Agenda

Webinar instructions will be emailed before the date of the webinar.

Please log into the webinar 15 – 30 minutes before the start time.

Wednesday, February 21, 2024
8:30 am – 3:30 pm CST

 

Distinguishing between Construction Defects and Failures
Presented by: S. Marlow

  • Defining defects
    • Causes of defects: problems with design, materials and/or construction
    • Identifying design and construction practices that could increase/decrease the likelihood of defects
  • Defining failures
  • Causes of failures: deterioration, unintended use, “Acts of God”
  • Identifying practices that can increase/decrease the likelihood of failures

Examining Common Defects and Failures
Presented by: C. Ofori-Amanfo

  • Analyzing defects and failures for methodology and causality
  • Site selection and engineering
  • Building design
  • Foundation design and construction
  • Design and construction of floors, walls and roofing
  • Exploring defects and failures in mechanical and electrical systems

Adopting Practices that Reduce Defects and Failures
Presented by: K. Willems

  • Reviewing proposed use and preparing construction documents
  • Complying with building codes and standards
  • Choosing materials and construction techniques
  • Construction site communication, coordination and other practices that minimize problems
  • Monitoring construction
  • Quality assurance and quality control
  • Correcting problems before project completion
  • Building commissioning, operation and maintenance

Preventing and Resolving Disputes Generated Defects and Failures
Presented by J. Steckler

  • Identifying parties with potential liability
  • Understanding theories of liability and defenses to liability
  • Acting to remediate defects/failures
  • Participating in conflict resolution procedures
  • Reviewing types of damages and how they are calculated
  • Insurance coverage issues

   

Webinar Instructions

All attendees must log-on through their own email – attendees may not watch together if they wish to earn continuing education credit. HalfMoon Education Inc. must be able to prove attendance if either the attendee or HalfMoon Education Inc. is audited.

Certificates of completion can be downloaded in PDF form upon passing a short quiz. A link to the quiz will be sent to each qualifying attendee immediately after the webinar. The certificate can be downloaded from the Results page of the quiz upon scoring 80% or higher.

Webinars are presented via GoToWebinar, an easy-to-use application that can be run on most systems and tablets. Instructions and login information will be provided in an email sent close to the date of the webinar. It is highly recommended that you download, install and test the application before the webinar begins by clicking on the link in the email.

GoToWebinar App requirements:
Windows 7 – 10 or Mac OSX Mavericks (10.9) – macOS Catalina (10.15)

Web Browser:
The two most recent version of the following browsers:
Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Apple Safari, Microsoft Edge
Internet Explorer v11 (or later) with Flash enabled.

Internet connection: Minimum of 1Mbps       Hardware: 2GB RAM or more

For more information, visit the Support section at www.gotowebinar.com

Credits

Engineers
6.0 PDHs

Architects
6.0 HSW CE Hours

AIA - American Institute of Architects
6.0 LU| HSW

ICC - International Code Council
.6 CEUs (Building)

 

Continuing Education Credit Information

This webinar is open to the public and is designed to qualify for 6.0 PDHs for professional engineers and 6.0 HSW continuing education hours for licensed architects in Minnesota.

The Minnesota Board does not pre-approve courses and activities, however to the best of our knowledge this course meets the continuing education requirements outlined in MN Statute 326.107. Final discretion is up to the Board.

The American Institute of Architects Continuing Education System has approved this course for 6.0 HSW LUs (Sponsor No. J885). Only full participation is reportable to the AIA/CES.

The International Code Council has approved this event for .6 CEUs in the specialty area of Building (Preferred Provider No. 1232).

Attendance will be monitored, and attendance certificates will be available after the webinar for those who attend the entire course and score a minimum 80% on the quiz that follows the course (multiple attempts allowed).

On-Demand Credits

The preceding credit information only applies to the live presentation. This course in an on-demand format may not be eligible for the same credits as the live presentation; please consult your licensing board(s) to ensure that a structured, asynchronous learning format is appropriate. The following pre-approvals may be available for the on-demand format upon request:

6.0 HSW LUs (AIA)

Speakers

Sara Marlow

Director of Architecture at CSM Corporation

Ms. Marlow is an Architect with over 20 years of experience across the Retail, Commercial, Industrial, Educational, Hospitality, and Multi-Family sectors. Prior to her work at CSM she was director of architecture for Sitelogiq, an architectural property development manager at BestBuy, and has had positions at several local Minneapolis Architecture firms. She has worked with both internal and external Construction teams, and has managed projects through all phases of construction. Over the course of her career she has worked on both setting and maintaining company standards in an effort to reduce issues related to project documentation. Ms. Marlow is a registered architect in Minnesota, Iowa, Wisconsin, Michigan, Arizona, and Colorado.

