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INSPECTOR


Certified Flooring Inspector's Newsletter

2007  2008  2009  2010  2011
 
2011 NWFA Sub-Floor Prep and Solid & Pre-finished Installation
 
Certified Flooring Inspectors and FloorReports members John Wabeke- Arizona, Ray Darrah- California, Vincent Ferrante- Arizona, Marty Sures- Nevada attended a 3-day NWFA Sub-floor preparation/Solid & Pre-finished Installation School providing hands-on training for sub-floor preparation on concrete and wood for solid and pre-finished wood flooring installations.

Topics included: self-levelers for concrete, moisture control systems for concrete and wood sub-floors, moisture testing of concrete and wood sub-floors, solid plank over concrete, pre-finished installation over concrete and wood, adhesives, nail down options, correcting wood sub-floors.
  Left to Right
John Wabeke- Arizona, Ray Darrah- California, Vincent Ferrante- Arizona, Marty Sures- Nevada
     
     
   
2011 North American Laminate Flooring Association (NALFA) Inspection Certification Course
 

FloorReports Members attend the North American Laminate Flooring Association (NALFA) Inspection Certification Courses 2011.

Credentialing Expert, Ron Starkey and NALFA President, Bill Dearing taught the course.

The certification training included demonstrations of inspection procedures, moisture meters, plank set measurements, underlayment requirements and structural requirements of the laminate planks. 

Advanced subject matter included the new Laminate floor wear layers, beveled edge technology and locking systems. The day ended with the Certification Exam requiring100% accuracy to obtain final Certification.

The NALFA inspector certification class is the FIRST an ONLY course dedicated exclusively to laminate
flooring and endorsed by the leading North American laminate flooring manufacturers.

The one-day curriculum covered:  
NALFA History
Laminate 101
Installation Requirements
Inspection Tools & Standards
Product Defect Review
Inspection Reporting & Process
Certification Testing
Evaluation

FloorReports is proud to announce the following individuals attended and passed the written exam:

Arizona - Vincent Ferrante
Arizona - John Wabeke
California - Gerry Peckham
California - Kenneth Miyamoto
California - Ray Darrah
Illinois - Bill Zoetvelt
Indiana - Bill Coble
Iowa - Rick Corbin
Maryland - Mark Brown
Maryland- Kent Edel
Michigan- David Zack
Missouri - Richard Olesen
Nevada -Marty Sures
New Hampshire- Richard Mabel
New Jersey- Linda Lockwood
New York - Joseph Villa
New York - Charles Wiedrich
New York - Dave Barkstedt
New York - Steven Rockfeld
North Carolina - Steven Johnston
North Carolina - Tom Hammond
Ohio - Andrew Fronczek
Ohio- Sam Zarcone
Pennsylvania - Anthony Palandro
South Carolina - Ray Servaes
South Carolina - Selva Lee Tucker
Texas - Rusty Davis
Vermont - Richard Reed
West Virginia – Ron Starkey

Keywords- Laminate, floor, flooring, certified, experts, inspection, inspectors

 
 
   

 

 

2010 Engineered Wood Flooring and Laminate Floor Inspector Training
   
 

 
 
Back Row Left to Right-
Professor Phil Mitchell- NCSU, Rick Reed- VT , Steve Johnston- NC, Ray Darrah- CA, Steve Rockfeld-NY, John Wabeke- AZ, Dave Barkstedt-NY

Center Row Left to Right-

Eileen Barkstedt-NY, Anthony Palandro-PA, Ken Howard-MI , Linda Lockwood- NJ, Don Sgroi- NY, Andrew Fronczek- OH, Mark Brown- MD

Bottom Row Left to Right-

Bill Coble- IN, manufacture rep, Bill Zoetvelt- IL, Tom Hammond- NC. Missing- Selva Lee Tucker- SC
   

17 certified flooring inspectors/members of FloorReports.com attended class at North Carolina State University Wood Products Extension, Engineered and Laminate Flooring Update. 

Course Study included:

Advanced Wood-Moisture relations, presented by Dr. Phil Mitchell

Wood anatomy, structure of the cell wall, Moisture Content, Types of Water, Forces that move water, Fiber Saturation Point (FSP), Moisture Content Values, Temperature, humidity and wood, Equilibrium Moisture Content (EMC), Sorbtion Isotherms & Affecting Factors, Differential Shrinkage, Shrinkage and Warp, Calculating dimensional changes. Construction of engineered wood flooring and veneer knife checks.

Laminate Flooring Testing-Standards, presented by Dr. C. A. (Tony) LaPasha

NALFA ((North American Laminate Flooring Association). Static load, thickness swell, visually graded tests, light resistance, stain resistance, cleanability, impact resistance, ball impact resistance, dart impact resistance, wear resistance, dimensional tolerances, castor chair resistnce, surface bonding, joint swell, long side friction, joint strength and coefficient of friction.

