The International Association of Certified Home Inspectors

The International Association of Certified Home Inspectors strives to enhance the home inspection profession by offering valuable membership benefits, including free online training, certification, and business development.

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Displaying 1 - 25 of 627 results.

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  • ( ~ 30 minutes ) 

    Prequalification of contractors is a method used to manage the risks of an open tender process. It ensures the contractors invited to bid on the project have demonstrated applicable experience and are capable of delivering the necessary quality and value. This course is a primer on contractor prequalification and describes who benefits from the process, the applicable project delivery methods, the role of the architect, the typical information requested of the contractor, and when to use prequalification and when not to.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    Designing to accommodate thermal movement is just one of the many critical details for the long-term success of a metal roof installation. This course covers the design and specification considerations and architectural details that impact project requirements, as well as the components and the energy-efficient features of metal roofing assemblies.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    The 2022 Inflation Reduction Act shines a light on how low-carbon building material selection is one of the keys to reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the US. High-performance, sustainable products and thoughtful assemblies designed with the building life cycle in mind are critical to the future of our sustainable communities. This course provides a look at how low-carbon and sustainability considerations are activated from product to building design. Factors impacting a sustainable building life cycle are discussed to help architects and owners with building performance that meets the design intent not just on paper but also in use.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    This course examines the material composition, reinforcement types, and testing standards associated with styrene-butadiene-styrene (SBS) modified bitumen membranes. It explains how fiberglass, polyester, and combination reinforcements affect membrane strength, flexibility, and dimensional stability. The standards that establish testing methods for tensile strength, elongation, and long-term performance are covered in detail. The course also outlines how material selection and installation practices influence roof durability, moisture resistance, and occupant safety.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    Metal roofing is often preferred for retrofitting a low-slope roof due to its durability, ease of installation, energy efficiency, and water channeling capabilities. This course examines why metal roofs fail, the types of structural standing seam panels, and the pros and cons of different methods for recovering an existing low-slope roof.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    With limited exceptions, the International Building Code® (IBC®) requires testing and compliance with NFPA 285 for exterior wall assemblies of buildings of Types I, II, III, and IV construction containing foam plastic insulation. This course examines three methods for demonstrating that an exterior wall assembly design complies with NFPA 285, including engineering analysis. The course also discusses how and where to locate NFPA 285 information for each compliance method.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour, 15 minutes ) 

    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.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    A rooftop solar photovoltaic system offers myriad benefits to both building owners and the environment; to maximize the benefits, however, it is important to be aware of the potential causes and effects of problems with rooftop installations. This course presents the issues to consider to prevent damaging the roof, voiding the roofing warranty, and incurring additional costs. Solar system mounting options are explored in terms of how they can help eliminate concerns around rooftop installations.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    Lighting is one of the most influential elements of the indoor environment, with far-reaching effects on the human body, mind, and spirit. For architects, designing spaces prioritizing natural light is critical to fostering comfort, productivity, and well-being. This course explores the health and wellness benefits of tubular daylighting systems and their role in creating healthier, more sustainable indoor environments. Also noted are applicable credits in the LEED® v5 Building Design and Construction and Interior Design and Construction rating systems and features in the WELL Building Standard™ version 2. The course concludes with a review of several case studies.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    Rainscreens are a multicomponent system offering redundancy in resisting the weather; however, continuity of each component is critical. When an insulated metal panel (IMP) is used within the system, it can function as a number of these components, simplifying installation and improving performance. This course looks at IMPs acting as barrier walls behind various rainscreen systems, with a discussion on the performance characteristics for air, water, vapor, and thermal management.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    Concrete is a key construction material in modern society. As the foundation for much of what we make, it has a substantial environmental impact, mainly reflected in its carbon footprint. This course introduces best practices to make concrete more sustainable and lower the embodied carbon in concrete with its use and application.

