Florida Building Commission

Education POC Report

June 11, 2012

Education POC Business Conducted At the Florida Building Commission Plenary Session on June 11, 2012
	1.)	The Education POC did not conduct a meeting for the normal May/June time frame because of a lack of a quorum of its members. As a result, the normal ED POC business was conducted at the FBC Plenary Session on June 11, 2012. That business consisted of the approval/denial of advanced training courses and the approval/denial of an accreditor application. The Education Administrator’s Activity Report for May/June 2012, was also accepted with no comments.
	2.)	Pending accreditor application 1. Stay Safe Enterprises (Mr. Roy Pollack) Resume/Licensure Information Motion: To approve as submitted, with the stipulated limitation that the applicant only accredit courses having to do with Fire Alarm and/or Security Systems Motion: Jon Hamrick Second: Herminio Gonzalez Approved Unanimously

3.)	Pending advanced accredited courses APPROVED COURSES Course: 2010 Florida Accessibility Code for Building Construction Provider: Quorum Services LLC Accreditor: Contractors Institute BCIS Course Number: 518.0 Motion: Course approved based on the FBC accreditation process that only verifies the accuracy of the Florida Building Code related content. Motion: Jon Hamrick Second: Herminio Gonzalez Approved Unanimously Course: 2012 Florida Accessibility Code for Building Construction Provider: Quorum Services LLC Accreditor: Contractors Institute BCIS Course Number: 518.0 Motion: Course approved based on the FBC accreditation process that only verifies the accuracy of the Florida Building Code related content. Motion: Jon Hamrick Second: Herminio Gonzalez Approved Unanimously Course: Advanced ADA, PLG, & Mechanical Code Provider: Plumbing & Air Conditioning Contractors Industry Fund Accreditor: BCIC LLC BCIS Course Number: 527.0 Motion: Course approved based on the FBC accreditation process that only verifies the accuracy of the Florida Building Code related content. Motion: Jon Hamrick Second: Herminio Gonzalez Approved Unanimously Course: Advanced FBC Update – Ch. 1-16 Provider: JC Code and Construction Consultants, Inc. Accreditor: JDB Code Services, Inc. BCIS Course Number: 515.0 Motion: Course approved based on the FBC accreditation process that only verifies the accuracy of the Florida Building Code related content. Motion: Jon Hamrick Second: Herminio Gonzalez Approved Unanimously Course: Advanced Mechanical/Energy Code – On-Line Provider: Florida Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Contractors Association Accreditor: BCIC LLC BCIS Course Number: 520.0 Motion: Course approved based on the FBC accreditation process that only verifies the accuracy of the Florida Building Code related content. Motion: Jon Hamrick Second: Herminio Gonzalez Approved Unanimously Course: Advanced Module 2010 Florida Building Code, Building, Building/Structural Summary Provider: FRSA – Florida Roofing, Sheet Metal, & Air Conditioning Contractors Association Accreditor: Bill Dumbaugh BCIS Course Number: 511.0 Motion: Course approved based on the FBC accreditation process that only verifies the accuracy of the Florida Building Code related content. Motion: Jon Hamrick Second: Herminio Gonzalez Approved Unanimously Course: Florida Building Code Chapter 9 Fire Protection Systems Provider: STAY SAFE ENTERPRISES, LLC Accreditor: Alarm Association of Florida BCIS Course Number: 517.0 Motion: Course approved based on the FBC accreditation process that only verifies the accuracy of the Florida Building Code related content. Motion: Jon Hamrick Second: Herminio Gonzalez Approved Unanimously Course: 2010 Florida Building Code Administration Advanced Provider: C2N Code Solutions Group Accreditor: Bill Dumbaugh BCIS Course Number: 525.0 Motion: Course approved based on the FBC accreditation process that only verifies the accuracy of the Florida Building Code related content. Motion: Jon Hamrick Second: Herminio Gonzalez Approved Unanimously Course: 2010 Florida Building Code, Administration Advanced Provider: Coast Software, Inc. Accreditor: Bill Dumbaugh BCIS Course Number: 522.0 Motion: Course approved based on the FBC accreditation process that only verifies the accuracy of the Florida Building Code related content. Motion: Jon Hamrick Second: Herminio Gonzalez Approved Unanimously Course: Chapter 1, 2010 Florida Building Code, Advanced Code Training Provider: Coast Software, Inc. Accreditor: Bill Dumbaugh BCIS Course Number: 521.0 Motion: Course approved based on the FBC accreditation process that only verifies the accuracy of the Florida Building Code related content. Motion: Jon Hamrick Second: Herminio Gonzalez Approved Unanimously Course: The ABC’s of the New ADA and the FACBC-Advanced Provider: Larry M. Schneider AIA Accreditor: BCIC LLC BCIS Course Number: 531.0 Motion: Course approved based on the FBC accreditation process that only verifies the accuracy of the Florida Building Code related content. Motion: Jon Hamrick Second: Herminio Gonzalez Approved Unanimously Course: Advanced Florida Building Code - Flooring Provider: Design Arts Seminars, Inc. Accreditor: BCIC LLC BCIS Course Number: 528.0 Motion: Course approved based on the FBC accreditation process that only verifies the accuracy of the Florida Building Code related content. Motion: Jon Hamrick Second: Herminio Gonzalez Approved Unanimously CONDITIONALLY APPROVED COURSE Course: One Hour Advanced Building Code Module Provider: @ Home Prep Accreditor: JC Code & Construction Consultants, Inc. BCIS Course Number: 514.0 Motion: Course approval based on the FBC accreditation process that only verifies the accuracy of the Florida Building Code related content is conditional until the Education Administrator can verify that the correct exam information has been added/uploaded to the existing course materials. Motion: Jon Hamrick Second: Herminio Gonzalez Approved Unanimously
