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 606 results.

FIRST [1-25] [26-50] [51-75] [76-100] [101-125] NEXT LAST

  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    Sustainable building envelopes demand high performance from and proper installation of continuous insulation and air, water, and vapor control layers. What happens when thousands of holes are made in these materials as they are installed with blind fasteners, one layer on top of another by different subcontractors? Sequencing issues can generally not be avoided; instead, this course focuses on self-sealing fasteners as a solution to avoid damage and thermal bridging in insulation and control layers. Various fasteners and anchors are described, and recommendations are presented for how to specify and what testing data to look for.

  • ( ~ 1 hour, 15 minutes ) 

    A metal roof combines performance and aesthetics to give commercial and residential buildings strength, longevity, and character. This course examines the features and benefits of standing seam metal roofing and explains the factors to consider when selecting a project-specific metal roofing system.

  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    Access panels are covers for the openings in walls or ceilings that allow access to concealed equipment for the purpose of maintenance or replacement. This course provides a detailed understanding of architectural wall and ceiling access panels, including how they are specified, installed, and finished. Design and selection considerations such as ventilation options, safety, security, and fire-rated enclosures are also examined.

  • ( ~ 1 hour, 15 minutes ) 

    The use of life safety dampers is driven by requirements in various building codes. There are many different applications for which fire, fire/smoke, smoke, and/or ceiling radiation dampers can be used, each having its own specific purpose and unique installation requirements. This course gives an in-depth look at the different types of dampers and explains how and where they're each used and installed.

  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    This course introduces expanded polystyrene (EPS) underslab insulation and examines its role in energy performance, moisture management, thermal control, vapor management, radon mitigation, and hydronic heating in residential and commercial buildings. The course supports project teams working toward LEED® v5 Building Design and Construction (BD+C) or Interior Design and Construction (ID+C) requirements by outlining how underslab insulation decisions influence compliance with thermal envelope provisions, energy modeling pathways, and material considerations within the rating systems.

  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    Architectural finishes mimic the aesthetics and textures of natural materials without the cost, labor, weight, and maintenance challenges of finishes such as wood, stone, leather, and metals. This course discusses their performance characteristics, selection considerations, and proper installation techniques for interior and exterior commercial applications, including fire-rated assemblies and LEED®-certified projects.

  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    Prefabrication, in whole or in part, is a rapidly growing construction trend that has influenced how buildings and their components are being designed and assembled on- or off-site. This course provides an overview of the various prefabrication approaches, focusing on prefabricated bathrooms. It explores how designers can identify the prefabricated bathroom products and suppliers that best integrate with building prefabrication to optimize product and building benefits, economies, performance, and quality.

  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    Designing with green roofs affords design professionals opportunities to plan projects with exciting new elements, added value, and significant, tangible benefits, thereby enhancing the built environment with newly-created landscapes. This course examines green roof systems, including the types, benefits, components, and related standards. As well, it provides a discussion on how green roofs mitigate urban heat island effect and reduce stormwater runoff.

  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    With the increasing prominence of glass in new buildings and retrofits, the use of window film can raise the style, performance, and safety of today’s building projects. This course examines the use of various types of window film (decorative, solar control, and safety/security) and their role in improving occupant comfort and safety, lowering energy costs, and enhancing privacy.

  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    This course explores design strategies for tailoring elevator interiors to project-specific needs, compares original equipment manufacturer (OEM) elevator interiors, bespoke elevator interiors, and configurable elevator interior systems (CEISs), and examines best practices for specifying CEISs to enhance safety, performance, and visual continuity.

  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    Architectural glazing systems are vital to building performance, influencing energy efficiency, structural integrity, and aesthetics. This course compares storefront and curtain wall systems, explores performance optimization strategies, and examines their contribution to sustainability. Participants will gain the technical knowledge needed to develop effective product specifications.

  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    This course provides a comprehensive overview of quartz surfacing as a sustainable material in contemporary design. It examines the environmental impact, safety standards, and wide-ranging applications of quartz surfacing. The course focuses on manufacturing processes, performance characteristics, and the material’s contribution to sustainability, equipping participants with the knowledge to effectively utilize quartz surfacing in residential and commercial projects.

