Air barriers are intended to block air and moisture from getting into the building. But frequent testing and thermographic imaging shows that one common source of building leaks is at or near air barrier failures. Improper lapping and detailing of terminations, incompatible products, and lack of adhesion are just a few of the potential culprits. Proper project-specific testing ahead of construction can help prevent these failures before they become costly. This course will review industry-recognized requirements and test methods specified for air barrier membranes. Participants will also learn how enhanced testing can measure long-term performance, giving you piece of mind before construction begins.

This course discusses the keys to designing Multi-wythe (Cavity Wall) assemblies using Concrete Masonry, with a focus on moisture control, energy conservation, structural performance and aesthetic options.

Health, safety, and welfare remain a fundamental aspect of building design practices. Incorporating fire-rated glass products provides creative design options while adhering to current model building codes. The new generation of fire-rated products is available in larger sizes that can withstand a fire for longer periods of time, and many fire-rated products can provide high impact safety rating, solar control, sound reduction, bullet resistance and hurricane impact safety, to name only a few multi-functional features. This course will define categories of fire-rated glass products, as well as the related test standards and current building code requirements for specifying architectural fire-rated glazing.

This course will address the brick manufacturing process and the design opportunities that brick offer. It will address design ideas to show examples to expand creativity. It will explore brick texture, special shapes, mortar applications, and color changes to broaden design thought and general information. We will look at the ecological benefits to using a recyclable building product, at designs which help control water by better jointing and using special shapes, and address the importance of communication with the manufacturers to better understand their capabilities.

This program is designed to give participants a general overview of building Educational structures with Insulated Concrete Forms ICF and show the benefits that they can provide during the design and construction phase. The course will also show how building with Insulated Concrete Forms will optimize energy performance, saving school boards on energy costs. The program also touches the health benefits that can be gained.

Evolution of Standing Seam Metal Roofing will follow trends in roof panel design, materials, manufacturing methods, testing and overall performance over the past 30+ years. We will touch on the different roof system types that evolved over the years, their strengths, weaknesses and where the industry is heading.

This educational unit will explore the consequences of unprotected concrete, how traditional waterproofing methods are used and where they fall short. Finally, the course will examine integral crystalline waterproofing methods and how to select for performance, safety and sustainability, and provide examples where new technology has overcome these problems for long term success.

Concrete Masonry has many advantages for building envelope construction. This course explains five key unexpected advantages that are not as widely known as they should be.

Provides an overview of the principles of passive fire protection, testing requirements for through penetrations, construction joints, rated duct enclosures, emergency circuitry protection, and identifying listed systems for your construction projects.

This course will review the process associate with design, specifications and installation of joint sealants for high performance building enclosures. This course outlines the benefits related to the selection of proper sealants for the vertical and horizonal joints

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.

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.

Off-site construction practices for commercial projects are growing in popularity because of their ability to combat persistent industry challenges such as weather delays, skilled labor shortages, material availability issues, and price increases. While the benefits to off-site construction are undeniable, the upfront efforts required from the project team can cause apprehension. This learning will take participants on an off-site construction journey leveraging case studies to share firsthand experiences of successful projects that have been able to turn the upfront effort into a wealth of benefits.

This course will discuss the code requirements for thermal and ignition barriers for spray polyurethane foam, the testing required, code requirements for vapor retarders depending on climate zone, and how these coatings are installed.

Other coastal softwood species can be used in many of the same applications as western red cedar, including yellow cedar, western hemlock, and Douglas fir. Their performance characteristics vary, giving each species its specific use for structural or appearance applications. This course reviews each softwood species and discusses the importance of sustainably managed forests in curbing climate change.

Other coastal softwood species can be used in many of the same applications as western red cedar, including yellow cedar, western hemlock, and Douglas fir. Their performance characteristics vary, giving each species its specific use for structural or appearance applications. This course reviews each softwood species and discusses the importance of sustainably managed forests in curbing climate change.

This course is intended to give an overview of an aspect of Sustainable Design (SD): Air Barriers. Air barriers meet this criterion because they support the definition of sustainable design through energy efficiency, building longevity, and improvement in air quality. This presentation meets the Health, Safety, Welfare (HSW) guidelines specifically around Health and Safety. It focuses on the HSW topic of Weatherproofing and Insulation. Greater than 75% of this course will focus on these topics. This course will provide an overview of air barrier construction in commercial buildings and offer insights into the benefits of air barriers. Design considerations will be presented both around specification and installation. The importance of substrate preparation is shown in order to achieve desired air barrier performance. Different materials and application methods are covered, including benefits and considerations. Application errors are shown for field verification and correction before building completion. Finally, test methods to verify air barrier performance are shown. Typical warrantees are described to ensure air barrier effectiveness.

Course will cover where FRT wood is specified in the codes, definition of FRT wood, and the use of coatings as an equivalent solution to FRT wood in various construction types.

As architects push the boundaries of design, materials that offer flexibility are essential; single-skin architectural metal wall panel systems provide such flexibility. Presented here are architectural metal wall panels, their fabrication process, design possibilities, and applications. Also discussed are the components and features of a perfect wall and a multicomponent wall assembly, the testing, safety, and installation of multicomponent metal wall panel systems, and how metal wall panels and their manufacturers can contribute to sustainability objectives.

A symposium that educates landscape architects on sustainable paving solutions for cities, communities, and campuses. Dr. William F. Hunt, III, PHD, PE from North Carolina State University will be discussing permeable paving benefits and opportunities. This symposium will highlight recent local projects successes using permeable paving to meet these new green infrastructure requirements while illustrating how they can still be functional and aesthetically pleasing. Several case studies will be examined and discussed.

This course is a discussion about the use of PMMA/PUMA technologies in the construction industry. This presentation exhibits key physical properties and the performance/benefits that they provide to the end user. Typical installation procedures recommended will be reviewed by for most common applications ie. vehicular coating and below-grade waterproofing.

The course details the benefits of designing with natural metals such as zinc, stainless and copper in order to achieve a uniquely aesthetic style with complex curves and tapers of the metal panels for a roof or a wall application.

Cellulose insulation has been used successfully by builders and designers for hundreds of years to provide comfort and warmth. Today, builders and designers also consider sustainability principles, climate change, occupant health and wellness issues, energy conservation, and carbon sequestration. Advanced cellulose insulation addresses all those areas as well. This course explains its environmental benefits, including its carbon capture ability, how it improves occupant health and well-being, and its numerous high-performance thermal, acoustic, and fire-resistant attributes.

A strong connection between the roof and wall is critical for building enclosure integrity, energy efficiency, and durability. This course will examine an innovative approach to the roof to wall connection utilizing a simplified parapet cap. Construction of these is generally fabricated in the field with wood that can warp, twist, and make this connection tricky. This course will explore a prefabricated option featuring high-strength material for a stable and sustainable parapet cap solution that can be used on any type of wall structure. This Engineered Framing System provides a plethora of installation benefits for commercial construction.

The beautiful gray patina of zinc architectural metal has graced the rooftops of buildings in Europe for hundreds of years. This course examines the sustainable characteristics of zinc as a roofing material, including its 100% recyclability, zero VOC requirement, and low embodied energy production process. The life cycle analysis of zinc is examined, as is zinc’s long-term service life. Various types of roof and wall applications are also discussed.