Residential Building Inspector Curriculum and Recommended Publications

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1 Residential Building Inspector Curriculum and Recommended Publications Below is a listing of the recommended courses and reference materials necessary to succeed as a Residential Building Inspector. This is a recommendation curriculum, but the decision as to what courses are best for your educational journey is entirely up to you! Phase 1 - Foundational Courses: Instructor Led 2015 IRC Essentials (SKU 2109SM15) 1 Day course (.6 CEUs) This 6-hour seminar examines basic concepts of the 2015 International Residential Code (IRC ). These concepts provide a basis for the correct utilization of the code. A clear understanding of the identified requirements allows the code user to apply the IRC in specific situations and helps to build an understanding of the intent of the code when asked to make a judgment on code compliance. This course will also help the code user to correctly locate code requirements. It will also provide a basis for the correct use and application of the code as well as to begin to develop a procedure for applying them. Basic Code Enforcement (New Course Coming Soon!) 1 Day course (.6 CEUs) This seminar educates new code officials in basic concepts of code enforcement and provides an opportunity to master skills that are fundamental to performing the duties of a code official. Report Writing for Code Inspectors (SKU 2616SMW14) 1 Day Course (.6 CEUs) Q2-6/9/17 Effective writing is vital to your career as an inspector, notices of violation, letters and reports are public documents that may be read by supervisors, attorneys, judges, citizens, design professionals, contractors and reporters. What you write can become the basis for appeal hearings and criminal and civil trials but also could prevent cases from going to court. Your inspection reports and notices of violation will compel a property owner to take action. Your writing skills can help to advance your career. This seminar provides knowledge and skills for effectively writing reports and violation notices for code professionals of all levels. Participants will learn the importance of writing a good report, writing professional sentences and choosing the correct terminology to use. Through examples and practice opportunities, participants will become more skilled at writing and editing their work. Inspector Skills (SKU 2516SM14) 1Day Course (.6 CEUs) Q2-6/9/17 This seminar addresses the necessary soft skills for success as an inspector those non-technical traits and behaviors that enhance an inspector s ability to interact with others and to successfully carry out their job duties. These include people skills such as effective communication, diplomacy and customer service, but also include skills for problem solving, professionalism, integrity, and time management. In addition to a solid understanding of the technical provisions of the codes, developing appropriate soft skills are essential in pursuing the goal of safe, healthy and durable 1 P a g e

2 buildings for the community. Developed specifically for construction inspectors in all disciplines, the topics covered are equally important to all employees of public service agencies including permit technicians, plan reviewers, managers, building officials and fire code officials. The information is also beneficial for developing policies and procedures to promote consistent and fair inspection practices while improving communications and public relations. Legal Aspects of Code Administration (SKU 2024SM12) 1 Day Course (.6 CEUs) Provides code officials with guidelines for administering the legal aspects of codes with regard to enforcement, prosecution and maintenance. In this course participants will discuss historical consequences of ignoring the regulation of building construction and materials, and learn how to interpret and applying local government, state and federal legislative laws, pertaining to the administration and enforcement of a building code. Participants will also be able to define and apply concepts which are legally important to the administration and enforcement of a building code and establish or document rules of procedure used before a board of building code appeals. By using the guidelines presented in the course, participants will learn how to effectively testify in a court of law. Phase 1: Online Courses Introduction to the I-Codes (SKU 1950SM501) 60 Minutes (.1 CEUs) This seminar is to provide learners with the background, purpose and use of the Codes IRC Essentials Building Finishes, Protection, Utilities, energy Conservation and Hazards (SKU 1950SM440) (Red Vector) 2 Hours (.2 CEUs) Protecting the public is an important part of your job. As part of its purpose statement to protect the health and general welfare of the public, the International Residential Code (IRC) sets minimum requirements for durable interior and exterior finishes, as well as for providing weather protection. Permanently installed equipment and systems that control environmental conditions of a dwelling are significant in what you plan for and do. Part of this course will focus on common heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems, gas-fired appliances and gas piping systems. The IRC also covers plumbing system design and installations typical of dwelling construction, as well as focusing on commonly encountered electrical installations for services, branch circuits, devices and fixtures in IRC-regulated buildings. Also addressed in this interactive, online course are the prescriptive methods of the IRC for effective use and conservation of energy through proper design and construction of dwellings and information on structural and environmental hazards often associated with dwelling and accessory building construction IRC Essentials Code Administration and Site Development (SKU 1950SM439) (Red Vector) 60 Minutes (.1 CEUs) Did you know that the International Residential Code (IRC) is a comprehensive, stand-alone residential code that establishes minimum regulations for the construction of one- and two-family dwellings and townhouses up to three stories in height, including provisions for fire and life safety, structural design, energy conservation and mechanical, fuel-gas, plumbing and electrical systems? These codes serve primarily to protect the safety and welfare of the building occupants and the public. In addition to providing a better understanding of the code provisions and their development, the additional content of this course is organized to correspond to the order of 2 P a g e

