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 606 results.
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https://redirect.aecdaily.com/s12474/www.aecdaily.com/course/926173
In commercial, industrial, and parking structures, it is important to use doors that can provide speed, safety, separation, and security. High-performance roll-up doors provide all these elements better than conventional doors. This course provides an in-depth discussion of the different types of high-performance doors—fabric, rigid, and rubber—along with their benefits and functions in different applications. The design and installation considerations for using these doors are also discussed.
https://redirect.aecdaily.com/s1197089/www.aecdaily.com/course/1235455
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.
https://redirect.aecdaily.com/s12198/www.aecdaily.com/course/971086
Ground improvement refers to the application of geotechnical construction techniques to improve the performance of soils. These techniques are used when existing soils cannot provide satisfactory support of the planned structure. They improve the ground performance by increasing the strength and stiffness of the soil mass through densification, reinforcement, and/or cementing of soils. This course introduces ground improvement technologies and provides an in-depth review of aggregate piers and their design, installation, and benefits.
https://redirect.aecdaily.com/s789181/www.aecdaily.com/course/1158247
High-performance, fully composite insulated wall panels deliver all the benefits of factory precasting with load-bearing and energy efficiency performance from the lightest, thinnest panels possible. This course describes the makeup and cost efficiencies of composite precast panels, their benefits when made with carbon fiber grid shear trusses, and considerations for selecting among the insulation options. The majority of the course focuses on case studies of successful precast enclosure projects in a wide variety of building types across a range of markets.
https://redirect.aecdaily.com/s1062476/www.aecdaily.com/course/1081226
Bamboo is a versatile, strong material with a warm aesthetic that suits an array of interior design styles. This course looks at how bamboo is sustainably sourced to produce low-VOC products such as flooring, cladding, and three-ply architectural wall and ceiling panels. Project examples highlight a CNC routing method that produces panels with eye-catching patterns of varying depths and levels of intricacy. The course also examines how bamboo products may apply to several credits and features in the LEED® v4.1 Building Design and Construction and Interior Design and Construction rating systems and the WELL Building Standard™ version 2.
https://redirect.aecdaily.com/s561226/www.aecdaily.com/course/999984
Masonry is an ideal sustainable building construction material as it is extremely durable, recyclable, and reusable. It allows for extraordinary design versatility, so it can meet both aesthetic and functional requirements. This course looks at the design elements, components, and construction techniques that characterize sustainable masonry cavity wall building envelopes.
https://redirect.aecdaily.com/s681831/www.aecdaily.com/course/870548
Various control strategies are used to prevent rain from penetrating a building envelope and entering a building assembly. This course compares exterior wall metal cladding systems and takes an in-depth look at the design options, testing, specifications, environmental implications, and the detailing of single-skin metal panel systems as used in a pressure-equalized rainscreen (PER) application.
https://redirect.aecdaily.com/s2955/www.aecdaily.com/course/1178618
This course discusses healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) and how the built environment can contribute to restricting their spread. We’ll look at the social and financial impact of HAIs and address factors that contribute to the spread of infection. The course offers solutions on how to design spaces and select products to reduce HAI incidences in healthcare settings, improving patient and employee safety and wellness.
https://redirect.aecdaily.com/s6403/www.aecdaily.com/course/1126638
With office vacancies rising amid changes in technology and the growth of working from home during the COVID pandemic, the practice of converting office buildings into residential spaces such as apartments, condominiums, and hotels has been embraced by communities and all levels of government as a solution to the housing crisis. This course examines the factors behind these conversions, with emphasis on the use of in-wall toilet systems as a solution to design, economic, and sustainability concerns.
https://redirect.aecdaily.com/s20151/www.aecdaily.com/course/1002626
Roofing is one of the most common renovation projects on commercial buildings. Upgrading a roof assembly to meet current building standards provides an opportunity to save energy and maintain the necessary fire and structural performance. This course reviews the code requirements for commercial reroofing and discusses how reroofing can improve a building’s energy efficiency.
https://redirect.aecdaily.com/s796052/www.aecdaily.com/course/1011733
The enhanced need for water conservation and a decrease of harmful runoff resulting from lawn maintenance has pushed the demand for environmentally-friendly alternatives for landscaping and recreational areas. Explored in this course are the uses, benefits, and specification and installation considerations of artificial turf products that replicate a natural grass look and feel in any environment
https://redirect.aecdaily.com/s904648/www.aecdaily.com/course/970291
Uncorrected thermal bridging can account for 20–70% of heat flow through a building's envelope. Improving details to mitigate both point and linear thermal bridges will significantly improve energy performance. This course reviews types of thermal bridges, examines how they appear in codes and standards, and explores some mitigation concepts and principles. Calculation methods to account for thermal bridging in your projects are introduced, and a sample design project is used to demonstrate code compliance.
https://redirect.aecdaily.com/s936437/www.aecdaily.com/course/1147982
Biophilic design is a methodology for designing buildings and landscapes that improve human health and well-being while fostering a deeper appreciation for the natural world. This course provides an overview of biophilic design and its frameworks and how it can help projects earn certification through LEED® v4.1 Building Design and Construction (BD+C): New Construction, WELL Building Standard™ version 2, Sustainable SITES Initiative® v2, and the Living Building Challenge (LBC).
