Description:Counterintuitive as it may sound, there are plumbing codes that are designed to make a mess rather than fail.  Seemingly unrelated subjects, such as water heater relief valves, AC condensate, and dry plumbing vents share a fundamental concept.  When things go wrong, and the code’s go right, the occupant will find out through a mess by design.  This class is intended for anyone with an interest in the sometimes surprising intent and purpose of plumbing codes.

• Understand the importance of letting the plumbing make a mess
• Realize the reasoning behind an age old plumbing code meant to flood your sink
• Discover new 2024 IPC provisions aimed to help the plumbing make a mess
• Understand importance in terminating overflow condensate drains differently than primaries

Description:If jurisdictions are addressing Radon in new construction, they typically have been using the IRC appendix F, AF or BE, . Recently some States have passed laws that requires using American Association of Radon Scientists and Technologists (AARST) protocols and Standards.  The AARST standards and the IRC appendices are not in complete alignment and jurisdiction are still not fully aware of State laws governing radon mitigation and testing.  This presentation uses the 2024 IRC Radon appendix BE as an entry point for understanding the issues of Radon homes.  In addition we will touch on the building science that overlaps between the 2024 IECC and the 2024 IRC Radon appendix BE.

• To understand what radon is
• To understand how buildings operate and their airflow patterns
• To look at the state and code requirements for radon mitigation

Description:This class connects students with the history of the disabled and accessibility in America, provides an in- depth look at the Federal and State laws that protect the disabled, and looks extensively at accessibility scoping per IBC Chapter 11.

• To understand the differences between IBC Accessibility, ICC ANSI A117.1, and ADA
• To understand why and how accessibility had to become a requirement for all buildings
• To understand state requirements for accessibility, to include the State Revised Statutes that would apply

Description:As Boulder County’s Marshall Fire New Homes Building Advisor, I have come to realize that there is actually very little difference between efficiency and resiliency.  Building science and construction techniques are basically the same. Therefore, there is an opportunity, in the age of climate change and sever weather events, to broaden our application and emphasize installation and compliance with code, programs, and the installation of the control layers of the building thermal envelope that are crucial for both efficiency and resiliency.

• We will take a look at Basic Building Science to understand it’s role in fire damage or fire prevention of homes
• To understand key fire resiliency measures that can be taken to lower the damage from fires
• To understand how building construction is a team sport – we have to work together
• To understand Energy Efficiency vs. Building resiliency

Description:This course will provide an overview of the A2L refrigerant transition, focusing on the key regulatory drivers, A2L research, and the relevant standards and code updates.

• Participants will gain insight into the physical properties of A2L refrigerants and the flammability testing that was done to ensure that they could be used safely.
• Participants will learn about the updates made to the 2024 model codes and the relevant industry standards (ASHRAE 15, UL 60335-2-40, UL 60335-2-89) that allow the use of products and systems that use A2L refrigerants.
• Participants will learn about how states and local jurisdictions have updated their codes or passed laws to adopt these new requirements.

Description:Our Ethics in the office or in the field can either make us or break us.  Let’s take a look at different situations that arise in our daily jobs as code officials to understand how easy it is to have our words and actions be scrutinized and sometimes taken out of context.  We’ll learn how to act as if everything we are doing is going to be on the next edition of the nightly news in order to protect our integrity and reputation and that of our jurisdiction as well.

• To understand the various layers that make up our individual and organizational code of ethic
• To take a look at different work situations and how they could be perceived in a manner different than we intended
• To understand how our words and actions affect more than just the people or situations that they are directed towards
• To learn creative tools to help us take the high road when we really feel like throwing mud

Description:Let’s take a look at why many of our homes don’t have adequate heating or cooling, especially upstairs or over a garage.  We get told that it’s just common or just the way it is.  Well, that’s just not true.  Often times it’s the duct system design and install that is the problem.  The code requires Manual D – Duct Design for a reason but most people never pay attention to it.  It really is simple to understand so let’s take a quick look at what goes into a good duct design and what to pay attention to during review and inspection.

• To understand the different types of duct materials and their affect on the overall duct system
• To understand how ducts are designed for a particular heating/cooling system and the problems that occur when the design is flawed
• To understand the various things that “slow down the movement of air” in a duct
• To understand all of the acronyms used in duct design such as FR, TEL, ESP, ASP, PD, IWC,CPL, and more

Description:This class is designed to walk you through Colorado’s New Wildfire Resiliency Code and provide guidance on its application and enforcement. Attendees will gain an understanding of this new statewide code, and the significant dates and benchmarks established in legislation that any local governing body working in the wildland-urban interface should be aware of.