4.)	Pending administratively approved updated courses The Chair asked for a Consent Motion for the administratively approved courses listed below. Course: Advanced Code Requirements for Residential Construction - Online Provider: Infinity LLC dba On-Line-Classes.Com Accreditor: BCIC LLC BCIS Course Number: 444.1 Motion: Course approved based on the FBC accreditation process that only verifies the accuracy of the Florida Building Code related content. Course: Advanced Wind Mitigation Methodologies Part 2 – Online Retrofit Course Provider: Infinity LLC Accreditor: BCIC LLC BCIS Course Number: 394.1 Motion: Course approved based on the FBC accreditation process that only verifies the accuracy of the Florida Building Code related content. Course: Advanced Course for Pool Contractors: The 2010 Florida Building Code Provider: Aquatic Training Institute Accreditor: BCIC LLC BCIS Course Number: 359.1 Motion: Course approved based on the FBC accreditation process that only verifies the accuracy of the Florida Building Code related content. Course: Advanced Code – Mechanical/Energy Provider: Florida Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Contractors Association Accreditor: BCIC LLC BCIS Course Number: 224.2 Motion: Course approved based on the FBC accreditation process that only verifies the accuracy of the Florida Building Code related content. Course: Advanced Wind Mitigation Methodologies Part 1 – Internet Course for Florida Contractors Provider: Infinity LLC Accreditor: BCIC LLC BCIS Course Number: 365.1 Motion: Course approved based on the FBC accreditation process that only verifies the accuracy of the Florida Building Code related content. Course: Florida Building Code 2010 Advanced Training: Indoor Environmental Quality Provider: EcoDecor Accreditor: BCIC LLC BCIS Course Number: 332.1 Motion: Course approved based on the FBC accreditation process that only verifies the accuracy of the Florida Building Code related content. Course: ADV 2012 Florida Accessibility Code Provider: Donna Kirby, FASID Accreditor: BCIC LLC BCIS Course Number: 316.1 Motion: Course approved based on the FBC accreditation process that only verifies the accuracy of the Florida Building Code related content. Course: Florida Building Code Electrical Advanced Module Provider: Versatile Industries Accreditor: BCIC LLC BCIS Course Number: 348.2 Motion: Course approved based on the FBC accreditation process that only verifies the accuracy of the Florida Building Code related content. Consent Motion: Courses approved based on the FBC accreditation process that only verifies the accuracy of the Florida Building Code related content. Motion: Jon Hamrick Second: Ken Gregory Approved Unanimously
5.)	Education Administrator’s Activity Report 200 West College Avenue, Suite 214, Tallahassee, Florida 32301 MAIL: 1400 Village Square Boulevard, Number 3-243, Tallahassee, Florida 32312 Telephone 850-222-2772 ×Ø Facsimile 850-894-0502 email info@buildingasaferflorida.org Telephone 850-222-2772 ×Ø Facsimile 850-894-0502 email info@buildingasaferflorida.org Telephone 850-222-2772 ×Ø Facsimile 850-894-0502 email info@buildingasaferflorida.org FBC Education Administrator Activity Report May 23, 2012 A. Provided administrative support for FBC Education POC for March 26, 2012 meeting B. Drafted minutes for FBC Education POC March 26, 2012 meeting C. Prepared agenda for FBC Education POC meeting on June 4, 2012 D. Inquiries from the public March 16, 2012 to May 23, 2012 as follows: 26 inquiries; 7 telephone; 13 email; 6 telephone and email Category of inquirers: 1 Architect 20 Providers 2 Consumer 1 Contractor 1 Home inspector 1 Prospective contractor licensee Types of Inquiries: 3 Provider renewal 12 FBC course approval 6 BCIS access 1 Course availability 1 Home inspector license 1 Contractor exam preparation course 1 Product approval (windows) 1 Residential swimming pool code E. IMPORTANT NOTE: The rule number for the education rule has changed to: 61G20-6.002, Florida Administrative Code, as part of moving FBC to DBPR. F. Proposed rule changes – continuing discussion On May 18, 2012, a rule development workshop was held on the proposed changes to rule 61G20-6.002, Florida Administrative Code. No comment was made at the workshop. Below please find the text of the rule and the proposed changes. (The former rule number is 9B-70.002.) 61G20-6.002 Commission Approval and Accreditation of Advanced Building Code Training Courses. (1) Approval of Course Accreditors. The Commission shall approve persons to serve as accreditors of advanced training courses. Persons desiring to be accreditors shall apply using the Register Accreditor function and associated online screens, Form FBC-ED-001, effective September 10, 2010 adopted herein by reference and available from the Building Code Information System at www.floridabuilding.org/ce/ce_tporgapp_dtl1.aspx. Applications shall be accompanied by an application fee of $100.00. Applications shall be approved by the Commission if the applicant has demonstrated five years of Florida Building Code expertise in the field for which approval is sought, or equivalent as specified below, or possesses an active license issued pursuant to Section 471.015, 481.213, or 481.311; Chapter 489, Part I or II, F.S.; or a standard certificate issued pursuant to Section 468.609, F.S. Accreditors approved by the Commission under prior versions of this rule are authorized to continue accreditation of building code courses. Equivalent expertise or proficiency under this provision shall include: (a) A four year college degree or graduate degree in the field for which approval is sought; (b) A letter verifying work experience in the field for which approval is sought from a person who supervised the applicant; (c) A letter verifying employment and specific position of the applicant in the field