You are very welcome! I appreciate you checking it out! Let me know if you ever have any questions, I am always happy to help. Have a happy new year!

Much appreciated. Thank you - and thank you for tuning in. Jose M

Hi, Nicole. Thank you for the comment and I am glad you liked the vids. Be well! Jose M

Thank you for the comment, Ian. Be well.

Hi Raymundo, great question. Although it is very common to see blocking in the area you specify (assuming between joists - above the girders), the IRC, or CRC if you’re in CA, do not require blocking in the scenario you mention. However, there are blocking requirements in areas such as -- joist ends (lateral supports, R502.7) and “bridging” (for 2X12 or greater joists, R502.7.1); also, depending if there is a bearing wall above, blocking is required (R502.4). There is a handy illustration that depicts floor framing and blocking requirements, amongst other items (R502.2). Also keep in mind that some jurisdictions may amend, and/or interpret, Section R502.7 “Lateral Restraints at Supports” and require blocking over the girders (between floor joists); since such area would be looked at as a “supporting” the mid-span of the 2X6 floor joists. Finally, it is not a bad idea at all to install blocking in those areas, for reasons such as - providing rigidity and stability to the floor joists, and help prevent twisting and warping - which, in time, can create floor squeaks. I hope the above answers your question. Please let me know if you need further clarification. Thank you for your question and thank you for checking out the content. Be well. Jose M.

Thank you for reaching out. I absolutely agree that knowing where to find the answers to the questions is a big part of passing the exam. Here are some tips that I hope could help you: 1.) Try going through the exam and answer the questions that you may know by memory, as well as the questions that you are comfortable finding in the book. Skip the questions (for later) that you spend more than two minutes finding; remember that you only have 2 minutes per question (oh the pressure!…). However! After you go through the exam and return back to the questions you skipped/saved for later, do not be tempted to change your answer(s) to the questions you completed the first time around. In other words - don’t second guess yourself; the first answer you gave is very likely correct and changing it could not be favorable. Only change it if you feel that it is absolutely incorrect. This has worked for me; I hope this made sense. 2.) Look through the B1 exam Outline that is in the ICC online exam catalogue (here is the link to the catalogue: www.iccsafe.org/certification-exam-catalog/) and put emphasis on studying the chapter’s contents which will have a large percent of the question in the exam; so for example, per the test Outline, a bulk of the questions (27%) are Wall Construction and Coverings (IRC Chapters 6&7), then it cascades down to further breakdown percentages. check it out when you can. 3.) Going back to “how well you know the sections and areas of the book” you mentioned, which I agreed to. I think this begs the question - how exactly does one do this? Well, what has worked for me is familiarizing myself with the Chapter’s contents that are outlined in the one of the first pages of the code titled “EFFECTIVE USE OF THE INTERNATIONAL CODE” (I believe is Page #3), check it out. This actually outlines well the content of each of the chapters. Use this in conjunction with the test Outline mentioned above. 4.) Don’t try and cram things last minute, the day of the exam (this works for some people though); reflect on what you have previously studied instead. 5.) Wearing earplugs works for me! Although your test location may already be quiet, there is something about the further reduction of decibels that allows the thoughts to come through uninterrupted… not sure if that makes sense - but if you are comfortable with earplugs, try it. 6.) ICC has a page “Residential Building Inspector Career Path” which contains online webinars, test preparation and other resources that are specific to the B1 exam. Here is the link: www.iccsafe.org/professional-development/education/residential-building-inspector-career-path/ 7.) And then there are the week-long (or 45-day) seminars (“Guarantee Pass”). These take place throughout California (if you are in the State); if you are in another state, please let me know. The small handful of people that I know who have taken the Guarantee Pass courses have all passed the exam. This could be great for people with personal commitments and constraints that prevents them from dedicating classroom time during off hours, if that makes sense - in fact, the folks who took this already had practical experience as code professional; but because of personal commitments/constraints - some felt they just wanted to get it done... You can do a web search on these courses, but please let me know if you need me to send you a link. Here is my email (jm.wboard@yahoo.com), please let me know if you have any question or if you need clarification on the abovementioned. P.S. Wow, you work in a very small community! Congrats! My first job as a Building Official was in a small community (15k population); it was awesome times, it very much felt like family, tight-knit - and I learned a lot. Like probably you, I had to wear multi-hats; from managing the building department/plan checking/inspections, code enforcement and often helping the permit technician process and issue building permits --- great times! JK Stall -- You know your agency better than I do; however, in my experience, seldom do individuals loose their jobs for being unable to attain the certification; can it happen - I am sure it can; However, it is not unusual for grace periods to be offered - especially if you are providing a great service to the public. But stay on track and attain your certifications. I hope the above helps you. Take care and please keep me posted. Jose M

@@CBO.online I truly appreciate the advice and the time you took to reply to me. That is by far the best advice that I have recieved in my two years as an official. I am in Oklahoma and love my little community. I truly enjoy being an inspector and as you mentioned, many other hats as well. Thank you again, I will reach out.

@@jkstall3131 No problem at all! any time -- and no matter how minor the question may seem, please don't hesitate to reach out. *I edited my above response to clarify further. Take care.

Tab vigorously! The tabs ICC offers are great, but it doesn't really break up the "general" section, which you will need multiple times. I use one color for a particular section, and they are super sticky, much like the icc ones. I know some people list out their tables in ink on a blank page. That helped me on my electrical exam. Good luck! 👍🏼