Live Teleconference IR Course Jan 26-27

[John McKenna]

http://texas-inspection.com/IR-News.pdf
http://texas-inspection.com/nachitv.html

[rdawes]

First, a few notes:

1. I have a lot of respect for John and Will. They have both done a lot for NACHI and it's members.

2. A faiirly inexpensive 2 day course specfically for home inspectors certaily has some merit.

With those items given, my concern is with the term "Certifed" being used by graduates of the course.

See this article by one of the leading IR training firms:

http://www.irtalk.com/forums/storage...tification.pdf

If they are unwilling to use the word "Certified" for their class graduates then I don't think it's appropriate to use that word for a 2 day course.

Certified is being used way too much and such misuse will cheapen it's value in the public eye. Furthermore, the value of Certified is directly related to the credentials of the organization providing the Certification. A Certification granted by 2 home inspectors (even highly talented and dedicated ones like John and Will) doesn't carry a lot of weight in the IR or HI world.

I wish them well with this course and am sure that their students will benefit greatly.

[William J. Decker]

Originally Posted by rdawes

First, a few notes:

1. I have a lot of respect for John and Will. They have both done a lot for NACHI and it's members.

2. A faiirly inexpensive 2 day course specfically for home inspectors certaily has some merit.

With those items given, my concern is with the term "Certifed" being used by graduates of the course.

See this article by one of the leading IR training firms:

http://www.irtalk.com/forums/storage...tification.pdf

If they are unwilling to use the word "Certified" for their class graduates then I don't think it's appropriate to use that word for a 2 day course.

Certified is being used way too much and such misuse will cheapen it's value in the public eye. Furthermore, the value of Certified is directly related to the credentials of the organization providing the Certification. A Certification granted by 2 home inspectors (even highly talented and dedicated ones like John and Will) doesn't carry a lot of weight in the IR or HI world.

I wish them well with this course and am sure that their students will benefit greatly.

Ron.

I agree.

One point to consider. There are many classes and levels of certification for thermal imaging. None of those currently in existance are specifically tailored for home inspectors. HI is a fairly new industry and so is the use of thermal imaging in our industry. I would say that a great deal of what I learned at the classes I took had nothing to do with Home Inspection.

When I wrote my first class, it was intended as an introduction and an overview. My goal was to provide the basics in a way that inspectors could understand so that they could attend a higher level course and not be totally lost. I hoped to help inspectors to hit the ground running when attending a higher level course. From the response I have recieved, it seemed to work.

With this course, I am folowing the outline of the ASNT, but not including material that is of no use to an HI (machinery prevetive maintenance, high voltage and stuff like that). I would posit that the ASNT standards do not include a great deal of material that is applicable to our industry.

The class will include testing and field exersises and will not be a walk in the park.

It will also not be the final product, but a first draft. These kinds of things always develop and mature.

It may not be perfect, but it will be a good start.

If it helps, that is good. I have a large number of HIs in my area who have the camera and have never taken any training. I believe that this is not a good thing for them or for our industry.

I would hope that this class will help them.

[William Warner]

Originally Posted by wdecker

Ron.

I agree.

One point to consider. There are many classes and levels of certification for thermal imaging. None of those currently in existance are specifically tailored for home inspectors. HI is a fairly new industry and so is the use of thermal imaging in our industry. I would say that a great deal of what I learned at the classes I took had nothing to do with Home Inspection.

There is an excellent class in existence from Kaplan/ITA geared specifically for home inspectors and can be performed online via teleconference or by physically attending their class. Once completed and proctored exams passed attendees receive Level I Thermographer and either Level I or Level II Specialist - Infrared Residential Inspection designations.
Equipment Lease options available as well. The methodology and some technology was developed at The National Center for Physical Acoustics at the University of Mississippi and funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Classes are under $1200 and worth every penny.

[John McKenna]

Kaplin also issues a certificate for home inspectors, but it is called Specialist - Infrared Residential Inspection (SIRI) Level 1 & 2
Our course seeks to cut away all the fat and give inspectors only the meat of what can be used on a daily basis. It appears Kaplin is on the right road and some people will complain about their SIRI certifications, no doubt.

