Florida Building Commission

September 2011 Education POC Meeting Minutes
 

Telephone Conference Call Number 1-888-808-6959, Access Code:  1967168
In Person Attendance: Room 250L, 2555 Shumard Oak Boulevard, Tallahassee, Florida


September 27, 2011

Time 10:00 a.m. ET

 

POC Members Present: Dick Browdy (Chair), Jon Hamrick, Herminio Gonzalez, Jeff Stone, Ken Gregory

POC Member(s) Absent: Scott Mollan, Drew Smith

 

Meeting Attendees Identified:

 

Ila Jones                         Michael Clark                                       

Med Kopczynski              Bernice Ryder-Smit

Cam Fentriss                   Leslie Anderson-Adams                         

David Shaw                    

                

 

 

Meeting was called to order at 10:02 a.m. ET, September 27, 2011


 

1.     Review and approval of the September 2011 Agenda

 

Motion: To approve as submitted

Motion: Ken Gregory

Second: Herminio Gonzalez

Approved Unanimously

 

 

2.     Review and approval of July 2011 Minutes

 

Motion: To approve as submitted

Motion: Ken Gregory

Second: Herminio Gonzalez

Approved Unanimously

 

 

3.     Review pending accreditor applications for recommendation to the Commission

 

None Pending

 

 

4.     Review pending advanced accredited courses for recommendation to the Commission

 

Course: Advanced Building Code Plumbing-Section F

Provider: American Society of Landscape Architects Florida Chapter

Accreditor: BCIC LLC

BCIS Course Number: 466.0

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 2010 FBC Significant Code Changes

Provider: BCIC LLC

Accreditor: Bill Dumbaugh

BCIS Course Number: 474.0

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 2010 FBC Significant Code Changes - Online

Provider: BCIC LLC

Accreditor: Bill Dumbaugh

BCIS Course Number: 477.0

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 Building Code Structural Summary

Provider: Coast Software, Inc.

Accreditor: Bill Dumbaugh

BCIS Course Number: 478.0

Motion: Course approval based on the FBC accreditation process that only verifies the accuracy of the Florida Building Code related content is deferred, based on specific required changes, until the December 2011 FBC meeting. However, if those identified changes are made to the materials and those materials are subsequently reviewed and recommended for approval by Commissioner Jon Hamrick, then the course may be recommended for approval at the October, 2011 FBC meeting..

Motion: Jon Hamrick

Second: Herminio Gonzalez

Approved Unanimously

 

Course: Florida Advanced Building Code

Provider: 360training.com, Inc.

Accreditor: Bill Dumbaugh

BCIS Course Number: 479.0

Motion: Course approval based on the FBC accreditation process that only verifies the accuracy of the Florida Building Code related content is deferred, based on specific required changes, until the December 2011 FBC meeting. However, if those identified changes are made to the materials and those materials are subsequently reviewed and recommended for approval by Commissioner Jon Hamrick, then the course may be recommended for approval at the October, 2011 FBC meeting.

Motion: Jon Hamrick

Second: Herminio Gonzalez

Approved Unanimously

 

Course: FBC Advanced Module: 2010 Updates

Provider: Florida Pool and Spa Association

Accreditor: Bill Dumbaugh

BCIS Course Number: 480.0

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: Ken Gregory

Approved Unanimously

 

Course: FBC Advanced Module Energy Efficiency Regulations For Pools and Spas

Provider: Florida Pool and Spa Association

Accreditor: Bill Dumbaugh

BCIS Course Number: 481.0

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: Ken Gregory

Approved Unanimously

 

Course: Advanced (ADV) Field Marking Electrical Equipment, Internet

Provider: JADE Learning

Accreditor: BCIC LLC

BCIS Course Number: 484.0

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: An Overview of the 2010 Florida Building Code, Building Volume

Provider: Titan Continuing Education, Inc.

Accreditor: Bill Dumbaugh

BCIS Course Number: 488.0

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: An Overview of the 2010 Florida Building Code, Building Volume – Live Seminar

Provider: Titan Continuing Education, Inc.

Accreditor: Bill Dumbaugh

BCIS Course Number: 489.0

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 Accessibility Code – Application and Administration

Provider: codeaccess

Accreditor: JDB Code Services, Inc.

BCIS Course Number: 487.0

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: Herminil Gonzalez

Approved Unanimously

 

 

5.     Review administratively approved updated courses for recommendation to Commission

 

 

The Chair asked for a Consent Motion for the administratively approved course listed below.

 

Course: Florida Building Code Advanced Training: Residential

Provider: Florida Pool & Spa Association

Accreditor: Bill Dumbaugh

BCIS Course Number: 220.2

 

 

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

 

 

6.     Review self affirmed updated courses for recommendation to the Commission

 

None Pending

7.     Review/discuss Rule 9B-70.002 (3) (f) (g) F.A.C., regarding the various types of course approvals, specifically focusing on the “no changes” and “affirmation of revision…” categories.

