The Institute for Timber Construction South Africa (ITC-SA), the professional body for the engineered timber construction sector, will be hosting its first CPD-accredited Roof Inspection Training Course of 2019 from 21-23 May at its head office in Gauteng.
The Roof Inspection Training Course offered by the Institute comprises an intensive theoretical and technical overview of timber roof structures. Over the three-day period, students are exposed to basic terminology and timber structure design, framing and bracing, design consideration for light and heavily loaded timber roof structures, manufacturing, transportation and storage, as well as the various timber roof structures and types of buildings. Further to this, students get first-hand, up-close experience with the roof inspection process, as they venture onto two different construction sites which demonstrate correct and incorrect roofing practices respectively.
The course is designed to enable: any technical person to conduct roof inspections with knowledge and insight; registered professionals to sign off roofs on their own, knowing they speak with authority; and individuals with experience in the roof construction industry to be sufficiently trained to inspect roofs under an accredited ITC-SA Professional Engineer.
Many of our past trainees have attested to the exceptional value they have accessed through this course, especially with regards to the way the practical component of the course has helped cement much of their past theoretical training.
The ITC-SA’s Roof Inspection Training Course has been accredited for 3 CPD points by the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA), registration number: ITCSA-INS0817.
Course content
Day 1:
| 08:00 | Registration |
| 08:30 | Basic roof terminology, including:
|
| 10:00 | Tea/coffee |
| 10:20 | Basics of timber design, including loading, and information of relevant codes. Permissible stress and limit state loading explained. Tributary loading. |
| 12:30 | Finger lunch |
| 13:30 | Bracing in roofs in general: difference in lightly loaded versus heavily loaded roofs. (Experience from the field through slides and images). |
| 15:00 | Who is the ITC-SA? Role players and their different responsibilities in the timber structure roofing industry. |
| 16:00 | End of Day 1 |
Day 2:
| 08:30 | Rafter bracing: Why is it necessary to have different systems of bracing; study standard bracing details. |
| 10:00 | Tea/coffee |
| 10:20 | Tie beam and web bracing: Standard bracing details (visual case studies of failures). |
| 12:30 | Finger lunch |
| 13:30 | Handling, transportation and storage of timber structures |
| 14:00 | Discussion of paperwork required. Discuss who is responsible for paperwork. |
| 14:45 | Site visit to a timber roof under construction. (On-site guidance and discussion.) |
| 16:00 | End of Day 2 |
Day 3:
| 08:30 | Site visit to a different site to see a timber roof in distress and the effects of ineffective bracing. |
| 10:00 | Tea/coffee |
| 10:20 | Discussion of site observations |
| 11:00 | Discussion of ethics in regards roof inspection |
| 11:30 | Discussion of making a business from roof inspections |
| 12:00 | Questions & answers |
| 12:30 | Finger lunch |
| 13:30 | Slide show of non-compliant roofs and the consequences |
| 14:30 | Assessment |
| 16:00 | End of Day 3 |
Preparedness & assessment
Trainees should preferably have a year or more of post-matric education with science and mathematics, matric with involvement in roofs or Recognised Prior Learning (RPL). Registered professionals who are interested in expanding their knowledge and expertise in timber roof structures will greatly benefit from this informative course.
All candidates will write an assessment on the last day. However, candidates will be assessed continually over the course during discussions and especially during the two site visits. In order to receive a certificate of completion the candidate must achieve a minimum of a 70% pass rate on the assessment.
It is recommended that the applicant complete the Roof Specialist Level 1 online course prior to the Roof Inspection Training Course in order to familiarize themselves with the terminology and the basics of timber roof structures.
Roof Inspector as a professional designation
While all delegates who graduate from the training course will enjoy enhanced knowledge on the subject of roof inspections, not all of them will graduate as ITC-SA Certified Roof Inspectors. This designation is only obtained through compliance with a number of basic requirements including an academic component, practical or workplace experience, a board examination or competency assessment.
A Certified Timber Engineer is defined as a practicing professional who will traditionally come from the built environment, must have three years’ prior experience in roof design and construction, and must already be registered with the Engineering Council of South Africa as a professional engineer or professional engineering technologist.
A Certified Roof Inspector is defined as a practicing professional who will traditionally come from the built environment, must have prior experience in roof design and construction, and should preferably have a recognized qualification (NQF level 5) in the built environment.
A Certified Roof Inspector (Cert. RI) can be registered in this designation, but may only inspect roofs within the specified category, as per below and depending on his/her proven competencies:
- Category A – (High Risk): Very complex roofs
- Category B – (Medium Risk): Complex domestic and simple industrial and commercial roofs, including up to 10 metre spans
- Category C – (Low Risk): Simple roofs up to and including 8.5 metre span with standard loadings
- Category D – (Low Risk)
Course information
The ITC-SA’s Roof Inspection Training Course carries 3 ECSA CPD points: Validation No.: ITCSA-INS0817. The cost of the course is R5 800.00 excl. VAT and is payable upfront upon application. The amount includes the following value-adding items: ITC-SA Bracing Manual Volume 1, ITC-SA Bracing Manual Volume 2, a notepad and pen, a hard hat and reflector vest. Delegates must wear safety shoes for the site visits. Only 18 candidates per course will be permitted.
For bookings and to request a VAT invoice, email Jessica Hope at jessica@itc-sa.org. The Roof Inspection Training Course will be hosted at the ITC-SA’s head office (SAFCA Building, 6 Hulley Road, Isando) from 21-23 May 2019. Click here to access a booking form.
Note: While every attempt will be made to give attendees a thorough education in roof inspection, the ITC-SA does not commit to employ anyone as a roof inspector.
