This course focuses on the construction process for a single family home in Minnesota under the provisions of the 2020 Minnesota Residential Code and 2015 Minnesota Energy Code. Learn the permit process, plan review, alternative materials and the inspection of the footings, foundations, waterproofing, foundation insulation options, framing, water-resistive barriers, exterior envelope, wall and attic insulation materials, vapor retarders, interior air barriers, thermal barriers, unvented roofs, emergency escape and rescue, roofing materials, guards, means of egress, emergency escape and rescue, wood-plastic composite materials and interior finishes.

Course Outline

Part 1 

• Introduction
• Administrative Provisions
  • State Building Code Application 
  • Building Official Duties & Powers 
  • Alternative Design and Materials    
• Design Criteria in MN
  • Footing Depth for Frost Protection
  • Ground Snow Load
  • Wind Speed
  • Climate Zones
• Definitions
  • Approved
  • Townhouse
  • Crawl Space
  • Floor Area
  • R Value
  • Air Barrier
  • U Factor
  • Thermal Envelope
  • Vapor Retarders
• Permits
  • Application For Permit
  • Construction Documents 
  • Truss Design Drawings
  • Action on Application For Permit
  • Expiration & Validity of Permit
  • Placement of Permit
  • Inspections

Part 2 

• Foundations
  • Soil Tests
  • Geotechnical Evaluation
  • Concrete For Footings
  • Footings
  • Minimum Size of Footings
  • Spread Footings
  • Pier and Column Footings
  • Minimum Footing Depth
  • Footing Slope
  • Concrete & Masonry Walls
  • Foundation Elevation Verification
  • Height Above Finished Grade
  • Foundation Drainage
  • Foundation Waterproofing
• Protection Against Decay
  • Protection Against Decay
  • Fasteners
  • Hardware

Part 3 

• Basement Wall Exterior Insulation
  • Basement Wall Insulation
  • Exterior Draining Insulation
  • Exterior Non-Draining Insulation
  • Exterior Basement Insulation
  • Slab-On-Grade Insulation
• Interior Basement Wall Insulation
  • Interior Basement Wall Insulation
  • Spray-Applied Interior Foam Insulation
  • Fiberglass Interior Insulation
  • Rigid Interior Insulation
  • Wood Foundation Insulation
  • Radon Control Systems

Part 4 

• Floor Framing
  • Wood Floor Framing
  • Floor Framing Identification
  • Allowable Joist Spans
  • Engineered Floor Trusses
  • Lateral Support of Floor Trusses
  • Alterations To Trusses
• Wall Framing
  • Wall Framing
  • Wall Framing – End jointed lumber
  • Wall Bracing
  • Simplified Wall Bracing
• Roof Framing
  • Roof Framing
  • Roof Tie-Down
  • Roof Truss Uplift Resistance

Part 5 

• Exterior Covering
  • Water Resistive Barrier
  • Brick Veneer
  • Adhered Veneer & Exterior Plaster
  • Fiber Cement Siding
  • Front Entry Water-Resistive Barrier
  • Adhered Masonry Veneer Clearance
• Residential Fire Sprinklers
  • Fire Sprinklers
• Fire Protection Provisions
  • Dwelling/Garage Fire Separation
  • Dwelling/Garage Openings
  • Fire Separation
  • Under-Stair Protection
  • Fire-Blocking
  • Draft-Stopping
  • Fire Protection of Floors
• Ceiling Height
  • Minimum Ceiling Height
  • Minimum Ceiling Height - Basement
• Safety Glazing
  • Glazing

