Recent changes in commercial wall assembly design have resulted in increased energy efficiency but also present new challenges to meeting building code fire safety provisions. The focus of this course is on air barrier membranes and the proper integration of these materials into fire-safe wall assemblies.

Prerequisites: No

Course Level: Introductory

Commercial aluminum wall, window, and roof systems have undergone improvements in recent decades, making them technologically sufficient to meet contemporary standards of durability. In addition to being familiar with the systems’ thermal and other ecological benefits, specifiers need to understand paint chemistry and the difference between powder and liquid coating application methods. It is also important to understand third-party specifications published by AAMA, which cover architectural coatings.

Prerequisites:No

Course Level:Introductory

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

For some applications, building codes provide for the use of fire-retardant-treated (FR) wood products as an alternative to noncombustible materials. To ensure that FR wood products are properly specified, it is important to understand how these products are made, their formulations, and the building code references that guide their use in construction. This course offers a review of FR wood products, including their manufacture, the applications and types of fire retardants that are available, and the factors that must be considered to ensure FR wood products are properly specified for code compliance.

Insulation is one of the most critical factors in maintaining the life of a building. With benefits such as energy efficiency and code compliance, polyurethane spray foam insulation is the ideal choice for many interior and exterior applications. This course examines both low- and medium-density polyurethane spray foam insulation, its characteristics, design considerations, and life cycle analysis for commercial applications.

Spray polyurethane foam (SPF) insulation can be applied with precision almost anywhere, expanding to completely fill gaps and spaces, providing a durable, long-lasting, energy efficient solution to today’s green building insulation demands. This course summarizes the attributes, benefits, and applications of SPF and discusses how spray polyurethane foam insulation meets compliance in terms of energy efficiency, construction, and safety practices within the building codes.

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

Metal roofing and especially standing seam roofing (SSR) has a long history of top performance as well as a number of styles and uses. In order to take advantage of the benefits of SSR, it is necessary for each designer to choose, specify, and detail the correct product for every installation. This course explains the differences in application parameters, wind testing protocols, design details, and available warranties that can inform those choices and, in turn, lead to problem-free SSRs.

Comfortable indoor environments with enhanced air quality improve the health and well-being of the building’s occupants. The course compares fabric air dispersion systems to traditional metal duct systems. It explores the evolution of fabric air dispersion systems and discusses essential design considerations, including: shape, layout options, system dimensions, suspension systems, fittings, air dispersion design, fabric options, orifices/vents, and air pressure design, and how they impact energy efficiency and indoor environmental quality.

An improperly ventilated house is susceptible to a range of problems, from mold growth and structural damage to increased energy costs. Achieving proper ventilation means understanding the flow of air into and out of the building envelope. This course discusses principles of proper ventilation in houses with steep-slope roofing—from the science behind moisture and airflow to the products used to assist ventilation through a structure.

The roofing system can have a dramatic effect on the building’s life cycle and energy costs, as well as its overall appearance. This course explores stone coated steel roofing systems, and includes discussions on the installation methods used, testing and standards, and comparative characteristics and sustainable attributes of stone coated steel roofing versus traditional roofing materials.

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

Structural laminated decking allows the beauty of the wood structure to be exposed, creating a unique architectural experience for its occupants. Aesthetics, strength, and durability are combined in one engineered product. Structural laminated wood decking is an environmentally sustainable and cost-effective alternative to solid timber and other roof systems. This course discusses the characteristics of laminated wood decking and reviews recommended design, specification, and installation practices.

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

With the ever-increasing focus on the sustainable built environment, building owners, architects, engineers, and contractors are incorporating structural steel into their designs. Presented here is a comprehensive view of the cradle-to-cradle structural steel supply chain from a sustainability perspective. Also discussed are steel production and design, steel’s potential contribution to LEED v4 credits, thermal capacity, and the environmental and life cycle benefits of prefabricated fireproof steel columns.

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

Metering platforms are essential to understanding the use of energy within a building. Submetering is a vital part of sustainability programs and intelligent building design. This course discusses submetering and measurement and verification (M&V) technologies and products, and illustrates how they can be integrated into building management systems (BMS) to reduce energy consumption and overall operating costs.

