Play is more than fun and games—it is an essential component in helping children develop critical physical, mental, emotional, and social skills that lay the foundation for adulthood. Inclusive play breaks down barriers and builds community through fostering understanding of our similarities and differences. This course discusses how play impacts child development and describes the options and considerations for designing an inclusive playground that benefits all children and the community.

This course provides an overview of designing safe, functional, and aesthetically pleasing outdoor kitchen and living areas. Selecting outdoor kitchen cabinetry and appliances that meet a client’s needs and budget, and that address climate concerns can be challenging. The course discusses various types of cabinetry available with a focus on stainless steel as a positive alternative for cabinetry. Included is a synopsis of outdoor kitchen design principles and considerations.

This course outlines the logic and reasoning behind a proposal to strengthen the LEED program by restricting the "White Roof" LEED point to urban areas in ASHRAE Zones 1-3

In this one hour course, we will define the key attributes of sustainable roofing within a long-term design view. The design professional will learn about sustainable roofing benefits, including extended roof life and reduced heat island effect. Through case studies, we will discuss various sustainable roof types, including fluid-applied roof systems. We will access applications and installations of sustainable roofs in terms of best practices, performance and contribution to a more sustainable built environment.

This course will compare ICC-ES AC-438 - the recently introduced performance-based Acceptance Criteria for Alternative Asphalt Roofing Shingles to ASTM D3462 - the long standing acceptance criteria for shingle standards.

An improperly ventilated house is susceptible to a range of problems, from mold growth and structural damage to increased energy costs. 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.

In this one hour course, we will discuss how to transform playgrounds/schoolyards using water-based coatings. We will outline the benefits of schoolyard revitalization and examine playground initiative case studies from a wide range of US geographies. In conclusion, we will highlight “cool pavement technology” and its application at an elementary school in California.

Sustainable streets and creating better opportunities for pedestrian traffic is the focus of this course. We will discuss how walking paths and pavement design can bring communities together to create a more livable neighborhood and community environment. Additionally, applications concerning traffic calming and environmental benefits of pavement design will be reviewed. All design professionals and everyone interested in living and working in healthier, community-centric neighborhoods will benefit from participation in this course.

Resilient buildings are designed and built to not only withstand significant weather events, but to continue to function after. A significant component of a resilient building is unquestionably the roof system. Protecting a building from “everyday” weather events is a roof’s priority, but policies are mandating and owners are starting to demand resilient roofs and buildings. The presentation will discuss how to design new roofs to be resilient and how to upgrade existing roofs to be resilient.

Roof design and construction plays an important role in determining future operating energy costs for buildings. Membrane choice, insulation levels, and attachment methods all play a role in energy efficiency. This talk looks at field experience, previously published studies, and ways to evaluate building energy costs. The importance of energy source, eg. gas versus electricity, will be discussed. There is significant confusion as to the effect of membrane reflectivity which will be addressed. Using fully validated modeling tools systems will be compared to show how energy efficiency can be improved.

Single-ply membranes, along with their installation methodologies, have evolved to best meet the roofing needs of today’s low-slope commercial buildings. Past and present systems will be presented with a focus on today’s most prevalent membranes. Discussion will include the challenges surrounding single ply usage from a building science perspective — particularly the relationship between white membranes and condensation. Recent arguments regarding a white membrane’s effect on overall building energy efficiency will also be challenged. Finally, future trends will be outlined emphasizing the roof system as part of an integrated building envelope, not a discrete component as traditional perspectives have suggested.

This course provides an overview of the features, performance characteristics, styles and installation considerations of engineered wood siding and trim products.

Problems associated with moisture in construction are common and wide-ranging—from mold and rot, to corrosion and degradation, to leakage and staining—and affect not just the durability, appearance, and functioning of the building, but the health of the building’s occupants. This course addresses the materials and techniques that help to manage moisture in exterior walls and includes examples of common mistakes that lead to failures.

