Training

Kimball Engineering has developed several training seminars to aide building officials, plan reviewers, building inspectors, and design professionals in understanding the structural requirements of the International Building Code (IBC), International Residential Code (IRC), and International Existing Building Code (IEBC). See the descriptions below for available seminars provided by Kimball Engineering.

In addition to these classes, regular clients receive free personalized training that is catered to their specific needs. If you would like to schedule a seminar for your organization or would like more information regarding the free personalized training that we offer, please feel free to contact Kimball Engineering.

Simplified Structural Plan Reviews
Seminar Length: 8 Hours

What you will learn: This seminar provides a step-by-step approach for performing a structural plan review to ensure that projects conform to the structural requirements of the IBC and IRC. The review process provided is strictly for residential and small commercial projects, as larger projects may require a more extensive structural review. The seminar does not teach how to perform structural calculations, but rather explains how to verify the project’s design assumptions and overall compliance with the building code. Throughout the course of the seminar, the group will perform a structural plan review using an example set of construction documents.

Each attendee will receive a bound copy of the course notes along with example checklists and structural load tables to aide in the plan review process.

Structural Requirements for Existing Buildings
Seminar Length: 8 Hours

What you will learn: There are many instances where the adopted codes require a mandatory seismic upgrade of an existing building. This class will discuss when such an upgrade is triggered, as well as other items that may require a structural analysis by the code. We will discuss what should be required by the building official and what to look for in the field.

Each attendee will receive a bound copy of the course notes.

IBC Chapter 17 - Special Inspections & Testing
Seminar Length: 8 Hours

What you will learn:This seminar will dissect the requirements of Chapter 17 of the IBC. A detailed discussion will be provided for each designated special inspection, structural testing and structural observation item listed in the building code. Project scenarios will be provided and a roundtable discussion will be had as to what inspection and testing items would be required for each example. A substantial amount of time will be used to discuss what qualifications are necessary for special inspectors, testing agencies and structural observers.

Each attendee will receive a bound copy of the course notes along with example forms that can be used by building departments in implementing the requirements of Chapter 17.

Unusual Structures
Seminar Length: 8 Hours

What you will learn: The focus of this class will be to discuss several types of unusual structures that a building department may be faced with from time to time. This seminar will discuss projects such as precast concrete sandwich panels, ICF systems, straw-bale construction, high-ropes courses, adobe construction, performance-based design, deep foundations, foundation improvement methods, rack-supported buildings, billboards, and the list goes on. The class will focus on the structural requirements that should be reviewed to ensure life-safety provisions are met during the plan review phase as well as items to focus on during the inspection phase.

Each attendee will receive a bound copy of the course notes.

Bracing of Non-structural Components
Seminar Length: 4 Hours

What you will learn: Nonstructural damage has historically accounted for 25-50% of the damage observed in recent earthquakes in the United States. This class will clarify what non-structural components are, what the code requires in regards to seismic restraint, and will discuss typical bracing schemes. A major portion of the discussion will revolve around what building departments should require at plan review and what they should be looking for in the field during inspections.

Each attendee will receive a bound copy of the course notes.

Braced Walls vs. Engineered Shearwalls
Seminar Length: 4 Hours

What you will learn: The requirements for braced walls per the IRC and Section 2308 of the IBC will be discussed, as well as the requirements for engineered shearwalls per the IBC. This seminar is ideal for the building plan reviewer and building inspector alike. The conventional and engineered requirements for floor and roof framing provided in both the IBC and IRC will also be discussed during this seminar.

Each attendee will receive a bound copy of the course notes.

Structural Concerns in Residential Construction
Seminar Length: 4 Hours

What you will learn: The majority of this seminar is spent reviewing specific construction and framing errors identified by Utah licensed structural engineers and the Engineered Wood Association (APA). The lateral load path will be discussed in detail as well common site conditions that should be reviewed for each project. The residential deck provisions will also be discussed in detail. Handouts will be provided that will assist inspectors in the field to be able to check common framing errors such as overdriven fasteners, excess notches or holes, misplaced holdowns, etc. The last portion of the course is reserved as an open discussion period.

Each attendee will receive a bound copy of the course notes.

Deep Foundations
Seminar Length: 4 Hours

What you will learn: This seminar will follow the requirements of Chapter 18 of the IBC for deep foundations. It will focus on the minimum geotechnical investigation requirements, special inspections, and submittals that should be provided to jurisdictions. Specific requirements for common and proprietary systems will be discussed.

Each attendee will receive a bound copy of the course notes.