for which approval is sought from the applicant’s employer; or (d) For an accreditor application submitted to accredit only accessibility courses, demonstrated proficiency acceptable to the Commission as a subject matter expert in the field of accessibility. (2) Revocation of approval as an accreditor. (a) Any accreditor shall have his/her approval status revoked for any of the following reasons: 1. Knowingly providing a fraudulent application to the Commission, when applying for accreditor status; 2. Suspension or revocation of a trade license submitted to the Commission as part of the initially approved accreditor application, which was not reported to the Commission at the time of suspension or revocation; 3. Failure to effectively and/or accurately accredit courses, specifically relating to the correctness of the course building code content references; 4. Failure to remove him/herself from any “conflict of interest” situations, such as accrediting courses in which the accreditor has a financial interest; or 5. Failure of the accreditor to cooperate with a Commission ordered investigation. (b) The Commission may suspend the approval status of any accreditor based on any provision of paragraph (2)(a) of this rule, until such time as the accreditor demonstrates that the accreditor’s status is currently in compliance with the requirements of this rule. (c) The Commission shall initiate an investigation based on a written complaint submitted by any substantially affected party and containing substantial material evidence of a violation of this rule. (d) The Commission shall clearly post the status of an investigation on its website, the Florida Building Codes Information System, www.floridabuilding.org. (3) Training Provider Registration and Requirements. (a) Training providers approved by the Department of Business and Professional Regulation who desire Commission approval and accreditation for advanced building code courses shall register with the Building Code Information System using the Register Training Provider function and associated online screens, Form FBC-ED-002, effective September 10, 2010, adopted herein by reference and available from the Building Code Information System at www.floridabuilding.org/ce/ce_tporgapp_dtl1.aspx, and pay a registration fee of $25.00. (b) Registered training providers shall submit materials and information pertaining to courses for which Commission accreditation and approval is sought utilizing the Submit a Course Application function and associated online screens, Form FBCED 2003-03, effective September 10, 2010, adopted herein by reference and available from the Building Code Information System at www.floridabuilding.org. (c) The provider shall select an approved accreditor and shall provide payment for services directly to the accreditor. The accreditor selected shall meet the criteria for independence identified in paragraph (d) and shall be listed with the expertise in the field for which approval is sought. (d) Upon submittal by a training provider, the selected accreditor shall receive an e-mail notification from the Building Code Information System at www.floridabuilding.org and shall review the materials provided by the provider in accordance with the criteria identified herein. The accreditor shall complete the application by providing comments containing the results of the accreditor’s review and approving or denying accreditation of the course updating the accreditation approval status on the Building Code Information System. An accreditor may not approve for accreditation a course application that is not complete and accurate as specified in subsection (4). The accreditor shall also provide a certification of independence that attests the person or entity does not have, nor does it intend to acquire or will acquire, a financial interest in the training provider seeking accreditation. (e) The Building Code Information System www.floridabuilding.org shall assign an accreditation number to the application upon submittal. The application shall be accredited completely and placed in the “Pending FBC Action” file on the Building Code Information System at www.floridabuilding.org no later than 23 calendar days prior to the next scheduled meeting of the Florida Building Commission. The Commission shall finalize t The accreditation process will be finalized utilizing the Building Code Information System at www.floridabuilding.org and notify the provider and accreditor will be notified within 3 business days of the Florida Building Commission’s action on the applications. If a provider has not taken any action on a submitted but not complete application in 180 days, the Commission may withdraw the application. (f) On or before the effective date of changes to the Florida Building Code, providers shall either designate on the Building Code Information System at www.floridabuilding.org that the course is not affected by the code changes or update the existing accredited courses affected by the code changes and submit for accreditation on the Building Code Information System at www.floridabuilding.org. If the course is not affected by the code changes, the course’s status shall remain active. The code version that initiated the update and reaccreditation process must be noted on the application. Accreditation of revisions to approved accredited courses shall be accomplished in the same manner as described in paragraphs (a) through (f) hereof, except that only the revision submitted shall be subject to review. and t These courses shall be approved by the administrator of the education program subject to ratification by the Florida Building Commission. (g) If an approved accredited course is not affected by the code change or requires revision to correct or update a reference, table, diagram, or quoted provision of code, law, or administrative rule, the training provider may