In today’s high-performance building market, specifying materials that work together as a complete wall system is more critical than ever. Systems can help designers meet new energy codes, reduce costs, and improve building function and sustainability while making the design process faster and simpler. Focusing on the most common exterior wall system, steel stud with masonry veneer, this course details key system components, recent advances in building analysis, code requirements, and a comprehensive systems approach.

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...

In addition to being an effective alternative to artificial lighting options, daylighting provides a wide range of other benefits for the building and the health and comfort of its occupants. This course addresses achieving daylighting in building design using skylights and translucent wall systems. This program includes discussions on the basics of daylighting, glazing options, daylighting methods, creative design, and the environmental benefits of daylighting systems.

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

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...

Water intrusion creates a variety of problems for masonry structures, including freeze-thaw damage, chemical- and pollution-based attacks, efflorescence, calcium carbonate stains, and mold. This course reviews the application and specification considerations related to water repellents and how they can help to prevent these problems.

Safety and security window films offer protection from a variety of events, from accidents and natural disasters, to break and entry and bomb blasts. This course examines safety and security window film and attachment systems and includes discussions on the history of films and film classifications, the functional benefits and applications of window films and attachment systems, and the relevant testing standards and specifications.

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

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.

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.

Facilities that require commercial doors and operators depend on the smooth functioning of these systems for productivity, profitability, security, and safety. This course addresses the various types of commercial doors and operators available. Door and operator safety is also discussed, with particular emphasis on the UL 325 standard, its requirements, and the devices that make a door system compliant.

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

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.

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.

Water leaks and damage are some of the biggest problems encountered with masonry construction and cavity walls. The proper choice and installation of flexible through-wall flashing, however, can ensure that moisture is directed out of the wall cavity and the risk of potential damage is minimized.

Moisture infiltration through a building envelope can cause widespread damage to building elements and construction materials. In some cases, it can threaten or destroy a building’s structural integrity. The components of today’s waterproofing systems for floors and walls above- and below-grade, or plaza decks are designed to work together to provide tight, durable, and complete protection not just against water, but all other environmental contaminants. This course discusses the fundamentals of waterproofing design, the types of materials used, and the considerations for selecting a waterproofing system to meet the requirements of a building project.

Green building is about architectural and human performance, and about creating spaces that enhance the user experience. In these regards, LEED v4 and other green programs can drive market transformation. This course demonstrates how LEED requirements are changing to place greater emphasis on materials and health. It also illustrates how new credits with higher standards for health and performance are raising the bar for project teams and the sustainable buildings they design.

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

Air curtains create a seamless barrier of air over any door, window, or opening, offering significant energy savings to building owners and helping to maintain interior building temperatures. This course examines how air curtains reduce whole building energy consumption, provide thermal comfort, and maintain air quality even when a door is open. The basic principles and theory of how air curtains operate and how to properly identify applications and maximize the air curtain’s energy savings potential are discussed in detail. Selection, application, and installation of the various types of air curtains are also explained.

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

NFPA 285 is a fire test for wall assemblies in noncombustible buildings that are wrapped in combustible materials. This course explains the NFPA 285 test method, its origin, its procedures, when it is required by the International Building Code, its relevance to ASHRAE 90.1 criteria for continuous insulation and air/water resistive barriers, and design considerations necessary for test compliance. Key combustible wall assembly layers such as insulation, air/water resistive barriers, and exterior cladding options are also discussed.

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

Today, architects and designers need to give special consideration to building acoustics when developing plans for new and newly renovated construction projects. Excessive noise in any environment is considered a serious problem that can negatively impact occupant comfort, leading to learning difficulties, sleep deprivation, delayed recovery from illness, and lack of privacy. Sound basics are discussed in this course, and STC, IIC, and sound attenuation (reduction) techniques are explained. Various case studies are examined to develop further understanding of the performance of common sound abatement assemblies that are essential for occupant well-being and comfort.

Commercial door manufacturers have developed solutions that are specifically tailored to address the unique challenges of the automotive dealership market, which include high energy costs, damage to automobiles, and costly repairs. This course provides a review of the types of commercial doors, commercial door operators, safety sensors, and automotive dealership accessory options, as well as a discussion of UL 325 compliance.

Prerequisites:No

Course Level:Introductory

Choosing the correct roofing materials is a critical first step for builders, architects, and designers as they construct a new building, and for facility managers who work with these professionals to remodel existing buildings. This program examines SBS modified bitumen roofing and underlayment systems and includes discussions on the properties of SBS modified bitumen membrane, applications, testing, codes and standards, and underlayments, and provides a comparison with other commercial roofing materials.

Designing to accommodate thermal movement is just one of the many critical details for the long-term success of a metal roof installation. This course covers the design and specification considerations and architectural details that impact project requirements, as well as the components and the energy-efficient features of metal roofing assemblies.

Prerequisites:No

Course Level:Introductory

While architects and designers have many choices for specifying dynamic architectural surfaces in their projects, the result of using photography in such applications has historically presented challenges. This course explores typical digital images used in glass installations, gigapixel photography, guidelines for glass transparency, and the impacts of luminosity and reflectivity. Finally, it looks at potential applications for gigapixel images in large- or small-scale architectural surfaces.

Understanding how insulated metal panels comply with fire safety regulations under the code is critical to their proper use in creating highly energy-efficient and sustainable buildings. This course takes a relatively complex subject and addresses the most important fire safety aspects to allow building designers to make an informed decision on the use of these popular cladding systems. Also reviewed are how these products have been addressed in the development of the International Building Code and the various third-party product listings, evaluation reports, and engineering judgements used to show compliance.

Prerequisites:No

Course Level:Introductory

Masonry is an ideal sustainable building construction material as it is extremely durable, recyclable, and reusable. It allows for extraordinary design versatility so it can meet both aesthetic and functional requirements. This course looks at the design elements, components, and construction techniques that characterize sustainable masonry cavity wall building envelopes.

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

Provides an overview of the types, features, and benefits of designing with cellular PVC trim, including a discussion on the installation guidelines and manufacturing processes.

Sustainable building design (SD) using the integrated design process (IDP) and building information modelling (BIM) is now a well-established practice, but until recently, green product selection was a parallel process. This course demonstrates how advanced software now seamlessly integrates the gathering, documentation, and sharing of accurate SD product information where it can be the most effective: at the early stages of a BIM/IDP process.

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