Recognizing the need for egress path markings that are visible even in emergency and backup power failures, the 2009 edition of the International Building Code was the first to mandate photoluminescent products for exit enclosures, and the requirement has been repeated in the 2012, 2015 and 2018 editions. This course presents the requirements for compliant use and placement along egress paths and explains the benefits of non-electrical, non-radioactive photoluminescent markings that are long-lasting, easy to understand and highly visible to help occupants exit high-rise buildings effectively and efficiently.

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

Although built-up roofs are the oldest type of low-slope roofing systems, gaining an understanding of the advantages and characteristics of modified bitumen membranes will help you select the asphalt roofing system that improves performance and saves on installation costs over traditional asphalt roofs. Learn how “mod bit” roofs, whether APP or SBS, provide improved durability with stronger reinforcements, resistance to hail and traffic damage, and provide factory-controlled quality manufacturing.

Sustainable construction and high-performance buildings offer tremendous benefits to building owners, building occupants, and the larger community. Course content goes beyond codes, standards, and sustainability rating systems to explore options and best practices for getting the most out of green construction. This course provides foundational information and application opportunities on topics such as optimizing a building's energy efficiency; installing innovative, alternative energy solutions; and addressing the larger community challenges of storm water management and the urban heat island effect.

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

Gaining a solid understanding of the advantages of EPDM roofing systems demonstrates why this membrane has the longest proven performance record of all single ply membranes. EPDM’s high-performance synthetic rubber compound provides outstanding weathering in climates worldwide. Multiple attachment types and colors are available for an EPDM roofing solution, and environmental benefits of the white EPDM membranes are explored as they provide the lowest carbon footprint of all single-ply membranes.

Whether replacing an existing roof, building a new roof from scratch, or some type of roof repair project in between, deciding on critical design factors is the key to a successful roofing system project. Each layer of a roofing assembly requires careful consideration and analysis to assess for impacts to the entire building. Using real-life scenarios and practice activities, this course explores the most common components of a roofing system, the advantages and disadvantages of each system, and how the critical factors aid in the assessment of the most appropriate system to meet the needs of the building and client.

There are several key elements that must be considered with a cavity wall system. Heat, air, and moisture — both vapor and liquid — have a definite impact on how a cavity wall system should be designed and constructed. Once these elements have been addressed, a cavity wall system will increase energy efficiency, meet the required energy and fire code standards, and will provide cost-savings over the life of the building.

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

The goal of any roofing project should be long-term performance of the roof system. This means thoughtful, long-term consideration of any details incorporated into it. This course discusses details and conditions to consider when installing trim, seams, and accessories into a metal roofing system to ensure long-lasting performance. Examples of incorrect and correct installations and their effects on the performance of the roof are shown.

Insulated metal panels (IMPs) fulfill several functions of the building envelope and numerous aspects should be considered in their design from a structural, energy efficiency, and fire safety standpoint. Reviewed in this course are the specification considerations, design opportunities, and the standards and policies pertaining to IMP systems. Also discussed are the many performance benefits and green advantages IMPs offer over traditional building envelope materials.

Luxury does not necessarily equal excess and indulgence. In the kitchen and bath, luxury might simply be a fixture offering a higher perceived value and practicality. In this course, we define luxury further and look at luxury options in kitchen and bath fixtures and technology.

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 asphalt roofing and underlayment systems and includes discussions on the properties of SBS modified asphalt membrane, applications, testing, codes, and underlayments, and provides a comparison with other commercial roofing materials.

There is no blanket approach to warranties for metal panel roofing. It is a misconception that the standard warranty holds the manufacturer responsible for defects in installation. This course discusses three types of warranties typically seen in metal roof design specifications, and to show how warranties work, what is covered, and what is excluded, some of the key issues associated with the installation of metal panel roofing are presented.

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.

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.

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

Insulated metal panels (IMPs) provide a sustainable and energy-efficient insulation option for architects and building owners. These lightweight, durable, easy-to-install panels are an all-in-one product acting as insulation as well as an air and vapor barrier. This course explains how IMPs are an effective thermal barrier and discusses their application in new and retrofit construction. The performance criteria of IMPs are examined relative to current green building rating systems, and various case studies are discussed.

