It is an expectation that today’s buildings have to be more than just aesthetically pleasing: they have to provide measurable environmental benefits. This course outlines how insulated concrete forms (ICFs) help meet sustainable design objectives and examines the advantages that ICFs and ICF technology have over conventional construction materials for building envelopes in all building types.

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

In the wake of the green movement, combined with rising energy costs, building sustainability has become an important topic. This course examines how foil-faced polyisocyanurate (polyiso) continuous insulation can function as a multiple control layer, providing a building with an air and water-resistive barrier and a thermal control layer. Additionally, this course reviews building codes and standards for meeting the continuous insulation requirements in steel stud building envelope designs, the benefits of using polyiso insulation in wall assemblies, and how polyiso insulation meets NFPA 285 requirements.

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

When selecting an underlayment, considerations should include not only durability, sustainability, and comfort underfoot but also any potential subfloor moisture issues. In this course, we review selection criteria for a project-specific underlayment and take a deeper look at subfloor moisture assessment, testing, and solutions.

Prerequisites: No

Course Level: Introductory

Lack of secure bicycle parking and storage is one of the top barriers to increased bicycle ridership. However, there is much more to selecting functional and appropriate bike storage than installing a few racks at the building sidewalk. This course examines best practices for bicycle racks and shelters for indoor and outdoor bicycle parking and storage, including typical municipal guidelines and regulations, incentives, guidance on shelters, and rack planning and design.

Prerequisites: No

Course Level: Introductory

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

Design-focused wine displays are becoming increasingly popular in amazing residential and commercial properties throughout the world. Top design/build professionals are using stylish wine racks and other premium materials to create wine cellars that are too beautiful to hide in out-of-the-way places like dusty basements. This course explains why wine cellars have become so popular and the key aspects of designing an appealing modern wine cellar, broken into six planning steps that should be considered during pre- or early-construction phases.

The spread of smoke in mid- and high-rise building fires is recognized as a major threat to the safety of the building occupants and responding fire personnel and the effectiveness of firefighting operations. This course explains how smoke migrates in a multistory building fire and discusses how building codes have evolved to address this danger and why they mandate smoke containment in specific areas of a structure. Product applications and assemblies designed to meet building code requirements and limit vertical smoke migration via elevator hoistways and lobbies are examined.

Prerequisites: No

Course Level: Introductory

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

Paints provide a decorative and protective barrier on the surfaces and substrates they are applied to. Paint performance is influenced by the quality of the ingredients, and by specifying the correct product and finish for the application. This program discusses types of paint, components of paint, paint finishes, surface preparation, and a three-coat painting system.

Mechanical vibration and structure-borne noise exist in all building environments. Depending on how severe the disturbance and how sensitive the equipment, the problems caused by the vibration or shock can be negligible or destructive. This course explains why, during the entire building design process, it is essential to consider what a building is being used for and the potential impact of vibration and structure-borne noise, not only from external sources but also from equipment running within the building.

Prerequisites: No

Course Level: Introductory

The design of public restrooms is essential to the success and function of all building projects. Among the most important design criteria are public health, privacy, safety, and welfare. In this course, we take a look at what goes into planning a washroom that meets all these needs, looking at fixture counts, code requirements, and accessibility and selecting suitable partitions that meet these and sustainability requirements.

Prerequisites: No

Course Level: Introductory

Commercial rolling service doors offer high performance solutions for demanding areas. Used both internally and externally, these doors provide excellent thermal insulation, strength, and durability in challenging environments. This course examines the characteristics of rolling service doors, fire doors, grilles, and shutters. Door operation, parts, fire code requirements, and wind load information are also discussed.

High-performance coating systems are designed to protect surfaces in many different service environments: from mild conditions—such as those in a commercial kitchen—to severe conditions, which include exposure to coastal salt air, intense weathering, and continual high humidity and moisture levels. A coating’s ability to mitigate corrosion, abrasion, deterioration from chemical exposure, and weathering is critical in today’s building climate. This course reviews single- and two-component coating systems, describes corrosion basics, and examines selection criteria for high-performance coating systems in various applications.

Animals, plants, and microbes are engineers of what works and lasts on earth. Biomimicry is a practice in which nature's designs, patterns, and strategies are examined to find sustainable solutions to our technical and design problems. This course discusses how applying the concepts of biomimicry can better connect our designs and buildings with nature and examines the relationship between nature's solutions to light, heat, and glare control and today's shading design principles.

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

The surface coating is the first line of defense in prepainted metal, and one of the most important elements to consider as part of a metal purchase. Selecting the right coating, finish, and paint system can affect product lifespan, energy efficiency, and aesthetic appeal. This course discusses the composition of prepainted metal, its application and performance, and examines the building and environmental factors that may influence the type of paint system specified.

