Florida Building Commission

Education POC Minutes

### October 1, 2012

**Tallahassee, Florida**

**IMPORTANT MEETING ACCESS INFORMATION!**

\-------------------------------------------------------   
To join the online meeting (Now from mobile devices!)   
\-------------------------------------------------------   
Meeting information   
\-------------------------------------------------------   
Date: Monday, October 1, 2012   
Time: 10:00 am, Eastern Daylight Time (New York, GMT-04:00)   
Meeting Number: 649 178 375   
Meeting Password: (This meeting does not require a password.)   
  
\-------------------------------------------------------   
To start or join the online meeting   
\-------------------------------------------------------   
Go to https://suncom.webex.com/suncom/j.php?ED=159697162&UID=492507407&RT=MiMxMQ%3D%3D   
  
\-------------------------------------------------------   
Teleconference information   
\-------------------------------------------------------   
Provide your phone number when you join the meeting to receive a call back. Alternatively, you can call:   
Call-in toll-free number: 1-888-670-3525 (US)   
Call-in number: 1-720-389-1212 (US)   
Show global numbers:   
Host access code: 199 238 0257   
Attendee access code: 297 701 3986

  
For assistance   
\-------------------------------------------------------   
1\. Go to https://suncom.webex.com/suncom/mc   
2\. On the left navigation bar, click "Support".   
  
You can contact me at:   
ila.jones@dbpr.state.fl.us   
1-850-922-6091   
  
**Call-In Number: _1-888-670-3525_ Code: ****_2977013986_**

**In Person Attendance: Room 250L, 2555 Shumard Oak Blvd., Tallahassee, Fla.**

**_Education POC Meeting Objectives_**  
---  
ØTo approve October 2012 Agenda ØTo approve July 2012 Minutes ØTo discuss the availability of the current Florida Building Code (printed version) for use by licensee applicants sitting for a licensure examination ØTo review/decide pending accreditor applications ØTo review/decide accredited advanced courses ØTo review/decide administratively approved updated courses ØTo review/decide self affirmed updated courses ØTo review/discuss Education Administrator activity report ØTo identify future POC member discussion items ØTo discuss general public comment ØTo 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 JonesMed Kopczynski Jim RichmondSharon Mignardi Cam FentrissDwight Wilkes Michael ClarkLarry Schneider  April HammondsAlex 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**

## _Re_ _commended 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