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Building Inspection Tech --- BIT

About the Building Inspection Technology Department

Course work prepares students for careers as building officials and can apply to continuing education requirements in the field. Classes scheduled evenings and weekends; ideal for working adults and career changers. BIT courses are available alternate terms at North Hennepin Community College and students may be jointly enrolled. Course descriptions for BIT courses appear below. For faculty contact information and websites (if available), use the staff search function link below and select Building Inspection Technology in "Department." For degree and certificate information, click on the link below for Career Programs and go to Biomedical Technology in the alphabetical listing of programs.

Course Descriptions


BIT 1000  Introduction to Building Inspection

2 cr

Provides an introduction to the field of building inspection. The student will learn about the history of codes, what codes and standards are and how they are developed, along with receiving an introduction to plan reading, field inspections, department administrations, and information on the industry and types of positions that work in a building department. This course is intended to provide a student with a broad overview of the building inspection industry and is suited for students working towards a career in the code enforcement industry.


BIT 1100  Field Inspection

2 cr

Provides a basic understanding of how to conduct field inspections under the International Residential Code. Students will learn about building components and systems, and how building code requirements are applied to these systems during construction. This course is intended for a student that is working towards a career in the construction industry as an inspector or as a project manager. Prereq: BIT 1000.


BIT 1189  Internship

2 cr

Provides supervised work experience in building inspection. Provides opportunity for hands-on involvement with industry. Recommended for pre-service students. Prereq: Permission of Building Inspection Internship Coordinator.


BIT 1210  Advanced Field Inspection

2 cr

Offers the experienced construction inspector an understanding of the more detailed requirements of the International Building Code. Topics covered will include extensions of the standards as referenced in the International Building Code. Emphasis will be on commercial, industrial, and multi-story building. Prereq: BIT 1100.


BIT 1215  Building Construction Plan Reading

2 cr

Emphasizes symbols used in the production of architectural, structural, mechanical, and electrical drawing. Course includes interpretation of drawing details, sections, elevations, floor plans, etc. This course should be of value to students interested in drafting, estimating, and construction.


BIT 1300  Plan Review Non-Structural

2 cr

Emphasizes techniques for plan review on single family dwellings, townhomes, and accessory structures associated with dwellings, in accordance with the current Minnesota State Building Code. Discussion topics include egress components, basic fire and life safety, building construction techniques, and other requirements related to residential dwellings. Prerequisites: Recommended: BIT 1000.


BIT 1305  Advanced Plan Review Nonstructural

2 cr

Emphasizes techniques for plan review on commercial, industrial, and multi-family structures in accordance with the Minnesota State Building Code. Discussion topics shall include, but not be limited to, occupancy classification, allowable area, types of construction, fire resistive construction, fire protection requirements, and exiting. Prereq: BIT 1000 and BIT 1300.


BIT 1310  Plan Review Structural

2 cr

Introduces the techniques of conducting the structural plan review of a building design with special emphasis on wood frame construction, wood beams, joists, rafters, studs, columns, and shear-resisting elements. Students will learn how to apply relevant equations to compute load, shear and other relevant structural forces. Prerequisites: Recommended: BIT 1215.


BIT 1400  Housing Inspection

2 cr

Is an introductory course in housing inspection for both experienced inspectors and individuals working in closely related fields. Emphasis is placed on housing standards and inspection procedures. Various public agency, housing inspections programs are covered.


BIT 1410  Mechnical Inspection

4 cr

Acquaints the student with the methods and techniques using the Minnesota Mechanical Code in plan review and field inspection of mechanical systems that include heating, ventilations, air conditioning, and refrigeration. The course is intended for anyone looking for a BIT degree/certificate, students pursuing a construction management degree, or those entering the mechanical inspection field. Prerequisites: Recommended: BIT 1000, MATH 0092, and BIT 1215 or equivalent knowledge.


BIT 1420  Electrical Inspection

2 cr

Acquaints the student with a working knowledge of plan review and field inspection relative to the international electrical code and the state code. Students will have the opportunity to study electrical design and perform electrical computations. Prerequisites: Recommended: BIT 1215 or equivalent knowledge.


BIT 1600  Building for Energy Conservation

2 cr

Introduces the student to energy saving principles in building design and construction and how these principles are used to evaluate building plans and existing buildings.


BIT 1700  Plumbing Inspection

3 cr

Familiarizes the student with the Minnesota Plumbing Code and provides a comprehensive overview of common plumbing materials and practices. This course is intended for anyone interested in a building inspection technology degree/certificate or those entering the plumbing inspection field. Prereq: Recommended: BIT 1000, BIT 1215 or equivalent knowledge.


BIT 1800  Housing Field Inspection Fundamentals

2 cr

Provides both new and experienced housing inspectors with historical and current techniques and materials used in the construction of the structural, electrical and mechanical components within existing residential structures. The course focuses on common construction and installation techniques and equipment, while giving special emphasis to the visible indicators of system deterioration and failure and hazardous and/or non-professional installations.


BIT 2000  Public Administration for the Code Official

3 cr

Provides students with foundational concepts for working, supervising and managing in a governmental organization. Through case studies and other class exercises, the student will learn the fundamentals of public administration, human resource principles and law, and local government budgeting. Current issues in the industry will be discussed and integrated into the course as appropriate. The course will provide students with an understanding of public administration as it relates to a code official.


BIT 2020  Legal Aspects of Code Administration

2 cr

Consists of an overview of modern administrative government, legal responsibilities in building inspection, inspector authority, courtroom procedures, building inspection liability, the application of legal rules pertaining to public negligence, governmental liability, and ethics. This class is intended for governmental officials, building inspectors, elected official, contractors, and real estate professionals. Prereq: BIT 1000.


BIT 2100  Soils and Concrete Technology

3 cr

Familiarizes students with the history and fundamentals of concrete, admixtures, soils and aggregates. The student will understand the interactions of concrete, weather, and soil conditions; the proper placement of concrete; bearing capacity of soils; and the basic principles of concrete and soil inspection.


BIT 2300  Advanced Plan Review Structural

2 cr

Introduces advanced engineering principles with emphasis on the principles of mechanics using examples and problems applicable to wood, steel, concrete, and masonry construction. Prerequisite: BIT 1310.


BIT 2400  Land Use Zoning

2 cr

Offers an understanding of land use and zoning regulations. These regulations include variances, conditional uses, grading and preliminary plats. Students will learn what a municipal ordinance is and the state regulations for county and municipal governments to enforce them. Also, included are the DNR regulations pertaining to shoreline and flood plain elevations.


BIT 2500  Fire Suppression Systems

2 cr

Provides information regarding the fire and life safety requirements of the Uniform Building Code.


BIT 2650  Administering the Minnesota State Building Code

2 cr

Shows students that the role of the building official is a complex one. Key aspects of a building official's job involve: having a solid understanding of codes and standards, an understanding of how to properly administer these codes and standards, along with working with various federal, state, and local agencies in order to provide conditions for a safe built environment. This course will bring together the concepts that the student has collected throughout the BIT curriculum, and apply this knowledge in a comprehensive review of the role of the building official. This course will provide essential background and understanding of how to properly administer the Minnesota State Building Code. This course is recommended for current and future building officials, inspectors, and other interested parties. Prereq: BIT 1000, 1100, 1300, and 2020 or approval of instructor.



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2500 East 80th Street, Inver Grove Heights, Minnesota 55076-3224
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