TO REGISTER, ACCESS THE REGISTRATION PAGE HERE

Date: October 2, 2025
Time: 1:00 p.m. EDT – 2:30 p.m. EDT
Price: $110.00-Member/$155.00-Nonmember

Continuing Education Credit Statement
This course is approved for 1.5 IIBEC CEH
This course has been submitted for AIA CES
AIA Provider Number: G024

Registration price listed is for one individual registration.  For information on group pricing, reach out to education@iibec.org

Live virtual course sessions will take place via Zoom.  Registrants will receive an email to confirm enrollment in the course in the LearnUpon platform to access the live session login information.

Course Description 

Effective communication – both written and verbal – is essential in the building enclosure industry. Written reports are often a significant product of our services. Frequently, these reports are the sole deliverable to our clients. Reports need to be clear and articulate, and they should present accurate facts. This presentation will discuss the role of guidelines such as the IIBEC Manual of Practice and ASTM D7186 standards in observation and reporting. Additionally, we will review report formatting, creative and liberal use of adverbs, provision of facts, and maintenance of third-party impartiality. On project sites, contractors, architects/engineers, and owners use different vernacular and methods of communication to effectively relate with each party. We will explore real-life situations where communication in the field is modified relative to the party engaged in the discussion while ensuring consistent information is communicated with all parties. Further, serving as an expert witness in a litigious scenario requires different communication when discussing litigious items with an attorney, client, jury, or judge. Depositions and testimony can be stressful when opposing parties attempt to discredit and undermine experts’ findings, with each side advocating for their client. In this presentation, we will discuss the importance of the expert witness to remain composed, impartial, and confident in the their findings regardless of the accusations.

Learning Objectives

1. Recognize ASTM D7186 standards and IIBEC recommended practices related to observation and reportin
2. Identify effective tools for consistency in reporting through exploration of examples.
3. Discuss methods for effectively communicating with contractors, architects, and owners while in the field.
4. Explore approaches to depositions and testimony to enhance effectiveness as an expert witness.

Recommended Prerequisite Knowledge

A basic understanding of ASTM E2018 Standard Guide for Property Condition Assessments, ASTM D7186 Standard Practice of Quality Assurance Observation of Roof Construction and Repair would be beneficial. This presentation will expand the basics of the ASTM standards specifically for the building enclosure industry.

Speaker
Aaron Nelson, RBEC, RCC, RWO, RRO REWC
Roofing Technical Services

Aaron B. Nelson is the president of Roofing Technical Services. He started in the roofing industry just after graduating from high school by working as a sheet metal fabricator/installer. Working his way in to the office of a commercial roofing contractor in Seattle, Washington, he worked as an estimator/project manager for 10 years. In 2004 he joined the consulting side of roofing and started working on projects across the nation. Nelson and team at RTS provided consulting and quality assurance observations for their clients throughout the nation, working with various code and climate conditions that make each project unique. Nelson serves as the chair of the IIBEC Education Committee.

Moderator
Samir Ibrahim, F-IIBEC, AIA, CSI
JSI Global Envelope Consulting
IIBEC Education Advisor

Samir Ibrahim is the former design services director of a leading roofing and waterproofing materials manufacturer, where he served for over 40 years. his responsibilities included the oversight of all design and code compliance testing activities as well as the development of educational programs to advance collaboration within the design and building consultant community. Ibrahim has authored and coauthored papers on sustainability, resilience, and roof color and energy (published in the Huffington Post in 2013).  He has presented at several international roofing and waterproofing events in the United States and abroad. Ibrahim also served as a panelist on vegetative roofing and roof sustainability during the International Conference on Waterproof Membranes.  In additional to his role at JSI global, Ibrahim current serves as the education advisor for IIBEC.

Course Author
Aaron Nelson, RBEC, RRC, RWO, RRO, REWC

Continuing Education Credit Statement
This course is approved for 1.5 IIBEC CEH
This course has been submitted for AIA CES
AIA Provider Number: G024

After the conclusion of this course, learners will be able to complete the evaluation surveys and download a Certificate of Completion in LearnUpon. Learners are responsible for self-reporting IIBEC CEH credit by uploading their Certificate of Completion to their IIBEC Portal.

AIA CES Provider Statement
IIBEC is a registered provider of AIA-approved continuing education under Provider Number G024. All registered AIA CES Providers must comply with the AIA Standards for Continuing Education Programs. Any questions or concerns about this provider or this learning program may be sent to AIA CES (cessupport@aia.org or (800) AIA 3837, Option 3). This learning program is registered with AIA CES for continuing professional education. As such, it does not include content that may be deemed or construed to be an approval or endorsement by the AIA of any material of construction or any method or manner of handling, using, distributing, or dealing in any material or product. AIA continuing education credit has been reviewed and approved by AIA CES. Learners must complete the entire learning program to receive continuing education credit. AIA continuing education Learning Units earned upon completion of this course will be reported to AIA CES for AIA members. Certificates of Completion for both AIA members and non-AIA members are available upon request.