Portland Community College | Portland, Oregon Portland Community College

CCOG for INSP 255 Spring 2024

View archive version »
Course Number:
INSP 255
Course Title:
International Mechanical Code I
Credit Hours:
4
Lecture Hours:
40
Lecture/Lab Hours:
0
Lab Hours:
0

Course Description

Covers International Mechanical Code regulations for permitting. Includes general requirements, and application of codes to inspection requirements, including exhaust systems, kitchen hoods and duct systems. Prerequisites: WR 115, RD 115 and MTH 20 or equivalent placement test scores. Audit available.

Addendum to Course Description

Transferability of credit depends entirely upon the institution to which the student wishes to transfer.  

Intended Outcomes for the course

Upon completion of the course students should be able to:

  • Analyze plans for compliance with commercial mechanical code requirements, including exhaust systems, kitchen hoods and duct systems.
  • Analyze construction for compliance with commercial mechanical code requirements, including exhaust systems, kitchen hoods and duct systems.
  • Communicate commercial mechanical code requirements to design and construction professionals.

Course Activities and Design

Activities include in-class illustrated lectures showing concepts of the mechanical building codes, supported by collaborative group review of case studies.  In-class work will be supported by out-of-class individual reading, research of codes and application to mock problems. 

·        Course materials will be presented in a lecture and discussion format, using multimedia presentations (slides, videos) showing examples of mechanical code applications in various buildings, and online building codes. 

·        Discussions will be supplemented by posting of additional references and resources, on the D2L site. 

·        Weekly assignments will provide an opportunity for student to apply class information to actual building examples.

·        Short answer exams will cover a summary of information from the Building Codes.

Outcome Assessment Strategies

Student will work on projects using sample mechanical drawings for commercial buildings, and identify applicable mechanical codes, and analyze mechanical solutions for code compliance. 

Assessment will include review of projects, along with exams requiring ability to find and cite mechanical requirements.

Student to demonstrate willingness and ability to work in collaborative groups during class to provide input and solve in-class assignments, and articulate findings to class. 

Student to demonstrate time management skills by completion of projects by assigned deadlines and by meeting specific objectives for each phase of class projects.

Course Content (Themes, Concepts, Issues and Skills)

  • Commercial building mechanical codes regulate mechanical systems, specifying their minimum requirements for public buildings, and multi-family structures.
  • Building Inspectors need to understand their role in interpreting and applying mechanical codes requirements to commercial buildings.
  • Skills:  Review plans and construction to determine compliance with mechanical code requirements, including:

Ventilation requirements for commercial kitchens.

Ducting and ventilation requirements specific to various commercial uses.

Mechanical requirements for commercial buildings, to insure indoor air quality.

Knowledge of methods for inspecting mechanical systems and installations.

Identify applicable fuel-gas codes, within the Commercial Mechanical Codes.