  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    Incorporating bulletproof glass into any facility is a sizable investment; however, it is a small price to pay for the protection of human lives. This course illustrates how to maximize that investment by selecting and installing the appropriate system for the threat level and the functional needs of the client. Discussed are UL protection level ratings; types of bullet-resistant barrier systems and their components; planning, production, and installation of systems; security window film vs. bullet-resistant glass; and project security checklists.

  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    It’s imperative to have a dependable, well-designed fire protection system that helps save lives and property. This course is designed to advance awareness and understanding about the wide range of components, functionality, and benefits of today’s most innovative standpipe fire systems and how to select the optimal system for your design based on building type, codes, and other requirements.

  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    Modern hydronic radiator systems are an energy-efficient, healthy, and hygienic solution for residential and commercial applications. This course discusses the principles of radiant heating and panel radiators, and how to size panel radiators for residential applications.

  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    Exterior walls are exposed to solar radiation throughout the day, yet their contribution to heat gain is often overlooked, even though it affects energy use, occupant comfort, and facade durability. This course explores the science of infrared reflectance, key performance metrics, and coating technologies that reduce wall heat gain in new and existing buildings. Participants will learn how reflective wall strategies support building performance goals, energy code compliance, and LEED® v5 Building Design and Construction sustainability objectives.

  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    Specifying the right sectional door system for your commercial project can have a great effect on the health, safety, and welfare of building occupants. This course covers commercial sectional door systems, including the various types of doors available and their associated characteristics including energy efficiency and durability, along with a discussion on how to specify the correct door to meet project requirements.

  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    The AIA Materials Pledge identifies five impact areas that building products and materials can and should address: ecosystem health, social health and equity, circular economy, climate health, and human health. This course reviews the concepts, certifications, and tools designers can apply to choose materials that support these five impact areas, including the mindful MATERIALS Common Materials Framework (CMF), the industry’s first common language for sustainable building materials. Finally, the course presents practical examples of exemplary products and materials and assesses them using this framework.

  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    Solid surface is a popular material choice due to its beauty, durability, and ease of cleaning. Selecting a solid surface depends on the manufacturing process, the raw materials involved, and the material’s sustainability. This course examines solid surface as a decorative material, discusses its characteristics and attributes, and compares it with other hard surface materials

  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    Meeting the ventilation requirements of ASHRAE 62.2 and maintaining an energy efficient home means balancing the need for fresh outdoor air and the energy needed to condition it. In this course we will examine the ventilation requirements in ASHRAE 62.2, discuss how they can be met, and look at some solutions for energy efficient ventilating.

  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    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.

  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    Dive into the intersection of design excellence and environmental responsibility with this comprehensive course on TFL decorative panels. Explore the intrinsic value of sustainability in the design world, unravel the complexities of the carbon cycle, and uncover how forests and wood play pivotal roles in carbon sequestration. Discover the versatile applications and climate-positive attributes of TFL panels, empowering you to make informed, eco-conscious choices in your design projects. Elevate your understanding of exceptional design, durability, and sustainability, and contribute to a greener, more resilient future.

  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    Many communities face challenges related to the presence of harmful pollutants in their drinking water supply. This course examines the issues associated with these contaminants, focusing on lead, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), and microplastics. It also discusses the government’s response to providing clean, safe water and innovations in point-of-use filtration systems designed to reduce toxic substances in drinking water and minimize the environmental impact of disposable plastic water bottles.

  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    Wind forces always influence building design and detailing. This course focuses on one particular force, wind uplift, and its influence on roof paving system design and selection. It examines how wind loads and building configuration affect the design of roof paving systems; the codes, regulations, and calculation approaches that inform and control such designs; and the various options designers can use to design safe, appealing outdoor roof paving systems that will withstand even the strongest winds.

  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    Power and charging requirements for hospitality facilities are changing radically and rapidly. This course examines the options for and benefits of supplying power and charging outlets in walls, furniture, headboards, nightstands, public seating, and public gathering spaces, including outdoor areas, as well as the applicable codes for furniture-based power outlets. The course concludes with an overview of the benefits of occupancy sensors and auto-off switches in guest rooms and the installation requirements to comply with energy and electrical codes.

Displaying 1 - 25 of 606 results.

FIRST [1-25] [26-50] [51-75] [76-100] [101-125] NEXT LAST