Collins O. Y. Ofori-Amanfo, P.E.

Owner and Board Certified Diplomate Forensic Engineer, Principal Engineer

Mr. Ofori-Amanfo’s broad-based experience includes investigation of collapsed structures, investigation of construction defects and damage, investigation of condensation in building envelopes, evaluation of roof and wall leakage, field water spray testing of windows, and assessment of wind and hail damage. His work also involves giving expert testimony and assisting attorneys in resolving disputes over construction and materials-related problems. Prior to establishing Collins Forensics LLC, Mr. Ofori-Amanfo previously worked for many years at Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates, Inc. (WJE), the Illinois Department of Transportation, and Twin City Testing Corporation. He received his B.S. degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Science and Technology in Ghana and his M.S. degree in Structural Engineering from the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis. Mr. Ofori-Amanfo is a registered professional engineer in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, Illinois, North Dakota, Nebraska, and Missouri.

Jon Steckler

Madigan, Dahl & Harlan, P.A.

Mr. Steckler’s practice is focused on commercial and business law and related litigation and appeals. Serving as general corporate counsel for companies in various industries, Mr. Steckler regularly advises clients on a broad range of issues facing businesses on a day-to-day basis. He advises on and prepares complex commercial contracts, franchise agreements, distribution contracts, construction contracts, non-compete agreements, commercial leases, and asset and stock purchase agreements. In addition to representing clients in general commercial, corporate and operational matters, Mr. Steckler represents companies and individuals in state and federal courts, licensing, and regulatory tribunals and in alternative dispute resolution in jurisdictions nationwide. Assessment and management of risk for clients on wide-ranging operational and strategic issues, timely issue spotting and front-end problem solving are among Mr. Steckler’s core strengths.

Kyle Willems

Bassford Remele

Mr. Willems is a litigator primarily practicing in business and tort litigation. His business litigation practice mainly focuses on the real estate and construction sectors, where he guides clients through construction defect, mechanic’s lien, contract and quasi-contract, commercial, and general liability disputes. As a tort litigator, Mr. Willems concentrates on complex cases that involve wrongful death, serious bodily injury, and substantial property damage.Mr. Willems has significant experience representing both individuals and companies during the course of litigation, and at mediation, arbitration, trial, and on appeal. He recently obtained a substantial jury verdict in favor of his client in an insurance subrogation action. He also successfully got a discrimination lawsuit dismissed against his client on summary judgment in federal court. Mr. Willems is a member of the Minnesota State Bar Association’s Construction Law Section Council and the Association of General Contractors Contracts Committee, He recently served on the executive board of the Minnesota State Bar Association. Mr. Willems is recognized as a Minnesota Rising Star by Super Lawyers in construction and personal injury, and has been selected as an Up & Coming Attorney by Minnesota Lawyer. He was also recently named a Top Lawyer by Minnesota Monthly in construction law. Mr. Willems serves as co-chair of Bassford Remele’s Construction Practice Group and is a member of its Diversity, Equity, Inclusion Team and Pro Bono Committee.

AIA Info

AIA Provider Statement:

HalfMoon Education Inc. is a registered provider of AIA-approved continuing education under Provider Number J885. All registered AIA/CES Providers must comply with the AIA Standards for Continuing Education Programs. Any questions or concerns about this provider of learning program may be sent to AIA/CES (cesupport@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.

Course Title: Preventing and Addressing Construction Defects and Failures in Minnesota

Delivery Method: Live Online

Course Description: This six-hour course will explain what constitutes a construction defect and failure and the differences between them, examine common defects and failures, provide a wide range of practices that reduce defects and failures, and discusses the resolution process for disputes generated by these defects and failures.

Learning Objectives:

Learning Objective 1:
Learners will be able to define construction defects and failures, identify their causes, and explain the differences between them.

Learning Objective 2:
Learners will be able to describe the procedures for examining and analyzing common construction defects and failures for methodology and causality.

Learning Objective 3:
Learners will be able to adopt practices that reduce defects and failures, such as complying with building codes, choosing quality materials, monitoring construction, and commissioning.

Learning Objective 4:
Learners will be able to discuss how disputes generated by construction defects and failures are commonly resolved, such as mediation, arbitration and litigation.

LUs: 6.0                                                                                              LU Type: LU|HSWs.

Prerequisites: Familiarity with construction practices and techniques

Advance Preparation: None

Program Level: Intermediate

Course Expiration Date: 12/18/2026

Complaint Resolution Policy:

Complaints regarding this course can be emailed to fchapman@halfmoonseminars.org or by calling (715) 835-5900. A HalfMoon Education representative will respond within 72 hours to resolve the complaint, which will include, but not limited to, access to another CE activity at no or reduced cost or a full or partial refund. Each instance will be resolved on a case-by-case situation.