The plumbing system is an integral part of a healthy home and is required by code to keep the occupants safe. Homeowners are making their kitchens and bathrooms even more hardworking by selecting fixtures and faucets that anticipate their needs and help them to use water efficiently. This course discusses how fixture and faucet function, operation, performance, and placement affect water delivery in the kitchen and bathroom.

Advances in technology are no longer confined to communications or transportation; they have spilled over into our homes, in appliances, fixtures, and water delivery. Today's water delivery innovations improve functionality, and are changing the way people interact with their faucets. This course addresses the types of water delivery solutions in the kitchen and bathroom, and outlines three design considerations for selecting a water delivery option.

Increased energy efficiency in both new and existing construction continues to play a large factor behind the design decisions we make and the materials we choose to integrate into our buildings. Concrete masonry construction can provide a wide range of benefits. This course illustrates how building envelopes constructed with concrete masonry create high-performance buildings that can exceed energy code requirements.

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

The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 not only mandated designing for the disabled but also raised awareness of the issues involved and led to an even broader approach referred to as universal access. Complying with the ADA involves implementing the many details that make the difference between an accessible environment and one that is not. This course explains how locker installations should be designed to incorporate such details in order to be both ADA compliant and fully accessible. The explanation includes numerous drawings and photos of ADA-compliant lockers and locker components.

Continuous insulation (ci) was introduced in the IBC (International Building Code) in 2006 as a new topic primarily in the northern tier climate zones. Over the course of the next two code cycles, continuous insulation has become part of the prescriptive path in all climate zones and for virtually all types of wall assemblies. This course examines different types of insulation materials commonly used as continuous insulation. Attributes that affect material use, installation, and performance within exterior wall assemblies are compared and discussed.

Ensuring proper use of methods and materials allows masonry walls to perform well and enjoy a long life. Use of masonry joint reinforcement and accessories is an essential part of this. This course provides a brief history of solid masonry walls leading up to the modern cavity walls of today, including a discussion of the basic working knowledge of masonry joint reinforcing, structural codes, and moisture control in cavity wall construction.

This course is part of one or more "Course Collections".  Click to view 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 will focus specifically on thermal bridging, how it affects the overall efficiency of a building, and how it can be effectively addressed.

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. 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.

Provides an overview of the components, features, and design options of adjustable deck support systems, including a discussion on planning and installation guidelines.

Roof glazing products can positively affect building occupants by illuminating the interior of a space, providing views to the outside, and allowing for natural ventilation. There are many factors to be considered during the product selection process to ensure performance goals are realized. Presented in this course are roof window and skylight design and performance criteria, relevant building codes and standards, and types of roof windows and skylights and their features.

Concrete is a popular, versatile, and durable construction material, and it has the potential to be very beautiful as well. Graphically imaged precast concrete is a creative, inspiring technology that can be used by architects and designers to create visually impactful building façades and other concrete surfaces. Discussed are the fabrication process, design possibilities, and budgeting considerations. Global case studies present a range of applications of both stock and unique designs.

Centralized mail and package delivery is often a last-minute consideration that causes confusion due to the various compliance and accessibility requirements needed to complete the installation. This course is designed to demystify the process by providing a clear explanation of several mailbox installation specifications, accessibility standards, and design strategies.

Explosion relief systems reduce damage and loss when an explosion occurs within facilities where potentially dangerous material is being handled or produced. These systems function by immediately reducing pressure during an explosion and are imperative to protecting a company’s assets and employees. Explosion relief systems are also referred to as explosion relief panels, pressure relief panels, or explosion relief vents. This course discusses pressure relief in low-strength enclosures, industries requiring pressure relief venting, and the function, design, and installation of these systems.

Expanded polystyrene (EPS) is a molded, lightweight, resilient, foamed plastic that is used in a variety of construction products. The impact-absorbing and structural properties of EPS provide a unique advantage over alternative materials. This course provides a review of EPS insulation, EPS geofoam, and ICF/SIP building system solutions produced using sustainable EPS manufacturing processes. Applicable material properties, product standards, and code references are also discussed.

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

HVLS fans work in tandem with natural ventilation or HVAC systems, reducing or eliminating many of the challenges associated with these systems while offering significant energy efficiencies. This course examines high volume, low speed (HVLS) fans and includes discussions on the indoor environmental benefits of air movement; thermal comfort; supplementing a traditional HVAC system with HVLS fans; innovations in fan design and technology; and the standards that govern fan performance.

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

Fireplaces remain one of the most desirable household features for homeowners, complementing a range of different lifestyles and appealing to a range of demographics. This course provides an overview of electric fireplaces, focusing on their design possibilities, flame technologies, ease of installation, environmental efficiency, cost-saving benefits, and their advantages over gas and wood-burning fireplaces.

Various control strategies are used to prevent rain from penetrating a building envelope and entering a building assembly. This course compares exterior wall metal cladding systems and takes an in-depth look at the design options, testing, specifications, environmental implications and the detailing of single-skin metal panel systems as used in a pressure-equalized rainscreen (PER) application.

Sound abatement products are not just a building owner and occupant preference; minimum sound abatement ratings are required by many local building codes for multi-story residential, commercial, and multi-purpose buildings. Following an introduction to the basics of sound, this course presents a summary of the most common sound control methods, with a focus on the options available for floor underlayment.

Plantable permeable paving systems continue to grow in scope and practicality as we search for ways to reduce our carbon footprint, improve water quality, diminish flooding and erosion, reduce the urban heat island from reradiated heat in our cities and environment, and add attractive open space to building sites and neighborhoods. This course looks at plantable permeable pavement system types, their use, and how they can help achieve sustainability goals.

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

In the last couple of decades, houses have become progressively air tight due to energy efficiency and cost concerns. While air infiltration and ex-filtration rates have been significantly reduced, the need for an efficient ventilation system has become extremely important. The course evaluates different types of mechanical ventilation systems and discusses why heat recovery ventilation (HRV) and energy recovery ventilation (ERV) systems are characterized by a high level of energy efficiency and as an effective means for improving indoor air quality.

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

As we become more aware of the levels of toxins in our environment we are realizing that the quality of air inside our homes is just as important as the quality of air outside our homes. This course provides an overview as to why indoor air quality is so important to our health and how to improve indoor air quality by using a balanced ventilation system.

ICF construction is cost effective and sustainable, and is a superior way to build stronger, quieter, healthier, and more energy-efficient commercial structures. This course explores insulated concrete form (ICF) construction, describing the forms themselves and their construction, performance, and sustainable benefits. Also presented are design guidelines, the installation process, flooring systems, and commercial project applications.

This course is part of one or more "Course Collections".  Click to view 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 which can lead 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.

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 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.