How much theory of electromagnetic waves and formulas do you need in order to know how to find a wet spot?

You don't need any numbers, but only the image pattern on your IR screen. I know that insults some thermographers, but it takes more home inspection skills to operate an IR camera for scanning a house, than it requires thermography skills.

That is why even Level III thermographers cannot use the IR camera to do a home inspection. They don't know how to operate in our profession. At least that is what they told me, and I can see why.

Who cares if THEY like our course? If it helps home inspectors, that is all that matters.

Why can't iNACHI take the lead in providing inspectors what they need and do it better and at less cost than anyone else? iNACHI does it with so many other areas already, it is now time for this IR course to fill that need.

For $500... that is a pretty good deal... BTW... What home inspector follows the ASNT and did Kaplin get their permission to create another certification called SIRI.? No.

[Roy D. Cooke, Sr]

Originally Posted by jmckenna1

Kaplin also issues a certificate for home inspectors, but it is called Specialist - Infrared Residential Inspection (SIRI) Level 1 & 2
Our course seeks to cut away all the fat and give inspectors only the meat of what can be used on a daily basis. It appears Kaplin is on the right road and some people will complain about their SIRI certifications, no doubt.

How much theory of electromagnetic waves and formulas do you need in order to know how to find a wet spot?

You don't need any numbers, but only the image pattern on your IR screen. I know that insults some thermographers, but it takes more home inspection skills to operate an IR camera for scanning a house, than it requires thermography skills.

That is why even Level III thermographers cannot use the IR camera to do a home inspection. They don't know how to operate in our profession. At least that is what they told me, and I can see why.

Who cares if THEY like our course? If it helps home inspectors, that is all that matters.

Why can't iNACHI take the lead in providing inspectors what they need and do it better and at less cost than anyone else? iNACHI does it with so many other areas already, it is now time for this IR course to fill that need.

For $500... that is a pretty good deal... BTW... What home inspector follows the ASNT and did Kaplin get their permission to create another certification called SIRI.? No.

John and I agree and will do every thing in my power to take this course.

...Thanks ...Cookie

[Kevin A. Richardson]

Originally Posted by rdawes

First, a few notes:

1. I have a lot of respect for John and Will. They have both done a lot for NACHI and it's members.

2. A faiirly inexpensive 2 day course specfically for home inspectors certaily has some merit.

With those items given, my concern is with the term "Certifed" being used by graduates of the course.

See this article by one of the leading IR training firms:

http://www.irtalk.com/forums/storage...tification.pdf

If they are unwilling to use the word "Certified" for their class graduates then I don't think it's appropriate to use that word for a 2 day course.

Certified is being used way too much and such misuse will cheapen it's value in the public eye. Furthermore, the value of Certified is directly related to the credentials of the organization providing the Certification. A Certification granted by 2 home inspectors (even highly talented and dedicated ones like John and Will) doesn't carry a lot of weight in the IR or HI world.

I wish them well with this course and am sure that their students will benefit greatly.

I agree!

However, John and Will have earned a great deal of respect through thier individual contibutions, so I wish them well on this endevor.

Good Luck

Kevin

[John McKenna]

Will Decker's original IR course has already been approved in 3 states, and the newer longer IR course is in the process of being approved in 2 more states (just for starters). This course is going to help a lot inspectors get their training, that they otherwise would not be able to afford.

[Brian A. MacNeish]

Originally Posted by jmckenna1

Will Decker's original IR course has already been approved in 3 states, and the newer longer IR course is in the process of being approved in 2 more states (just for starters). This course is going to help a lot inspectors get their training, that they otherwise would not be able to afford.

They can afford a $6-7,000 camera but can't afford the training???!!!! Like buying a car and not having money for gas.

[dharris]

Originally Posted by Brian A. MacNeish

They can afford a $6-7,000 camera but can't afford the training???!!!! Like buying a car and not having money for gas.

