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National Fire Academy

Online Mediated Instruction Course

CODE ADMINISTRATION FUNDAMENTALS

Course Code: C0248

RECRUITMENT BULLETIN

The U.S. Fire Administration’s National Fire Academy is currently recruiting students to help pilot-test the online instructor mediated course, Code Administration Fundamentals (C0248). The course will be delivered through an online discussion board and self-study.

Course Description: This course examines the underlying principles involved in the building and fire code administrative provisions so students can analyze the legal authorities, responsibilities and permissions needed to enforce the codes in their jurisdictions.

 

At the end of this course, students will be able to:

 

• Identify the duties and powers of the code official/authority having jurisdiction
• Recognize owner/occupant responsibilities to comply with the codes.
• Identify the code officials’ legal authorities and liabilities related to inspections.
• Analyze the use of permits and documentation in code administration.
• Outline steps to accomplish code enforcement and condemnation proceedings.

 

Course Delivery: An online instructor mediated course balances self-study components with interactions and discussions among the students and the instructor. This course is done in an asynchronous fashion. Students and the instructor will likely be online at different times and will post and respond to discussions on their own schedule. After reviewing the self-study materials, the students will have the opportunity to participate in discussions with other students on various assigned topics. The instructor will open each module, provide feedback on assignments, summarize discussions, and provide mentoring to meet the unique needs of individual students.

Prospective students should have a thorough understanding of the course requirements before submitting their application.

Online courses require self-discipline and commitment. They tend to require more work than classroom-based courses.

Please familiarize yourself with the course requirements and review the Sample Module Lesson Assignment (shown below).

Please Note: This is a college-level, writing intensive course. You will be expected to adhere to the American Psychological Association (APA) Style Guidelines for all written assignments. A tutorial for this format can be found at: http://www.apastyle.org/ 

Instructor:      Rob Neale, Deputy Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction, National Fire Academy 

Important Dates:

Application Period: Applications accepted now until August 1, 2013.

First Day of Class: September 3, 2013

End of Class: November 22, 2013

 

Please Note: This is a 12-week course.

Student Selection Criteria:   

• Individuals whose primary duties are those of a full-time fire or building code enforcement inspector.
• Individuals who have the responsibility to train personnel involved in code enforcement activities.
• Suppression company officers responsible for in-service fire code enforcement activities.

 

Class Size: 32 students

Course Requirements: The course includes five modules; one module will be released online every two weeks. For each module, participants will be required to:

• complete the required textbook and assigned readings
• complete the online content, which includes participation in two discussion forums per module, the submission of an individual written paper for each module and a mid-term and final paper. A sample module lesson assignment is included below (all module lesson assignments have similar requirements);
• interact with instructor and other student participants.

 

Costs and Fees:

This course is offered free-of-charge. Students will be required to have access to two textbooks, their legally adopted building and fire codes, and Chapter One of the Fire Protection Handbook, 20^th Edition, published by the National Fire Protection Association.

Text Books:

Legal Aspects of Code Administration. International Code Council. ($33.00) ISBN : 978-1-58001-500-4. Available from http://shop.iccsafe.org/legal-aspects-of-code-administration-2002-edition.html . (160 pages).

The Art of Code Enforcement: A Practical Guide by Martin Collins ($9.99) ISBN: 978-1-47635-175-9 Available in EBook or other electronic format athttps://www.smashwords.com/books/view/216810 . (118 pages). 

How to Apply:

Students must complete the General Admission Application ( FEMA Form 119-25-1) available on the NFA website at: www.usfa.dhs.gov/nfa/about/attend/apply.shtm

 

 

Completed applications should be submitted by August 1, 2013 to:
      NETC Admissions Office
      16825 S. Seton Avenue
      Emmitsburg, MD 21727

 

Completed applications can also be faxed to the NETC Admissions Office at 301-447-1441

Material Requirements:

The following textbook will be used in this course:  

Legal Aspects of Code Administration. International Code Council. ($33.00) ISBN : 978-1-58001-500-4. Available from http://shop.iccsafe.org/legal-aspects-of-code-administration-2002-edition.html . (160 pages).

The Art of Code Enforcement: A Practical Guide by Martin Collins ($9.99) ISBN: 978-1-47635-175-9 Available in Ebook or other electronic format athttps://www.smashwords.com/books/view/216810 . (118 pages).

In addition to the texts, you will be reading a number of course documents, articles, online resources, and Web-based research articles. You will need to have access to the administrative chapter (usually Chapter One) of your legally adopted building and fire codes, as well as Chapter One (1) the Fire Protection Handbook, 20^th Edition, published by the National Fire Protection Association.

NOTE: Do not purchase the textbooks until you have been notified by the NETC Admissions Office of your acceptance into this Pilot offering.

Technical Requirements:

The system requirements listed below are required for the course to work properly:

• Internet Explorer 8 or higher
• Adobe Acrobat Reader 10 or higher
• Microsoft Word 2003 or higher
• Pop-up Blockers Turned OFF
• Optimal screen resolution 1024 x 768
• Students must have a legitimate email address

 

Sample Module Lesson Assignment

Module 1 – Discussion Forums

Discussion Forum 1

Some states with strong legislative powers invoke what are known as “mini-maxi” codes. The legislature adopts a model code, and does not permit any local jurisdiction to amend it: therefore it is both the minimum and maximum level of safety that local jurisdictions can enforce. Please describe the strengths and weaknesses of this approach, and provide supporting documentation.

Discussion Forum 2

The model adopting ordinance of the International Fire Code allows jurisdictions to prohibit the storage of flammable cryogenic fluids in stationary containers, Class I and II flammable and combustible liquids aboveground and liquefied petroleum gas containers based on zoning regulations. If you had the authority to impose these regulations, in which zone(s) would you prohibit them and why? Provide supporting documentation to justify your recommendations.

Your discussion forums should include a response to the each of scenarios described above, plus two additional responses to the other students’ posts. Generally, the initial post should be about 175-300 words, and the follow-up posts about 100 -200 words.

Module 1 – Written Assignment (Approximately 750 words)

 

Research the enabling state or local statute that authorizes the adoption of the building or fire code in your jurisdiction, and describe the process through which code adoption must occur. Be certain to identify any exemptions, exceptions or limitations the enabling legislation includes, and explain why they exist. Compare the strengths and weaknesses of your adopting ordinance to the model adopting ordinances.

Your module written assignments should be about 750 words in length. Your midterm and final papers should not exceed 3,000 words each. The essays should have a formal introduction, a statement of purpose on the first page, a body, and a conclusion. Be sure to credit all sources. Please Note: Students must follow APA Style Guidelines: http://www.apastyle.org/ or

General Instructions for Written Assignments

Your written assignment is intended to measure your understanding of important concepts and sharpen your intellectual skills of analysis, synthesis, evaluation, and application. The intent of the written assignment is to provide an opportunity for you to demonstrate the knowledge you are gaining on the topics in this course.  

Written assignments are to be submitted to the instructor at nfadepsupt@gmail.com