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.

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
 

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.