• After participating in this session, attendees should be able to apply the provisions of the Colorado Wildfire Resiliency Code within the wildland-urban interface areas in their jurisdiction.
• After participating in this session, attendees should be able to describe the two different classes of structure hardening and site management laid out in the Code.
• After participating in this session, attendees should be able to explain the purpose, mission, and layout of the Colorado Wildfire Resiliency Code that was created and adopted by Colorado’s Wildland Resiliency Code Board.
• After participating in this session, attendees should be able to communicate the significant dates and benchmarks established in the legislation to decision- and policymakers in their jurisdiction.

Description: The increase in building energy efficiency requirements has led to the use of exterior continuous insulation (CI) to improve the performance of the building envelope. This presentation reviews the benefits of polyiso continuous insulation and then examines in detail the NFPA 285 test standard and fire safety requirements of the 2021 International Building Code for the use of polyisocyanurate insulation in exterior walls of commercial buildings (Construction Types I–IV).

• Identify the types and green benefits of continuous insulation including greater thermal comfort for building occupants and savings in energy resources and costs
• Define the full-scale fire test standard and other performance and building safety requirements used to evaluate exterior wall systems containing polyisocyanurate insulation
• Explain the systems approach that is integral to how the building code effectively addresses the fire-safe use of materials in the built environment
• Examine how building fire safety can be maintained throughout the building design and construction phases

Description:The wind provisions in ASCE 7-16 cover numerous non-building structures, and this presentation will overview these current requirements and highlight upcoming changes in ASCE 7-22. The presentation will also provide background on the development of these code provisions and the intent of the code to aid engineers and building officials in the implementation of these provisions, particularly for structures that are not directly addressed.

• Classify various non-building structures to determine applicable ASCE 7 wind provisions.
• Apply the ASCE 7-16 wind provisions to freestanding walls and signs, open frames and trusses, and rooftop structures and equipment.
• Describe the ASCE 7 wind provisions for rooftop solar panel systems, parapets, screenwalls, building appendages, and canopies.
• Determine when a non-building structure is outside the scope of ASCE 7 wind provisions.

Description:This class will teach the basic concepts of fire resistance rated construction along with the penetrations and joints found within that construction.  It will include a presentation on how to use UL’s on-line tool, UL ProductiQ, to locate and understand fire rated assemblies and how to apply that knowledge in real world applications. Participants will review photos of commonly found issues related to firestopping in the field to enhance knowledge and what allowances are acceptable using the UL guide information related to fire resistance.  All of this will provide an understanding of the basic inspection of firestopping and will help code officials when they are witnessing these tests in the field.

• Understand fire resistance rated construction
• Learn where to locate guide cards that provide allowable deviations of listings
• Know where firestop listings are located
• Learn how the listings are tested for compliance

Description: Roofing is one of the most common renovation projects. Retrofit construction provides vast opportunities in terms of improving the energy efficiency of the built environment. This course reviews the code requirements pertaining to commercial reroofing, including a discussion of the impacts of retrofit construction on energy efficiency.

• Summarize the building code provisions for roof recovering and roof replacement
• Recall how reroofing can improve a building’s energy efficiency
• Discuss the International Building Code provisions, testing, compliance paths, and definitions for reroofing
• Recall exceptions to energy code reroofing requirements to ensure code compliance

Description:The building code, as with many products, regulates the use of wood in construction. Two broad categories separate materials: combustible and noncombustible. Codes limit the applications of combustible materials based on fire and life safety. While a wood product, fire-retardant-treated wood is allowed in walls and roofs in lieu of noncombustible materials. This session is a discussion of fire-retardant-treated wood technical characteristics and building code applications and recommendations.

• To understand the makeup of Fire Retardant Treated Wood
• To understand why the code allows FRTW in noncombustible construction
• To look at the various FRTW products available in the market and how to identify them by the various labels provided
• How to identify FRTW

Description:This session is a discussion of fire-retardant-treated wood (FRTW), its technical characteristics, and its code-related applications, with an emphasis on those applications in the Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI). Topics include: FRTW testing, listing, and labeling requirements; how FRTW compares to other building materials such as steel, concrete, and painted/coated wood products, and code-approved FRTW interior and exterior applications, including those in the International Wildland Urban Interface Code as well as relevant National Fire Protection Association Standards.

• Describe the key requirements for code-compliant fire-retardant-treated wood (FRTW) as they are defined in the model codes
• Identify code-compliant FRTW applications, including those in the wildland-urban interface (WUI)
• Explain how using FRTW can help harden WUI communities, reduce risks to first responders during wildland fire events, and reduce hazardous forest fuel loads simultaneously

Description:The 2024 IRC introduces the first deck ledger flashing codes that provide real installation details and options.  Prior to this edition, the only requirement was to “keep water from contacting the band joist”, but with no guidance on how.  Learn all the details of these codes from the educator that wrote them and proposed them for the IRC.