submit the revised course and shall complete Form FBC-ED-002, effective September 10, 2010, adopted herein by reference and available from the Building Code Information System at www.floridabuilding.org. The code version must be noted on the application. If a correction or update is required, the training provider must list the exact change correction or update, the specific location of the change correction or update, and reason for the change in the course and affirm this is the only change correction or update to the course. The changes correction or update to the course shall be approved by the administrator of the education program subject to ratification by the Florida Building Commission. (h) A change to the delivery format of an approved accredited course must be submitted for accreditation. (4) Course Content and Accreditor Review. Accreditors shall review courses submitted by registered providers to determine if the course accurately presents the technical and administrative responsibilities reflected in the current edition of the Florida Building Code, or future editions of the Code if the accreditor is reviewing a course revised to comply with an updated edition of the Florida Building Code in accordance with paragraph (3)(f) of this rule or Florida Statutes or rules related to the Florida Building Code. Accreditors shall not mutually accredit each others’ courses. The accreditor shall determine if the course meets the following minimum criteria: (a) Course title and number. The word “advanced” and, if appropriate, “internet” shall be in the title; (b) Hours of credit; (c) Name, address, telephone number and e-mail address of the provider; (d) Course description completely describing what the particular course is designed to address; (e) Course/learning objectives; (f) Course time allotments for course content; (g) Course outline and instructional methods – detailed description of course content in sequence of how taught and methods used to teach that content. The following instructional methods are authorized, but are not limited to: exercises, quizzes, discussion groups, reading assignments, projects, simulations and presentations; (h) Code edition to which the course relates; (i) Course references cited in the outline; (j) Method of course evaluations; (k) A minimum of 50% of the actual training materials content shall be related to the Florida Building Code or Florida Statutes or rules related to the Florida Building Code; (l) Course materials shall accurately reflect the Florida Building Code and other topics under the jurisdiction of the Florida Building Commission; and (m) Course materials provided to the attendee shall be provided to by the accreditor. (5) Course Accreditation by the Florida Building Commission. Accredited courses are to effectively and accurately address the technical and administrative responsibilities in the effective execution of the Florida Building Code or Florida Statutes or rules related to the Florida Building Code. (6) The Commission shall audit a minimum of 2% of all accredited courses. The courses selected for audit may not be those of only one provider or reviewed by only one accreditor. Any course submitted for accreditation or re-accreditation determined to not accurately reflect the current or adopted Florida Building Code edition; or Florida Statutes or rules related to the Florida Building Code shall be reported to the Commission for further action. All approved advanced building code courses must reflect the current or adopted Florida Building Code edition; or Florida Statutes or rules related to the Florida Building Code. Any courses accredited and determined by audit or any means to not accurately reflect the current or adopted Florida Building Code edition; or Florida Statutes or rules related to the Florida Building Code or accredited by an accreditor outside the approved areas of expertise shall have the accreditation revoked, the status of the course communicated to the respective licensing board or boards, and the provider will be required to file a new application for accreditation. (7) In the event the Commission identifies areas or topics of advanced building code education with an insufficient number of courses available through existing resources, the Commission shall report the areas or topics to the appropriate licensing board. If additional courses do not become available within six months of notification to the licensing board, upon a finding that the absence of course work in the identified subject area is detrimental to the effective administration and enforcement of the Florida Building Code, and funds are available in the Commission’s budget for course development, the Commission will develop a minimum of one (1) course that will be made available to training providers. Rulemaking Authority 553.841(2) FS. Law Implemented 553.841 FS. History–New 6-8-05, Amended 4-30-07, 6-12-08, 3-4-09, 11-2-09, 1-9-11. G. Workgroup Discussion – A workgroup discussion was held on April 16, 2012. The topic for discussion: To provide interested parties in updated information on the process for application and approval of advanced codes courses and on the Building Code Information System (BCIS). To solicit questions, comments, and suggestions relating to the course application and approval process. A copy of the hand-out and meeting summary is attached to this report. H. Workgroup Discussion – A workgroup discussion will be held on May 30, 2012. The topic for discussion: To solicit input from FBC Training Providers and Accreditors relating to a recent change in law for submission of courses to DBPR licensing boards. The change was passed in House Bill 887 (now chapter 2012-72, Laws of Florida), and it takes effect October 1, 2012. A copy of the hand-out is attached. A copy of the meeting summary will be provided with the next Education Administrator’s Report.

