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Upcoming IFC seminars for firestop special inspectors, as required by OSHPD

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IFC Clarification of Firestop Training and Examination Required by OSHPD

Find out exactly what IFC can provide to enable your OSHPD approval as a firestop special inspector.
OSHPD Fire Prevention Unit Provides Rules for Firestop Inspector Qualifications

Firestopping is subject to special inspections, in certain buildings, under IBC 2012 and later, and under California Building Code (CBC) 2013, article 1705A.16.
 
On July 12, 2016, OSHPD distributed a short memorandum to interested parties regarding the qualifications that they would henceforth require for individuals wishing to be approved as Special Inspectors for firestopping. 

The OSHPD documents mention various types of firestop training available, and various levels of firestopping competence that can be verified and documented.
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Policy Intent Notice (PIN) 67, was issued March 6, 2017, available here
What the IFC Can Provide to Enable Your OSHPD Approval
 
Figure 1, shown below, indicates the various levels of training and accreditation on the subject of firestop inspection that are available from the International Firestop Council, and also from Intertek. Of these various offerings, the education and certification being accepted by OSHPD is for a firestop special inspector to have an IFC Premier Certificate in order to be approved.
Figure 1: Training and accreditation for firestop special inspectors available from IFC and Intertek.
Picture
You can obtain 1., 2. ,and 3. above from the IFC.
1. The online training and online exam are detailed at www.firestop.org/inspection, and summarized here below.
2. See "Product Training....", below.
3. See "IFC 1-Day Hands-on..." below.
Briefly summarized, the IFC’s Premier Certificate is earned by the following three actions:
1a. Studying the free online firestop inspector training curriculum
1b. Taking the proctored, online firestop inspector exam, and achieving a score of 80% or better. After passing the exam, the exam-taker will be provided with a Certificate of Achievement to document the exam success. Successful examinees’ names are also posted online at www.firestop.org/certificate-holders.
2.   Obtaining product familiarization training from four different firestop product manufacturers. Alternatively, taking a 4-hour IFC approved multi-manufacturer firestop product training class. This will upgrade the Certificate of Achievement to a Premier Certificate, as required by OSHPD. Premier Certificate holders are so identified at www.firestop.org/certificate-holders.

Full details of the online inspector education program and examination can be found at www.firestop.org/inspection. Please read through all of the tabs (Overview → Why it’s needed → Reading List → etc) for a complete overview.

How do I upgrade to a Premier Certificate?


Attending a Seminar that Includes Product Familiarization
  • ICC Course # 12429, 4-hour multi-manufacturer product training
  • ICC Course # 16578, 8-hour Special Inspector Seminar
  • Product training may be completed before or after passing the online examination.
  • You exam certificate can be used to record product training and submitted to info@firestop.org and you will be established as a Premier Certificate holder.
  • If you receive a separate document for product training, submit your exam certificate as well.
  • Optionally, you can arrange product training with IFC product manufacturers (see below)

E-mail ProductTraining@firestop.org to inquire about additional, future classes. Per person class fee is $125. Let us know the major city closest to you.

If you wish to obtain product training directly from the IFC firestop product manufacturers in California, you can find contact e-mail addresses and phone numbers at this document link.

Intertek Qualified Firestop Inspector Program (IQP)
 
Accredited Inspectors:
  • Are listed at the Intertek website
  • Have IQP photo ID cards
  • Offered unique stickers for use on every penetratin or joint inspected in accordance with ASTM E2174 and E2393.


If the majority of a Special Inspector's time is spent on firestopping the IFC recommends this additional training and accreditation.

The Intertek IQP truly differentiates the most highly competent special inspectors available.
IFC 1-Day Hands-On How-To-Inspect Firestopping Seminars
 
The IFC website provides announcements and registration links for the hands-on seminars, which are held 4-6 times per year in various US cities. Go to www.firestop.org, or contact info@firestop.org. Full details about these seminars, including course content and upcoming locations and dates, can be found HERE.
 
Many IFC Inspector Certificate Holders use these seminars as an addition to their training. On the other hand, some inspectors use the seminars instead of doing the online training program, if they do not require the depth of knowledge and the certificate provided by the online program.

To schedule a How-To-Inspect firestopping seminar in your area, the IFC would require a minimum of 8 paid registrants. Contact info@firestop.org to schedule a seminar, or to request more detailed information about the seminars.
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