Linda Pieczynski to instruct new series on Legal Aspects of Code Administration© in May and June

Hoffman Estates, IL — The Building & Fire Code Academy has scheduled a series of classes covering Legal Aspects of Code Administration©. The series includes a beginning class which is the prerequisite for three advanced level classes specifically geared toward various types of inspections. The classes will be held at the Academy, 2401 W. Hassell Road, Ste. 1550, in Hoffman Estates, Illinois beginning May 12, 2008.

Understanding Legal Aspects of Code Administration This course covers the basic terminology, concepts, and underlying principles of legal issues affecting code officials in the administration and performance of their duties. Completing this course will help you to more effectively enforce provisions of the model codes as well as related local ordinances, reduce civil liability by recognizing and avoiding common mistakes, and testify in court with increased authority. This BFCA course is about fundamentals and as such is prerequisite for the advanced courses in the series. This prerequisite is satisfied if you have completed either this or an equivalent course since November, 2006.

Advanced Legal Aspects of Code Administration for Building Officials and Inspectors This course will focus you on how to choose the correct section of the International Building Code® and International Residential Code® to justify your actions as a building official. You will also learn how to ensure that permits, complaints, notices of violation, stop work orders, and certificates of occupancy for new construction are delivered to the correct person or company. This course includes specific lessons learned from the field experinces of building officials. Instruction on writing administrative search warrants and using the International Property Maintenance Code® in condemning property or equipment is also given. A copy of The Building Official's and Inspector's Guide to Codes, Forms, and Complaints by Linda Pieczynski, Copyright © 2007, Thomson Delmar Learning, is included with your registration fee.

Advanced Legal Aspects of Code Enforcement for Property Maintenance Inspectors In this course you will learn how to use the International Property Maintenance Code® (IPMC) in conjunction with nuisance ordinances to justify any action you may properly take as a property maintenance inspector. Using such ordinances in the absence of a property maintenance code and avoiding common property maintenance inspector mistakes will be covered. Learn to correctly administer complaints and notices of violation regarding existing structures, write administrative search warrants, conduct rental inspections that meet constitutional requirements, and follow proper IPMC procedure when condemning equipment or property. A copy of The Property Inspector's Guide to Codes, Forms, and Complaints by Linda Pieczynski, Copyright © 2007, Thomson Delmar Learning, is included with your registration fee.

Advanced Legal Aspects of Code Enforcement for Fire Inspectors This course is about effectively enforcing fire codes. Learn how to select the correct sections of the International Fire Code®, the NFPA Fire Code® and NFPA Life Safety Code® to justify your actions as a fire inspector. Learn how to ensure that permits, complaints, notices of violation, stop work orders, and certificates of occupancy for new and existing structures are properly administered. Mistakes commonly made by fire inspectors will be discussed. Learn to write administrative search warrants and conduct rental inspections that conform to constitutional requirements. Learn how to use the International Property Maintenance Code® when condemning equipment or property. A copy of The Fire Inspector's Guide to Codes, Forms, and Complaints by Linda Pieczynski, Copyright © 2007, Thomson Delmar Learning, is included with your registration fee.

About the Instructor: Linda S. Pieczynski, J.D.

A former assistant state's attorney for DuPage County, Illinois, Linda Pieczynski has been engaged in the general practice of law since 1984, with special emphasis on municipal prosecution in the areas of building code and zoning violations. She has also consulted and provided municipal training in code enforcement, community policing, law enforcement, and fire prevention. Ms. Pieczynski has over ten years experience teaching for the ICC (formerly BOCA International) in 21 states and the District of Columbia. Coauthor/editor of the ICC's Legal Aspects of Code Administration, Copyright © 2002, she is also the author of numerous other published works, including the three texts used in this series' advanced courses.

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 at all experience levels. BFCA has been approved as an Authorized Provider by the International Association for Continuing Education and Training (IACET), 8405 Greensboro Drive, Suite 800, McLean, VA 21102. In obtaining this approval, the Building & Fire Code Academy has demonstrated that it complies with the ANSI/IACET Standards which are widely recognized as standards of good practice internationally. As a result of their Authorized Provider membership status, the BFCA is authorized to offer IACET Continuing Education Units (CEUs) for its programs that qualify under the ANSI/IACET Standards.

The BFCA is additionally an Illinois Workforce Development System approved training provider and an American Institute of Architects Continuing Education System (AIA/CES) Registered Provider. Architects completing Academy classes earn Learning Units (LUs). HSW (Health, Safety, and Welfare) credit may also be available. Other measures of accomplishment include contact, clock, or class hours and/or state credit where applicable: specific courses are approved by individual states.

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.