This presentation will bring knowledge of roof system design considerations when dealing with cold storage applications. The presenter will discuss various types of cold storage application techniques and provide insight on the importance of understanding internal climate zones and how they may impact design considerations for the roof system assembly. The presenter will discuss considerations for vapor barrier placement based on internal operation conditions as well as selection of insulation requirements. Focus on various insulation types, R value recommendations, and attachment options will also be discussed. The presenter will then discuss various types of single ply membranes as well as attachment options and considerations. The final and most critical segment will focus on detail considerations of the thermal envelope transitions. This will include wall to roof, roof to wall, internal climate transitions as well as roof penetrations. The presentation will end with a Q&A session and key takeaway points. Objectives: 1.Understanding of typical cold storage construction methods 2.The importance of understanding internal operations and conditions 3.Vapor barrier consideration and proper placement 4.ASHRAE recommended insulation R values & types 5.Importance of vapor seal transitions

This course outlines the logic and reasoning behind a proposal to strengthen the LEED program by restricting the "White Roof" LEED point to urban areas in ASHRAE Zones 1-3 Objectives: 1.Understand the Environmental impact with regards to net energy efficiency and global warming impact from reflecting heat back into the atmosphere 2.Understand the impact on Sustainability, Weatherability and Resilience from the current LEED point for Urban Heat Island mitigation that encourages the use of white roof membranes regardless of where the building is located. 3.Understand how the adoption of white roofs in certain climates may be contributing to unintended public or operational hazards/safety issues as well as the perception of LEED buildings. 4.Understand what your firm can do to be proactive regarding a change to the White Roof Urban Heat Island LEED point.

In the industry there is a need to sort out the confusion between the building codes, uplift rated assemblies, and warranties by explaining what each offers and how they should be considered. To understand the building code, we need to review how uplift is determined and the industry accepted rating method of roofing assemblies for comparison. After understanding the code criteria, how a roofing warranty wind speed coverage is regarded by the industry and building code will be reviewed to assist in clarification. Objectives: 1.Learn the basic design process for choosing the correct roofing assembly 2.Review the changes within the latest version of the ASCE 7 3.Understand how roof assemblies are tested and rated for uplift pressures 4.Realize the differences how warranty winds speeds are handled by roofing manufacturers and what to watch out for so the building owner receives the most comprehensive coverage.

The one-hour session will cover options on how to go beyond a manufacturer’s specification to incorporate durable products and roofing assemblies. A review of membranes, insulations, cover boards, and insulation attachments will all be considered. In addition, time will be spent discussing energy performance of the roof assembly and materials, a review of energy analysis comparing different roof assemblies and various color membranes associated to geographic locations, and the potential impact on the building performance. Objectives: 1.Understanding sustainability in roofing 2.Present trends within the industry offering Energy-Efficient assemblies. 3.Understanding energy-efficient roofing options and subsequent performance based on material color, insulation levels, building location and climatic conditions 4.Review current life cycle calculators/software to show energy performance, carbon emission and lifecycle analysis

This one-hour session will cover the history, purpose, benefits, components, installation and code considerations of vegetative roofing systems. Attendees will gain a better understanding of the use of vegetative roofs, their environmental benefits, as well as their durability. All common system types are covered as well as detailed information on the components which are part of a vegetative roof assembly. Objectives: 1.History of Vegetative Roofs as well as reasons for their use in current construction practices. 2.Understand the definition of storm water management and the role vegetative roofs can play in reducing storm water runoff. 3.Understand the Urban Heat Island Effect and the role vegetative and other roof types can accomplish heat island mitigation. 4.Wind and Structural Design of the rooftop and the considerations to be made when deciding on incorporation of a vegetative roof.