 

The Chair stated that agenda item’s 7 and 8, would be discussed together. He recommended that the POC address item 8 first, then discuss item 7. Item 8 was the Education Administrator’s report. The Chair asked Cam Fentriss to give said report.

 

Cam stated that training courses noted in the report are currently being counted differently because some of those courses are outdated, yet still reside in the BCIS.

 

On another subject, Cam said that two mechanisms found in paragraphs (3)(f) and (g) of the rule (categories of course status) were developed to help training providers with the overall approval process of some of their courses, specifically to reduce the amount of time for certain types of approvals, and to reduce the cost of some of the course approvals. The two categories are called, “reviewed, no change”, and “self-affirmation.” The specific rule language explaining both of these is listed in the Education Administrator’s report.

 

Cam stated that a concern regarding the “reviewed, no change” category is that when this occurs, in reality the FBC is not approving the course, which raises the issue of satisfying the statute requirements in courses and subsequent approval of those courses by certain licensing boards. Extending this reality, technically if some DBPR boards look at this part of the process closely, they could reject these courses because they do not have FBC approval.  The risks of this mechanism may be more troublesome when there is a new code version.

 

Med Kopczynski stated that he agreed this could be an issue and that it was his experience that some providers were using this mechanism with old courses incorrectly, in that the code had indeed changed.

 

The Chair stated that he believed that self-affirmed courses were sanctioned by the FBC.

 

Cam Fentriss agreed stating that self-affirmed courses were administratively approved, reviewed by the POC, and subsequently approved by the FBC. Cam further stated that POC (in rule) has an audit mechanism to randomly check the limited changes allowed for self-affirmed courses. She also said that she thought that most providers are actually creating new courses, instead of updating existing courses with the 2010 code.

 

Bernice Ryder-Smit stated that she sees all three possibilities: the need for new courses developed, existing courses being updated, and no change needed, depending on the scope of the course.

 

Cam stated that the self-affirmation designation works well for one change in the materials (even if the one change happens multiple times), so maybe within the confines of self-affirmation, a new category could be identified for no changes to the course to ensure any course change has the opportunity to be administratively approved and ratified by the FBC.

 

The Chair agreed stating that the self-affirmation designation is applicable in a new code cycle, again…for one change.

 

Commissioner Gregory stated that the POC definitely needs to address this issue at the next meeting.

 

Cam Fentriss stated that she will develop some draft language regarding these issues, to present at the next meeting. She further stated that the point of this proposal is to augment the current language, not divest from it.

 

The Chair agreed and stated that this conversation will continue at the November meeting.

 

Cam asked that if any providers or accreditors had any suggestions for this draft language, to please send it to her for inclusion and consideration.

 

 

8.     Education Administrator activity report:

 

A. Provided administrative support for FBC Education POC for July 27, 2011 meeting

B. Drafted minutes for FBC Education POC July 27, 2011 meeting

C. Prepared agenda for FBC Education POC meeting on September 27, 2011

D. Inquiries from the public July 18, 2011 to September 20, 2011 as follows:

11 inquiries: 1 telephone; 5 email; 5 telephone and email

Category of inquirers:

7 Provider 1 Accreditor 1 Contractor

1 Building Official 1 Consumer

Types of Inquiries:

1 Core course

7 Provider questions (course renewal, update, submission deadline, BCIS options)

1 Accreditor question (course renewal)

1 Consumer (energy courses)

1 Construction Lien Law

E. FBC Education POC Agenda Item 7 for review and discussion of two course update/modification mechanisms commonly known as “reviewed, no change” or “self-affirmed” for updating or making a technical change to a course.

The purpose of these provisions is to allow providers an opportunity to save time and steps in keeping approved courses active and current as to the current version of the Florida Building Code. The intent of the FBC Education POC is that these provisions be used in good faith and for their intended purpose only.

 

 

QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION:

1. Does the “reviewed, no change” provision in rule 9B-70.002(3)(f), F.A.C., meet requirements of chapters 468 (part XII), 471, 481, or 489, Florida Statutes, and any related administrative rules, for courses to be "approved by the Florida Building Commission?" (Please see specific provisions from these laws and rules reprinted below.)

2. Do all interested parties understand that the “reviewed, no change” tool does not include any approval by the Florida Building Commission (instead, relying on the word of the provider, maintaining the course as active)?

3. Do all interested parties understand that, at any given time, a licensure board with a requirement of “approved by the Florida Building Commission” may refuse to accept codes courses that have been “updated” using the “reviewed, no change” tool? (This is most likely to happen for a course that has expired or will expire at the board level.)

