Building Inspection Technology

Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:

• SLO #1. Interpret building codes and summarize the origins and evolution of building codes in this country.
• Identify the origin and organization of the International Building Code (IBC).
• Interpret IBC requirements for plans, permits and inspections.
• Analyze basic principles of occupancy classifications, types of construction, and occupancy load calculations in order to correctly apply the construction provisions.
• SLO #2 Apply provisions of the International Building Code.
• Describe codes governing foundations, wood structures, masonry and concrete structural elements, safety glass requirements, weatherproofing, roofing, site preparation, gypsum and plaster, and light and ventilation requirements.
• Diagnose code examples with a minimum of 80% accuracy, congruent with industry certification.

Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:

• SLO #1 Interpret the International Residential Code (IRC) and summarize the origins and evolution of building codes in this country.
• Understand the application and adoption of the IRC in California.
• Identify the origin and organization of the IRC.
• Interpret IRC requirements for plans, permits and inspections.
• Analyze basic residential construction principles as they relate to foundations, floors, wall construction, wall covering, and roof and ceiling construction to correctly apply the construction provisions.
• SLO #2 Apply provisions of the International Residential Code.
• Describe codes governing foundations, floors, wall construction, wall covering, roof and ceiling assemblies and light and ventilation requirements.
• SLO #3 Apply inspection procedures by developing the ability to visualize various types of residential construction methods.
• Identify code violations in residential structures at various stages of construction.
• Define construction terms as they relate to residential construction.
• Diagnose code examples with a minimum of 80% accuracy, congruent with industry certification.

Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:

• Analyze a set of construction drawings to determine completeness and code compliance (SLO #1).
• Develop a thorough understanding of the organization and purpose of construction drawings.
• Recognize deficiencies in a set of construction drawings submitted for plan review.
• Explain how the relationships between occupancy groups, construction types and fire protection measures, both active and passive, affect the size, height and means of egress of a structure (SLO #2).
• Understand the factors that must be considered when analyzing the code imposed limitations of buildings.
• Identify the purpose and intent of the means of egress requirements in the building code.
• Perform simple plan reviews and understand the plans examiner’s role in the plan review process (SLO #3).
• List the deficiencies found in a set of drawings.
• Articulate the modifications required to bring the plans into compliance with the code.
• Identify the effect that the plans examiner’s performance can have on the construction project.
• Diagnose code compliance with a minimum of 80% accuracy, congruent with industry certification.

Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:

• Explain the organization, intent and purpose of the fire and life safety provisions of the International Building Code (SLO #1).
• Understand why the fire and life safety provisions of the building code are included in the International Building Code and describe the benefits derived from inclusion of these provisions.
• Locate specific sections in the International Building Code in order to provide accurate information to applicants, contractors, property owners and co-workers.
• Describe how the relationships between occupancy groups, construction types and fire protection measures, both active and passive, effect the size, height and means of egress of a structure (SLO #2).
• Understand the factors that must be considered when analyzing the code imposed limitations of buildings.
• Identify the purpose and intent of the means of egress requirements found in the building code.
• Interpret and apply the fire and life safety provision of the International Building Code while performing plan reviews and field inspections (SLO #3).
• Diagnose code examples with a minimum of 80% accuracy, congruent with industry certification.

Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:

• SLO #1 Review plans for compliance with the International Building Code in the follow areas: steel framing; masonry construction; and concrete construction, per the International Building Code and ACI – 318.
• Identify code violations in steel structural systems, masonry construction, and concrete construction at various stages of construction including reinforcement, placement, curing and finishing operations.
• Define terms and definitions of steel construction, masonry construction, concrete construction and soils evaluation and testing.
• SLO #2 Review, understand and interpret strength and durability test results as they relate to structural, masonry, concrete and steel construction.
• Analyze and review field reports for compliance with code-required inspections of structural concrete, steel, and masonry construction and soil compaction.
• Describe and explain strength and durability tests for concrete, masonry and structural steel.
• SLO #3 Understand the roles of the Project Engineer, Contractor, Owner, Building Official and Special Inspector as they relate to the code required special inspections.

Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:

• (SLO #1) Explain the history of structural engineering and describe the role and responsibility of engineers and designers in the construction industry.
• Explain the importance of safety and professional ethics in the field of engineering and design.
• (SLO#2) Evaluate the structure of engineering materials used in construction to produce the desired properties and response in structural components and systems.
• Explain the development of design theories, approaches and methodology.
• Explain the concepts of loads, reaction, equilibrium, vertical shear and shear diagrams, static and stress formulas, section modules and flexure formulas as they relate to structural design and review.
• (SLO #3) Define basic engineering principles and how they apply to plan review and construction inspection procedures.
• Analyze construction drawings to verify complete load path including gravity and lateral loads.
• Analyze construction drawings to verify the complete load path including gravity and lateral loads.

Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:

• (SLO#1) Explain the legal, social and economical importance of providing accessibility to public buildings, public accommodations, commercial buildings, publicly funded housing and non-publicly funded housing.
• (SLO#2) Explain the organization, origin, development and purpose of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Chapters 11A and 11B of the California Building Code (Title 24).
• Explain why specific requirements are included in the accessibility provisions of the California Building Code and describe the benefits derived from the inclusion of these provisions.
• Explain the function of the Certified Access Specialist Program (CASp) and describe a CASp inspector's role in accessibility compliance.
• SLO#3) Locate specific sections in the California Building Code to provide accurate information to applicants, contractors, property owners and co-workers regarding accessibility requirements.
• Review plans and verify compliance with Title 24 accessibility requirements.
• Perform building inspections for compliance with accessibility regulations and describe common interpretations of the requirements and common problems that hinder compliance.
• Explain and have the ability to accurately apply the Unreasonable Hardship provision of Chapter 11B (Accessibility) in the California Building Code.

Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:

• Explain the organization, origin, development and purpose of the Uniform Plumbing Code (SLO #1).
• Understand why specific requirements are included in the Uniform Plumbing Code and describe the benefits derived from inclusion of these provisions.
• Locate specific sections in the Uniform Plumbing Code in order to provide accurate information to applicants, contractors, property owners and co-workers.
• Interpret the Uniform Plumbing Code in regard to regulations, minimum standards, new methods and materials used in the plumbing industry (SLO #2).
• Apply inspection procedures by developing the ability to visualize various types of plumbing methods and identify code violations in installed plumbing systems at various stages of construction.
• Interpret and apply the provisions of the Uniform Plumbing Code while performing plan reviews and field inspections (SLO #3).
• Diagnose code examples with a minimum of 80% accuracy, congruent with industry certification.

Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:

• Explain the organization, origin, development and purpose of the Uniform Mechanical Code (SLO #1).
• Explain why specific requirements are included in the Uniform Mechanical Code and describe the benefits derived from the inclusion of these provisions.
• Locate specific sections in the Uniform Mechanical Code to provide accurate information to applicants, contractors, property owners and co-workers.
• Interpret the Uniform Mechanical Code regarding regulations, minimum standards, new methods and materials used in mechanical systems (SLO #2).
• Apply inspection procedures by developing the ability to visualize various types of HVAC and other mechanical systems and identify code violations in installed mechanical systems at various stages of construction.
• Interpret and apply the provisions of the Uniform Mechanical Code while performing plan reviews and field inspections (SLO #3).
• Diagnose code examples with a minimum of 80% accuracy, congruent with industry certification.

Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:

• Review wood framing plans for compliance with the International Building Code (SLO #1).
• Apply inspection procedures by developing the ability to visualize various types of wood framing methods.
• Identify code violations in wood structural systems at various stages of construction.
• Define wood terms and definitions of lumber for framing and simple beams (SLO #2).
• Compare and contrast lumber grades and specifications in order to verify the adequacy of framing members and perform simple beam calculations.
• Understand concepts of lateral bracing both prescriptive (conventional) and designed (SLO #3).
• Understand the concept of continuous load path, both vertical and lateral, and identify key components of a wood structural system.

Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:

• SLO #1 Explain the organization, origin, development and purpose of the electrical requirements found in the International Residential Code.
• Describe why specific requirements are included in the electrical chapters of the International Residential Code and describe the benefits derived from the inclusion of these provisions.
• Cite specific sections in the electrical chapters of the International Residential Code in order to provide accurate information to applicants, contractors, property owners and co-workers.
• SLO #2 Interpret the electrical requirements found in the International Residential Code as it applies to residential structures.
• Analyze regulations, minimum standards, new methods and materials used in the electrical industry.
• Understand electrical installations in residential structures to ensure occupant safety by effective compliance with the electrical requirements found in the International Residential Code.
• Apply inspection procedures by developing the ability to visualize various types of electrical methods and identify code violations in installed electrical systems at various stages of construction
• SLO #3 Interpret and apply the provisions of the electrical chapters of the International Residential Code while performing plan reviews and field inspections
• Diagnose code examples with a minimum of 80% accuracy, congruent with industry certification.

Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:

• SLO #1 Describe the application, purpose and intent of specific requirements in the National electrical Code.
• Locate specific sections in the National Electrical Code in order to provide accurate information to applicants, contractors, property owners and co-workers.
• SLO #2 Interpret the National Electrical Code based on a thorough understanding of the code requirements in order to ensure code compliance on commercial and industrial electrical systems.
• Apply inspection procedures by developing the ability to visualize various types of electrical methods and identify code violations in installed electrical systems at various stages of construction.
• SLO #3 Interpret and apply the provisions of the National Electrical Code while performing plan reviews and field inspections of advanced electrical systems
• Diagnose code examples with a minimum of 80% accuracy, congruent with industry certification.

Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:

• SLO #1- Understand plan and inspection procedures, as well as the organization of the California Energy Code
• Identify the origin and organization of the California Energy Code.
• Interpret California Energy Code requirements for plans, permits and inspections.
• Analyze basic principles of energy calculations in the context of plan review.
• Identify the relationship between the California Energy Code and green building rating systems.
• SLO #2- Interpret the California Energy Code as it relates to envelope, lighting and mechanical systems.
• Describe codes governing building envelope, lighting controls, use and alternatives, mechanical system efficiency.
• Describe California Energy Code compliance procedures.
• Diagnose code examples with a minimum of 80% accuracy, congruent with industry certification.

Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:

• SLO #1. Interpret the California Green Building Standards Code (CAL Green) and summarize the origins and evolution of California Green Building Standards in the State of California.
• Understand the organization of the California Green Building Standards Code.
• Interpret California Green Building Standards Code requirements as they relate to plan review, permit issuance and inspections.
• SLO #2 Analyze basic principles of site development, energy and water efficiency, material conservation, resource efficiency and environmental quality as they relate to the California Green Building Standards Code.
• Apply provisions of the California Green Building Standards Code.
• Describe codes governing site development, energy and water efficiency, material conservation, resource efficiency and environmental quality requirements.
• SLO #3 Identify code violations of the California Green Building Standards Code during plan review and at various stages of construction.
• Define construction terms as they relate to green building.
• Diagnose code examples with a minimum of 80% accuracy, congruent with industry certification.
• SLO #4 Understand and apply the voluntary measures found in the California Green Building Standards Code.
• Understand how the voluntary measures, also known as Tiers, can be adopted by a community as a means of achieving enhanced construction or reaching levels of the code.
• Explain the process for complying with prerequisite and elective measures found in both Tier 1 and Tier 2 voluntary measures.

Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:

• SLO #1: Actively engage in intellectual inquiry beyond that required in order to pass a course of study (College Wide Learning Outcome – Area 4).
• Discuss and outline a proposal of study (that can be accomplished within one semester term) with a supervising instructor qualified within the discipline.
• Design an independent study (to be completed individually or by collaboration of a small group) to foster special knowledge, skills, and experience that are not available in any one regularly scheduled course.
• Use information resources to gather discipline-specific information.
• SLO #2: Utilize modes of analysis and critical thinking to apply theoretical perspectives and/or concepts in the major discipline of study to significant problems and/or educational activities (College Wide Learning Outcome – Area 3).
• Analyze and apply the knowledge, skills and experience that are involved in the independent study to theoretical perspectives and/or concepts in the major discipline of study.
• Explain the importance of the major discipline of study in the broader picture of society.
• SLO #3: Communicate a complex understanding of content matter of the major discipline of study (College Wide Outcome – Area 3).
• Demonstrate competence in the skills essential to mastery of the major discipline of study that are necessary to accomplish the independent study.
• SLO #4: Identify personal goals and pursue these goals effectively (College Wide Outcome – Area 4).
• Utilize skills from the “academic tool kit” including time management, study skills, etc., to accomplish the independent study within one semester term.

Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:

• SLO #1 DEMONSTRATE AN UNDERSTANDING AND APPLICATION OF PROFESSIONAL WORKPLACE BEHAVIOR IN A FIELD OF STUDY RELATED ONE’S CAREER.
• Understand the effects time, stress, and organizational management have on performance.
• Demonstrate an understanding of consistently practicing ethics and confidentiality in a workplace.
• Examine the career/life planning process and relate its relevance to the student.
• Demonstrate an understanding of basic communication tools and their appropriate use.
• Demonstrate an understanding of workplace etiquette.
• SLO #2 DESCRIBE THE CAREER/LIFE PLANNING PROCESS AND RELATE ITS RELEVANCY TO ONE'S CAREER.
• Link personal goals to long term achievement.
• Display an understanding of creating a professional first impression.
• Understand how networking is a powerful job search tool.
• Understand necessary elements of a résumé.
• Understand the importance of interview preparation.
• Identify how continual learning increases career success.
• SLO #3 DEMONSTRATE APPLICATION OF INDUSTRY KNOWLEDGE AND THEORETICAL CONCEPTS AS WRITTEN IN LEARNING OBJECTIVES IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE EMPLOYER WORK SITE SUPERVISOR.