CE approval information will be added after the description of each class as we receive them.

Monday, January 23, 2023

8:00–9:30 a.m. – State of the State
50 Years of the State Building Code—Past, Present, and Future

Scott McLellan, Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry

The year 2022 marks 50 years that the Minnesota State Building Code has existed to regulate the safe use of buildings and structures. To commemorate this milestone, this presentation will discuss the development of the code and the code enforcement profession since its beginning in 1972; highlight the progress that has been made to date; discuss the future of the industry including technologies, codes, building materials, etc.

Big Week, Day 1: Concurrent Sessions

9:45–11:15 a.m. – Residential Building Contractor Licensing and Enforcement

Sean O'Neal, Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry

This session provides an overview of Minnesota’s residential building contractor licensing requirements and DLI’s enforcement authority. It is designed to encourage attendee participation with time for questions and answers.

11:15 a.m.–12:15 p.m. – Lunch Break

12:15–3:30 p.m. – 2020 Minnesota Residential Code Q&A

Richard Lockrem, Department of Labor and Industry

The course content is based on questions and conversations posed to the presenter over the course of the year. Subject items are intended to generate discussions and share thoughts among attendees. Course content utilizes examples, scenarios, exercises, and references to the 2020 Minnesota Residential Code. The course content is intended for building officials of varying experience levels.

9:45 a.m.–3:30 p.m. – Protecting Penetrations Based on the IBC

Karen Gridley, Greg Metz, Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry

This course will address some of the common questions about the Minnesota accessibility requirements. Elements covered will include accessible parking, accessible route, door clearances, toilet and shower rooms, signage, employee work areas, dwelling and sleeping units, equipment, tiered seating, press boxes and recreational fields, egress options, and change of occupancy and existing buildings.

9:00 a.m.–3:30 p.m. – Building Code Administration Minnesota Building Code – Chapter 1300 Administration

Rick Breeze

Are the code provisions described in chapter 1300 being enforced appropriately? We will discuss each section and determine what the code says as well as policy decisions that should be outlined within the department.

Tuesday, January 24, 2023

Big Week, Day 2: Concurrent Sessions

8:00 a.m.–3:30 p.m. – Protecting Joints and Voids Based on the International Building Code

Rich Walke, Creative Technology Inc.

This program provides an in-depth look at the requirements of Chapter 7 of the 2020 Minnesota Building Code (2018 International Building Code) for protection of joints and voids in fire-resistance-rated assemblies. It will cover the protection of the various types of joints and voids, including a discussion of the code requirements, the referenced standards, the testing process, and the available methods of demonstrating code compliance.

8:00–11:15 a.m. – IRC Foundation Inspection Basics

Craig Oswell, Oswell Engineering and Consulting, LLC

The objective of this session is for the attendees to gain a better understanding of the provisions of the Minnesota Residential Code as they relate to the inspections of concrete, masonry, and wood foundation with a particular focus on items important to the structural performance of the foundation. In addition, the building official’s role in plan review, along with responsibilities of the contractor or builder will be addressed.

11:15 a.m.–12:15 p.m. – Lunch Break

12:15–1:45 p.m. - Evaluation of Concrete Post Placement

Alf Gardiner

The objective of this session is for the attendees to gain a better understanding of the underlying engineering practices that impact acceptable practices in building construction.

1:45–2:00 p.m. – Break

2:00–3:30 p.m. – Evaluation and Understanding the Risk of Coil When a Geotechnical Evaluation was Not Performed

Chris Kehl

The objective of this session is for the attendees to gain a better understanding of the underlying engineering principles and practices and their influence on acceptable building construction practices regarding soils.

8:00–11:15a.m. – The Inspectors Toolbox - Legal Aspects

Therese Skarda, Saint Paul Office of the City Attorney

Code Enforcement Officers and Inspectors navigate a maze of issues including how to lawfully gain access, how to document findings in a manner that minimizes challenge risks and preserves an issues history, what tools are available when I have a problem and who to turn to when I see non-code related issues that concern me. This half-day presentation will attempt to offer some guidance in these areas.

