Pre-Drywall Inspection Course
Welcome to InterNACHI's free, online "Pre-Drywall Inspection Course." This course is provided by our accredited college at internachi.edu. This course is self-paced and includes an open-book exam. This course covers the "2018 IRC® Performing Residential Building Inspections" and the 2024 International Residential Code (IRC®).
Take the free online course now.
A pre-drywall inspection, also known as a rough-in inspection, is a critical phase in the construction process of a new home or renovation project.
This inspection occurs after the foundation, framework, roofing, exterior covering, doors, windows, mechanical systems, plumbing, and electrical have been installed and before the insulation and interior walls and ceilings are covered.
The primary purpose of a pre-drywall inspection is to verify that the structural, mechanical, plumbing, and electrical systems have been installed correctly and comply with building codes, plans, and specifications. This inspection provides an opportunity to identify and correct any issues before they become hidden behind drywall, where they could be more costly and challenging to address.
Goal:
The goal of this course is to equip you with the knowledge and skills needed to perform thorough pre-drywall inspections, ensuring that the foundation, roofing, framing, building features, mechanical, plumbing, and electrical systems of a residential building are properly installed, code-compliant, and free from defects before the insulation and interior wall covering are installed. By the end of this training, you will be able to confidently identify and address potential issues before they are hidden behind drywall, ultimately safeguarding the safety, durability, and overall quality of the building.
Course Objectives:
By the end of this course, you will be able to:
- Understand the Purpose of a Pre-Drywall Inspection
- Recognize the Importance of Code Compliance
- Review Key Building Elements and Terminology
- Follow Step-by-Step Inspection Guidelines
- Conduct a Pre-Drywall Inspection
- Inspect Systems and Components in Detail
- Verify Proper Installation of Foundation, Framing, Roofing, Mechanical, Plumbing, and Electrical Systems
Course includes:
- 210.0 InterNACHI® CE credit hours;
- 448,374 words in the course;
- 448,000-word course textbook;
- 12 hours 50 minutes of instructional video;
- dozens of technical illustrations and inspection images;
- 350 quiz reinforcement study questions in 32 quizzes;
- inspection and writing assignment;
- research and writing assignment;
- 100-question final exam (drawn from a larger pool of 350);
- instant grading;
- a downloadable, printable Certificate of Completion.
You will learn the following inspection topics:
- Foundation
- Decay and Termite Protection
- Framing
- Exterior Wall Covering
- Roof Framing
- Roof Covering
- Building Features
- Mechanical
- Plumbing
- Electrical
The following is a list of course topics in more detail:
- Welcome to the Course
- Welcome
- Student Verification
- Progressing Through the Course
- Introduction
- Getting Trained and Certified
- Begin
- Student Resources
- Library and Learning Resources
- InterNACHI® and Our School
- Course References and Textbook
- Course References and Textbook
- Pre-Drywall Inspection Standards of Practice
- Understanding Code
- This Training Is Based on Code
- Student Interactivity
- Student Interactivity
- Rough-In Inspection
- Goal and Objectives
- Rough-In Inspection Process
- Video: Inspection with Philip Dancer, Part 1
- Video: Inspection with Philip Dancer, Part 1
- Quiz, Philip Dancer, Part 1
- Foundation
- Goal, Objectives, and Standards
- Introduction
- Surface Drainage
- Video: Surface Drainage Inspection
- Foundation Anchorage
- Foundation Drainage, Waterproofing, and Dampproofing
- Under-Floor Space
- Shrinkage Cracks in Poured Concrete Foundations
- Step-by-Step Inspection Process
- Pre-Drywall Foundation Inspection Checklist
- Inspection Scenario
- Conclusion
- Quiz
- Decay and Termite Protection
- Objective, Standards, Tasks, and Writing Assignment
- Common Terms
- Climatic and Geographic Design Criteria
- Termite Infestation Probability Map
- Protection Against Subterranean Termites
- Safeguarding Wood and Wood-Based Products from Decay
- Fasteners and Connectors for Treated Wood
- Task 1: Decay Protection Inspection
