Building Inspector and Plans Examiner

International Code Council (ICC) building codes largely guide architecture, engineering, and construction industries to build safer and healthy built environment. Building codes continuously evolve in response to tragic incidents, technological advancements, and changing environmental dynamics. The scope and complexity of the building codes require practitioners, reviewers, and enforcers to remain well informed of the relevant building codes. Especially when federal, state, and local interpretations, adoptions, and enforcement vary. A brief history of the code development explores the formation of various building codes with regards to the occupants’ safety, health, well-being, and environmental issues.

Introduces the fundamentals of reading construction documents for residential and commercial projects and drawing conventions. The course focuses on residential construction documents including the survey, off-site and site improvements; the structure, plumbing, mechanical, electrical systems; foundations, and below-grade construction and introduces commercial construction documents reading and applicable codes.

Highlights aspects of building planning review, fire protection systems review, means of egress, fire-resistance-rated construction, and interior finishes review. Some of the topics include international building code plan review record, components of fire-rated construction, fire detection and fire suppression systems, and ADA-based design requirements. The critical aspects of plan review process forms the basis of this course.

Surveys state construction laws from legal, practical, and professional dimensions. The topics include RSAs regarding structure of laws and rules, land use laws, fire code, building code, conflicting and complimenting RSA and building code, and other state laws/agencies including licensing of contractors/architects/engineers, food service, ADA, and case laws. This course will enhance the student’s understanding of construction problems from a building inspector’s perspective by familiarizing them with the critical aspects of construction law, its enforcement, and impacts on the construction industry and project costs.

Provides insight into the local government law, state and federal legislative laws, administration and enforcement, administrative and constitutional laws, property law concepts, liability for intentional wrongdoing, negligent wrongdoing, civil rights actions, and the role of the witness. Discussions particularly focus on the issues of misfeasance, malfeasance, nonfeasance, latches, preemption, sovereign immunity, injunctive relief, appeals process, and indemnification.

Highlights the essential roles, skills, and responsibilities of a building inspector including careful inspections and reviews to ensure construction complies with all applicable national and local codes, zoning regulations, and contract specifications. Major topics include safe buildings, approaches to inspection, getting along, customer service, doing the right thing, and communication.