2025 BES Session: Assessing Value from What We Have Learned Through Facade Ordinances (Lopez)

Course Overview
This session was originally presented at the 2025 IIBEC Building Enclosure Symposium in St. Louis, Missouri.  This course includes the following components:

• recording of the live session
• a summative assessment consisting of 10 multiple-choice questions
• two surveys required to claim continuing education credit

Description

The International Existing Building Code (IEBC) prescribes a minimum standard to maintain buildings as safe. But is there an expected duration to maintain this safety? If there are no guidelines as to what sort of duration or benchmark we as designers/consultants are trying to achieve, how can we encourage Owners to maintain minimum safety standards and expect them to perform periodic inspections and maintenance. In cities like New York, Chicago, Boston, Philadelphia, and San Francisco, the implementation of facade ordinances has mandated that inspections of building exterior walls and regulatory reporting be performed and has, in turn, allowed for architects and engineers to make informed  decisions and recommendations on repair campaigns based on expected service life to either last to the next inspection cycle or become a longer-term solution. With the knowledge of knowing when a subsequent inspection is due, owners are able to then choose whether to make it to the next cycle or surpass the expectation.

Course Recommended Prerequisite(s)
Attendees should have familiarity with ASTM E2270-14 Standard Practice for Periodic Inspection of Building Facades for Unsafe Conditions and know that several cities in the US have facade ordinances aimed at mandating building maintenance to help ensure public safety.

IIBEC Core Competencies: Exterior Walls (EW)

Knowledge Level: Intermediate

Course Access
Courses are accessible in LearnUpon for one year from the date of purchase.

Speaker/Author

Mike Lopez, RA, AIA, NCARB

Director

Rimkus

Mike Lopez has extensive building enclosure consulting and construction administration experience, specializing in exterior restoration, waterproofing, roofing, and leak remediation. As a Registered Architect in the states of Rhode Island, New York, Texas, Louisiana, and Florida, Lopez has the unique ability to provide both technical and aesthetic perspectives for any project and has been a part of numerous historic projects involving the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission. He is also a member of the American Institute of Architects and holds a National Council for Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB) Certificate.  

Disclaimer
The views and opinions expressed in the session content at the 2025 IIBEC Building Enclosure Symposium are those of the content author(s)/speaker(s) and do not necessarily reflect the policies or positions of the International Institute of Building Enclosure Consultants (IIBEC). IIBEC makes no warranty, whether express or implied, as to the completeness, accuracy or validity of the information provided.

Credit Start Date 5/22/2025            
Credit Expiration Date 5/22/2028

Continuing Education Credit Statement
This course is approved for 1.0 IIBEC CEH
This course is approved for 1.0 AIA LU/HSW
AIA Course Number: BES25_13_OD
AIA Provider Number: G024

Continuing Education Credit Claim Information

To claim IIBEC CEHs, learners are required to:

• Achieve a passing score of 70% on the summative assessment (learners are provided unlimited attempts)
• Complete the course Evaluation & Attestation Survey

After completing the Evaluation & Attestation Survey, learners will be able to download a Certificate of Completion.  Learners are responsible for self-reporting IIBEC CEH credit by uploading their Certificate of Completion to their IIBEC Portal. For assistance in self-reporting CEHs, please reach out to: [email protected]

To claim AIA LU, learners are required to complete the above requirements, as well as:

• Complete the AIA Survey (AIA member number is required)

AIA continuing education Learning Units earned upon completion of this course will be reported to AIA CES for AIA members.

AIA CES Provider statement

IIBEC is a registered provider of AIA-approved continuing education under Provider G024. All registered AIA CES Providers must comply with the AIA Standards for Continuing Education Programs.  Any questions or concerns about this provider or this learning program may be sent to AIA CES ([email protected] or (800) AIA 3837, Option 3).

This learning program is registered with AIA CES for continuing professional education. As such, it does not include content that may be deemed or construed to be an approval or endorsement by the AIA of any material of construction or any method or manner of handling, using, distributing, or dealing in any material or product. AIA continuing education credit has been reviewed and approved by AIA CES. Learners must complete the entire learning program to receive continuing education credit. AIA continuing education Learning Units earned upon completion of this course will be reported to AIA CES for AIA members. Certificates of Completion for both AIA members and non-AIA members are available upon request.