11:15a.m.–12:15p.m. – Lunch Break

12:15–3:30p.m. – ICFs: Stronger and More Efficient Buildings

Darin Dietz, Dietz Inc. and LE Concrete

Unpacking the incredible value built into these building systems. We will see how these buildings are really the top performers in the industry, how they go together, how the building code views them and the trends that they are setting.

Wednesday, January 25, 2023

Big Week, Day 3: Concurrent Sessions

8:00–11:15 a.m. – Open Discussion of Field Inspection Photos

Ryan Smith, City of Columbia Heights

This will be an open discussion of photos taken during field inspections. These photos have been collected from several different cities and DLI.

11:15 a.m.–12:15 p.m. – Lunch Break

12:15–3:30 p.m. – Commercial Roofing 101

Doug Latawiec, Beacon Building Products

A comprehensive overview at commercial roofing components and how they work together. Different types of roofing applications; "Battle of the Acronyms" EPDM, PVC, CSPE & TPO and others broken down. Every layer will be on the docket: decking, fiberboard, insulation, vapor barriers, waterproofing elements and how to achieve code compliance.

8:00 a.m.–3:30p.m. – 2018 IBC Building Classification

Doug Thornburg, ICC

This seminar addresses the key issues of the 2018 IBC regarding the proper classification of buildings. The process for correctly evaluating a building for code compliance relies on a systematic approach to the determination of occupancy classification and construction type. Everything starts with the correct building classification! A clear understanding of the classification process as established in IBC Chapters 3, 5 and 6 provides the groundwork for the proper application of many other important code provisions.

8:00–11:15a.m. – 2020 MN Accessibility Code: Back to the Basics

Karen Gridley, Department of Labor and Industry

This course will cover some of the basics of the 2020 Minnesota Accessibility Code that are most often asked about for commercial buildings and public accommodation facilities, as well as a basic overview of the scoping and technical criteria for Group R occupancies, such as how to calculate the quantity of units required to comply with accessibility provisions and basic design criteria.

11:15 a.m.–12:15p.m. – Lunch Break

12:15–3:30 p.m. – Sunrooms and Garages: Understanding Minnesota’s Energy Code Provisions

Steve Shold, Department of Labor and Industry

Sunrooms are a bit unique when relating to other aspects of residential construction. In some instances, they seem to serve as outdoor space, in other cases indoor space, and still at other times they seem to serve both purposes. In addition to sunrooms, garages raise questions when heat is added. How they are constructed is one factor to consider, but probably the most confusing aspect is if, when, and how, the Energy Code applies to these types of projects. If you are a designer, contractor, or code official and are not quite clear how the Energy Code relates to residential sunrooms and garages, please join us for this half day discussion. We will dive into the Residential Energy Code to see what it has to say about these structures. Examples and designs will be reviewed and discussed. This program will not address structural aspects or engineered designs.

Thursday, January 26, 2023

Big Week, Day 4: Concurrent Sessions

8:00–11:15 a.m. – ICC 500 Storm Shelter Peer Reviews and Structural Observations

Scott Holm, Braun Intertec

The ICC 500 is a standard for the design and construction of storm shelters for protection from tornados and hurricanes. This course will review where storm shelters are required by the International building and residential codes. There will also be an overview of the technical requirements, peer reviews and structural observations as they relate to the ICC 500.

11:15 a.m.–12:15 p.m. – Lunch Break

12:15–3:30p.m. – Basic Firestop Installation and Inspection

Pat Paulson, Michel Sales Agency

The purpose of the seminar is to provide an opportunity for individuals to gain additional information regarding firestopping, how it should be installed, and methods to a successful firestop inspection. Firestopping is a form of passive fire protection that is required by code, in fire rated floors and walls that have penetrating items and when joints are formed between two rated assemblies.

