Building Knowledge and Connections
Health, Safety, and Welfare
All courses identified as HSW, cover Health, Safety, and Welfare topics and have been approved by the AIA (American Institute of Architects) as an HSW Learning Unit (LU/HSW).
Displaying 1 - 25 of 609 results.
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https://redirect.aecdaily.com/s4459/www.aecdaily.com/course/1172510
Centralized mail and package delivery is often a last-minute design consideration that creates confusion due to the intersection of various federal compliance and accessibility requirements. This course explains how different mailbox installation types meet accessibility standards while remaining in federal and postal compliance and elevating mail areas from functional spaces to social ones.
https://redirect.aecdaily.com/s1043551/www.aecdaily.com/course/1065168
The fireplace has always been a focal point in any home, providing warmth and a place for friends and family to gather. Today’s wood-burning fireplaces, inserts, and stoves have become increasingly efficient and clean burning. This course examines using wood as a fuel source and discusses the many characteristics that can affect heat production, efficiency, and burn time. New burning technologies that meet EPA certification requirements for released particulate matter are summarized, as are design and installation specifications.
https://redirect.aecdaily.com/s936444/www.aecdaily.com/course/1210361
PVC and KEE single-ply roofing membranes are widely used in sustainable building design due to their durability, material efficiency, and recyclability. This course provides an overview of installation, warranties, and maintenance requirements and explores the role of membranes in reflective and vegetated roof systems. Also examined are their potential contributions toward LEED® v5 Building Design and Construction and Sustainable SITES® v2 credits addressing urban heat island mitigation, solar panel readiness, stormwater management, and construction and demolition waste reduction.
https://redirect.aecdaily.com/s616041/www.aecdaily.com/course/945451
There are many kinds of resin-based coatings for metal. The type of resin used plays an important role in determining a coating's durability and physical properties. This course discusses these coatings and their application techniques. It also discusses why the coatings may deteriorate and how to measure the performance of the coatings. The role that resin-based coatings perform in cool roofs is explored along with the standards that measure the sustainability of cool roofs. This course provides the information one needs to ensure that the coated product will perform as expected and provide a durable, long-lasting finish.
https://redirect.aecdaily.com/s632921/www.aecdaily.com/course/835833
Redwood offers warmth, character, durability, and strength in products from sustainably managed and harvested forests. This course provides insights into forestry practices and the environmental benefits of redwood lumber, and compares redwood with other common decking materials. Details are presented on how to differentiate and specify grades of redwood; finishing options and methods are also discussed. The course concludes with examples of applications that showcase the unique beauty and attributes of redwood.
https://redirect.aecdaily.com/s14550/www.aecdaily.com/course/1219179
Marine and waterfront environments expose exterior walking surfaces to moisture, ultraviolet radiation, temperature variations, and repeated wetting cycles that affect durability, safety, and maintenance planning. This course examines how composite decking systems perform under these conditions and how specification decisions influence long-term resilience and environmental performance. These considerations support alignment with green building objectives under LEED® v5 Building Design + Construction and SITES® v2.
https://redirect.aecdaily.com/s403098/www.aecdaily.com/course/1123475
This course discusses the code requirements for thermal and ignition barriers for spray polyurethane foam, the testing required, code requirements for vapor retarders depending on climate zone, and how these coatings are installed.
https://redirect.aecdaily.com/s14798/www.aecdaily.com/course/965465
Undesirable acoustics in educational spaces have long been considered averse to our goals to effectively teach, create, collaborate, listen, and learn. Now, in the wake of implementing pandemic protocols, our acoustic comfort in these spaces is greatly challenged. This course examines the impacts of poor soundscapes in educational facilities and introduces innovative solutions for improving acoustics in these areas while keeping us comfortable and safe from exposure to emerging viruses.