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  • ( ~ 30 minutes ) 

    The war in Ukraine has left thousands living in substandard housing conditions, insufficient for winter weather. This course reviews a solution developed by a British engineer that addresses the pressing problem of delivering replacement windows in a war zone to improve thermal comfort in Ukrainian homes.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    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.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    Properly selecting and implementing lighting in harsh and hazardous environments is crucial for ensuring the health, safety, and welfare of building occupants as well as the operational integrity of facilities. This course outlines the critical aspects of lighting for harsh and hazardous conditions, including classifications of hazardous areas, ignition protection methods for lighting, and key specification and maintenance considerations necessary for ensuring a safe environment.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour, 15 minutes ) 

    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.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    Rooftop decks create valuable living and recreational space for building owners, residents, and clients. Accommodating restaurants, hotels, healthcare facilities, and everything from residential to government buildings, rooftop deck systems offer the design flexibility to create versatile, unique outdoor spaces over any structural surface. This course explores the features, surface materials, and design options for rooftop deck systems and provides an overview of recommended planning and installation guidelines.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    Rain control is a critical aspect of building envelope construction, affecting a building’s structural integrity and occupant health. This course presents the rainscreen wall system as an effective strategy for moisture management, as reflected in the WELL Building Standard™ version 2. Discussed are the fundamentals of moisture control in buildings, the history of rainscreens, rainscreen design principles, and cladding material selection, including potential contributions to credit achievement in the LEED® v5 Building Design and Construction (BD+C) rating system.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour, 15 minutes ) 

    Stone has long been valued for its durability, reliability, and beauty. Today, natural thin stone veneer offers these benefits with reduced weight, cost, and environmental impact. This course explores its applications in commercial and residential settings, covering aesthetics, performance, and key specification standards. It also examines the sustainability profile of thin stone veneer compared to full natural and manufactured stone, highlighting an industry-wide LCA, responsible quarrying and processing, and how collaboration with fabricators can reduce environmental impact while preserving quality and design integrity.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    Humidity affects numerous industries, potentially leading to building damage and health problems. Mechanical dehumidifiers play a critical role in controlling humidity across different environments, ensuring comfort and safety while preventing any humidity or condensation issues that interfere with daily business. In this course, we provide insight into the principles of psychrometrics, enabling participants to understand the properties of air and water vapor mixtures significant to moisture control. We explore the operation of mechanical (vapor compression) dehumidifiers, their performance parameters and limitations, and installation configurations. Finally, we examine some examples of beneficial applications.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour, 15 minutes ) 

    The diffuse light-transmitting and composite technology of translucent structural sandwich panels has increasingly caught the imagination of architects and designers because it is possible to maximize wall or roof daylighting while minimizing energy loss, with consequent savings in the running costs of heating, air conditioning, and artificial lighting. This course explores the fundamental connection between light and health by examining how translucent structural sandwich panels deliver glare-free, diffuse daylight deeper and more evenly into spaces with maximum thermal efficiency.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    Homeowners are looking for alternatives to traditional cladding materials that are affordable and long lasting and require little or no upkeep. Advances in technology and manufacturing techniques mean cellular PVC cladding products can meet all these requirements without sacrificing aesthetics. This course reviews the benefits of cellular PVC as a cladding material and discusses how cellular PVC rebutted and rejointed (R&R) prefinished shingles can provide the look and feel of wood shingles with an extended level of durability and low maintenance.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    Designers increasingly focus on creating environments that improve the health, welfare, and productivity of occupants. This includes providing the benefits of daylight, fresh air, and access to the outdoors. This course explores how retractable roofs can extend the use of outdoor spaces year-round by converting them to daylit indoor spaces seasonally or with sudden weather changes. It explains the economic benefits, structure, and operation of various retractable roof types and how they can be customized to suit multiple site sizes and types, including rooftops. The course concludes with a series of case studies.

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  • ( ~ 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.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    Rooftop deck systems offer the design flexibility to create adaptable, sustainable outdoor spaces that provide myriad environmental, social, economic, and aesthetic benefits. This course presents the three pillars of sustainability and how building products, materials, and systems can contribute to sustainable design. It outlines forest management objectives and practices and the responsible sourcing of wood for rooftop deck tiles. Case studies exemplify how rooftop deck systems can contribute to sustainable design objectives.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    In food and beverage, food processing/distribution, and cold storage facilities, it is important to use doors that can provide speed, safety, separation, and security. High-speed, high-cycle, 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 specification criteria, design, and installation considerations for high-performance doors are also discussed.

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Displaying 1 - 25 of 627 results.

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