As they were many centuries ago, shutters today are used for light control, ventilation, and protection. Selecting the appropriate shutter to meet any of these needs means an understanding of materials, functional types and hardware. In this course, we’ll discuss the wide range of shutter types available, and also installation techniques and specifying

Extruded polystyrene (XPS) and expanded polystyrene (EPS) are both types of rigid foam plastic insulation; their different manufacturing processes produce wide-ranging performance attributes, especially in water absorption and R-value. This course discusses the negative impact of water absorption on R-value and structural integrity; explains why codes and standards are sometimes specific in requiring XPS in applications where prolonged exposure to water occurs; and concludes with a look at best specification practices for accurate bids.

Textile air dispersion products for open and finished ceiling architecture, critical environments, and underfloor applications are a cost effective, aesthetically attractive alternative to metal ductwork. The course examines fabric ductwork and the sustainable advantages it has over metal ductwork. It provides a comprehensive look at the design process for traditional fabric ductwork and includes discussions on shape and suspension/fabric retention, layout and fittings, air dispersion, fabric, and other options.

Compartmentalization is a critical feature of a building’s passive fire protection system. To ensure compartmentalization during a fire, ductwork that penetrates rated walls or partitions requires the use of life safety dampers to restrict the passage of fire and smoke. This course reviews the three types of life safety dampers, their performance and resistance ratings, their functional options, and proper installation practices and guidelines.

Designing for fire safety is an important element in the construction of the built environment. Selecting the right automatic sprinkler system can ensure that your building is code compliant and well protected. This course provides an overview of automatic sprinkler systems including the types, styles, orientations, components, and finishes that are available. Also discussed are the factors that require consideration when specifying a sprinkler system.

Firehouse doors are operated frequently, and it is critical that the doors operate as intended, every time they are used. This course examines commercial door operators and includes discussions on types of commercial doors and operators, safety sensors, firehouse accessory options, and UL 325 compliance as it relates to firehouse door operation.

The regal ambiance a fireplace brings to a space is undeniable and desirable, and with today’s hearth innovations, technologies, and design options, it’s possible to include a fireplace in virtually any room in any type of residential or commercial project. This course examines homebuyer attitudes concerning fireplaces, various types of hearth products, and heat management systems, and provides guidance on specifying the right fireplace for a project.

Unprotected openings resulting from the installation of electrical, plumbing, and mechanical systems represent a breach of the fire resistive floor or wall assemblies. This course examines firestop systems used for maintaining or regaining the fire resistance rating of a fire separation, and includes discussions on testing standards, fire classified floor boxes, poke-thru devices, and through-wall penetration systems.

With a radiant heat system, the temperature profile associated with a forced-air system is switched around, and the entire floor becomes the radiator. The heat radiates from the floor, warming all of the objects in the room, and everything in the room gains a warm, comfortable feel to it. This course evaluates self-regulating polymer technology and the performance benefits of using PTC (positive temperature coefficient) heaters for energy efficient floor warming, primary heating, snow melting, and roof de-icing.

 This course is part of one or more "Course Collections". Click to view details.

Large format floor tiles are elegant, classy, and timeless, and create spacious and stylish environments with high-end appeal. This course introduces a unique, cutting edge surfacing material known as ultracompact surfacing (UCS) and explores how it is manufactured, installation considerations, and the attributes that contribute to its superior performance and design potential.

Fournit une introduction aux principes de base des couleurs, notamment la terminologie, la perception et la psychologie des couleurs, les effets de la lumière, ainsi que les styles et les tendances actuelles.

This course follows the growth of the IP through four stories of projects whose objectives were met or exceeded though the use of the IP. The projects range in age from 1993 to the present and in scope from a series of single-family homes and a freestanding rural structure to a multi-acre inner city mixed use redevelopment. The course will highlight the IP components employed while focusing on the more invisible benefits and the lessons learned from each of the IPs.

 This course is part of one or more "Course Collections". Click to view details.