 

  Flooring Inspector Training and Certification Updates:
 
Vincent Ferranti, Arizona:
Mohawk Master Craftsman Training, Dalton GA (January 2010)

Marty Sures, Nevada
2010 ~The Mohawk Group Master Craftsman Training, Dalton GA  encompassing Print, CYP, Woven, Carpet Tiles, Tufted Patterns and Lees Unibond Carpet

Penny Sures, Nevada
2010 ~Seminars offered by NTCA in ceramic tile installation and TCNA guidelines
   
2008-2009 Flooring Inspector Training and Certification Updates:
 
David Barkstedt, New York
:
NC (North Carolina) Wood Extension

Paul Pleshek, Wisconsin:
NWFA Commercial Inspectors School  - NICFI Convention

Mark Brown, Maryland:
AFS Sidematch Correction November 2009
NICFI Convention October 2009, Las Vegas NV
North Carolina State University Tropical Hardwood Identification October 2009
North Carolina State University Inspector Symposium July 2009

Vincent Ferranti, Arizona:
Surfaces Seminars, Training (February 2008):Las Vegas, NV
Moisture Related Flooring Problems
Risky Business Installation Failures
Post Installation Failures
Trouble Shooting Concrete
Common Installation Failures
Bona Kemi USA Inspection School (May 2008)
L & N Services, Inc. – Continuing education in Laminate, Solid Surface, Resilient and Hardwood flooring (July 2008)
NICFI (National Institute of Certified Floorcovering Inspectors) Convention & update Training. October 2008.
ITS Hard Surface Inspection Course & Testing (March 2009)
AFS Commercial Carpet Corrections - Mohawk, & Shaw Industries (April 2009)
AFS Carpet Sidematch Color Repair Training & Certification (November 2009)
L & N Armstrong training for Wood (October 2009)
NICFI (National Institute of Certified Floorcovering Inspectors) Convention & update Training (October 2009)

Mike Hallewell, Nevada:
L & N Services
NICFI Convention in Las Vegas October 12-15 2009

John Herwick, Florida
FCITS Woven Class and re -certification at Bloomsburg Carpet

Steven Johnston, North Carolina
AFS Commercial Carpet Corrections (Fred Gamble, Mohawk, & Shaw Industries) (4/1-4/3)
AFS Carpet Sidematch Color Repair Training & Certification (11/16-11/20)
IICRC Carpet Cleaning & Advanced Spot Cleaning recertification update class (1/4-1/5)
AFS Inspector Symposium (8/17-8/21)
ITSFC Carpet Inspector Training & Certification (3/23-3/27)
FCITS Woven Class & Certification (6/1-6/2)
L & N Armstrong training for Wood, Laminate, & Resilient flooring taught by Evin Lauridsen (11/30)
North Carolina State University Wood Extension Department-How to Identify Wood Species And Their Characteristics With Special Instruction Concerning Imported Tropical Wood Flooring Course-Dr. Alex Wiedenhoeft

Ron Ellsworth, Illinois
 2008-Certified Floorcovering Installers (CFI) Technical Certification
2008-Flooring Consultants & Inspection Training Services, Inc. (FCITS)Carpet Inspection Course
2008-Ceramic Tile Education Foundation (CTEF) Ceramic Tile Inspection Course
2008-Advanced Hardwood Flooring Inspection Course (Brickman Consulting)
2008-L&N hard surface training conducted by (ITS) Inspector Training Services
2009-"Laticrete International Inc. Profit Through Knowledge"
for Technical Training in Materials and Methods of ceramic Tile and Stone Technology
2009-Certified Floorcovering Installers (CFI )Carpet & Woven Workshop
2009-Flooring Consultants & Inspection Training Services,Inc. (FCITS) Commercial Carpet Inspection Course
2009-National Wood Flooring Association (NWFACP) Commercial Wood Inspector School
2009- L&N Services (Armstrong) Training

Selva Lee Tucker, South Carolina
NCSU Wood Kiln Drying Course
The Engineered Workshop,
The Engineered Workshop Instruction and Round Table Discussion by the Wood Industry Members at NCSU (wink wink)
The Wood ID Seminar
Three Consultations and Instruction Classes at NCSU in January, July, and November
Two Flooring Guild Educational Conferences.