https://redirect.aecdaily.com/s12454/www.aecdaily.com/course/900566
While providing fresh air intake and exhaust, reducing noise, and keeping out unwanted water and debris, louvers can also provide architectural style to a building design. This course discusses the aesthetics, performance, and weather resistance features of a variety of louver designs from the basic to the extreme. A discussion about the industry standards and test protocols for louver performance is included.
https://redirect.aecdaily.com/s1127059/www.aecdaily.com/course/1219970
This course explores what issues a luxury kitchen designer must address to create a sustainable kitchen. We’ll discuss how manufacturers design and fabricate sustainable, high-end kitchen appliances and how designers can make choices that improve energy efficiency, decarbonize their designs, and support the circular economy while creating a high-end aesthetic.
https://redirect.aecdaily.com/s1043551/www.aecdaily.com/course/1226818
This course explores the evolution of modern electric fireplaces, focusing on relevant technologies, design parameters, and impact on occupant well-being and safety. The course highlights how electric fireplaces compare to gas and wood options, their functionality, and how to select appropriate models, layouts, and accessories to meet aesthetic and performance requirements in residential projects.
https://redirect.aecdaily.com/s4937/www.aecdaily.com/course/1207897
Rubber has been recycled for over a century and has been utilized in recycled rubber flooring (RRF) for more than 70 years, demonstrating its proven durability, resilience, and design flexibility. This course examines RRF as a sustainable material solution and its role in enhancing the performance of the built environment. Additionally, the course explains the rubber recycling and RRF manufacturing processes, along with the best practices for specification and installation. Also included is an overview of how RRF can contribute to credit requirements in the LEED® v5 Building Design and Construction (BD+C) and Interior Design and Construction (ID+C) rating systems and the WELL™ Building Standard v2.
https://redirect.aecdaily.com/s17282/www.aecdaily.com/course/930425
Today’s sectional overhead doors are more sophisticated than ever. Options include high-strength glazing for security and insulated steel sections for increased energy efficiency and durability. Code requirements for safety in high wind-load areas, impact resistance to hurricanes, and reductions in air transmission have led to improvements in door technology and hardware. This course examines a range of safety and security options for architects to consider when designing and specifying sectional overhead doors.
https://redirect.aecdaily.com/s1633/www.aecdaily.com/course/986550
Architectural precast concrete products are versatile, sustainable, affordable, and resilient. This course examines the advantages of building with them and discusses the production process, unique characteristics, and installation of architectural precast concrete’s three main product groups.
https://redirect.aecdaily.com/s9727/www.aecdaily.com/course/973831
In the fight against climate change, efforts intensify against the planet’s number one enemy—carbon dioxide. The building industry will play a significant role in these efforts. Embodied carbon—the global greenhouse gas emissions generated from sourcing raw material and processing, manufacturing, transporting, and installing building materials—will be the target over the next decade. This course will define embodied carbon, its impact on greenhouse gas emissions, the construction industry's impact, and the methods and tools that building designers can employ to limit embodied carbon.
https://redirect.aecdaily.com/s1063446/www.aecdaily.com/course/1235478
L’éclairage est l’un des éléments les plus importants de l’environnement intérieur, dont les effets sur le corps, l’esprit et le bien-être de l’être humain sont considérables. Pour les architectes, il est essentiel de concevoir des espaces privilégiant la lumière naturelle afin de favoriser le confort, la productivité et le bien-être. Cette formation explore les bienfaits des conduits de lumière naturelle pour la santé et le bien-être, ainsi que leur rôle dans la création d’environnements intérieurs plus sains et plus durables. La formation se termine par une analyse de plusieurs études de cas.
https://redirect.aecdaily.com/s2955/www.aecdaily.com/course/894516
Currently, buildings are the single biggest contributor to GHG emissions, accounting for roughly half of all energy consumption in the U.S. and globally. It is crucial to reduce this level of consumption by including high-performance envelope strategies such as shading systems in all new building designs. In this course, we look at shading systems, examine shading and design strategies, and learn tips for successful selection and design.
