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Where's the exit?

I do CEU's for multiple licenses in multiple states, plus AIA CEUs. California now requires it for both accessibility and for energy. The vast majority of them are so dumbed-down as to be merely a performative exercise, like going to comedy traffic school. (I've certainly never had one explain exit access / exit / exit discharge.)

IMO, the most useful CEUs are usually provided by an approval agency ("such as "DSA Academy") or are related to obtaining a specific certification.
On the private level, the second-best are solving a very specific code problem, such as how to detail a Type 3A exterior wall, or sound wall ratings. Memorable CEUs usually include plenty of horror stories where things went wrong.
 
I do CEU's for multiple licenses in multiple states, plus AIA CEUs. California now requires it for both accessibility and for energy. The vast majority of them are so dumbed-down as to be merely a performative exercise, like going to comedy traffic school. (I've certainly never had one explain exit access / exit / exit discharge.)

IMO, the most useful CEUs are usually provided by an approval agency ("such as "DSA Academy") or are related to obtaining a specific certification.
On the private level, the second-best are solving a very specific code problem, such as how to detail a Type 3A exterior wall, or sound wall ratings. Memorable CEUs usually include plenty of horror stories where things went wrong.
When I attend code seminars or classes the instructors usually, in one way or another, seek to identify the attendees by profession. Usually a few design professionals are there for one reason or another. I assume to get the AIA hours at a minimum, but I always make note of them since they appear be placing some level of importance on code.

In reference to the site plan topic....very often I don't receive a site plan. I had one the other day; no site plan. I asked for one, with the accessible route identified, from the accessible parking (none was shown), to the entrance, and to identify the accessible toilets (it was a temporary use). I received a site plan, had a single accessible space, but not for a van. Still had no accessible toilets. This is a major architectural and engineering firm with global projects. But they couldn't handle a tiny temporary use. They got rejected again. I guess I am an obstructionist.

I sometimes get a site plan from the architect. Sometimes I get a civil site plan as well. Most of the time they don't match.

And EVERYTHING says "ADA" now.
 
In reference to the site plan topic....very often I don't receive a site plan. I had one the other day; no site plan. I asked for one, with the accessible route identified, from the accessible parking (none was shown), to the entrance, and to identify the accessible toilets (it was a temporary use). I received a site plan, had a single accessible space, but not for a van. Still had no accessible toilets.

That is, unfortunately, par for the course these days.

This is a major architectural and engineering firm with global projects. But they couldn't handle a tiny temporary use. They got rejected again. I guess I am an obstructionist.

Welcome to the club. Obstructionists-R-Us.

I sometimes get a site plan from the architect. Sometimes I get a civil site plan as well. Most of the time they don't match.

And usually it's the zoning site plan, so it may show property line setbacks but doesn't show fire separation distances. ("Fire WHAT distances?")

And EVERYTHING says "ADA" now.

Yep.
 
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