: None
RELATED BILLS: None
Committee References
Industries & Professional
Activities
Economic Infrastructure
Commerce
SUMMARY
Effect of the Bill:
The bill expands the practice of underground utility and excavation contractors and certain Fire Protection System
Contractor Vs.
Fiscal or Economic Impact:
The bill may have a positive indeterminate fiscal impact on the private sector.
JUMP TO SUMMARY ANALYSIS RELEVANT INFORMATION BILL HISTORY
ANALYSIS
EFFECT OF THE BILL:
The bill allows underground utility and excavation contractors and fire protection system contractor Vs, who are
also licensed as underground utility and excavation contractors, to install piping that is integral to a fire protection
system up to (Sections 1 and 2):
A point within 5 feet of the building where the system will be installed; or
The fire riser
1 inside the building and ending no more than 1 foot above the finished floor.
The bill provides an effective date of July 1, 2025 (Section 6).
FISCAL OR ECONOMIC IMPACT:
PRIVATE SECTOR:
The bill may increase the revenue for underground utility and excavation contractors and certain fire protection
system contractors because of their expanded practice scope.
RELEVANT INFORMATION
SUBJECT OVERVIEW:
Underground Utility and Excavation Contractors
The Construction Industry Licensing Board (“Board”) in the Department of Business and Professional Regulation
(“DBPR”) regulates the construction industry, including underground utility and excavation contractors.
Underground utility and excavation contractor services are limited to the construction, installation, and repair
underground utility systems (i.e. water, sewer, and stormwater systems) which is achieved through excavation or
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The fire riser is the pipe, which is connected to the pressurized water source, that carries water to the sprinklers in the
building. See Brian O’Connor, Hangers and Support of Sprinkler System Piping, National Fire Protection Association (Apr. 18,
2022, www.nfpa.org/news-blogs-and-articles/blogs/2022/04/18/hangers-and-support-of-sprinkler-system-piping (last
visited Mar. 14, 2025). JUMP TO SUMMARY ANALYSIS RELEVANT INFORMATION BILL HISTORY
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some other means.
2 Underground utility and excavation contractors cannot install conduits connecting to an
energized electrical system.
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DBPR provides an application for an underground utility and excavation contractor license which requires passing
state examination, having 4 years of experience or a combination of college and experience, and supplying
additional information.
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Currently, underground utility and excavation contractors may not install piping that is integral to a fire
protection system beginning at the point where the piping is used exclusively for such system.
Fire Protection System
A “fire protection system” is a system individually designed to protect the interior or exterior of a specific building
or buildings, structure, or other special hazard from fire. A fire protection system includes, but is not limited to:
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Water sprinkler systems;
Water spray systems;
Foam-water sprinkler systems;
Foam-water spray systems;
Carbon dioxide systems;
Foam extinguishing systems;
Dry chemical systems; and
Halon and other chemical systems used for fire protection use.
Fire protection systems also include any tanks and pumps connected to fire sprinkler systems, overhead and
underground fire mains, fire hydrants and hydrant mains, standpipes and hoses connected to sprinkler systems,
sprinkler tank heaters, air lines, and thermal systems used in connection with fire sprinkler systems.
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Fire protection systems must be installed in accordance with the Fire Code and the Building Code. Current law
requires local governments to enforce the Fire Code and the Building Code including the permitting, inspecting,
and approval of the installation of a fire protection system.
7 Owners of fire protection systems are responsible for
the maintenance of their fire protection systems, and must contract with a certified fire protection system
contractor to regularly inspect such systems.
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Fire Protection System Contractors
In order to engage in the business of laying out, fabricating, installing, inspecting, altering, repairing, or servicing a
fire protection system in Florida, other than a pre-engineered system, a person must be certified as a fire
protection system contractor.
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Fire protection system contractors are regulated by ch. 633, F.S., which outlines the law pertaining to fire
protection system contractors in the state. The Division of State Fire Marshal within the Department of Financial
Services is responsible for licensing and regulating fire system protection contractors in the state.
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S. 489.105(3)(n), F.S.
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Id.
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CILB 5-N - Certified Underground Utility and Excavation Contractor as an Individual, Licensing Portal , Department of Business
and Professional Regulation,
www.myfloridalicense.com/CheckListDetail.asp?SID=&xactCode=1030&clientCode=0610&XACT_DEFN_ID=3186 (last visited
Mar. 13, 2025).
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S. 633.102(11), F.S.
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Id.
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See generally ch. 553 and 633, F.S.
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S. 633.312, F.S.
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S. 633.336(1), F.S.
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Ss. 633.318 and 633.338, F.S. JUMP TO SUMMARY ANALYSIS RELEVANT INFORMATION BILL HISTORY
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Fire protection system contractors are divided into five categories ranging from Contractor I to Contractor V.
11A
contractor’s ability to practice is limited to the category or categories that a contractor has obtained certification. A
Contractor I has the largest scope of work while the Contractor V has the narrowest scope of work.
Currently, a Contractor V may work on the underground piping for a water-based fire protection system at the
point where the piping is exclusively for the fire protection system and ending no more than 1 foot above the
finished floor. A Contractor V may also inspect underground piping for a water-based fire protection system under
the direction of a Contractor I or Contractor II. To become licensed as a Contractor V, a person must be licensed as
an underground utility and excavation contractor, plumbing contractor, or have four years of experience in such
fields.
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BILL HISTORY
COMMITTEE REFERENCE ACTION DATE
STAFF
DIRECTOR/
POLICY CHIEF
ANALYSIS
PREPARED BY
Industries & Professional Activities
Subcommittee
Anstead Brackett
Economic Infrastructure
Subcommittee
Commerce Committee
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S. 633.102(3)(a)-(e), F.S.
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Fla. Admin. Code r. 69A-46.010(3)(c).