Linda Lockwood, New Jersey
NOFMA Certified Wood Flooring Inspector Training, Memphis TN
Certified Wood Laboratory at North Carolina State University, NCSU. Engineered Wood Manufacturing Seminar. Course specialty; Engineered Wood Flooring and Wood Floor Finishing.
Certified Wood Laboratory at North Carolina State University, NCSU. Wood Species Identification.
NICFI (National Institute of Certified Floorcovering Inspectors) Convention & update Training, Dalton GA. (October 2008)

Ray Darrah, California
NOFMA Certified Wood Flooring Inspector Training, Memphis TN
Certified Wood Laboratory at North Carolina State University, NCSU. Engineered Wood Manufacturing Seminar. Course specialty; Engineered Wood Flooring and Wood Floor Finishing.
NICFI (National Institute of Certified Floorcovering Inspectors) Convention & update Training Dalton GA (October 2008)

Marty Sures, Nevada
2009 ~Attended ATF Inspector update
~Attained ITS Laminate Inspector Certification
~Attended NWFA Annual Conference
~Attended AFS Commercial Inspector Update
~NICFI Inspector's Convention and Update Training
2008 ~Tarkett commercial vinyl inspection course
~Bona X Inspection School
~NICFI Inspector's Convention and Update Training
~L and N Hard Surface Update
2007 ~AFS Commercial Carpet Inspection, Certified
Commercial Carpet Inspector
~NICFI Inspector's Convention and Update Training
~Inspect Solutions Education Training

Penny Sures, Nevada
2009 ~AFS Side Match Pro update training and certification
~Three courses in ceramic and stone related subjects offered at Surfaces 2009
~Seminars offered by NTCA in ceramic tile installation and TCNA guidelines
~Attended Walkway Auditor training
~Received certificate as Walkway Auditor
~Update Sidematch Pro - AFS
~Two seminars in stone related subjects StoneExpo 2009
2008 ~Two courses in natural stone related subjects offered at StoneExpo 2008
~Certified as IICRC Ceramic Tile Inspector
2007 ~Flooring Technology Institute - IICRC Ceramic Tile Inspection Certification Training
~Three courses in ceramic and stone related subjects

Richard Olesen, Missouri
AFS - Fred Gamble commerical carpet inspections - March, 2009 Dalton, Ga
NWFA - Commerical hardwood inspections - Sept. 09 - St. Louis, MO
NICFI - Convention - Oct. 09 - Las Vagas, NV
Mohawk University - Commerical carpet inspections - Jan. 2010 - Calhoun, Ga

Kent Edel, Maryland
L&N Armstrong training 11/09
 

2007 NICFI Convention

The National Institute of Certified Flooring Inspectors Association held it’s annual Meeting and Convention in Las Vegas Nevada,  October 8th, 9th and 10th, 2007.

The meeting was held at Sam’s Town Casino with participating inspectors being treated to two free nights stay as enticement to hold the function at the World Renowned Casino/Hotel.

The Annual Meeting and Convention consists of Training by Industry Professionals, a business meeting and election of new Corporate Officers.

This years Training topics included Concrete Vapor Emissions, Concrete Structural failures, Hardwood Inspection Procedures, Concrete Preparation and Vapor Sealing.

At the Business Meeting and election of officers, FloorReports Consultant, John Wabeke, was elected Treasurer for the year 2008. The newly elected officers accept duties as of January 1, 2008.

Interviews with FloorReports.com Members and Consultants Raymond Servaes, Ray Darrah, Mark Brown and Richard Kass found the membership upbeat and positive about the future of the Inspectors Association with strong participation anticipated from FloorReports.com members.

 
   
  NOFMA, NWFA, & MFMA Wood Flooring Installation School
 
Steven Rockfeld attended a Four-day  school designed to provide a comprehensive entry-level overview of the wood flooring industry. Learn about different types of wood flooring installations, including factory finished and unfinished solid strip, factory finished and unfinished engineered, and unfinished parquet. Other topics: Wood Properties & Characteristics, Job Site Evaluation/Preparation, Layout, Equipment Use/Maintenance, Safety, Finishing, Trouble Shooting, Floating Floors. Sponsored by NOFMA, NWFA, & MFMA.

*pre-requisite for NOFMA CWFI certification
 
  FCITS: Flooring Consultants and Inspection Training Service

Certified Flooring Inspectors Linda Lockwood, Ray Darrah, and Mike Quinlan attended the FCITS Hard Surface Certification Course.

This course
included a tour of Shaw's Laminate Plant and their new Installation Procedures and defects training facility. The class covered wood, laminate, linoleum, vinyl, rubber, rotogravure, ceramics, stones, in all phases of manufacturing, and installation.
 
   
  NOFMA: The Wood Flooring Manufacturers Association

Certified Flooring Inspectors Ray Darrah, Linda Lockwood, and Steven Rockfeld attended the NOFMA Certified Wood Inspector Training (CWFI). NOFMA Certified Wood Flooring Inspectors undergo  rigorous training and certification procedures to gain the knowledge and experience to diagnose basic to complex flooring issues. These professionals are the most knowledgeable and thoroughly trained inspectors available. Ray Darrah, Linda Lockwood, and Steven Rockfeld are seeking CWFI Certification.


Dave Barkstedt and Mark Brown attended as returning CWFI inspectors/instructors.

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