Florida Building Commission

Education POC Minutes

October 1, 2012

Tallahassee, Florida

 

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Date: Monday, October 1, 2012
Time: 10:00 am, Eastern Daylight Time (New York, GMT-04:00)
Meeting Number: 649 178 375
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In Person Attendance: Room 250L, 2555 Shumard Oak Blvd., Tallahassee, Fla.

 

Education POC Meeting Objectives

Ø To approve October 2012 Agenda

Ø To approve July 2012 Minutes

Ø To discuss the availability of the current Florida Building Code (printed version) for use by licensee applicants sitting for a licensure examination

Ø To review/decide pending accreditor applications

Ø To review/decide accredited advanced courses

Ø To review/decide administratively approved updated courses

Ø To review/decide self affirmed updated courses

Ø To review/discuss Education Administrator activity report

Ø To identify future POC member discussion items

Ø To discuss general public comment

Ø To identify needed next steps, assignments, and agenda items for next meeting

 

Education POC Meeting Minutes— October 1, 2012

All Agenda Times—Including Adjournment—Are Approximate and Subject to Change

10:12 a.m. EST

1.)

Welcome and Opening, Roll Call

POC Members Present: Jeffrey Stone PhD (Temporary Chair), Jon Hamrick, Herminio Gonzalez, Scott Mollan, Ken Gregory

POC Member(s) Absent: Angel (Kiko) Franco (Chair), Drew Smith

 

Meeting Attendees Identified:

Ila Jones                     Med Kopczynski

Jim Richmond            Sharon Mignardi

Cam Fentriss              Dwight Wilkes                                                            

Michael Clark             Larry Schneider

            April Hammonds        Alex Bosque

            Gus Ashoo

 

 

2.)

Review and approval of the October 2012 meeting Agenda

Motion: To approve as submitted

Motion: Jon Hamrick

Second: Ken Gregory

Approved Unanimously

 

 

3.)

Review and approval of the July 2012 meeting Minutes

Motion: To approve as submitted

Motion: Ken Gregory

Second: Jon Hamrick

Approved Unanimously

 

 

4.)

To discuss the availability of the current Florida Building Code (printed version) for use by licensee applicants sitting for a licensure examination

 

The Chair asked Cam Fentriss to lead the discussion regarding this agenda item.

Cam stated that applicants taking a DBPR licensure exam may bring specified books to use when taking that exam (open book testing). There exists a list of DBPR approved books (including the current version of the Florida Building Code), and at least one board requires that any materials used for the exam must be in bound volumes. The stated reason for bound volumes is to reduce the risk of applicants bringing to the exam loose papers with answers written on them. Applicants typically bring in boxes of books to use for the exam.

The specific issue is that the newest version of the Florida Building Code was not printed in time for a DBPR licensure test in June 2012. To resolve this at the time, DBPR decided to ‘default” to the 2007 Florida Building Code (instead of the 2010) so applicants had available materials to use for the exam. Cam stated that, given the code cycles, this situation will happen again. Cam also stated that test questions, or test item construction also took a great deal of time to do correctly which also adds to the time factor on this issue.

Cam stated that one option to use to resolve this situation is to have applicants print the code books from online, but the result would not be considered a bound volume.

Commissioner Hamrick asked what licensure board was affected by this issue in June?

Gus Ashoo, Bureau Chief for Education and Testing, DBPR, stated that the affected board was the Construction Industry Licensing Board (CILB). Gus stated that DBPR wants to make sure that everyone has the correct reference materials for all licensure exams. The CILB exam is offered every 2 months, and the dates for this exam are set one year ahead of time.

The Chair asked Gus if a three-ring binder was considered a bound book. Gus answered in the affirmative.

The Chair asked Gus if any administrative rules would change as a result of this issue.  Gus stated that no, only the test items would change with a new code version. Gus stated that when a candidate takes an exam, and fails part of that exam, that he can retake the part that he initially failed. However, when he retakes that part, if a new code version is in place, then that candidate must purchase the new version of the code which can be very expensive for many candidates. He further said that all candidates have four years to pass all of the parts of the CILB exam.

Commissioner Hamrick asked how often (on the average) does someone take this exam. Gus said that he didn’t know exactly, but the majority of candidates do pass the exam within four years.

Cam Fentriss stated that it might be a good idea to recommend to the FBC that the FBC Implementation Group also look at this issue because it does relate to implementation of the Florida Building Code.

Gus Ashoo also stated that he thought it would be helpful if all code changes could be summarized in one book, instead of being spread across all of the volumes of the building code.

Jim Richmond stated that the summarization into one book is being talked about because a big part of this issue is speed of publication. He further said that the FBC may need to establish a grace period after the effective date of the new code, given the repetitive nature of the testing process.

Gus Ashoo stated that Bureau of Testing sets a target of six months regarding publishing changes. He said that if the implementation date could be pushed back, that would be very helpful.

Cam Fentriss asked how candidates can find out what books (references) are acceptable to be used for exams.  Gus Ashoo stated that his bureau updates that list every six months, and the list can be found on the DBPR website. He further said he would send the link to Cam. The Chair asked if the link could be sent to all of the ED POC members. Gus said he would send the link and any other information to Ila Jones.

Commissioner Gregory stated that he thought that the exam was to test an applicant’s ability to correctly find code references, not necessarily to know specific code provisions. He further stated that this would behoove candidates to understand that the building code is not static, but instead dynamic.