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

Originally developed to reduce solar heat gain from entering through a pane of glass, window films in today’s market provide UV protection, reduce glare, reduce fading, increase occupant comfort, offer safety and security, and yield energy savings. This course evaluates the performance of different types of solar control window films and offers daylighting strategies for commercial, retail, and residential building and architectural applications.

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

Currently, buildings are the single biggest contributor to GHG emissions, accounting for roughly half of all energy consumption in the US and globally. It is crucial to reduce this level of consumption by including high performance envelope strategies like shading systems, in all new building designs. In this course, we will look at shading systems, examine shading and design strategies, and learn tips for successful selection and design.

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

Heat loss in buildings is largely attributed to poorly performing windows and walls. Fiberglass windows and doors and cladding support systems contribute to superior building envelope thermal performance. Presented here is the impact of windows on building performance, the characteristics that make fiberglass windows thermally efficient, and how fiberglass cladding support systems mitigate thermal bridging, improving energy efficiency.

Prerequisites:No

Course Level:Introductory

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

Traditionally used for high-performance architectural applications, water-based PVDF coatings can now be applied to cellular PVC cladding materials, delivering high performance in a new application. This course presents the benefits of cellular PVC as a cladding material and focuses on water-based PVDF coatings, how they work, and how their performance characteristics contribute to their durability.

Assesses the urban environmental issues of stormwater runoff and heat islands and describes how their damaging impacts can be mitigated by blue, white, and green roofs. The considerations and additional benefits of each roof type are also discussed.

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

The materials we use have a significant impact on the environment, our communities, and our health. Consequently, material transparency—wherein manufacturers disclose vital sustainability information about their products—is an increasingly necessary element of modern life. This course examines the tools and resources that are available for both manufacturers and the A&D community that effectively communicate transparency information and optimization of building products. Also reviewed are the benefits of the new-generation insulated metal panels (IMPs) designed to achieve a trusted range of health and wellness certifications.

Prerequisites: None

Course Level: Introductory

Recycled rubber flooring is an environmentally responsible material that outlasts many types of traditional commercial flooring products when exposed to normal foot traffic stress. Interior and exterior recycled rubber surfacing products are explored in terms of their sustainable design benefits and applications. The program includes discussions on rubber manufacturing, post-consumer tires, and green building certification programs.

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

Understanding a product’s life cycle impact is central to the selection of materials for any green building. High pressure decorative laminate (HPDL) manufacturers have initiatives in place to reduce waste, energy, and virgin materials in its production. This course introduces HPDL, its performance characteristics, fabrication techniques, and manufacturing processes and the processes and ingredients that make it a sustainable decorative surfacing solution for commercial and residential applications.

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

Our planet has a constant amount of water and a rapidly increasing population, meaning water must be used efficiently. This course takes a look at water and stormwater management at the site, neighborhood and watershed levels and various methods of conservation and water quality management. We’ll look at the basics of our natural water cycle and how it is impacted by population. Finally, we’ll review some examples of water and stormwater management plans.

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

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

Concrete is a very versatile and fundamental building material; however, because it is porous and wicks water through its matrix, concrete has water-related design challenges. This program examines the sustainable benefits of integral concrete waterproofing, and analyzes traditional waterproofing methods as compared to integral methods in terms of performance, durability, risk, cost, and construction timeline.

Prerequisites: No

Course Level: Introductory

Synthetic (artificial) grass, specifically designed for use with dogs, is a cost-effective solution that offers a clean, safe, and aesthetically pleasing environment for dogs. Presented here are the health, safety, performance, and cost benefits of installing synthetic grass specifically designed for dogs; its suitable applications; design considerations; installation factors; and maintenance guidelines.

Ponding water on a low-sloped roof can greatly reduce the performance and lifespan of the roof membrane. Tapered roof insulation systems reduce or eliminate ponding water when a roof deck does not provide adequate slope. This course describes the benefits of tapered polyisocyanurate insulation and discusses the profiles, panel repeats, and design options available. Also addressed are cricket installation guidelines, tapered roof system average R-values, and specification tips.

Prerequisites:No

Course Level:Introductory