Part 6 

• Building Thermal Envelope
  • Exterior Wall Insulation
  • Rim Area Insulation
  • Floor Insulation
  • Ceiling Insulation
  • Roof Ventilation
  • Attic Access
  • Vapor Retarders
  • Air Barrier
  • Building Envelope Air Testing
  • Duct Sealing
• Foam Plastic Insulation
  • Foam Plastic Insulation
• Decks, Means of Egress, Stairways & Landings
  • Materials
  • Footings
  • Deck Posts
  • Deck Beams
  • Deck Joists
  • Decking
  • Vertical and Lateral Supports
  • Vertical & Lateral Supports at Band
  • Lateral Connection
  • Guards and Window Fall Protection
  • Egress Door
  • Landings at Required Egress Doors
  • Exterior Landings
  • Stairway Landings
  • Stairway Landings in Garages
  • Stairway Headroom
  • Stairway Width
  • Stair Treads and Risers
  • Emergency Escape & Rescue
• Final Inspection
  • Building Final Inspection
  • Energy Efficiency Certificate
  • Final Grade Survey
  • Garage Floor Surface

Learner Objectives

• Recognize the Minnesota State Residential Code elements related to this course
• Identify what is needed when digging and pouring foundation walls
• Identify protection against decay in foundation walls
• Recognize the insulation requirements to interior and exterior walls
• Identify the requirements for floor, wall and roof framing
• Recognize safety requirements
• Identify the final steps in residential construction and applying for the Certificate of Occupancy 

Testimonials

"The course was easy to understand and the instructor very knowledgeable. I liked that it was on demand to fit my schedule." Vern Mosny, Vern's Contracting, LLC

"Peter is very informative and easy to listen to. His delivery is well thought out and very educational." Chad Lidtke, Arcxis

"Best instructor that I’ve taken a course from." Chaleunesinh Souriyathay, JNP construction

"I highly recommend the instructor." Peter Carlson, Allstar Construction

"Excellent Instructor kept my attention!" Richard  Drotning, Building Official

“Very happy to catch up on the code changes! Was very nervous to take course not knowing what to expect, very casual yet interesting.” Kevin Graves, KG Construction

"Great Job, easy to follow will definitely look for more of these classes in the future. Peter is a great instructor." Brian Pederson, Arrow Building Center

"Excellent presentation. Very knowledgeable on residential construction." Timothy Rose, Rose Construction

"Great overview. Knowledgeable instructor...Great Course!" Jeremy Thompson, Gordon James

"Very good course. Very informative." Leonard Clark, Landmark Building Corp

"Great code update for contractors who have been in the field through many building code changes!" Jon Brandt, REMBrandt Homes

"Great relaxed pace with not a ton of technical detail; straight to the point of pertinent information that is retainable keeping your attention. Thank you." Denise Schreifels, Simple to Grand Design & Remodeling LLC

"I was very pleased. Peter was very knowledgeable and was concise in his teaching method. I will be happy to take more of his courses." Mark Ruffner, Ruffner Remodeling and Repair, LLC

"I liked the instructor.  Clear and to the point. Cleared up a couple issues for me. Good job." Rickey Ites, Rickey Ites Construction

"Contractor University does a great job of keeping me informed of the changes to the code.  Much appreciated! Peter is so knowledgeable." Dan Vanderheyden, Black Dog Homes CO

"Great course." Conrad Herrmann, The Caliber Group

"Very well done as to inform new and updated codes, methods best used to prevent issues." Brian Leonard, LCR Inc.

Excellent course and instructor. Highly recommend Contractor University for continuing education credits." Dylan Brown, DB Carpentry LLC

Quiz Info

In order to receive continuing education credit(s), you will need to take a 10-question quiz after each hour of the course. To pass each quiz, you will need to achieve a score of 70% or higher. If you are unsuccessful, you will have an opportunity to repeat the quiz. Once you have successfully completed the course, you can download your continuing education certificate(s) showing the credit(s) that you have earned.

Credit Info

This course has been approved for six hours of MN residential contractor, remodeler, and building official continuing education by the Minnesota Department of Labor & Industry, including the required energy credit.

If you are eligible to receive continuing education credits, your information will be electronically reported to the appropriate agency within 7 business days of course completion.

Access Info

Your online course is accessible 24/7. The course will be available to you for 180 days from purchase date.

Questions and Comments Questions and comments related to the curriculum for this course may be submitted to the instructor at education@housingfirstmn.org.