New Inspector Help

[JCTxinspector]

I am a new fire inspector in Texas. I have my state required certifications. I'm looking to take any kind of training courses I can to help further my knowledge. What would your recommendations be for someone new to the inspecting world? Especially any tips or tricks on how to read and interpret codes.

 

[ICE]

Start at the beginning of the Average Day thread and work your way through it to the end.

 

[Joe.B]

NFPA Training

NFPA Training will help you protect people and property, increase your knowledge, and propel your professional career forward—online at your convenience.

www.nfpa.org

 

[Sifu]

Great Lakes ADA center (free). Even if you don't enforce accessibility, it is great training. American Wood Council (free), Thebuildingcodecollege.com (paid but worth it for new (all) inspectors of residential. Lots of resources on the line, I never have any trouble filling up a slow day with something, just need to search them out. Most offer CU's.

And this forum in general. Some great info, and a great starting place to prime an inquisitive inspector.

 

[steveray]

This site is a great resource and I have learned a ton over the years....If you can travel, look at some of the national events or maybe they have some in TX...Trade shows, building code college, ICC regional stuff, EduCode...

AWC and APA have good stuff on their sites...Simpson Strong Tie for wood stuff....UL fire resistance wizard for all things rated...

We have a useful links thread here somewhere...

 

[jar546]

The NFPA has a ton of courses and most state fire associations also offer training. There is a ton here in Florida.

 

[mtlogcabin]

I am a new fire inspector in Texas.

Can you give us an example of what your duties are? Do you just inspect existing buildings? Do you inspect fire sprinkler and notification systems during the construction process? Does your jurisdiction have industrial or manufacturing facilities? Info like that might help us to recommend training that would be geared more specifically to what you will be doing.

 

[Keystone]

Simpson Online Training. Some of it is product specific but still provides a good base to start from.

Simpson Learning Center

training.strongtie.com

 

[JCTxinspector]

Can you give us an example of what your duties are? Do you just inspect existing buildings? Do you inspect fire sprinkler and notification systems during the construction process? Does your jurisdiction have industrial or manufacturing facilities? Info like that might help us to recommend training that would be geared more specifically to what you will be doing.

Annual inspections for a small city. Population less than 8,000. Some inspections during different phases of construction. Also looking to get into plan review. I have the State certification, but no experience.

 

[SCBO1]

Might want to look at a course in how to communicate with the public, classes on how to reduce confrontation is very important.

Good luck!

 

[mtlogcabin]

I have every new inspector read these books. Codes are not all black and white when applying them. Understanding the reason/intent of a code section can be huge for achieving compliance when it is understood by the owner/contractor. Reading the commentaries for the code is a way to gain knowledge in that area.

Inspector Skills (Online Live)

shop.iccsafe.org

You can also by the book and not do the class


When you have to send notices for detailing inspection results and or corrections. Proper formatting and documentation will be a big plus if you have to go before a judge to get compliance. I would get this book to help you develop along with advice from your city attorney the different letters/notices you may use.

Search results for: 'Report Writing for Code Inspectors, (9658S)'

ICC Store

shop.iccsafe.org

 

[walker.t]

Might want to look at a course in how to communicate with the public, classes on how to reduce confrontation is very important.

I thought the following was a good way to handle a situation that might have lead to an argument:

We had a similar issue in a commercial building where decades of renovations and no inspections from the municipality resulted in the fire separation of a service room being Swiss cheese.

"But we didn't do that!"
I didn't say you did, but it needs fixed and you're here, so guess who is probably getting a change order.
"Oh, OK."

The owner saw the value of using the guy who was already there and knew how to firestop. He made a nice little bit of change off fixing up the service room.

Especially any tips or tricks on how to read and interpret codes.

I’m not a code official, but I have found it helpful to memorize defined terms that I seem to encounter more often than others.

 

[BN4537]

Might want to look at a course in how to communicate with the public, classes on how to reduce confrontation is very important.

Good luck!

^^^This^^^
These are some good classes about dealing with difficult people. That is sometimes the hardest part.

That Code Enforcement Guy

thatcodeenforcementguy.com

Greg Smith — GMS Code Enforcement Products, Presentations and Training

Greg Smith

gmspresentationsandtraining.com

Homeless Training - De-Escalation Resources for Staff

Online video trainings that provide the tools and scripts to deal with problematic behavior from vulnerable individuals.

www.homelesstraining.com