https://redirect.aecdaily.com/s1179290/www.aecdaily.com/course/1197346
Structural HDPE plastic lumber offers strength, durability, and design versatility and is a sustainable alternative to traditional building materials. This course examines the types of structural HDPE plastic lumber and their manufacturing processes and provides technical information on performance attributes, suitable applications, installation considerations, and design guidelines. Comparisons are made to wood and wood-plastic composite lumber. Also presented is how recycled HDPE plastic lumber may help meet credit requirements in the Sustainable SITES Initiative® (SITES® v2) and LEED® v4.1 Building Design and Construction (BD+C) and Residential BD+C rating systems. Case studies demonstrate the exemplary performance of structural HDPE plastic lumber in aggressive environmental conditions.
https://redirect.aecdaily.com/s1169038/www.aecdaily.com/course/1185741
Extreme weather events of all sorts are becoming increasingly frequent and ferocious. Wood stick-framed structures struggle to withstand them. As climate behavior shifts and worsens, building damage and destruction increase, building codes evolve, and insurance premiums skyrocket or simply become unavailable for certain building types in some locations. Architects must now utilize stronger, more resilient, noncombustible building approaches to address this situation. In addition, mounting pressures related to labor shortages, rising material costs, stringent building codes, and environmental volatility are pushing architects, developers, and engineers to reimagine their approaches to structural design and material selection. This course explores how an innovative, scalable, and economical cold-formed steel column and composite beam framing system can and does address these issues to create faster and deliver stronger, more cost-effective, and sustainable projects. This well-proven, code compliant system reduces dependencies on multiple trades and minimizes the number of handoffs, positively impacting schedule compression, which then translates directly into earlier openings, faster revenue generation, and reduced labor costs. The system is applicable to a range of housing, hotel, and commercial midrise projects in all climates. The course begins by exploring the limitations of traditional wood and metal framing systems. It then describes this prefabricated cold-formed steel (CFS) column and beam framing system and its details, erection methodology, advantages, environmental and sustainability benefits, accreditations, and certifications. It concludes with some representative examples of real-life projects.
https://redirect.aecdaily.com/s1154002/www.aecdaily.com/course/1168359
Architects, interior designers, plumbers, and engineers play a vital role in creating accessible, safe, functional, and aesthetically appealing bathing spaces. With growing demand and stricter regulations, accessibility must be more than just compliance; it must enhance safety, dignity, and usability. This course equips professionals to balance ADA, ANSI, and residential best practices, ensuring projects meet both legal standards and real-world needs.
https://redirect.aecdaily.com/s2580/www.aecdaily.com/course/1122384
Selecting the right grout for a project is essential for its success. In this course, we delve into the world of grout, exploring the various types available and their unique characteristics, strengths, and challenges. The course describes the latest innovations in grout that provide superior performance characteristics such as lifelong durability, flexibility, stain and mold resistance, color consistency, and sustainability, while also being easy and safe to install. Additionally, guidance is provided on the essential questions to ask during the selection process, ensuring that every aspect of the project is carefully considered to achieve the desired outcome.
https://redirect.aecdaily.com/s379494/www.aecdaily.com/course/1067199
Cellulose insulation has been used successfully by builders and designers for hundreds of years to provide comfort and warmth. Today, builders and designers also consider sustainability principles, climate change, occupant health and wellness issues, energy conservation, and carbon sequestration. Advanced cellulose insulation addresses all those areas as well. This course explains its environmental benefits, including its carbon capture ability, how it improves occupant health and well-being, and its numerous high-performance thermal, acoustic, and fire-resistant attributes.
https://redirect.aecdaily.com/s831648/www.aecdaily.com/course/849407
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) applies to all state and local government agencies, commercial facilities, and public entities that have “places of public accommodation.” Presented in this course are the fundamentals of what accessibility means in terms of architectural door hardware specification. Topics include available hardware technology, the criteria for interior and perimeter access, and the codes and guidelines pertaining to the ADA requirements that affect door hardware selection.
https://redirect.aecdaily.com/s12394/www.aecdaily.com/course/1179979
The performance and durability of a roof are critical to the health, welfare, and safety of both building occupants and the building itself. This course examines the construction, materials, and best detailing practices that ensure the proper long-term performance of steep-pitch roofs. It describes and details layout options for assemblies of steep-pitch roofs and the key characteristics of roofing systems that help to prevent roof deterioration and damage. It then highlights best practices in detailing and constructing steep-pitch roof systems that mitigate water, ice, snow, fire, or wind damage to the roof.
https://redirect.aecdaily.com/s1078641/www.aecdaily.com/course/1083010
Solid surface material is a durable and sustainable solution for custom architectural solutions. Explore the extensive design possibilities of this nonporous, thermoformable material and review key performance characteristics and fabrication guidelines.
https://redirect.aecdaily.com/s15106/www.aecdaily.com/course/958335
Creating a quieter, more comfortable building starts with a focus on windows and doors, the weakest links in the building envelope for sound transmission. This course covers the elements of sound, the metrics used to measure sound attenuation, and the glazing and installation options best suited for an effective sound control strategy.
https://redirect.aecdaily.com/s1773/www.aecdaily.com/course/988588
Louvers are an essential part of every HVAC system, facilitating appropriate airflow and inhibiting unwanted penetration by water, snow, or debris through wall openings and into HVAC ductwork. However, they can have other purposes. Their simple design makes them a versatile addition and a unique style option to any project. This course presents the types, components, and applications of louvers, along with the primary specification considerations when selecting a louver solution.
https://redirect.aecdaily.com/s692617/www.aecdaily.com/course/869237
In order to address tile installation difficulties effectively and avoid failures, designers and specifiers must maintain full awareness of current knowledge, practices, and products. This course reviews potentially problematic contemporary tile installation issues along with the industry guidance, methodologies, and products available to address them.
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.
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