TPO roofing membrane has now been part of the roofing industry for 20 years and has become the leading segment as far as total volume used on an annual basis. With almost 10 billion square feet installed around the world, TPO has proven that it is an effective roofing material providing building owners with a low-cost, highly reflective, energy efficient roof system. Participants will learn the advantages of TPO roofing membrane versus other materials and how the use of new technology has allowed TPO to become even more resistant to a wide range of rooftop conditions. There is a reason for the astronomical growth of this roofing membrane and the presenters will shed light on the reasons why. Objectives: 1.Review physical performance data that demonstrate the sustainability and long term performance of TPO roofing membranes. 2.Understand the incorporation of new technologies into TPO membrane and the substantial increases in performance that have resulted. 3.Learn about heat welding seaming technology that allows TPO roof membrane to be installed quickly and consistently resulting in a system that is impervious to water infiltration. 4.Understand why TPO roofing membrane manufacturers can produce membrane without scrap that would typically be shipped to a landfill.

In this program the participants will learn the physical performance advantages of fleece membranes that enable them to resist the forces of mother nature such as wind, hail, rain, and cold. In addition they will learn the performance advantages of urethane adhesives that eliminate the dependence on solvents with VOCs or asphalt derived from foreign sources of oil. Several re-roofing advantages afforded by fleece membranes will be covered where you can re-use existing roofing systems and minimize landfill waste. Multiple-ply membrane options utilizing highly reflective TPO or extremely weatherable EPDM as the cap sheet will also be covered. Objectives: 1.Learn the physical performance advantages of fleece membranes that enable them to resist the forces of mother nature such as wind, hail, rain, and cold. 2.Learn the performance advantages of urethane adhesives that eliminate the dependence on solvents with VOCs or asphalt derived from foreign sources of oil. 3.Learn about re-roofing advantages afforded by fleece membranes that can re-use existing roofing systems and minimize landfill waste. 4.Learn about multiple-ply membrane options utilizing highly reflective TPO or extremely weatherable EPDM as the cap sheet.

PVC is one of the most diverse products in the building industry and one of the most misunderstood. This presentation will help to better understand why PVC is one of the most versatile and modifiable thermoplastics. With all the different formulations, types, reinforcements and construction, knowledge of this product type will assist the specifier in creating better specifications. Objectives: 1.Attendees of this presentation will learn the history of PVC and learn how truly safe it is to the environmental and building occupants. 2.Understand how PVC roofing membranes fit within the building code for fire resistance, fit within industry energy programs offering a more sustainable opportunity, and review studies on service life of the material, so the designer is more prepared to discuss PVC options with the building owner. 3.To learn the about the major different components, such as the thickness, scrim choice, and formula in the manufacturing of PVC roofing membranes and how together they impact on its longevity and performance. 4.Learn about the latest enhancement option for PVC membranes through the types of plasticizers and how different plasticizers offer a wider range of durability and mitigate issues for applicators and building owners.

Course will describe Polyisocyanurate Insulation and it's associated applications in commercial low-slope roofing related to energy efficient design, fire resistance and code compliance Objectives: 1. Explanation of Polyisocyanurate Insulation's attributes related to its use in energy efficient roof systems 2. Understanding thermal resistance values and design best practices for providing long-term thermal efficiency of the building envelope 3. Designing a roof system's thermal barrier to ensure the safety and well-being of a building's occupants through effective environmental separation 4. Product solutions for maintaining building code requirements for energy efficiency and fire resistance

This course will review the important role perimeter roof edge plays in roofing performance and the consequences incurred when it is not done according to code. Content will explain the ANSI/SPRI ES-1 Approval Standard, testing protocols used, and what mandates a certified ES-1 system. Objectives: 1. Understanding the Importance of Perimeter Roof Edge 2.Understanding the ANSI/SPRI ES-1 Standard and the FM 4435 ES-1 Standard 3.Understanding Test Protocols that are Followed and How Performance Ratings are established. 4.Understanding How to Specify Certified Edge Metal and How to Insure it Meets the IBC Building Code Standard

Participants will learn the features and benefits of EPDM roofing solutions that have been proven to perform as well as advancements in technology that contribute to higher quality installations and long term service life. Objectives: 1.Review various studies that demonstrate the sustainability and long term performance of EPDM roof designs. 2.Understand the innovative EPDM technologies which enhance the design and overall system performance. 3.Learn about the various tools used to quantify the energy savings of EPDM roof system. 4.Learn about ‘energy saving’ benefits of a properly designed EPDM roof system.