 In order to download this course, a USD $50.00 fee must be paid.

Today’s gas fireplaces make a stylish, modern design statement while providing a safe and efficient option for supplemental heat. This course explores the benefits of direct vent, electric ignition gas fireplaces over other fuel and venting options, with a focus on the innovative features and design possibilities offered by frameless fireplaces suitable for any residential or commercial space.

Traditionally, monolithic concrete forms are made of lumber. After the concrete has been poured, the lumber forms must be stripped from the concrete. The footer and the slab must then be insulated for frost protection. This course details how a frost-protected shallow foundation (FPSF) is constructed and introduces a new, innovative, stay-in-place EPS (expanded polystyrene) footing form that provides insulation and simplifies the installation of frost-protected monolithic concrete slab foundations.

Wood is a versatile building material that must be protected from exposure to moisture, pests, fungi, and molds. Tropical hardwoods are naturally durable, but unsustainable logging practices threaten their availability and the health of old growth forests. This course discusses Furfurylated Wood Modification, one method of changing the physical characteristics of fast growing wood to resemble tropical hardwood.

Gas fireplaces offer the look of wood burning fireplaces, while providing the convenience of remote control operation. This course delves into gas fireplaces and discusses their advantages over wood-burning fireplaces, types of gas units and venting options, their versatility in placement, and design and functional considerations critical to the selection process

For years, gas-burning hearth appliances have outsold wood-burning appliances due to the many favorable benefits they provide. This course provides a review of the variety of gas hearth appliances (GHA), the advantages they offer, and the types of venting systems that are available today. Also presented is a discussion of the factors that require consideration to facilitate a successful GHA installation.

It is always better to be safe rather than sorry when it comes to installing gates and operators. UL 325 and ASTM F2200 standards exist to ensure gate safety for not only property owners and visitors, but for installers and anyone servicing the gate and operator. This course begins with an overview of the different types of gates available today and the operators that move them, and then reviews how to meet UL 325 and ASTM F2200 safety standard requirements for swing and slide gates.

Présenter un aperçu des modes de gestion de l’eau et des eaux pluviales à l’échelle d’un terrain, d’un quartier et d’un bassin hydrologique et examiner le lien entre ces modes de gestion et la planification de collectivités durables et la conception de bàtiments écologiques.

Good daylighting design meets the illumination requirements of a space and brings about physical, psychological, and energy-saving benefits. This course examines how aerogel filled polycarbonate sheeting systems can help meet sustainable design goals and contribute to energy-efficient daylighting design and the overall health and well-being of building occupants.

 This course is part of one or more "Course Collections". Click to view details.

With a focus on hybrid green roof systems, this course provides an overview of green roofs, including system options and design and specification considerations, such as plant selection, irrigation, mitigation of wind pressure and fire risk, sloped applications, and warranty options.

 This course is part of one or more "Course Collections". Click to view details.

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 run-off.

 This course is part of one or more "Course Collections". Click to view details.

Provides an overview of living walls with a focus on vertical planter systems with integrated irrigation. Presented are discussions of the benefits of living walls, a comparison of system options, as well as design and specification considerations, including plant selection, growing media, lighting, and maintenance requirements.

 This course is part of one or more "Course Collections". Click to view details.

Over time urban parks and other open landscaped areas are being lost to development. One solution to mitigate this issue is to reconsider undeveloped areas such as building roofs to create green amenity spaces. Amenity decks can provide some alleviation of lost green space, while affording developers the potential to monetize unutilized spaces in their buildings and provide an advantage over older buildings to attract tenants.

 This course is part of one or more "Course Collections". Click to view details.

There are a wide variety of grout types available in the market today. This course provides an overview, including composition, cost, performance characteristics and related ANSI standards of different grout types. This course also provides an in-depth discussion about the relatively new category of pre-mixed grouts, specifically pre-mixed urethane grout. The course will conclude with a discussion on how to choose the best grout for your projects’ specific requirements.