Hands-On Experience; Mentorship and Site Inspections

Now, it takes a lot more than just being able to sit through a dozen courses, and read some passages in the Code, to do the job of a Building Official. For many of us – doing, more than reading, or hearing, is a critical part of how we learn; as the saying goes – practice makes perfect, so practice is a large part of the Building Officials training.

We’ve talked about different levels of qualification for the Building Official – Interns, Residential, Levels 1 and 2; at each stage of the Officials training, the NSBOA looks to make sure that a considerable amount of on site training – under the guidance of senior and more experienced Building Officials, is provided, before allowing potential Officials to advance further. For each stage, this accounts for a minimum of 120 inspections – which, at three stages – means no less than 360 site inspections with supervision, as part of their educational development.

However, the number of inspections itself isn’t the most important part; variety, and inspection type also play a large role in helping to train a well rounded Official. If you worked as a baker – making the same loaf of bread every single day – you’d no doubt become very good, at least at making that one type of bread. But suppose then, you’re asked to try your hand at something different – maybe a cake, or pastry, of some complicated French pain au chocolat; well, sure – you’re a baker, so some of the knowledge and skill is transferable – but you’d probably struggle a bit, and wouldn’t have the same degree of success – or confidence – as someone who regularly practices with different recipes. The same rational applies to building Inspections – making sure that Officials are exposed a wide distribution of inspection – and building types during their training, ensures a broader, and better understanding of enforcing the Code.

Inspection types can include Footings – or lowest part of a structure supporting any weight from the building, or deck, to Foundations, which form the walls of basements or crawlspaces. Plumbing below the slab – or, drainage from fixtures like toilets, showers, and sinks that are found below the basement floor. Framing – or, the structure of interior and exterior walls above ground, as well as beams, stairs, roof and attic spaces. Plumbing in walls, or the drainage and venting from plumbing above ground and on all Storeys in the building. Prior to Drywall, which looks at insulation and sealing of exterior walls, and all materials – including electrical, heating, and ventilation systems in a building before they’re covered up, and Final inspections for the Building and its Plumbing, which look at all of the last installed features, like the heating system, ventilation systems, smoke detectors, hot water tank, and making sure the building is safe to occupy.

With each type of inspection, different requirements of the Code have to be reviewed – so, ensuring that a would-be Official gets a chance to try their hand at a good number of each is crucial in providing well rounded training. Afterall, you can’t DeCode what you haven’t had practice with!