FHWA-NHI-130055: Safety Inspection of In-Service Bridges

FHWA-NHI-130055 Safety Inspection of In-Service Bridges

Sponsored by the Continuing Education Committee
Monday, October 21, 2024 – Friday, November 1, 2024
Hilton Garden Inn Worcester, 35 Major Taylor Boulevard, Worcester, MA
Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM

This 10-day course is based on the 2022 FHWA “Bridge Inspector’s Reference Manual” (BIRM), National Bridge Inspection Standards (2022 NBIS), and the FHWA Specifications for the National Bridge Inventory (SNBI) and provides training on the safety inspection of in-service highway bridges. The course has undergone significant improvements in format and content including required bridge inspection in-the-field exercises, curriculum on the application of the SNBI and AASHTO element level condition ratings, and updated activities that maximize participant engagement throughout the course. The topics covered include fundamentals of bridge inspection; bridge materials; documenting bridge inspection data; inspection and evaluation of decks, superstructures, bearings, substructures, culverts, and waterways; and bridge inspection reporting.

Course participants are required to attend 100% of the sessions of the course and successfully complete mid-term and end-of-course assessments with a cumulative score of 70% or better to receive a certificate of completion. Satisfactory completion of this course will fulfill the training requirements of the National Bridge Inspection Standards (NBIS) for a comprehensive training course.

On the mornings of Wednesday, and Thursday, October 30 and 31, all attendees and instructors will be visiting nearby bridges to do in-person inspection exercises. These visits will be to in-service bridges and attendees will be examining the underside of the bridges. Bridges are selected based on the fact that they can be viewed from a public sidewalk or parking area, and participants must remain in these areas for the duration of the exercise. A bus is being chartered to take participants to and from these bridges and the hotel. 

All attendees must wear work boots, a hard hat, high visibility safety vest, and outdoor attire on these mornings. Please keep weather in mind. In addition, course participants are required to review, sign, and submit a BSCES Assumption of Risk and Liability waiver, which should be submitted to bsces@engineers.org no later than Friday, September 6, 2024.

Should the weather on the scheduled days be inclement and prohibit the instructors from leading this outdoor exercise, inspections will take place virtually. In preparation for this, participants should bring a laptop computer to the course on these days.

Participant Prerequisite Requirement: 
Prior to taking this course, all participants must submit a certificate showing that they have passed one of the following pre-requisite courses: 1) FHWA-NHI-130101, Introduction to Safety Inspection of In-Service Bridges, a 14-hour Self-Directed Training (SDT) and assessment; or 2) FHWA-NHI-130101A Prerequisite Assessment for Safety Inspection of In-Service Bridges, a Self-Directed Training (SDT) assessment only (test out). Certificates should be submitted to bsces@engineers.org.

Registration Deadline: Friday, September 6, 2024
Registration Fees: $3,900 Members, $4,400 Non-Members
Registration fee includes course materials, continental breakfast, breaks, and lunch.

Information/Registration: 
Attendance for this program is limited to 30 participants. Reservations will be accepted on a first-come first-served paid registration basis. Payment must be received with registration to secure a slot. Register to attend this course and pay by credit card online by clicking Registration above. To register online for an event at the BSCES member rate you must login using your BSCES assigned username and password. If you do not know your login information email bsces@engineers.org or call 617/227-5551. You can also register for this event by mail or email. To do so, download and complete a BSCES Event Registration Form and follow the submission instructions. Individuals who attempt to register after the course is closed will be added to a waiting list. Cancellations or no shows after September 6, 2024 will be billed.