https://redirect.aecdaily.com/s796052/www.aecdaily.com/course/823653
Synthetic (artificial) grass, specifically designed for use with dogs, is a cost-effective solution that offers a clean, safe, and aesthetically pleasing environment for dogs. Presented here are the health, safety, performance, and cost benefits of installing synthetic grass specifically designed for dogs; its suitable applications; design considerations; installation factors; and maintenance guidelines.
https://redirect.aecdaily.com/s18122/www.aecdaily.com/course/1114700
Seattle has ranked among the country’s fastest-growing cities since the mid-1990s, causing gentrification and displacement of vulnerable communities. For example, African Americans accounted for 73 percent of Seattle’s Central District (CD) population in 1970 and have fallen to less than 14 percent today. As a result, Black churches in the CD face difficult decisions about whether to stay or relocate. However, the churches own property and other assets and, working as a network, could mitigate this gentrification and displacement through strategic real estate development. This vision is advanced by the Nehemiah Initiative Seattle, a collaboration focused on developing the significant real estate assets of Black churches to stabilize and benefit the CD’s African American community. Since 2019, the Nehemiah Initiative has been collaborating with the College of Built Environments at the University of Washington through a series of interdisciplinary design studios focused on this vision. This presentation provides a brief history of Seattle’s Central District, an overview of the Nehemiah Initiative, and the mutual benefits of collaboration between the academy and the community.
https://redirect.aecdaily.com/s13011/www.aecdaily.com/course/968975
According to building professionals, the solution to achieving an energy-efficient building envelope is to focus more on the roof. Protected membrane roof (PMR) assemblies deliver thermal efficiency and can play a valuable role in a sustainable design strategy. Presented in this course is a review of the components, advantages, ballast options, and design and installation considerations of PMR assemblies.
https://redirect.aecdaily.com/s525798/www.aecdaily.com/course/836152
Power and charging needs in hotels, offices, and lobbies have changed due to emerging trends in how people use their electronic devices. Modern users require more and better access to charging. This need combined with the rise of the USB-Type C Standard, new furniture-based power technology, and the challenges of open space design requires designers to apply a new strategy for power/charging outlets. This course discusses how to employ furniture power distribution units (FPDUs) to meet the needs of users, hotel operators, and facility managers.
https://redirect.aecdaily.com/s1182149/www.aecdaily.com/course/1192913
Fire safety and suppression are essential design features for building projects. This course explores how innovative water mist fire suppression systems can enhance occupant safety in homes while preserving aesthetics and minimizing water damage. Key design principles of electronically controlled water mist systems are examined, and their installation and maintenance are described. Also discussed is guidance for dealing with code officials when using these systems as an alternative to traditional fire sprinklers.
https://redirect.aecdaily.com/s3515/www.aecdaily.com/course/1215820
Water is a valuable resource, yet many states suffer water shortages due to preventable issues, such as overuse and leaks. This course presents the increased need for water conservation and provides an overview of the EPA’s WaterSense® program. Examined are how plumbing fixtures can meet the requirements of green building codes, standards, and rating systems, including LEED® v5 Building Design and Construction (BD+C). Healthcare, institutional, and residential case studies demonstrate the benefits of water-efficient plumbing fixtures.
https://redirect.aecdaily.com/s5533/www.aecdaily.com/course/1121832
Wind load can significantly impact buildings, affecting their structural integrity and safety. Perimeter roof edge systems are a primary safeguard during strong wind events. This course provides an overview of the types, features, and benefits of perimeter roof edge systems, system selection considerations, the impact of wind uplift on roofs, and the building codes and testing standards applicable to perimeter roof edge systems.
https://redirect.aecdaily.com/s1082406/www.aecdaily.com/course/1111937
This course delves into the increasing and expanding role of outdoor living and its importance in households, businesses, and communities. Reviewed are the styles and specification considerations of aluminum shading products. The focus is pergolas and cabanas made with dual-walled aluminum louvers that seal completely to block rain and snow and complement any architectural style.
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