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

Living walls not only add beauty to a space, but also can help to reduce energy consumption, minimize environmental impacts, and create healthier interior and exterior environments. This course compares the design and construction of different types of living walls and provides an overview of the factors to consider to ensure a healthy, thriving living wall is installed and maintained.

Prerequisites: No

Course Level: Introductory

Rubber roofing is roofing material which contains natural rubber, often recycled tire-derived rubber, as its key or major ingredient. It often contains other ingredients such as compatibilizers, stabilizers, UV (ultraviolet light) inhibitors, and color which make it suitable for sloped roof applications. Recycled rubber roofing has a significant ecological impact today, as well as in the future when it can be recycled again and made into new roofing material. This course illustrates the environmental and performance benefits of rubber roofing and discussed why it facilitates fast and easy installation.

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

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) applies to all state and local government agencies, commercial facilities, and public entities that have “places of public accommodation.” Presented in this course are the fundamentals of what accessibility means in terms of architectural door hardware specification. Topics include available hardware technology, the criteria for interior and perimeter access, and the codes and guidelines pertaining to the ADA requirements that affect door hardware selection.

Prerequisites: No

Course Level: Introductory

Falls are responsible for more open wounds, fractures, and brain injuries than any other cause of injury. Photoluminescent (PL) exit path markers have proven to provide safe and quick egress in all light conditions for occupants and fail-safe guidance to first responders entering unfamiliar surroundings in the event of an emergency. This course discusses the benefits of PL safety products and the codes and testing standards related to PL way-finding systems.

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

With faster build speeds, superior environmental control performance, and exceptional design flexibility, insulated metal panels (IMPs) offer many advantages over other conventional building envelope systems. This course details these and other aspects of IMPs and why they can be considered the key component of “the perfect wall.”

Prerequisites: No

Course Level: Introductory

Today’s building professionals and owners share enthusiasm for building envelope performance. Building envelopes separate the building interior from the exterior environment. As such, they are exposed to a variety of environmental loads, including wind pressure, solar radiation, and rain. This course provides an overview of the major thermodynamic considerations for the proper construction of the building envelope with a focus on insulated metal panels (IMPs) that provide all four control layers (air, water, vapor, and thermal) in a single-component system.

There is a growing realization that the buildings we live and work in play an important role in the health and wellbeing of building occupants. Green building rating systems are starting to incorporate health and wellbeing criteria and this course will look specifically at how products and materials can help meet the health and wellbeing requirements across these systems.

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

The surface coating is the first line of defense in prepainted metal, and one of the most important elements to consider as part of a metal purchase. Selecting the right coating, finish, and paint system can affect product lifespan, energy efficiency, and aesthetic appeal. This course discusses the composition of prepainted metal, its application, and performance, and examines the building and environmental factors that may influence the type of paint system specified.

Prerequisites: None

Course Level: Introductory

With a radiant heat system, the temperature profile associated with a forced-air system is switched around, and the entire floor becomes the radiator. The heat radiates from the floor, warming all of the objects in the room, and everything in the room gains a warm, comfortable feel to it. This course evaluates self-regulating polymer technology and the performance benefits of using PTC (positive temperature coefficient) heaters for energy efficient floor warming, primary heating, snow melting, and roof de-icing.

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

Demand for safety, energy efficiency, and contemporary aesthetics is driving building envelope design that incorporates increased amounts of combustible material in cladding, insulation, and water-resistive barriers. This course outlines the difference between insulated metal panels (IMPs) and metal composite material (MCM) panels, what IMPs are and their suitable applications, and building code and building envelope fire testing, and provides global case studies demonstrating the impact of IMPs on the building envelope after exposure to fire.

In today’s market, designers are always looking for innovative products that are beautiful, versatile, and sustainable. Glass-quartz surfacing encompasses all of these characteristics. This course describes the importance of recycled content surfaces and their environmental significance including reducing the use of natural resources and improving indoor air quality. Traditional and recycled surfacing materials are compared, the sustainable manufacturing process is explained, and case studies are discussed.

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