4. If any board does deny a course that has been “updated” through the use of the “reviewed, no change” tool, what is the remedy for the provider?

RECOMMENDATION: Providers may want to use the “self-affirmation” tool in rule 9B-70.002(3)(g), F.A.C., instead as this mechanism requires administrative approval then ratification by the Florida Building Commission. This will not result in delay of course approval.

ARCHITECTS

61G1-24.001 Continuing Education for Architects.

(1) Each architect in Florida shall be required to reestablish the architect’s professional knowledge and competency in conformity with this rule by the completion of 20 contact hours of continuing professional education per biennium. This requirement shall be met through either:

(a) Programs approved by the Board, provided that a minimum of two (2) of the 20 required contact hours must be obtained by completing an approved provider’s specialized or advanced course, approved by the Florida Building Commission, on the Florida Building Code, relating to the architect’s respective area of practice; or

(b) Submission of proof of compliance with the continuing education requirements of another state in which the architect is licensed, provided that the requirements of the other state equal or exceed the completion of 20 contact hours in a two year period, be that the education build upon the basic knowledge of architecture, and require that a minimum of two (2) of the 20 required contact hours be obtained by completing an approved provider’s specialized or advanced course, approved by the Florida Building Commission, on the Florida Building Code, relating to the architect’s respective area of practice.

INTERIOR DESIGNERS

61G1-21.001 Continuing Education for Interior Designers.

(1) Each interior designer in Florida shall be required to reestablish the interior designer’s professional knowledge and competency in conformity with this rule by the completion of 20 contact hours of continuing professional education per biennium. This requirement shall be met through either:

(a) Programs approved by the Board, provided that a minimum of two (2) of the 20 required contact hours must be obtained by completing an approved provider’s specialized or advanced course, approved by the Florida Building Commission, on the Florida Building Code, relating to the interior designer’s respective area of practice; or

(b) Submission of proof of compliance with the continuing education requirements of another state in which the interior designer is licensed, provided that the requirements of the other state equal or exceed the completion of 20 contact hours in a two year period, be that the education build upon the basic knowledge of interior design, and require that a minimum of two (2) of the 20 required contact hours be obtained by completing an approved provider’s specialized or advanced course, approved by the Florida Building Commission, on the Florida Building Code, relating to the interior designer’s respective area of practice.

CONSTRUCTION CONTRACTORS

489.115 Certification and registration; endorsement; reciprocity; renewals; continuing education.—

(4)(b)2.In addition, the board may approve specialized continuing education courses on compliance with the wind resistance provisions for one and two family dwellings contained in the Florida Building Code and any alternate methodologies for providing such wind resistance which have been approved for use by the Florida Building Commission. Division I certificateholders or registrants who demonstrate proficiency upon completion of such specialized courses may certify plans and specifications for one and two family dwellings to be in compliance with the code or alternate methodologies, as appropriate, except for dwellings located in floodways or coastal hazard areas as defined in ss. 60.3D and E of the National Flood Insurance Program.

3.The board shall require, by rule adopted pursuant to ss. 120.536(1) and 120.54, a specified number of hours in specialized or advanced module courses, approved by the Florida Building Commission, on any portion of the Florida Building Code, adopted pursuant to part IV of chapter 553, relating to the contractor’s respective discipline.

ELECTRICAL CONTRACTORS

489.517 Renewal of certificate or registration; continuing education.—

(6)The board shall require, by rule adopted pursuant to ss. 120.536(1) and 120.54, a specialized number of hours in specialized or advanced module courses, approved by the Florida Building Commission, on any portion of the Florida Building Code, adopted pursuant to part IV of chapter 553, relating to the contractor’s respective discipline.

2 “REVIEWED, NO CHANGE”

9B-70.002 (3)(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. 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 these courses shall be approved by the administrator of the education program subject to ratification by the Florida Building Commission.

EXPLANATIONS/NOTES:

-- This mechanism is used when there are changes to the Florida Building Code

-- When the Florida Building Code changes, ALL approved courses must be “accessed” and either designated “reviewed, no change” or updated

-- “Reviewed, no change” means the course stays active

-- A course updated must be accredited, administratively approved, and ratified by the FBC as to the changes only (it is important to specify the changes made)

-- Failure to designate “reviewed, no change” or update a course (i.e. leaving it as is on the BCIS) means the course will expire on the effective date of the new Florida Building Code

“SELF-AFFIRMED”

9B-70.002 (3)(g) If an approved accredited course 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 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 training provider must list the exact change, the specific location of the change, and reason for the change in the course and affirm this is the only change. The changes to the course shall be approved by the administrator of the education program subject to ratification by the Florida Building Commission.