- Step 1 to Step 5
- Species Naturally Resistant to Decay
- Task 2: Termite Protection Inspection
- Inspection Steps
- Decay and Termite Protection Inspection Checklist
- Decay and Termite Protection Inspection 1-3
- Summary of Decay and Termite Protection Inspection
- Floor and Ceiling Framing
- Objective and Common Terms
- Building Standards and Terminology
- Common Lumber Types
- Six Key Tasks
- Quiz
- Task 1: Inspection of Allowable Spans and Materials
- Climatic and Geographic Design Criteria as It Relates to Termites
- Floor Lumber General Grade Marks
- Floor Framing Design and Construction
- Allowable Floor Joist Spans
- Tables R502.3.1(1) and R502.3.1(2)
- Roof Lumber General Grade Marks
- Roof Framing Design and Construction
- Allowable Ceiling Joist Spans
- Tables R802.5.1(1) and R802.5.1(2)
- Girder and Header Spans
- Example Inspection of Floor Joist Span and Girder
- Quiz Spans
- Video: Inspection with Paul and Jeff
- Video: Inspection with Paul and Jeff
- Quiz with Paul and Jeff
- Task 2: Joist, Beam and Girder Bearing Inspection
- Common Terms
- Example Inspection of Joist, Beam, and Girder Bearing
- Inspection of Rafter and Ceiling Joist Bearing
- Quiz Joist Beam Girder
- Task 3: Cutting, Notching, and Bored Holes Inspection
- Video: Inspecting Notches, Cuts, and Bored Holes
- Simple Span, Cantilever, Tension, and Compression
- Cutting, Notching, and Drilling of Floor and Roof Framing
- Step-By-Step Inspection of Cutting, Notching, and Bored Holes
- Quiz Cutting Notching Boring
- Task 4: Floor and Ceiling Framing Fastening Inspection
- Fastening of Floor and Wall Framing
- Section R502.9 Fastening
- Nailing Techniques (End, Face, Blind, and Toe)
- Fastening Schedule for Various Components
- Step-By-Step Inspection of Fastening
- Quiz Floor Ceiling Framing Fastening
- Task 5: Floor and Ceiling Header Inspection
- Floor Joists and Framing Openings
- Key Components in Floor Construction
- Floor Framing Inspection Checklist
- Common Terms
- Example Inspection of Floor and Ceiling Headers
- Short Checklist Summary
- Quiz Floor Ceiling Header
- Task 6: Joist Lateral Support and Bridging Inspection
- Inspecting Lateral Restraint and Bridging (Floors and Ceilings)
- Inspecting Solid Blocking and Diagonal Bridging
- Quiz Joist Lateral Bridging
- Floor and Ceiling Framing Inspection: Summary
- Floor and Ceiling Framing Inspection Checklist
- Summary
- Video: Inspection with Philip Dancer, Part 2
- Video: Inspection with Philip Dance, Part 2
- Quiz with Philip Part 2
- Exterior Wall Covering
- Exterior Siding
- Water Resistance and Barrier
- Siding Clearance
- Flashing and Soffits
- Aluminum Fascia Installation
- Bearing Wall Inspection
- Objective
- Building Standards
- Five Tasks to Inspecting Wall Framing
- Task 1: Bearing Wall Inspection
- Framing Details
- Common Terms in Wood Wall Framing
- Wood Wall Framing Products
- Stud Grade Requirements
- Fastening at Floor, Wall, and Roof Framing
- Fastening Schedule
- Example Inspection of a Bearing Wall
- Quiz Bearing Wall
- Task 2: Cutting, Notching, and Bored Holes Inspection
- Drilling and Notching of Studs
- Inspection Scenarios
- Quiz Cutting Notching Bored Holes
- Task 3: Wall Header Inspection
- Common Terms
- Girder and Header Spans
- Inspection Scenarios
- Task 4: Wall Bracing Inspection
- Wall Bracing and Simplified Methods
- Example Inspection of Wall Bracing
- Task 5: Fireblocking Inspection
- Fireblocking Requirements and Materials
- Example Inspection of Fireblocking
- Wall Framing Inspection Summary
- Wall Framing Inspection Checklist
- Wall Framing Inspection Activity
- Video: Inspection with Paul and Bill from Simpson Strong Tie
- Video: Inspection with Paul and Bill from Simpson Strong Tie
- Quiz with Paul and Simpson Strong Tie
- Roof Framing Inspection
- Objective and Code Standards
- Task 1: Rafter Materials and Allowable Spans Inspection
- Common Terms
- Quiz for Roof Framing Inspection Terms
- Wood Roof Framing
- Allowable Rafter Spans
- Example Inspection of Roof Framing
- Task 2: Cutting, Notching, and Bored Holes Inspection
- Cutting, Drilling, and Notching of Roof Framing Members
- Example Inspection of Rafter Cutting, Notching, and Bored Holes
- Task 3: Roof Framing Inspection
- Framing Details and Bearing
- Example Roof Framing Inspection
- Quiz Roof Framing
