Protected membrane roof (PMR) systems offer many benefits to building owners and provide architects with design options that can maximize the energy efficiency, durability, and performance of a building envelope. This course compares the functional and physical features of PMR systems to conventional low-slope roofing applications and discusses the standard ASCE 7 and its impact on wind uplift design.

Prerequisites: No

Course Level: Introductory

Concrete is a very versatile and fundamental building material; however, because it is porous and wicks water through its matrix, concrete has water-related design challenges. This program examines the sustainable benefits of integral concrete waterproofing, and analyzes traditional waterproofing methods as compared to integral methods in terms of performance, durability, risk, cost, and construction timeline.

Prerequisites: No

Course Level: Introductory

The Internet of Things (IoT) connects buildings by providing real-time data for action and evaluative purposes. Plumbing products can be part of the connected building to reduce maintenance and costs, help conserve water, and provide extra health and safety benefits not achievable with nonconnected plumbing products. This course reviews some examples of the data that can be collected from commercial plumbing products to deliver critical information to building managers and owners. It also describes how these products create cost and time savings, enhance health, safety, and compliance, and contribute to overall occupant satisfaction and wellness.

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

The 19th and 20th centuries brought numerous opportunities to revive classic architectural styles and—in the American West—the architecture and colors of the California missions, adobes, and Monterey Colonial homes provided unique and beautiful examples to support the new Mission Revival, Spanish Colonial Revival, Monterey Revival, Mediterranean Revival, and Pueblo Revival styles. This course explores local design and the architecture and color of historic buildings in the Southwest to show how it’s possible to establish color schemes representative of the American Western culture.

Prerequisites: No

Course Level: Introductory

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...

Mortars are utilized to bind masonry units together and fill the gaps between them. Understanding the critical relationship between bricks and mortar is fundamental to a successful installation. This course covers the performance and specification considerations related to the different types of mortar used for masonry construction, including portland/lime mixes, mortar cement and masonry cement.

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.

As urban areas become more dense, land values increase, and the demand for space becomes more challenging, developers are seeking alternative innovative approaches to parking cars that allow a project to proceed while meeting all parking and sustainability requirements. High-density parking (HDP) systems are able to park 30%–400% more vehicles than a traditional garage in the same amount of space. This course explains the origins, history, and types of high-density parking. The sustainable advantages of HDP systems are examined and design considerations are discussed.

Concrete is the most widely used construction material in the world, second only to water. Over time, as a result of the build-up of atmospheric compounds in the surrounding environment, concrete will become discolored, stained, dirty and dingy. This course examines photocatalytic technology which accelerates self-cleaning and fights air pollution while maintaining the mechanical and physical properties of traditional concrete.

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

The world of windows is much more complex than one might suspect, given the different sizes, shapes, and types that are available and the performance requirements they must meet. As well, glass comes in many specialized forms intended for different applications. This course focuses on aluminum commercial window components and configurations, as well as the benefits they offer affecting both performance goals and design requirements. Also included are discussions on historic and acoustic applications.

In order to address tile installation difficulties effectively and avoid failures, designers and specifiers must maintain full awareness of current knowledge, practices, and products. This course reviews potentially problematic contemporary tile installation issues along with the industry guidance, methodologies, and products available to address them.

Prerequisites: No

Course Level: Introductory

There are some complex issues involved in achieving ADA-compliant designs in all types of building construction. In terms of bathroom design, it is important to comprehend the ADA standards in order to minimize the risk of injury and to ensure end user comfort and ease of use. This course covers ADA-compliant design requirements for shower compartments and lavatory tops using solid surface materials—from planning and design to installation.

This course provides an overview of integral blind assemblies and discusses their benefits over conventional blinds, components and framing options, performance characteristics and testing standards, and common applications.

