The BCI course covers the fundamentals of how to inspect surface preparation and application of protective coatings on bridge steel. These fundamentals are applicable to those who inspect coating work both in the shop and in the field. The course covers unique situations that will affect inspection in the field (e.g. containment, field safety hazards, changing weather conditions), as well as the fundamental inspection skills required to inspect new bridge steel painted in the shop, in the field or maintenance systems applied in the field.
Course Content
- Roles and Responsibilities
- Nomenclature
- Inspection and Environmental Safety
- Preparation Prior to Beginning Work
- Mobilization
- Surface Preparation
- Coating Types and Characteristics
- Coating Handling and Application
- Coating Inspection and Defects
Benefits of Attending
After attending this course, you will be able to:
- Define the varying professional roles of the inspector, bridge owner and the painting contractor and their relationship to each other at the job site
- Identify what preparation the inspector must make prior to the start of work in order to conduct effective inspections
- Recognize common coating inspection and related terms
- Identify and properly adjust and operate commonly-used coating inspection instruments and test apparatus
- Identify fundamental surface preparation and coating application processes
- Identify key documents (e.g. specification; product data sheets and technical bulletins; industry technical standards and references) required to perform competent inspections
- Identify inspection check or hold points
- Create inspection documentation, including a basic inspection plan
- Identify processes normally inspected and documented
- Identify common coating application defects
Course Format
The first four days of the program are devoted to classroom lecture about bridge coatings inspection planning, substrate repair prior to surface preparation, surface preparation itself, coating surveys, specifications, and documentation requirements with ample time allotted to hands-on exercises and instrument practice. Lectures are supplemented by quizzes, group exercises, and hands-on workshops.
On day five, the Level 1 Course Exam is given. Students have 2 hours to complete the 100-question multiple choice test and hands-on practical exam. On day six, students passing the course exam at 80% or higher can take the written and hands-on certification exams if they meet all of the prerequisites listed.
To become a BCI Level 2 Certified Inspector you are required to get a passing grade on the certification exams:
- Written Certification Exam -70% or higher
- Inspection Plan Certification Exam -70% or higher
- Practical Certification Exam-80% or higher
To receive CEUs for the course you must attend all 40 hours of the course.
Each participant will receive a comprehensive manual with copies of relevant SSPC standards. SSPC recommends that candidates take the classroom portion of this course before the course exam and certification exam.
Who Should Attend
Transportation agency coating inspectors, consulting engineer coating inspectors, fabrication shop coating inspectors, contractor coating inspectors, those who want to become bridge coatings inspectors, material and equipment supplier technical representatives, program and project managers, resident engineers and others who wish to learn more about the craft of the bridge coatings inspector.
State Accreditation Specs
Connecticut
Consulting Engineer personnel performing the inspection of bridge painting projects must be either NACE or SSPC – Bridge Coating Inspector (BCI) certified in accordance with the requirements of Section 2.3 – Qualifications, of the CONSTRUCTION ENGINEERING AND INSPECTION INFORMATION PAMPHLET FOR CONSULTING ENGINEERS CONNECTICUT DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION.
Florida
FLDOT CHAPTER 8 – STRUCTURES TRAINING AND QUALIFICATION PROGRAM.
8.8.2 Bridge Coating Inspector Training Course
FLDOT -Lead coating inspectors must successfully complete the Society for Protective Coatings (SSPC) course entitled “Bridge Coating Inspection” which is designated as SSPC course “BCI”. This is a four (5) day course and includes an examination that must be passed in order for SSPC to issue a successful completion certificate.
Kentucky
KYDOT accepts the BCI Level 1 Course.
FBPE
SSPC is an accredited training provider for the Florida Board of Professional Engineers (FBPE). PEs in Florida can now submit SSPC training course CEUs to the FBPE for continuing education credit.
Administered By: SSPC
Date: 4/May/2015 – 8/May/2015
Location: Sponge-Jet, Inc. 14 Patterson Lane, Newington, NH 03801 USA
Class Info/Registration: http://www.sspc.org/bridge-coating-inspector-program-bci