Staff Contact: Michael Clark (Building A Safer Florida, Inc.); mrcconsulting@earthlink.net; 850.545.1451

Committee Membership and Meeting Schedule

Education POC Membership
Member		Representation
Jeffrey Stone PhD		Chairman, Building Product Manufacturer
Jon Hamrick		Public Education
Herminio Gonzalez		Code Official
Ken Gregory		Swimming Pool Contractor
Drew Smith		Green Building Industry
Scott Mollan		Mechanical Contractor
Staff
Leslie Anderson-Adams		Legal Advisor
Jim Hammers		Technical Support
Cam Fentriss		Administrative (Building A Safer Florida, Inc.)
Facilitator
Michael Clark		(Building A Safer Florida, Inc.)
2012 POC Meeting Schedule
I.	January 18, 2012 (10:00 AM EST)		Tallahassee and via teleconference
II.	March 26, 2012 (10:00 AM EST)		Tallahassee and via teleconference
III.	June 4, 2012 (10:00 AM EST)		Tallahassee and webinar and teleconference
IV.	July 30, 2012 (10:00 AM EST)		Tallahassee and webinar and teleconference
V.	October 1, 2012 (10:00 AM EST)		Tallahassee and webinar and teleconference
VI.	November 19, 2012 (10:00 AM EST)		Tallahassee and webinar and teleconference

2012 Course Application Deadline Schedule
	Meeting Date	Application Submittal Deadline
I.	January 18, 2012 Meeting	January 7, 2012
II.	March 26, 2012 Meeting	March 10, 2012
III.	June 4, 2012 Meeting	May 19, 2012
IV.	July 30, 2012 Meeting	July 14, 2012
V.	October 1, 2012	September 15, 2012
VI.	November 19, 2012	November 10, 2012

Note: This document is available in alternate formats upon request to the Department of Business and professional regulation, codes and standards, 255 Shumard Oak Blvd., Tallahassee, Fl. 32399, 850.487.1824.