New Classes Announcement for 2010
be sure to check our class catalog for specific class dates
- Building Plan Review for Fire Inspectors
One-day course $185
This course focuses on the relationship between building and fire regulations, presenting basic building plan review concepts to understand how the two regulations relate and how compliance or non-compliance in either regulation affects the other. Site plan issues will be reviewed and discussed. Building occupancy groups and construction types will be reviewed. Proper calculations for all aspects of means of egress will be presented. This course will demonstrate where the regulations are the same and where differences occur. The intent and end result of application of the codes and standards will be studied and discussed. - Performing Fire Inspections
One-day course $185
This one-day class, designed for anyone assigned to perform fire inspections from the novice to the most experienced, focuses on performing fire inspections for all types of construction and building types, including existing structures. Participants should include fire prevention personnel, shift inspectors, code officials, building managers, and property maintenance inspectors. Real life examples existing in structures will be demonstrated and minimum code requirements for compliance will be discussed. - Assertive Communication
One-day course $185
This one-day course is designed to provide instruction to code enforcement officers and similar personnel on how to conduct themselves as an enforcement professional. The assertive approach is intended as a means to gain compliance with the applicable rules and codes without generating resentment or resistance. Participants will be instructed in situational awareness, recognizing and responding to difficult people, assertive communication techniques and in how to recognize and respond to some common personality/mental disorders. - Plan Review and Inspections
One-day course $185
This one-day course will provide code officials, inspectors, and designers with an understanding of code required documents, plan reviews, and inspections. Special inspection requirements and site safety requirements will be discussed. Coordination with in-house departments and outside agencies will be covered. Flow charts and check lists will be developed by participants. - Electrical Load Calculation
One-day course $185
Come join this one-day class on calculating electrical service loads for residential and light commercial structures. Learn to use formulas for finding values such as volts and watts, calculate busbar capacity, and cover relevant topics including boxes, enclosures, and transformers. Students will do actual calculations using the appropriate tables required for residential and light commercial structures. - Installing Residential Fire Sprinklers
Three-day course $695
This three-day course will give participants a detailed understanding of the field requirements for installing residential fire sprinklers from the municipal water supply to the furthest sprinkler head inside the structure. Types of product choices with manufacturer requirements will be demonstrated. The real life pros, cons, and challenges will be discussed and demonstrated. Design options and code requirements will be presented to participants. Participants will be required to take part in demonstrating the proper use of different types of products for use in residential fire sprinkler installations. - Small Project Plan Review
One-day course $185
This one-day course covers small project submittals, reviews, procedures, checklists, and follow-up. Projects covered include decks, sheds, porches, concrete flat work, driveways, lawn irrigation systems and patio covers. The relationship between submittal, review, inspection and compliance will be covered, and upon completion participants will gain the understanding and skill to complete small project plan reviews. - Plumbing Fixture Counts
One-day course $185
This one-day course covers the minimum number of plumbing fixtures that must be provided for every type of building. This course will also address required fixtures in various types of buildings and number of facilities for each type of occupancy. Participants will apply and understand calculating occupant loads and apply the correct calculation to determine the minimum number of fixtures. Unique occupancies and building uses will be covered. - Managing Distressed Properties
One-day course $185
This one-day course will assist all persons involved with distressed properties. Topics to be covered include how to locate the appropriate parties to remedy problems and locating resources to assist in identifying and understanding regulations on the foreclosure process. State statutes that aide jurisdictions in notifications will be discussed, as well as finding agencies to help monitor and bring properties into compliance. Covered topics include mortgage services, field asset services, asset management and MERS. - Inspecting Special Events
One-day course $185
This one-day course will address the basics of building, electrical, plumbing, health, mechanical, fire, and site safety as it relates to special events occurring within a jurisdiction. This course will cover inspection and code requirements, including state requirements, for events such as farmers markets, carnivals, concerts, bike races, fun runs, fireworks, parades, fests and similar events. - Advanced Code Problem Solving
Two-day course $295
This two-day course will cover real life situations occurring for code officials, plan reviewers, inspectors, and designers that are not specifically covered in codes and standards. Participants will be required to address problems using code requirements, code intent, logic and experience to resolve concerns arising during the permitting, plan review and inspection process. - Installing Residential Fire Sprinklers
Three-day course $695
This three-day course will give participants a detailed understanding of the field requirements for installing residential fire sprinklers from the municipal water supply to the furthest sprinkler head inside the structure. Types of product choices with manufacturer requirements will be demonstrated. The real life pros, cons, and challenges will be discussed and demonstrated. Design options and code requirements will be presented to participants. Participants will be required to take part in demonstrating the proper use of different types of products for use in residential fire sprinkler installations. - Hazardous Materials Awareness
One-day course $185
This one-day course begins with an introduction to Hazardous Material at the First Responder Level. This course covers Authorities and Regulations, Physical and Chemical Terms, Common and Typical Hazardous Materials, Health Effects, Hazardous Material Recognition, the DOT Emergency Response Guidebook (included in course registration), and MSDS reports. This Class meets the prerequisite requirements for the ICC Fire Inspector 1 test.
The Building & Fire Code Academy is an Illinois State Board of Education approved private business and vocational school. Offering continuing education classes and complete career programs for inspectors, code officials, and design professionals, BFCA is an International Association for Continuing Education and Training (IACET) authorized provider and an American Institute of Architects/Continuing Education System (AIA/CES) registered provider. Students completing courses receive 0.2 continuing education units, contact hours and/or state credit where applicable. Architects completing classes earn 2 learning units. All courses qualify for health, safety and welfare credit.
Further information can be obtained by calling BFCA at (847) 884-4969 or (800) 488-7057,
or by visiting the Web site at www.bfcacademy.com.
The Building & Fire Code Academy, a subsidiary of B & F Technical Code Services, Inc. in Hoffman Estates, provides comprehensive and practical education in the administration, application and enforcement of building and fire codes.