510-RICR-00-00-11. RISBC-11 Certification of Building Code Officials and Inspectors (version Periodic Refile, 12/19/2001 to 01/01/2003)

STATEMENT OF NEED Pursuant to the State Building Code Chapter 23, Title 27.3, the Building Code Standards Committee has amended Regulation SBC-11, Certification and Continuing Education, Dated January 1, 1992. Said amendments include the new requirements for the continuing education program for state and local officials and inspectors. In accordance with section 23-27.3-109.1 paragraphs 1-4 and 23-27.3-107.7 of the Code, the Committee has the authority to adopt appropriate rules and regulations when necessary to maintain the State Building Code current with national model codes and standards. RHODE ISLAND STATE BUILDING CODE CERTIFICATION AND CONTINUING EDUCATION REGULATION SBC-11 JANUARY 1, 1992 Amend Regulation SBC-11-88 Dated April 1, 1988 STATE OF RHODE ISLAND AND PROVIDENCE PLANTATIONS Department of Administration BUILDING CODE STANDARDS COMMITTEE One Capitol Hill Providence, Rhode Island 02908-5859 (Office (401) 222-3033 FAX NO. (401) 222-2599 TDD# (401) 222-6334 STATE OF RHODE ISLAND BUILDING CODE STANDARDS COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN VICE CHAIRMAN Merlin DeConti J.Robert Wahlberg Building Official Builder Heavy Construction EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Joseph Mulcahy, P.E. Registered Professional Engineer (Structural) Russell Brown Building Official Carmine Gelsomino Builders Trade Council Members Carl Saccoccio Norton Salk, A.I.A. Building Official Registered Architect Frank Canario Anthony Marandola Public Health Official Master Plumber Raymond DeCesare, AIA Richard Francis Registered Architect Electrical Inspector Vincent DiMase, P.E. Lloyd A. Wells, P.E. Public Member Registered Professional Engineer (Electrical) Frank Turano Public Member Edwin Sullivan Builders Trades Council George Hoyle Fire Official Esther Littell Representative of the Disabled Richard Belham Minimum Housing Official Mark Lowenstein Representative of the Disabled Daniel Raiche, P.E. Registered Professional Daniel Paquette Engineer (Mechanical) Builder Wilfred Gates, Jr. Senator Landscape Architect William Irons William Lepore Representative Electrical Contractor Frank Montanaro Leonard Clingham Joseph A. Cirillo, R.A. Legal Counsel State Building Commissioner Executive Secretary SECTION 1.0 GENERAL The Rhode Island State Legislature has found that a State Building Code is essential to protect the public health, safety and welfare by establishing adequate and uniform rules and regulations governing the construction and alteration of buildings and structures within the State of Rhode Island. To increase the efficiency of the building industry and the safety of its products, an increasing trend is needed towards uniformity of interpretation and enforcement of a statewide code. It is the intent of the State Building Commissioner and the Building Code Standards Committee to aid the code enforcement profession by assisting it in the areas of professionalism and the performance of its duties. To enforce the State Building Code effectively, code officials require sufficient knowledge and competence to administer and interpret the Code standards. This can be of best achieved through the creation of an education and training program and through the development of certification requirements and a continuing education program. 1.0 ADMINISTRATION The Certification Program shall control all matters relating to qualification for and the certification of all code enforcement officials engaged in the administration and enforcement of the Rhode Island State Building Code, procedures for application and issuance of certificates, and approval of training and educational programs offered to meet the requirements for the certification and continuing education credits of code enforcement officials. 1.3 DEFINITIONS CODE – The Rhode Island State Building Code COMMISSIONER – State Building Commissioner COMMITTEE – The Building Code Standards Committee BUILDING OFFICIAL – The officer or other designated authority charged with the administration and enforcement of this code at the local level. SBC11-1 ASSISTANT BUILDING OFFICIAL – The officer or other designated authority charged with the administration and enforcement of this code in the absence of the building official BUILDING INSPECTOR – The authorized representative of the building official acting as his assistant. PLUMBING INSPECTOR – The authorized representative of the Building Official charged with enforcing the provisions of the plumbing code in connection with sanitary drainage or storm drainage facilities, venting systems, and the public or private water supply systems within any building, structure or conveyance. ELECTRICAL INSPECTOR – The authorized representative of the building official charged with enforcing the provision of the electrical code as relating to all installations of electrical conductors, fittings, devices, and fixtures within or on public and private buildings. MECHANICAL INSPECTOR – The authorized representative of the building official charged with enforcing the provisions of the mechanical code as relating to the safe installation and maintenance of all mechanical equipment within or on public or private buildings. SECTION II QUALIFICATIONS The State Building Code, General Law 23-27.3, stipulates the prerequisites for appointment as a state or local official or inspector. The provisions are as follows: 2.1 BUILDING OFFICIAL – The Building Official shall have had