Timber curtain wall systems in commercial applications are a beautiful alternative to standard aluminum storefront systems, offering durable, low-maintenance, aluminum or wood-capped exteriors with the warmth and richness of wood interiors. This course describes the design benefits, components, options, and installation of timber curtain walls. Also discussed is how this resource-responsible system can help satisfy LEED® credit requirements, meet energy-efficiency expectations, and maximize outdoor views while creating indoor spaces that are uniquely modern and comfortable.

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

The high pH levels (alkalinity) inherent in healthy concrete slabs can pose a serious threat to the long-term performance of adhesives and construction coatings specified in floor, deck, and roof assembly projects. This course discusses how to manage risk by crafting tight, nonambiguous performance specifications based on ASTM F3010 to control both concrete moisture vapor and concrete alkalinity. This will help ensure that the proper above-slab barrier products are selected, bid, and installed and that the project delivers long-term performance.

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

Safe and effective traffic control is a necessity for a variety of facilities and locations, both commercial and residential. This course reviews options for traffic and parking control, both manually-activated and motorized traffic spike systems. Discussions include advantages, key features, safety requirements, and installation information.

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

High-performance coating systems are designed to protect surfaces in many different service environments: from mild conditions—such as those in a commercial kitchen—to severe conditions, which include exposure to coastal salt air, intense weathering, and continual high humidity and moisture levels. A coating’s ability to mitigate corrosion, abrasion, deterioration from chemical exposure, and weathering is critical in today’s building climate. This course reviews single- and two-component coating systems, describes corrosion basics, and examines selection criteria for high-performance coating systems in various applications.

Daylighting is the controlled admission of natural light into a building. It takes into consideration both direct and diffuse sunlight, and reduces use of electric light, thereby decreasing energy costs. By controlling daylight, solar heat gain can be minimized, lowering the demand on HVAC systems. This course evaluates a variety of daylighting strategies for commercial applications and includes discussions about the relevance of daylight factor calculations and the impact fabric characteristics have on a shading solution.

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

Animals, plants, and microbes are engineers of what works and lasts on earth. Biomimicry is a practice in which nature's designs, patterns, and strategies are examined to find sustainable solutions to our technical and design problems. This course discusses how applying the concepts of biomimicry can better connect our designs and buildings with nature and examines the relationship between nature's solutions to light, heat, and glare control and today's shading design principles.

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

There are many steps required to ensure a well thought out and complete construction project. This course examines procedures for inspection of permeable interlocking concrete pavement or PICP. It addresses preconstruction meeting details, requirements for submittals, and site inspection points from project start to completion. Various testing methods and inspection criteria are presented as well, and the importance of having an ICPI-trained contractor on the job site is discussed.

PICP plays a vital role in the urban restoration of natural hydrologic processes as it traps stormwater where it falls and slowly releases it into the ground. PICP is considered a best management practice by the Environmental Protection Agency and complies with National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System regulations. But in order to be effective, PICP must be properly and regularly maintained. This course addresses inspections, test methods, equipment, repairs and reinstatement to ensure PICP continues to contribute to green infrastructure goals.

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

Single-skin metal siding can be used for a wide range of projects, from commercial buildings to educational, healthcare, residential, agricultural, and even high-end architectural designs. These siding panels can also contribute to green designs and certification programs. This course explores the different types of single-skin metal siding, specification details, and performance and design considerations.

Typically specified for pavements because of its strength, durability, and life-cycle value, concrete is increasingly being specified for a variety of exterior and interior projects because of its aesthetic potential. This course explores colored concrete including coloring methods, pigments, color consistency, and maintenance. It examines the specification considerations of cast-in-place and precast concrete and looks at a range of interior applications and concrete finishes.

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, as well as relevant testing standards and specifications.

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

Originally developed to reduce solar heat gain from entering through a pane of glass, window films in today’s market provide UV protection, reduce glare, reduce fading, increase occupant comfort, offer safety and security, and yield energy savings. This course evaluates the performance of different types of solar control window films and offers daylighting strategies for commercial, retail, and residential building and architectural applications.

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