8:00a.m.–3:30p.m. – 2018 IBC Apartment Buildings

John Gibson, ICC

The design and construction of apartment buildings requires the application of both fundamental and unique IBC requirements. This seminar focuses on those provisions that are commonly encountered in these types of residential buildings. Provisions specific to residential building classification, fire-resistance, fire protection, means of egress and accessibility scoping will be addressed. In addition, detailed provisions discussed will include podium buildings, occupied roofs, incidental uses and dwelling unit separations.

8:00–11:15a.m. – Secrets of the Research for Alternate Materials and Reference Standards, Testing

Russell Thornburg, Thornburg Code Services

This course is designed to look at some construction alternate materials in view of the code language. Construction documents will be used in recognizing how alternate materials easily being used for project today. This course will show some of the research (evaluation services) and resources (testing laboratories) that is needed for the plan’s examiner, building officials and field inspectors to do an adequate evaluation on most construction materials.

11:15a.m.–12:15p.m. – Lunch Break

12:15–3:30p.m. – Should It Be Labeled? Safety Glazing Hazardous Locations

Russell Thornburg, Thornburg Code Services

This presentation is to consolidate all substantive references to glass, glazing and glazing products from INTERNATIONAL BUILDING CODE®. The IRC Section R308 is the primarily glazing code language, but it does not contain all requirements for the application of safety glazing.

Friday, January 27, 2023

Big Week, Day 5: Concurrent Sessions

In this full-day session, we will first discuss situations that create the application of Type III systems as identified in Chapter 7080. We will also discuss wastewater and how a water treatment device might impact a septic system. We will provide an overview of the pipelayer certification program, plumbing code inspection requirements and plumbing code requirements around the installation of building sewers and plumbing lines. The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency will also be discussing recent changes at the MPCA and identify issues that have arisen around the state to help identify / implement solutions per Chapters 7080- 7083.

8:00–9:30 a.m. – On-Site Septic Systems Type III Systems

Sara Heger, University of Minnesota; Steve Oscarson, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency

9:45–10:00 a.m. – Break

10:00–11:45 a.m. – On-Site Septic Systems MPCA SSTS Program Overview

Steve Oscarson, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency

11:45 a.m.–12:30 p.m. – Lunch Break

12:30–2:15 p.m. – On-Site Septic Systems Challenging Commercial and Non-Residential Waste

Sara Heger, University of Minnesota

2:15–2:30 p.m. – Break

2:30–4:00 p.m. – On-Site Septic Systems Building Sewers and Septic Tanks

Sara Heger, University of Minnesota

8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. – A Systematic Approach to Field Inspections

Greg Karow, Code Educational Opportunities

Functional procedure to assist the building inspector to be more thorough as well as efficient in the tasks of inspections. Focus will not only be on the technical requirements, but useful applications for hectic inspection schedules, and on site customer service as well as conflict resolution.

Additionally, procedures, record keeping, time management, and use of resources will be explored. The attendee will be able to:

  • Apply order and priority of inspections
  • Apply code provisions as it relates to field inspection
  • Apply a routine to inspections for consistency and efficiency

8:00 a.m.–11:45am – An Overview of the Minnesota Residential Energy Code Provisions

Peter Kulczyk, City of Champlin

This program is based on the 2020 Minnesota Energy Code and portions of the 2020 Minnesota Residential Code. It is intended for residential plan reviewers, residential field inspectors, residential builders, and industry professionals interested in energy code compliance and best practices.

This program will focus on: Submittal documents; Foundation waterproofing and insulation options; Insulation in the exterior envelope; Vapor retarders; Continuous air barriers; Rigid and spray-applied foam plastic insulation products; and Thermal barriers.

11:45a.m.–12:30pm. – Lunch Break

12:30p.m.–4:00p.m. – Practical Commercial Energy Code Compliance & Review Issues

Russ Landry, Center for Energy and Environment, MN

These sessions will give practical guidance for review of projects against Minnesota’s Commercial Energy Code Requirements. The first part will take a deep dive into the most recent and impactful envelope requirements. The second part will provide practical guidance for reviews the envelope trade-off portion of COMcheck submittals, guidance for reviewing other performance path option submittals, and summarize the most recent and impactful mechanical and electrical system energy code items.