3 construction, beginning with sitework. Structural topics include conventional footings and foundations (including the fundamentals of soil capacity) IRC Essentials Health and Safety (SKU 1950SM441) (Red Vector) 60 Minutes (.1 CEUs) The health, safety, and welfare of the dwelling occupants is of primary concern to anyone involved in the design, construction, or inspection of residential buildings. The International Residential Code (IRC) sets minimum requirements for the most commonly encountered building practices. In this interactive, online course you will explore such topics as a safe means of exiting the building and protection from falls and from the hazards associated with breaking glass. The code also sets minimum room dimensions to support a healthy living environment. Other requirements in the code address fire safety and air supply and support concerns for chimneys and fireplaces IRC Essentials Structural (SKU 1950SM442) (Red Vector) 60 Minutes (.1 CEUs) When following conventional construction of residential buildings, protecting the safety and welfare of the building occupants and the public is a primary concern. But as a professional, you don t want to feel backed into a corner by standards. The 2015 International Residential Code provides comprehensive, easy to use standards that afford the greatest design flexibility in recognizing other methods and materials of construction. This interactive, online course explains the difference between prescriptive and performance requirements. Prescriptive structural design requirements to resist the forces of wind, earthquake and snow are described and illustrated in an easy-to-understand way. Structural topics include conventional wood floor, wall and roof framing, and engineered wood products. Phase 2 - Special Topics: Instructor Led 2012 IRC Wood Wall Bracing Intermediate Wind Provisions (SKU 2129SM12) 1 Day (.6 CEUs) This seminar provides a comprehensive explanation of the 2012 International Residential Code (IRC ) bracing requirements. The seminar will focus on wind load requirements and clarify the application of wall bracing provisions in the IRC wall bracing Sections R thru R The seminar assumes some experience with wall bracing Wood Wall Bracing Intermediate Seismic (SKU XXX) 1 Day (.6 CEUs) This seminar provides a comprehensive explanation of the 2012 International Residential Code (IRC ) bracing requirements. The seminar will focus on seismic requirements and clarify the application of wall bracing provisions in the IRC wall bracing Sections R thru R The seminar assumes some experience with wall bracing IRC Performing Residential Plan Reviews (SKU XXX) 2 Days (1.2 CEUs) Provides a procedure for reviewing residential building plans and specifications based on Chapters 1 through 10 of the 2015 International Residential Code (IRC ). Allows participant to practice a building plan review during the seminar using actual construction documents and an IRC Plan Review Record. 3 P a g e

4 2015 IRC Residential Deck Construction (SKU 2132SM15) 3 hours (.3 CEUs) This half-day seminar introduces basic design and construction methods for single-story residential wood decks. The vertical and lateral load paths of conventional residential decks are now addressed in the 2015 International Residential Code. Specific design guidance includes convenient span tables for joists and beams and charts of post sizing limitations and connection methods. Figures for multiple lateral connections make connection to an existing dwelling simpler and require less removal of existing materials. Phase 2 - Special Topics: Online Courses Residential Building Planning Footings and Foundations Floor Construction Wall construction and Coverings Roof/Ceiling Construction Public Safety and Special Consideration Phase 3 - Code Application: Instructor Led 2015 Residential Inspection Institute (SKU 2189SM) 5 Days (3.0 CEUs) Performing Residential Building Inspection (2 days) Performing 1 & 2 Family Dwelling Electrical Systems (1 day) Performing Residential Mechanical Inspections (1 day) Performing Residential Plumbing Inspections (1 day) At the Institute, participants will review the latest inspection tools and learn step-by-step processes to complete residential building, mechanical, plumbing and electrical inspections. The first day will focus on the essential code provisions that pertain to residential construction and reference the 2015 International Residential Code (IRC ), 2015 International Plumbing Code (IPC ), 2015 International Mechanical Code (IMC ), and the 2015 International Fuel Gas Code (IFGC ), as well as electrical provisions associated with each of these areas. Days two and three will focus on inspecting residential buildings. Day four will focus on inspecting plumbing systems. Day five will focus on inspecting mechanical systems. Phase 3 - Code Application: Online Courses Online Residential Inspection Checklist (Performance Support)(COMING SOON!) An online residential inspection checklist that includes good/bad example pictures and short video tutorials to support a residential inspector as they are conducting an actual inspection. 4 P a g e

5 Online Training Simulation: Residential Construction Codes Endorsed by the International Code Council (ICC), the DELMAR ONLINE TRAINING SIMULATION: RESIDENTIAL CONSTRUCTION CODES product, is a 3-D, immersive simulation that teaches learners to understand and apply the latest Building and Electrical Codes in a residential construction setting. Based on the 2015 International Residential Code (IRC ) and 2014 National Electric Code (NEC ). Phase 4: Test Preparation - Instructor Led Residential Building Inspector B1 Certification Test Academy (SKU 2681SM) 3.5 Days (2.2 CEUs) The residential building inspector test academy is designed to assist you with taking the B1 certification exam. The test academy will cover in detail the topics of the exam. Throughout the academy you will be given an opportunity to answer questions that reference the exam resources. The topics that will be covered: code administration; building planning; footings and foundation; floor construction; wall construction and coverings; roof/ceiling construction and public safety and special construction of the residential building inspector certification exam. Phase 4: Test Preparation Online Courses 2015 IRC Online Study Guide for Residential Building Inspectors - 2 Hours (.2 CEUs) This self-paced online study guide provides an overview of the 2015 International Residential Code (IRC ) as it relates to the relevant job tasks of residential building inspectors. Required References All of the references below can be found in the ICC Store IRC Code and Commentary (SKU 3110S15 Soft Cover) Residential Code Essentials, 2015 Edition (SKU 4131S15 Soft Cover) Basic Code Enforcement (SKU 1016S12 Soft Cover) Report Writing for Code Inspectors (SKU 9658S Soft Cover) Inspector Skills (SKU 7104S Soft Cover) 2015 IRC Wood Wall Bracing Provisions (SKU 7102S15 Soft Cover) 2015 International Residential Code Study Companion 2015 IRC Flashcards 5 P a g e