• Understand the integration of ledger flashing and the WRB
• Realize the usefulness and flexibility of the new ledger flashing codes
• Learn how to handle ledger flashing on existing homes
• Learn how to integrate ledger flashing codes with rainscreen systems

Description:US building and construction codes have a history dating back to the Colonies, before the Country was born.  But residential codes for housing didn’t go much beyond fire and sanitation, and they weren’t written specific for homes.  This changed in the early 1900’s, mid 1900’s, the 70’s, at the turn of the millennium, and now in modern times the evolution continues.  Learn the historic events, Federal acts, public demand, and attempt at unity that has brought us through nearly a century of residential code development.

• Learn the significance of the 1934 Federal Housing Act in kickstarting residential codes
• Understand the intent of mid-century dwelling construction codes
• Discover the public motivation behind the 1970’s CABO code
• Realize how unique and special the IRC is from all the other I-codes

Description:This course provides an in-depth look at the requirements and best practices for maintaining and replacing fire sprinklers in older structures, with a focus on residential dwelling units. Participants will explore the evolution of sprinkler technology, from its early designs to modern systems, focusing on advancements in life safety through quicker response times. The course will review key NFPA standards, particularly NFPA 25, and a proposed 50-year replacement rule for dwelling unit sprinklers, while addressing the testing and replacement requirements for different types of sprinklers, including standard, quick response, and dry sprinklers. Through practical examples, attendees will learn about the challenges of updating aged systems to meet modern fire protection standards. This course equips fire protection professionals, building owners, and facility managers with the knowledge to ensure proper sprinkler maintenance, testing, and replacement, helping maintain compliance and enhance safety in existing buildings.

• Interpret NFPA 25 standards to ensure proper inspection, testing, and maintenance of aged fire sprinklers
• Describe the key advancements in fire sprinkler technology and explain how modern sprinklers, such as quick response and residential models, improve fire protection and life safety
• Evaluate and implement retrofitting strategies for aged sprinkler systems, ensuring compliance with current fire protection standards while overcoming the challenges specific to older systems
• Analyze the proposed 50-year replacement rule for dwelling unit sprinklers and assess its impact on the maintenance, testing, and replacement of sprinklers in existing buildings

Description:Codes and standards for fire protection are continually evolving to address the changing landscape of the built environment. Over the past decade, fire protection criteria have advanced significantly to meet the unique challenges presented by emerging industries, such as distilleries and cannabis production facilities. Ten years ago, fire protection codes and standards struggled to provide adequate guidelines for these types of hazards, leaving facilities at greater risk and fire protection professionals with limited resources. Today, however, we see new, comprehensive criteria and updated standards specifically designed to protect these specialized environments. This program will explore the evolution of fire protection codes over the last decade, with a focus on the advancements made to safeguard distilleries, cannabis cultivation, and extraction facilities. Participants will gain insight into the development of these standards, the rationale behind them, and how to apply current fire protection strategies to these high-risk industries.

• Understand the evolution of fire protection codes
• Apply updated criteria for specialized facilities
• Analyze the rationale behind new codes and standards
• Identify key fire protection solutions developed in the past decade and assess their impact on facilities

Description:Join Shawn LeMons as he talks through his production built 1993 home, converted to all-electric, complete with heat pumps, and an electric vehicle.  A 100-amp panel serves it all without compromising comfort in any weather and operates well within safe load center limits.  He’ll talk strategies, technologies, and take all your questions.

• Review a modern all-electric retrofit to a 1993 production home
• Review modern cold climate heat pump equipment capabilities and requirements
• Understand how an all-electric home could operate in compliance with a 100-amp panel
• Understand how proper cold climate heat pump systems can help the grid, not hurt it

Description:Whose job is it to make sure that everything that is needed in a set of plans is actually submitted at the time of permit application and plan submittal?  When the plan reviewer opens a set of plans only to find that they don’t have enough information to do the review, who does that fall back on?  The applicant, that’s who.  But are we arming them with the information they need to do their job as well?  Let’s look at how to know if plans are submitted with enough information to get reviewed and what we can do to help applicants at our front counter get us the information we need to do our jobs.

• To understand the different type of permit applications and what may need to be submitted with them
• To learn how to do a quick cursory review of plans when submitted to save time for the reviewer and the applicant down the road
• To learn different tools that can be used to arm the permit applicant with enough information to turn in what they need with each submittal
• To understand how taking 5 extra minutes today can save you 5 hours tomorrow.