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...

Provides an overview of the history of solid surface as a decorative material with a discussion on product characteristics and attributes, and a comparison of sustainability factors of three hard surface materials and their environmental impact.

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

Motorized doors in industrial and warehousing environments provide convenience, save time, and increase productivity. However, motorized doors also carry the risk of entrapment. This course explains the need for entrapment protection devices on motorized commercial and industrial doors and discusses how to specify the appropriate sensing edge actuation method and monitoring function to meet design, safety, and industry code requirements for specific building projects.

Across the United States, building owners in hot and cold climates are subject to peak energy demand charges. This course examines the economic and environmental effects of peak energy demand as applied to modern buildings, focusing on how peak energy demand is incorporated into utility billing structures and how cool or reflective roofing yields peak demand and net energy savings in all climates within North America.

Although known for being a strong and versatile building material, there are a number of factors that affect the sustainability of concrete, and a variety of measures that can be taken to increase its durability and extend its service life, thus protecting the health, safety, and welfare of the users. This course discusses the environmental impact of concrete and some of the main causes of concrete deterioration, and examines how crystalline waterproofing technology can be employed to increase the durability and sustainability of concrete.

Prerequisites: No

Course Level: Introductory

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

Not only is standing seam metal roofing (SSMR) robust and durable, but the seam itself also provides a convenient anchorage point for the mounting of rooftop equipment. This course reviews the features and advantages of SSMR in terms of durability and sustainability, and the appropriate attachment solutions for mounting equipment. The course focuses on nonpenetrating roof seam clamps and design considerations for their use with snow retention and solar panel systems.

Prerequisites: None

Course Level: Introductory

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

This LEED® Specific course is for anyone working on a LEED project and will address issues such as proper calculation methodology, accounting for urinals in buildings, proper weighted calculations for dual-flush toilets, public vs. private fixtures, fixture usage groups and the use of proper gender ratios, and how to successfully submit the LEED Prerequisite/Credit Forms in LEED Online. Learn what reviewers are looking for and how to submit it right the first time.

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

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

This 4-hour LEED Green Associate exam preparation course provides an introduction to green building, covers each of the credit categories within the LEED BD&C rating systems, includes 400 realistic practice exam questions and provides access to a comprehensive study guide designed to prepare you for exam success.

 In order to download this course, a USD $99.00 fee must be paid.

The green building movement is gaining momentum worldwide, resulting in stricter regulations regarding the energy efficiency of structures. Conventional construction methods can't always meet these demands and more innovative and thermally efficient building products are required. This course focuses specifically on thermal bridging, how it affects the overall efficiency of a building, and how it can be effectively addressed.

Prerequisites:No

Course Level:Introductory

 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

When deciding on outdoor cabinetry, understanding the available material options is essential to the selection of a long-lasting, sustainable choice. This course reviews the pros and cons of these options, with a focus on the attributes, sustainability, and performance characteristics of marine-grade high-density polyethylene (HDPE) material, engineered to withstand extreme conditions while maintaining optimal structural integrity.

Prerequisites: No

Course Level: Introductory

Pest control is vital to protecting our quality of life, food and water sources, and environment. How pest control is achieved is just as vital to the long-term safety and sustainability of our health, buildings, and natural resources. This course discusses how integrated pest management (IPM) suppresses pest populations in effective, economical, and environmentally safe ways, and details how to establish an IPM plan for a facility, including LEED® building projects.

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

Trash, recycling, and linen chutes must be designed, installed, and maintained to meet the 2019 NFPA 82 standard. This course addresses trash, recycling, and linen chutes and includes discussions on system components, accessory components, compactors and sorters, and meeting NFPA 82 requirements. The program also guides you through a typical installation of a chute system.

Prerequisites: No

Course Level: Introductory

Western red cedar's (WRC) aesthetic, economic, and environmental benefits are just some of the reasons why builders and designers are increasingly gravitating to this species of wood. Presented here are modern, historical, and cultural uses of western red cedar, as well as its performance characteristics, grade specification, and finishes. Also discussed are sustainable forest management practices and certification agencies, and how sustainably sourced wood can contribute to LEED® credits.

Prerequisites: No

Course Level: Introductory

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

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.

A sound building envelope should be sustainable and provide fire resistance, good thermal performance, and protection from the elements. Mineral wool, fire rated insulated metal panels (IMPs) can improve building performance and contribute to a sustainable design strategy. Included in this course are discussions on mineral wool IMP characteristics and design options, performance advantages, and installation considerations. The course details how fire resistance is specified in the International Building Code and provides examples of fire wall and fire partition construction assemblies.

Trim and molding occupy a small amount of space on a home’s exterior, however their aesthetic value outweighs their size. Properly designed exterior moldings and trim need a full understanding of the materials and the design rules and functions for each location. This course takes the reader through the design and installation of exterior moldings, in particular PVC molding, and looks at some common molding mistakes and solutions.

Millennial consumers are committed to making environmentally sustainable purchasing choices. But what makes a product truly sustainable? This course presents data to show that thermally fused laminate (TFL) and other waste wood fiber products are among the most sustainable building materials on the market. Forest management, the properties that make wood climate positive, efficiencies in the panel manufacturing process, and the criteria and processes behind environmental certification are discussed.

Prerequisites: No

Course Level: Introductory

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

Modern security bollards are highly engineered and tested devices that can withstand deliberate ramming by a 15,000 lb vehicle. Bollards are more than decorative boundary markers; they are an essential tool to protect lives and property. This course explains bollard crash testing standards, reviews the pros and cons of available bollard materials, and discusses steel bollard designs for low- and high-impact applications.

Risks of self harm and suicide are inherent in behavioral health facilities. The common areas for concern in psychiatric inpatient units are ligature attachment points that present a hanging risk. In this course we review the evolution of patient safety hardware with a focus on ligature-resistant hardware designed to prevent the opportunity for self harm.

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

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.

In the last couple of decades, houses have become progressively more airtight due to energy efficiency and cost concerns. While air infiltration and exfiltration rates have been significantly reduced, the need for an efficient ventilation system has become extremely important. This course evaluates different types of mechanical ventilation systems and discusses why heat recovery ventilation (HRV) and energy recovery ventilation (ERV) systems are characterized by a high level of energy efficiency and as an effective means for improving indoor air quality.

Prerequisites: No

Course Level: Introductory

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

Good restroom design includes regard for user experience, environmental impact, good hygiene, and cost over time─hand-drying fixtures are a necessary element of this design process. In this course, we review how new technologies can address the hygiene, dry speed, sound level, and accessibility concerns of a restroom project. We also discuss why it is vital to specify hand dryers with optimum energy and cost efficiency.

Unfortunately, gun violence is a reality, and design strategies must be employed to ensure a suitable level of protection and safety. This course addresses bullet-resistant fiberglass composite panels and the need for architectural armoring. The course discusses ballistic material testing and standards, the types of ballistic materials available, and fiberglass composite panel applications and installation considerations.

Prerequisites: No

Course Level: Introductory

Air control dampers are an essential component of a building’s HVAC system, regulating heating, cooling, and ventilation performance. Presented here is an introduction to control, balancing, backdraft, industrial, and multizone dampers; each type plays an important role in the HVAC system. Discussed are damper types, components, and performance metrics. Guidance is provided for damper specification, installation, maintenance, and inspection.