Cam Fentriss asked Gus Ashoo if the questions on the exam were geared towards finding code references, or knowing specific code provisions.  Gus Ashoo stated that exam test items are indeed updated, and that candidates should have the current version of any reference (including code books). He said that only one version of books can be brought to an exam.

The Chair asked for any more comments. No one else spoke. The Chair asked for a motion:

Motion: To recommend to the commission that the FBC Implementation Group review this issue regarding the current printed Florida Building Code (bound volumes) not being available for use during DBPR licensure exams

Motion: Ken Gregory

Second: Jon Hamrick

Approved Unanimously

 

 

5.)

Review pending accreditor applications for recommendation to the Commission

None Pending

 

 

 

6.)

Review pending advanced accredited courses for recommendation to the Commission

Course: PERMITS, PLANS, INSPECTIONS, AND OCCUPANCY CLASSIFICATION ADVANCED MODULE

Provider: Training Licensing Center, Inc.

Accreditor: BCIC LLC

BCIS Course Number: 524.0

Motion: Course approval subject to correction of the “requirement to supervise construction” in Exam Question # 13 and approval based on the FBC accreditation process that only verifies the accuracy of the Florida Building Code related content.

Motion: Jon Hamrick

Second: Ken Gregory

Discussion: None

Approved Unanimously

 

Course: The ABCs of the new ADA and the FACBC - Advanced

Provider: AIA Florida

Accreditor: Bill Dumbaugh

BCIS Course Number: 537.0

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

Discussion: The Chair commented that he enjoyed reviewing this particular course and would at some point like to attend.

Approved Unanimously

 

 

 

7.)

Review administratively approved updated courses for recommendation to the Commisssion

None Pending

 

 

8.)

Review administratively approved self affirmed updated courses for recommendation to the Commission

None Pending

 

9.)

Education Administrator activity report

Discussion: Cam Fentriss summarized the report and stated that she sent out the links for the TAC meetings.

 FBC Education Administrator Report September 18, 2012

 

A. Provided administrative support for FBC Education POC for July 30, 2012 meeting

 

B. Drafted minutes for FBC Education POC July 30, 2012 meeting

 

C. Prepared agenda for FBC Education POC meeting on October 1, 2012

 

D. Inquiries from the public July 18, 2012 to September 17, 2012 as follows:

 

9 inquiries: 2 telephone; 3 email; 4 telephone and email

 

Category of inquirers:

3 Providers 1 Engineer 1 Architect

4 Contractors

Types of Inquiries:

3 Provider approval/renewal

3 FBC courses

1 Threshold building inspection requirements

1 Mitigation contractor

1 Charter school construction

 

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. Important request: All FBC education providers and accreditors please check your profile/information on BCIS to make sure that it includes your current contact information, especially e-mail address, so that notices will reach you.

 

 

10.)

Identify future POC member discussion items

At this time, no items were recommended.

 

 

11.)

General public comment

Larry Schneider asked Cam Fentriss if any more information will be sent out about the new code. Cam said she would check and also send Larry everything that has been sent out---to date. Larry asked if the new Accessibility Guide has been published. Cam stated that the Flood, Energy, Wind, Fire, and Accessibility Guides have been published.

 

 

12.)

Summary and review of meeting work products and adoption of recommendations for submittal to the commission

 

Recommended Commission Actions

 

Motion: To recommend to the commission that the FBC Implementation Group review the issue regarding the current Florida Building Code Books (bound volumes) not being available for use during DBPR licensure exams

Motion: Ken Gregory

Second: Jon Hamrick

Approved Unanimously

 

The Education POC considered and recommends the following:

 

The following new courses are recommended for approval:

 

Course: PERMITS, PLANS, INSPECTIONS, AND OCCUPANCY CLASSIFICATION ADVANCED MODULE

Provider: Training Licensing Center, Inc.

Accreditor: BCIC LLC

BCIS Course Number: 524.0

Motion: Course approval subject to correction of the “requirement to supervise construction” in Exam Question # 13 and approval based on the FBC accreditation process that only verifies the accuracy of the Florida Building Code related content.

Motion: Jon Hamrick

Second: Ken Gregory

Discussion: None

Approved Unanimously

 

Course: The ABCs of the new ADA and the FACBC - Advanced

Provider: AIA Florida

Accreditor: Bill Dumbaugh

BCIS Course Number: 537.0

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

Discussion: The Chair commented that he enjoyed reviewing this particular course and would at some point like to attend.

Approved Unanimously

 

 

13.)

Adjourn

Adjourn (Adjourned at 10:34 am.)

Motion: To adjourn

Motion: Jon Hamrick

Second: Herminio Gonzalez

Approved Unanimously

 

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

Angel (Kiko) Franco

Chairman, Architect

Jon Hamrick

Public Education

Herminio Gonzalez

Code Official

Ken Gregory

Swimming Pool Contractor

Drew Smith

Green Building Industry

Scott Mollan

Mechanical Contractor

Jeffrey Stone PhD

Building Product Manufacturer – Will Chair the October 1, 2012 ED POC Meeting

Staff

April Hammonds

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 via teleconference

IV.

July 30, 2012 (10:00 AM EST)

Tallahassee and via teleconference

V.

October 1, 2012 (10:00 AM EST)

Tallahassee and via teleconference

VI.

November 19, 2012 (10:00 AM EST)

Tallahassee and via 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.