Prerequisites: None

Course Level: Introductory

Over time a color pattern has developed through the historic events, society, arts, and technology that shape each decade. A correlation can be drawn between the happenings and the prevalent colors for every decade through periods of rest and periods of upheaval. This course illustrates how the use of color can express our individuality and culture, and how the past can inspire us with fresh ideas for using color in the present. Highlighting the prevalent colors of more than ten decades, this course also looks at the societal, political, technological, and cultural influences which impacted and defined the personality of each decade.

Good acoustic and aesthetic environments are important to the health, safety, comfort, satisfaction, productivity, and general well-being of all building users. This course outlines the benefits of and methodologies for simultaneously creating both with wall and ceiling acoustic treatments. The highly illustrated course includes detailed descriptions of the many acoustic wall and ceiling treatment options available, as well as sample installations.

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

A loading dock must be properly designed for safety and the efficient movement of product over the dock. This course outlines some of the basic design considerations for the site and the loading dock, and examines the selection criteria for four dock equipment categories: gap bridging (dock levelers), safety, weather protection, and lighting equipment.

This course is aimed at Contractors and their trades who are working on a LEED project pursuing the Materials and Resources prerequisite and credit for Construction and Demolition Waste Management in LEEDv4. This course will provide you with tools and resources to effectively manage the construction and demolition waste on your project in order to meet LEED requirements.

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

 In order to download this course, a USD $29.00 fee must be paid.

Learners will receive information about cast stone and how it is made, testing requirements, applications, design recommendations and how it differs from related materials. Learners will describe appropriate specification, design details of cast stone for architectural applications and how to determine quality cast stone production.

Prerequisites: No

Course Level: Introductory

Surface design and color impact people in one way or another. Why do some surroundings induce a sense of calm, happiness, or inspiration while others offer nothing but distraction, discomfort, chaos, doom, and gloom? Interior surfaces are the point of contact between users and their environment, as well as an important connection between the visual and physical worlds. This course examines the integral role that surface color and design play in interior spaces and how color and design can improve health, reduce stress, enhance safety, and promote well-being in building occupants. Key requirements in the selection and specification process are also discussed.

Prerequisites: No

Course Level: Introductory

Insulation can help increase overall energy efficiency, minimize the spread of fire, manage risks associated with moisture and mold, and improve occupant comfort. Choosing the right insulation and putting it in the right location is becoming one of the most important decisions in design, construction, and retrofit. Reviewed in this course are the features, benefits, and design and installation considerations related to mineral wool continuous insulation.

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

Although built-up roofs are the oldest type of low-slope roofing systems, gaining an understanding of the advantages and characteristics of modified bitumen membranes will help you select the asphalt roofing system that improves performance and saves on installation costs over traditional asphalt roofs. Learn how “mod bit” roofs, whether APP or SBS, provide improved durability with stronger reinforcements, resist hail and traffic damage, and provide factory-controlled quality manufacturing.

For those who desire the look and feel of granite, but are concerned about its drawbacks, engineered quartz may be the solution. Harder and stronger than granite, engineered quartz offers a design aesthetic that is different from other surfacing materials. This course provides an overview of the characteristics, features, and benefits of engineered quartz surfaces, as well as a discussion on the related green certification programs.

Today's building designs demand reliable building envelopes coupled with pleasing aesthetics. This course discusses how innovations in custom and specialty finishes on MCM panels now means that the limitation is your imagination. In particular, we will look at the use of anodized, natural metals such as zinc and rust as well as organic coatings. The course will also cover applicable standards and specifications for using these finishes.

Prerequisites: No

Course Level: Introductory

Quartz surfacing material is one of the most durable products in the market today. While there are many surfacing options available such as natural stone, acrylic solid surface, ceramic, concrete, and laminate, none offer the flexibility, strength, durability, and endless design possibilities of a quartz surface. This course examines the characteristics, attributes, and manufacturing processes involved with quartz surfaces, explaining how they influence material performance, safety, and durability. A comparison with other surfacing options and the use of quartz surfaces in healthcare applications are also discussed.

The cleanliness of rooms in healthcare facilities is critical in preventing patients from contracting life-threatening infections. Along with proper hand hygiene, frequent privacy or cubicle curtain changes help prevent the spread of healthcare associated infections (HAIs). This course examines the social, economic, and operational impact HAIs have on a healthcare organization and explains why removable curtain systems make it easier to keep privacy curtains clear of dangerous pathogens and protect the physical health of the building users.

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