Southwestern Wisconsin Building Inspectors Association UA

05/21/2026

Building Safety Month – Week 3: Prepared to Protect

The Southwest Wisconsin Building Inspectors Association recognizes the importance of disaster preparedness and resilient construction.

Prepared communities are protected communities. Strong building codes, emergency planning, and resilient buildings help reduce the impacts of severe weather and other emergencies.

Take time to prepare by:
- Creating an emergency kit
- Planning evacuation routes
- Learning how to safely shut off utilities
- Preparing your property before storm season

Modern building codes and safe construction practices play a critical role in protecting lives and property during disasters.

05/15/2026

Building Safety Month – Week 2: Voices of the Built Environment

This week, the Southwest Wisconsin Building Inspectors Association recognizes the professionals who help keep our communities safe every day. Building inspectors, fire inspectors, contractors, tradespeople, and design professionals all play an important role in creating safe and resilient communities.

A great example of this teamwork was shared at our May meeting, where Mark Mlekush, Division Chief with the Fitchburg Fire Department, presented on hoarding and the safety concerns it can create. His presentation highlighted how fire departments, building inspectors, health officials, and other agencies work together to protect residents and keep communities safe.

Safety is a team effort, and we appreciate all the professionals across Wisconsin who work hard every day to build and maintain safe homes, businesses, and public spaces.

05/07/2026

Building Safety Month – Week 1: Safe Homes, Strong Communities

The Southwest Wisconsin Building Inspectors Association is proud to support Building Safety Month by highlighting the importance of home safety and routine maintenance.

Many everyday hazards can be prevented with simple awareness and upkeep.

Watch for:

- Overloaded outlets and unattended cooking
- Damaged electrical cords or outdated wiring
- Plumbing leaks and slippery surfaces
- Poor lighting or uneven walking areas
- Blocked emergency exits

A few simple maintenance steps can make a big difference:

- Test smoke and carbon monoxide alarms
- Clean dryer vents
- Check for plumbing leaks
- Maintain exterior areas around your home

Planning a home project this year? Proper permits and code-compliant construction help ensure your home is safe, efficient, and built to last.

04/17/2026

It is with great sadness that we share the passing of our beloved SWWBIA member, fellow building inspector, and brother, Terrance “T” Welsh, who has been called home to eternal rest.

T was a truly selfless and remarkable man, a leader, mentor, and friend to so many. He was always willing to lend a hand, offer guidance, and share his knowledge, leaving a lasting impact on everyone he met.

We extend our sincerest condolences to Max, their 3 boys, and anyone who knew and loved T. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.

03/12/2026

Over the past few weeks, we had a great time hosting our Annual Winter Code Updates!

Our first sessions were held February 10–12, covering Commercial Electric, 1 & 2 Family Electric, and UDC. We were fortunate to have a wonderful panel of experts who helped answer electrical questions that have been submitted to the state in 2025.

Our second week of sessions took place March 9–11, focusing on Commercial Building, UDC, and Plumbing. These sessions continued the great conversations and learning opportunities for everyone involved.

We also held our Membership Meeting on March 10, followed by our banquet. It was a great evening to connect, reflect on the year, and celebrate the people who make our association strong.

A special congratulations to:

John Crook on his retirement from the City of Fitchburg, thank you for your years of service and dedication.

Char Martin, recipient of the President’s Award, in recognition of her hard work and commitment as our SWWBIA Secretary.

We would also like to extend a sincere thank you to all of our presenters for sharing their time and expertise, and to everyone who attended and made these sessions so valuable. A special thank you to Jim Sjolander and his son for their IT skills and support, helping everything run smoothly. Also The Wisconsin Hotel for being amazing hosts.

We appreciate everyone who helped make this year’s Winter Code Updates a success.

11/08/2025

SWWBIA December Training

December 4–5, 2025

The Wisconsin Hotel | 60 Gasser Rd, Lake Delton, WI

Join us for two days of training focused on the latest building code updates.

Thursday: Transition from the 2015 to 2021 IECC, covering key changes and their impact on design, plan review, and inspections.

Thursday Evening: Membership meeting with food and fellowship to follow.

Friday: Special inspections and structural observations required by the 2021 IBC Chapter 17, including duties, responsibilities, and best practices for all parties involved.

Register here:

12/04/2025 — Lake Delton - Check out all event details and attendee registration right here.

10/06/2025

The Village of Sussex is recruiting for a full time Building Inspector role. Here's a link to more information:

Building Inspector About the PositionThe Village of Sussex seeks to hire a full-time Building Inspector. The ideal candidate will be a knowledgeable and detail-oriented professional with strong expertise in building codes, inspections, and permitting. They will bring excellent communication and cust...

09/25/2025

More than 1,100 professionals attended DSPS webinars about the state’s new upgraded commercial building code, published yesterday – https://bit.ly/4p1gtDI
Thank you to all the people and groups who helped drive awareness of these important training sessions: AIA Wisconsin, Associated Builders and Contractors of Wisconsin, Wisconsin Builders Association, Building Inspectors Association of Northeastern Wisconsin, Southwestern Wisconsin Building Inspectors Association UA, Northwest Wisconsin Building Inspectors Association, Building Inspectors Association of Southeastern Wisconsin

08/27/2025

We had such a great time at our annual summer family outing Saturday, August 2nd, at the Beloit Sky Carp game! It was the perfect day to enjoy some baseball, laughter, and quality time together.
We’re so thankful for everyone who came out and made it such a fun and memorable evening. These moments remind us how important it is to pause, connect, and celebrate each other outside of our busy schedules.

08/18/2025

On July 17th, we gathered at the brand-new The Wisconsin Hotel for our monthly meeting, toured the construction site with Holtz Builders, took a classic Duck Boat ride, and wrapped up the night on the town. The hotel is looking incredible, and we can’t wait to be back for our next meeting there! Big thanks for the goody bags at check-in!