Larsen Inspection Training

[gwhit67]

I was wondering if anyone ou there is familiar with Larsen Inspection Training? If you are what do you think of them? Does anyone know what their success rate is? I am thinking of using their course.

 

[boffintech]

I have used them. Our office has used them.

IMO, not enough content for the money.

 

[DirtDelight]

I went through his course as part of the Local 12 training some years ago. You will definitely know where to find the code answers and read the plans after completing his course. I was just looking into his online classes and they are around 400 bucks a piece. I found another course on-line for around 200 that was decent.

 

[gwhit67]

What is the name of the other place?

 

[DirtDelight]

http://www.ati.coursehost.com/Files/02/PK/7038/ATI Home Page.htm

or you can google in ATI ICC online

 

[gwhit67]

Which place is better? ATI or Larsen? or are they about the same?

 

[henri2]

The problem most examinees have with passing special inspection exams is the structural plan reading portion.

The exams are generally 3-1/2 hr. in length and consist of two parts. Part 1 is open book and pretty basic. Part 2 is structural plan reading-where the nightmare starts. A lot of examinees spend over 2 hours on the open book portion. When they get to the plans, they run out of time. So time management is an issue.

In my opinion a well designed training workshop with meaningful objective/goals, which includes: lectures, practices tests/exams, and places a lot of emphasis on plan reading is a very effective method of preparation for these exams. A 30-40 hr. workshop spread over two to three weekends is usually sufficient for the typical technician with a few years of experience.

Unfortunately, outside the West Coast there are very few training workshops or courses that prepare individuals for special inspection exams. A couple of the larger nationwide CMT firms have in-house programs in place.

Well if there are no training providers locally what should a firm do? I feel they should designate a technically competent employee to lead the development of their own in-house training programs and continually update it. A good starting point is the “body of knowledge” and exam topics-most of which can be found in the Exam Bulletin and the Model Program for Special Inspections. And in addition to prepping employees to pass the exam, the training workshop should be utilized to provide participants practical knowledge. For instance, it is not uncommon to come across certified welding inspectors who have no clue what a WPS is or what type of welding process is being used for fabrication of joints.

 

[DirtDelight]

I have gone through both and would say Larsen class is more complete.The ATI course was good as well, but is a distance learning class. The staff at ATI are very helpful as well. Guess it depends on how much you wanna spend

 

[lokasjoa]

I would say the Larsen class teaches you in a way that you can pass the test and know exactly what your talking about in the field. More real world training so to speak. A little steep on the price, but well worth it

 

[bb29510]

I did the icc online, and pass both masonry and concrete with no problem, but blueprint will kill you, you need every bit of two hours. If you study the books, its not that bad, I think in class training be a waste of money.

ICC special inspector, Structural masonry, Reinforced concrete.