at least five (5) years experience in construction, design or supervision. He should have knowledge of the quality and strength of building materials, of the accepted requirements in building construction, light and ventilation, fire protection, safe exit facilities and equipment essential for safety, comfort and convenience of occupants. BUILDING INSPECTOR – The Building Inspector shall have at least (3) years experience in construction, the knowledge of generally accepted building practices, the ability to read building construction plans and specifications and to recognize deviations from such plans in the field, and the ability to write concise narrative reports for correction of violations observed on job sites. SBC11-2 PLUMBING, ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL INSPECTORS - Each of these specialized inspectors shall have had at least five (5) years of practical experience in his own particular field. He shall have the ability to read and understand codes and ordinances relating to his specialized work, the ability to read plans and specifications and to recognize deviations from such plans or specifications in the field, ability to write concise narrative report for correction of violations observed on job sites, and the ability to enforce regulations firmly and impartially and to maintain satisfactory working relations with contractors and property owners. The plumbing inspector shall have a masters or journeyman license from the Rhode Island Board of Examining Plumbers. The Electrical Inspector shall have a Class A or B license from the Rhode Island Board of Electricians. The Mechanical Inspector shall have a pipefitter Master I or a Refrigeration Master I contractors license from the Rhode Island Bureau of Pipefitters and Refrigeration Technicians. 2.2 An applicant for the certification program may have less than the required number of years experience as stipulated in section 2.1 but the issuance of their certificate by the Building Commissioner will be withheld until such applicant has met the requirements of said section. 2.3 EQUIVALENT QUALIFICATIONS The holder of a Certificate of an architect or engineer issued by the State of Rhode Island shall be deemed equivalent to the above qualifications in the following manner: An architect or professional engineer’s registration whose specialty is civil or structural, shall qualify him for the building official’s or building inspector’s positions. A professional engineer’s registration whose specialty is electrical is deemed the equivalent of an electrician’s license for the purpose of these regulations. A professional engineer’s registration whose specialty is mechanical is deemed the equivalent of a plumber’s or mechanic’s license for the purpose of these regulations. SBC11-3 SECTION III TRAINING PROGRAM 3.1 CERTIFICATION The training format developed by the Building Commissioner and Building Code Standards Committee will be structured around the State Building Code. The Commissioner and the Committee may procure the services of a community college for the formal education and training for the building officials and building inspectors. The institution chosen should be centrally located for the convenience of most officials and inspectors throughout the state. The Plumbing, Mechanical and Electrical Inspectors will be required to successfully complete only the training relative to the administrative sections of the Code. Specific program schedules will be published by the Commissioner annually. 3.2 RE-CERTIFICATION The Building Code Standards Committee with the assistance of the State Building Commissioner shall prepare and/or approve continuing educational programs designed to train and assist state and local building officials and inspectors in carrying out the duties and responsibilities of their office. Such certification and continuing education programs shall be in accordance with the State Building Code provisions in sections 23-27.3-107.6, Certification of local officials, and 23-27.3-107.7, Recertification and Continuing Education. Said continuing education programs shall consist of not less than ninety (90) hours of training for state and local building officials and fifteen (15) hours for all other inspectors over a three (3) year period. 3.3 DOCUMENTATION All training and educational programs which are to be submitted for continuing education credit are to have prior approval of the Commissioner or the Building Code Standards Committee. Each state and local building official and inspector shall attend such training and educational programs and present proof of successful completion to the State Building Commissioner. The state and local building official and inspector shall provide proof of such training of forms provided by the State Building Commission. SBC11-4 3.4 REVOCATION The State Building Commissioner may, after notice and opportunity for hearing, revoke any certificate issued under the provisions of sections 23-27.3-107.6 and 23-27.3-107.7 for failure on the part of the state and local building official and inspector to present the required documentation or successfully complete required courses of study. 3.5 FUNDING OF PROGRAM In accordance with the provisions of section 23-27.3-107.7, the financing of the development of this program shall be from the registration fees for building contractors – Chapter 65 of Title 5 entitled “Builders and Contractors”. Any person may participate in the educational programs specified under this regulation at their own expense where space is available. SBC11-5