EXPLANATIONS/NOTES:

-- This mechanism is used when there is ONE “technical” correction or update needed (which may or may not be when there are changes to the Florida Building Code)

-- The purpose of this tool is to correct or update ONE reference, table, diagram, or quote (i.e. not several or a long list of these – updating and accreditation is the appropriate tool for multiple changes)

-- This tool may be used for correction or update of ONE reference, table, diagram, or quote in multiple places in a course

-- The provider must list the exact change, specific location(s) of change, and reason for change (ex: mistake in original course, correction in FBC) and must affirm this is the only change

-- A course self-affirmed must be administratively approved and ratified by the FBC as to the correction or update

F. As of August 21, 2011, we have 198 training providers* and 12 accreditors

As of August 21, 2011, we have 340 approved courses (some are likely obsolete)

*Increase in this number (from 112 in November, 2010 may be, in part, based on how counted (system or manually)

 

 

9. Identify future POC member discussion items

 

No discussion items/topics were recommended.

 

 

10. General public comment

 

No public comment was offered.

 

 

11. Summary and review of meeting work products/action items, assignments, and next steps

 

No new assignments were handed out.

 

 

Adjourn (Adjourned at 10:40 am.)

Motion: To adjourn

Motion: Ken Gregory

Second: Herminio Gonzalez

Approved Unanimously

 

Recommended Commission Actions

The Education POC considered and recommends the following:

 

 

The following new courses are recommended for approval:

 

Course: Advanced Building Code Plumbing-Section F

Provider: American Society of Landscape Architects Florida Chapter

Accreditor: BCIC LLC

BCIS Course Number: 466.0

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 2010 FBC Significant Code Changes

Provider: BCIC LLC

Accreditor: Bill Dumbaugh

BCIS Course Number: 474.0

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 2010 FBC Significant Code Changes - Online

Provider: BCIC LLC

Accreditor: Bill Dumbaugh

BCIS Course Number: 477.0

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 Building Code Structural Summary

Provider: Coast Software, Inc.

Accreditor: Bill Dumbaugh

BCIS Course Number: 478.0

Motion: Course approval based on the FBC accreditation process that only verifies the accuracy of the Florida Building Code related content is deferred, based on specific required changes, until the December 2011 FBC meeting. However, if those identified changes are made to the materials and those materials are subsequently reviewed and recommended for approval by Commissioner Jon Hamrick, then the course may be recommended for approval at the October, 2011 FBC meeting..

Motion: Jon Hamrick

Second: Herminio Gonzalez

Approved Unanimously

 

 

Course: Florida Advanced Building Code

Provider: 360training.com, Inc.

Accreditor: Bill Dumbaugh

BCIS Course Number: 479.0

Motion: Course approval based on the FBC accreditation process that only verifies the accuracy of the Florida Building Code related content is deferred, based on specific required changes, until the December 2011 FBC meeting. However, if those identified changes are made to the materials and those materials are subsequently reviewed and recommended for approval by Commissioner Jon Hamrick, then the course may be recommended for approval at the October, 2011 FBC meeting..

Motion: Jon Hamrick

Second: Herminio Gonzalez

Approved Unanimously

 

Course: FBC Advanced Module: 2010 Updates

Provider: Florida Pool and Spa Association

Accreditor: Bill Dumbaugh

BCIS Course Number: 480.0

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: Ken Gregory

Approved Unanimously

 

Course: FBC Advanced Module Energy Efficiency Regulations For Pools and Spas

Provider: Florida Pool and Spa Association

Accreditor: Bill Dumbaugh

BCIS Course Number: 481.0

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: Ken Gregory

Approved Unanimously

 

Course: Advanced (ADV) Field Marking Electrical Equipment, Internet

Provider: JADE Learning

Accreditor: BCIC LLC

BCIS Course Number: 484.0

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: Ken Gregory

Approved Unanimously

 

Course: An Overview of the 2010 Florida Building Code, Building Volume

Provider: Titan Continuing Education, Inc.

Accreditor: Bill Dumbaugh

BCIS Course Number: 488.0

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: An Overview of the 2010 Florida Building Code, Building Volume – Live Seminar

Provider: Titan Continuing Education, Inc.

Accreditor: Bill Dumbaugh

BCIS Course Number: 489.0

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 Accessibility Code – Application and Administration

Provider: codeaccess

Accreditor: JDB Code Services, Inc.

BCIS Course Number: 487.0

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

 

 

The following administratively approved updated course is recommended for approval:

 

Course: Florida Building Code Advanced Training: Residential

Provider: Florida Pool & Spa Association

Accreditor: Bill Dumbaugh

BCIS Course Number: 220.2

 

 

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

 

 

 

Note: This document is available in alternate formats upon request to the Department of Community Affairs, Codes and Standards, 255 Shumard Oak Blvd., Tallahassee, Fl. 32399, (850) 487-1824.