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General Information |
CONSTRUCTION INSPECTION TRAINING SACRAMENTO (CITS) PROGRAMS
GENERAL INFORMATION
Most construction in this country is required to conform to a set of regulations, commonly referred to as building codes. The codes are enforced by the city and county governments using permits, plan review and code enforcement inspection to assure that code compliance is attained.
The right to construct requires a building permit. Plans, specifications, computations and other information are filed with the permit application, and these documents are examined during the plan review to verify code compliance. After successful plan review, permits are issued, and construction can proceed.
After the permit is issued, the jurisdiction must monitor the project to ensure that the approved documents are followed. This code enforcement inspection is conducted by jurisdictional inspectors who visit the project until satisfactory completion. Building, electrical, plumbing, mechanical and fire hazard inspection fall into this category. In some municipalities, inspectors are required to be certified as combination inspectors, that is, the inspector is required to be qualified in the fields of building, electrical, plumbing, and mechanical inspection. It is imperative that the inspector is knowledgeable about code application, comprehends construction practices, and can read and interpret plans in order to perform the expected duties. The city or county code enforcement inspector must visit several sites during the workday, consequently, the project cannot receive continuous inspection. While this concept applies to most work, construction with concrete, structural masonry, structural steel connections, and fireproofing require special inspections. The Uniform Building Code, City Code and other major jurisdictional building codes require a special inspector, in addition to the building inspector, to verify compliance for these systems.
Certain types of construction located in areas with high seismic activity are very complex. The engineer or architect who provides the structural design should work closely with the testing laboratories or inspecting organization to ensure compliance with plans and specifications. Consequently, it has become increasingly necessary for engineers and architects to gain necessary levels of knowledge in construction materials technology and inspection practice. Under certain conditions, the engineer or architect must conduct structural observation and visually inspect the construction at critical stages for conformance with the plans and specifications. A statement of conformance follows after the work is completed.
To become an inspector, education and experience are important to employers. Also, many firms require certification by a recognized agency and passing scores on internal examinations. Certification exams administered by the International Conference of Building Officials (ICBO) of which some categories are sponsored by the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO), and the International Fire Code Institute (IFCI) are generally recognized in states west of the Mississippi, including Hawaii and Alaska. In the case of special inspectors, some jurisdictions require a minimum number of years of relevant work experience, ICBO certification and passing an oral exam prior to issuance of special inspector licenses. WIT has established themselves as a leader in special inspection and code enforcement training. Since 1988, WIT has trained and placed individuals who have come from many of the western states. As a result of this training, most have attained certification and advance to supervisory positions within their respective organizations. WIT & California State University Long Beach, Continuing Engineering Education collaborate together.
The series of educational courses, described in this brochure, focus on a curriculum needed by many, in the areas of code enforcement and special inspection. By providing proper understanding and application of building codes, these coursed prepare individuals to enter into a new career, obtain gainful employment, and attain promotional opportunities. After completing the program, registrants can take various examinations and become certified a measure of competence that has become very important.
Instructor:
Albert A. DeMuth, Jr. P.E. is currently
president and owner of Wilrick Institute of Technology (WIT), a California
state-licensed Structural Inspection/Code Enforcement School. After the U.S.
Navy Submarine Service, AI went to work for Kaiser Sand & Gravel in Oakland.
While working for Kaiser, he attended school at UC Berkeley and CSU Santa Clara,
studying engineering. At Kaiser Industries he became a Registered Professional
Engineer California, worked with Kaiser Cement in the chemistry laboratory,
served at Kaiser Engineers as a specifications writer and finally manager of
Kaiser Sand & Gravel's Concrete Quality Control and Research Laboratory. He was
with the American Concrete Institute (ACi) of Northern California and Nevada;
Centex Corporation out of Dallas, Texas, Oregon and Nevada; and
Cal State Long Beach. AI holds ICC Building Inspector, IRC Reinforced Concrete,
Prestressed Concrete and Structural Masonry certifications. Mr. DeMuth and the
WIT school are approved by ICC to conduct renewal seminars and issue continuing
education units for all inspection disciplines. Al is also a partner with and
instructor for the California Building Officials Training Institute (C.T.I.) to
conduct seminars and renewing jurisdictional inspectors. AI instructs IBC and
IRC with specialization in concrete, masonry and special inspections.
