Description: This course is the first of four parts in the Building Codes for Building Decks series and focuses on how a new deck will interact with an existing site and house.  Building, plumbing, mechanical, electrical, and fuel-gas systems and codes must all be considered when designing a deck to effectively work with a home.

Length: Approximately 3 hours.

Objectives: Upon completion of this course, attendees will…

• Know how to identify building systems and components located on the exterior of a typical home.
• Learn how to safely design a deck that will work with emergency escape and rescue windows.
• Understand the various ways an improperly designed deck can negatively and hazardously affect building systems of the existing structure.
• Realize how a deck can affect requirements for windows.

Course Approvals and Credits

• Exclusive, recommended education for the North American Deck and Railing Association (NADRA) Master Deck Professional-Code Certification
• 0.30 Preferred Provider CEU from the International Code Council (ICC)

Course Instructor: Glenn Mathewson, MCP

Code Edition(s): 2021 International Residential Code

Course Sessions:

1. Code Administration
2. Research & Planning
3. Landings at Doors
4. Obstructions at Ledgers
5. Safety Glazing
6. Electrical Equipment
7. Escape & Rescue

Description: This updated 2021 IRC course begins by discussing loads and lumber provisions specific to deck construction. It’s followed by a creative look at cladding, water-resistive barrier, and flashing provisions. The course then takes a deep dive into all the specifics in the IRC regarding a ledger to band joist connection, including a graphical presentation of the required fastener spacing. Alternative ledger connections beyond what the code offers are also introduced. Finally, deck lateral live loads are discussed and presented like never before. Though the IRC provides a connection, this course invites professionals to look at the overall mechanics of lateral bracing and ask questions about the stability of the design, even when the IRC doesn’t.

Length: Approximately 3 hours.

Objectives: Upon completion of this course, attendees will…

• Understand the limitations of the IRC’s ledger connection provisions and how to work with them.
• Realize the interaction between the water-resistive barrier, flashing, and different cladding.
• Be introduced to the mechanics of deck lateral bracing and ideas for how to address it.
• Discover the history of how the ledger provisions began and have evolved.

Course Approvals and Credits

• Exclusive, recommended education for the North American Deck and Railing Association (NADRA) Master Deck Professional-Code Certification
• 0.30 Preferred Provider CEU from the International Code Council (ICC)

Course Instructor: Glenn Mathewson, MCP

Code Edition(s): 2021 International Residential Code

Course Sessions:

1. Loads
2. Lumber
3. Flashing
4. Cladding
5. Ledger Attachment
6. Fastener Placement
7. Lateral Bracing
8. Lateral Connection
9. Alternative Ledgers

Description: From the decking to the foundation, this course covers, in detail, all segments of a deck load path (except for ledgers and lateral loads covered in course 2). New IRC tables specific to deck joist and beam spans are discussed in depth, including little known details that increase their design flexibility. Foundation and posts can now be sized using tributary area and provisions for their connections provide for many methods. This course reveals how the 2021 IRC is the most helpful yet in prescriptive deck design and construction.

Length: Approximately 3 hours.

Objectives: Upon completion of this course, attendees will…

• Understand the methodology of prescriptive deck foundation design.
• Learn how the code addresses single and multi-span decking.
• Realize the flexibility of the joist and beam span tables not obvious in the code provisions.
• Understand the changes to post sizing provisions and why the 2021 edition is so useful.

Course Approvals and Credits

• Exclusive, recommended education for the North American Deck and Railing Association (NADRA) Master Deck Professional-Code Certification
• 0.30 Preferred Provider CEU from the International Code Council (ICC)

Course Instructor: Glenn Mathewson, MCP

Code Edition(s): 2021 International Residential Code

Course Sessions:

1. Decking
2. Joists
3. Joist Bearing
4. Beams
5. Beam Bearing
6. Posts
7. Foundations

Description:Decks contain many features typical inside a house, such as stairs, ramps, landings, guards, and handrails. These features, as well as common deck amenities, are explained in this course as they apply to decks. Photos and graphics provide a clear understanding of what’s required for the safe use and navigation of these features. Code provisions discussed in this class are useful in applications other than just decks.

Length: Approximately 3 hours.

Objectives: Upon completion of this course, attendees will…

• Understand the differences and similarities of guards and handrails.
• Learn the strict geometric requirements of various stairways, including straight, winder and spiral, and the uniformity required of their components.
• Realize the electrical and building provisions related to the location of a hot tub.
• Discover the new 2021 provisions related to deck guard connections.

Course Approvals and Credits

• Exclusive, recommended education for the North American Deck and Railing Association (NADRA) Master Deck Professional-Code Certification
• 0.30 Preferred Provider CEU from the International Code Council (ICC)

Course Instructor: Glenn Mathewson, MCP

Code Edition(s): 2021 International Residential Code

Course Sessions:

1. Stairs & Ramps
2. Rise & Run
3. Lighting & Loading
4. Guards
5. Handrails
6. Guard & Rail Loads
7. Amenities

Description: Like decks, porch roofs are often considered easy construction and are typically attempted by new contractors or weekend warrior homeowners.  However, the truth is quite the contrary.  Porch roofs require significant evaluation depending on the extreme variety of their design.  This class reviews the code application of these projects from the rafters to the foundation.

Length: Approximately 3 hours.

Objectives: Upon completion of this course, attendees will…

• Understand the significant differences between constructing with a ridge board or a ridge beam.
• Learn the various ways to connect a porch roof to an existing house.
• Realize the limitations of prescriptive, structural design and when engineered design is necessary.

Continuing Education Units: Approved for 0.3 Preferred Provider CEUs from the International Code Council (ICC).

Course Instructor: Glenn Mathewson, MCP

Code Edition(s): 2018 International Residential Code

Course Sessions:

1. Shed Roofs
2. Gable Ridge Boards
3. Gable Ridge Beams
4. Bearing and Connections
5. Sheathing
6. Foundations