Hope they don't make the same mistake I did and waste 2 tanks of ink printing the worthless CE [ to any body that read the owners manual and played with a IR camera for longer than 2 hours] that decker is soooo proud of.

[John McKenna]

Originally Posted by Brian A. MacNeish

They can afford a $6-7,000 camera but can't afford the training???!!!! Like buying a car and not having money for gas.

When you consider travel, hotel, and expenses, plus missing a weeks worth of work, the total cost of cash flow loss can be approx....

$1300 - $1800 IR course
$1000 airline, hotel, expenses
$1000 to $1500 missed work
_______________________
$3300 to $4300 TOTAL


I think this is a little more than gas money.... ya think some people have a family to feed? I think saving a few thousand dollars is well worth it for most working people.

[Roy D. Cooke, Sr]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Brian A. MacNeish
They can afford a $6-7,000 camera but can't afford the training???!!!! Like buying a car and not having money for gas.


Like buying a Plane and getting trained to fly a helicopter .
Yes I paid about $3,000;00 to take the FLIR course and was taught how to use the Camera .
But almost 20% can be applied to a Home.
I know how to look at electric motors and how to use a $35,000;00 Camera and how to look at Hydro wires and Bearings in a conveyor drive .
I will also be taking more courses and expect they just might be more help on Homes.
Of course as per usual Brian Knows more about IR and is able to make fun out of the NACHI members and their Courses .
He has shown his distaste very often in our NACHI system .
I often wonder why he bothers to Come here .
Of Course if he staid away he would not know what we are doing.

</IMG></IMG></IMG></IMG></IMG></IMG>... Cookie

[Roy D. Cooke, Sr]

Originally Posted by Brian A. MacNeish

They can afford a $6-7,000 camera but can't afford the training???!!!! Like buying a car and not having money for gas.

Brian you have the typical CAHPI closed door mentality .
You think the CAHPI methods are the only ones that work .
You and others come onto the NACHI site become instant expert on NACHI and say what you want to run us down .
You take our information and use it, CAHPI does not return or show courtesy to NACHI.
I have bought over $200;00 in IR disks many books on IR one costing close to $100;00 and you again continue to ridicule the NACHI training.
Well if you wish to do some good will you the next time you have breakfast with one of the Experts you seem to know so many ask them to please put together a good Home Inspection Training for home Inspectors then just maybe some one else besides NACHI will be doing some thing in Canada for the Inspection industry,

...Cookie

[John McKenna]

Next available teleconference class is Jan 26-27.
Contact ... info@texas-inspection.com

[Brian A. MacNeish]

Originally Posted by rcooke

Brian you have the typical CAHPI closed door mentality .
Roy, CAHPI is not closed door; anyone can join and go through the hoops to get their RHI/CHI/whatever. It is a more stringent process though.


You think the CAHPI methods are the only ones that work .
How do you know what I think? Get proctored testing, open process for verification of CE requirements, election of leadership, and I may be the first to join INACHI.

You and others come onto the NACHI site become instant expert on NACHI and say what you want to run us down .
You take our information and use it, CAHPI does not return or show courtesy to NACHI.
I have bought over $200;00 in IR disks many books on IR one costing close to $100;00 and you again continue to ridicule the NACHI training.
Well if you wish to do some good will you the next time you have breakfast with one of the Experts you seem to know so many ask them to please put together a good Home Inspection Training for home Inspectors then just maybe some one else besides NACHI will be doing some thing in Canada for the Inspection industry,

...Cookie

From an INACHI member:

"Certified is being used way too much and such misuse will cheapen it's value in the public eye. Furthermore, the value of Certified is directly related to the credentials of the organization providing the Certification. A Certification granted by 2 home inspectors (even highly talented and dedicated ones like John and Will) doesn't carry a lot of weight in the IR or HI world."

Jeez.......sound familiar? (and no, I didn't write that) I've been on these boards fro about a year now. Recently I seem to be seeing more members on the public boards voicing concerns about the training/cert. process for various designations. Do they feel the designations are losing credibility or respect? I think so!!