- Task 4: Roof Truss and Tie-Down Inspection
- Truss Design
- Roof Uplift Resistance
- Roof Framing Inspection Checklist
- Quiz Roof Truss Tie-Down
- Floor, Wall, and Roof Sheathing Inspection
- OSB vs. Plywood
- Roof Sheathing Thickness
- Roof Covering Inspection
- Objectives, Standards, and Tasks
- Roof Ventilation and Access
- Ice Barriers and Underlayment
- Step-by-Step Inspection for Roof Covering
- Quiz Roof Covering
- Light and Ventilation Inspection
- Light, Ventilation, Heating, and Sanitation Requirements
- Quiz Light
- Emergency Escape and Rescue Openings Inspection
- Quiz Escape
- Stairs and Landings Inspection
- Means of Egress Inspection
- Quiz Egress
- Handrails, Guards, and Window Fall Protection
- Quiz Handrail
- Video: Inspection with Jeff and Evan
- Quiz with Jeff and Evan
- Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarms
- Quiz Smoke
- Mechanical and Fuel Gas Inspection
- Appliance Location and Access
- Installation of Specific Gas-Fired Appliances
- Exhaust Systems
- Quiz Mechanical
- Duct System Inspection
- Duct Systems
- Combustion Air
- Gas-Fired Appliance Inspection
- Chimneys and Vents
- Inspecting Chimneys and Vents
- Category I & IV Gas Appliance Venting Systems
- Inspecting Gas Appliance Venting Systems
- Fuel Gas Piping
- Inspecting Gas Piping Installations
- Plumbing
- Inspection of Water Supply, Distribution, and Drainage Systems
- Quiz Plumbing
- Electrical Services
- Key Electrical Terms
- Quiz Electrical Terms
- Service Entrance Requirements
- Quiz Electrical Services
- Branch Circuits and Feeders
- Branch Circuit and Feeder Requirements
- Wiring
- NM and SE Cables
- Power and Lighting
- Receptacle Outlets
- Ground-Fault and Arc-Fault Protection
- Devices and Luminaires
- Switches and Receptacles
| Pre-Drywall Inspection Course | ||
|---|---|---|
| Course Example # 4526 | ||
| www.nachi.org/pre-drywall-inspection-course | ||
| Student Work | Time Calculation | Estimated Clock Hour Time for the Average Student |
| Attendance for "Seat Time" 1 | # of minutes of student attendance / 50 | 100 |
| Participation in Learning Activities 2 | # of minutes of online student participation / 50 | 4 |
| Interactivity 3 | # of minutes of student interactivity / 50 | 60 |
| Reading the Course Text 4 | # of words in the course / 100 words per minute / 50 | 100 |
| Reading the Course Textbook 5 | # of words in the book / 100 words per minute / 50 / 2 | 50 |
| Academic Engagement 6 | # of words in the course / 100 / 50 | 10 |
| Direct Communication 7 | # of minutes of communication / 50 | 2.0 |
| Instructional Video Learning 8 | # of minutes of video / 50 | 15 |
| Reinforcement Q & A 9 | # of questions X 1.85 / 50 | 4.0 |
| Writing Assignment of the Inspection 10 | 2.0 hours per assignment | 2.0 |
| Writing Assignment of the Research 11 | 3.0 hours per assignment | 3.0 |
| Academic Activities for an Inspection 12 | 4.0 hours for each inspection assignment | 4.0 |
| Performing an Inspection 13 | 6.0 hours for each inspection | 6.0 |
| * nachi.org/catalog-credit-hour-calculation | ||
| Total clock hours | 210.0 clock hours 210.0 InterNACHI CE Hours 21.0 CEU |
Reminder to members: InterNACHI's Code of Ethics 1.10 requires that you comply with all government rules and licensing requirements of the jurisdiction where you conduct business. InterNACHI's courses and Standards generally exceed the Standards of Practice that you are required to abide by locally.
This course has been approved by:
- the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors;
- the Master Inspector Certification Board;
- the International Association of Certified Indoor Air Consultants;
- the Certified Commercial Property Inspectors Association; and
- many government agencies and licensing boards.
Upon completion of this course and passing the final exam, the student can download and print their own Certificate of Completion, which is auto-generated in their name.
The student's (InterNACHI member's) information is recorded on InterNACHI's servers for membership compliance verification, and the completion is automatically entered into InterNACHI's online Continuing Education log.
Members will need their username and password. If you have forgotten your password, CLICK HERE (instant response) or email [email protected] and request it (don't forget your name).
InterNACHI... #1 in inspection education.
