Educating Green Building Program Inspectors
The success of a green building program is dependant upon the green building program inspectors' levels of expertise given they deliver the program in the field. These program inspectors should not only be experts on the particular program’s processes and requirements, but also on the building science and sustainable practices that inform the program. Green building program administrators can ensure this level of expertise by developing a trainng program for their inspectors that communicates a clear definition of the inspector’s role in the program. This gives the inspector proper focus and should incorporate certification with established green organizations to ensure standard competencies. The training program should also include field training to establish the level of quality required in order to properly deliver a green building program.
RATIONALE
A well trained inspector not only administers the program in the field but also also acts as an expert on sustainability for project managers attempting green certification. To do this, the inspector must not only be familiar with the program requirements but also the various techniques and construction strategies that will help a program participant meet requirements and improve their level of compliance in the future. A comprehensive training program for inspectors that communicates the program and provides a solid basis in building science will best prepare an inspector for their dual role as program enforcer and program educator.
EFFORT REQUIRED
In order to create a successful training program, the program’s policies and processes must be well established and developed. Having a manual with current information outlining the inspector’s role in the program will be helpful in creating a training curriculum. The inspector must be trained in the skills and knowledge necessary to perform the inspections and process the relevant documents as outlined in the manual. Once training is complete, the manual will exist as a continuing resource for the inspector as they continue to grow with the program. A green building program may adopt an established certification to serve as a prerequisite to becoming an inspector. Many green programs require Home Energy Rating System (HERS) Certification as a prerequisite certification for their inspectors. HERS certification requires the rater to complete a vigorous and established curriculum of building science, green building program education, and hands-on field training. The training and certification is certified by the Residential Energy Services Network (RESNET), a not for profit organization involved in creating standards for building energy efficiency.
RESNET’s standards have been recognized by the Environmental Protection Agency ENERGY STAR program and the Department of Energy Building America program. A successful field training component will provide hands-on experience on actual projects with qualified inspectors. Field training is best delivered by experienced inspectors who have internalized the program’s processes and can easily communicate all necessary skills and inspection details. The field inspection component must include examples of the program requirements as they are inspected and observed in the field. The field experience must also establish a standard procedure the inspector can follow to ensure inspections will adequately survey a project and guide it towards success.
BENEFITS
A Green Building Program Inspector’s main responsibility is to administer the program in the field, certifying actual projects. Inspectors also serve as the public face of the program to project participants. Therefore, they must be prepared to not only identify where the program participant is not meeting program requirements, but also work with the participant to provide solutions so they can reasonably bring a project into compliance with the program. This approach not only enhances the integrity of the program but also keeps the builder engaged in the program by offering a service that continues to add value to their projects.
RISKS
Since the inspector is often perceived as the public face of the program, an inspector who does not properly understand the program and its principles may be inconsistently administering the program. With no consistent message in the field, the program will be perceived as unfocused. The participant will have difficulty complying and become frustrated with the program. Also, an inspector who does not have the program requirements internalized may overlook an important detail that will compromise a project’s certification. If the project does not certify because of the inspector’s failure, the green building program authority will be damaged in the mind of a project participant. Worse yet, a program requirement that goes unnoticed may result in costly damage and subsequent repair. A single problem like this can be a blemish that can damage the program’s integrity(and sustainability efforts) on a broad scale in the community.
ACTION AGENTS
A lead trainer must be identified to organize and schedule training. Established inspectors will be a valuable resource for field trainers and they will have insight on the practical reality of performing inspections, communicating with program participants, and processing paperwork. Established program participants are good resources for field training opportunities. Program employees who are responsible for processing paperwork can provide a helpful perspective on the value of following program procedures.
COSTS
The salary expense to a program will be the main cost when training inspectors. It will take time developing the curriculum and then time will be added to established inspector’s work when acting as a field trainer. Costs can be contained by consolidating training efforts with ongoing projects. Field training opportunities can be consolidated into quality assurance visits or follow-up inspections to certified projects to add value to the time spent in the field by inspectors.
