Local vacuum networks are economical and sustainable systems that provide deep, stable, high-quality vacuum to a variety of lab environments. In this course, the environmental and performance benefits of local vacuum networks vs. central vacuum systems are explored, along with discussions on their components and design and installation considerations. Brief case studies are used to highlight the wide range of flexible, adaptable solutions supported by this strategy.

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

This session will begin with an explanation of the importance of energy efficiency, particularly with today's evolving grid portfolio. Attendees will be provided with an overview of the energy modeling process and a methodology for integrating it into the design process. They will also learn about a variety of ways to think about improving energy performance in building design. Using a medical office building as a case study, the session will look at a number of appropriate energy-efficiency strategies and will demonstrate how different strategies can be combined to achieve higher performance and value.

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

 In order to download this course, a USD $35.00 fee must be paid.

Sound abatement products are not just a building owner and occupant preference; minimum sound abatement ratings are required by many local building codes for multistory residential, commercial, and multipurpose 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.

Artificial turf is essentially a flooring fabric made from a variety of materials and layers. Since its creation, the artificial turf industry has studied the behavior of natural grass and the safety and sustainability of artificial grass. This course examines today’s artificial grass systems and discusses how they are carefully planned, designed, and built to suit the specific needs of an outdoor residential or commercial landscape.

Green facades can contribute to building energy efficiency, durability, aesthetic value, sustainability, and cost effectiveness in the performance of ecological system services. This course examines the considerations required for successful green facade installations and includes discussions on system selection, design, plant selection, maintenance, and client/owner education.

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

Underground enclosures provide safety for pedestrians and vehicles and easy access for maintenance and repair. This course presents an overview of underground enclosures for non-deliberate traffic areas, including selection considerations, load ratings, placement, and installation, with a discussion of the ANSI/SCTE 77 performance standard.

With a focus on hybrid green roof systems, this course provides an overview of green roofs, including system options and design and specification considerations, such as plant selection, irrigation, mitigation of wind pressure and fire risk, sloped applications, and warranty options.

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

Not only is standing seam metal roofing (SSMR) robust and durable, but the seam itself also provides a convenient anchorage point for the mounting of rooftop equipment. This course reviews the features and advantages of SSMR in terms of durability and sustainability, and the appropriate attachment solutions for mounting equipment. The course focuses on nonpenetrating roof seam clamps and design considerations for their use with snow retention and solar panel systems.

Indiana limestone is featured in many iconic buildings across North America. Limestone composite panels offer the same beauty and durability as solid stone in a lightweight product that gains flexural strength and impact resistance from its aluminum honeycomb core. This course presents an overview of limestone composite panels from fabrication to installation, and explores the benefits, testing, and applications of this cost-saving and versatile cladding option.

With the demand for sustainable power on the rise, building owners and homeowners alike are turning to solar power as a supplemental power generator. Choosing the right platform for the solar panels is a critical step in the design process and can have a significant impact on both initial and long-term costs. This course discusses the basics of photovoltaic systems, including the components and rooftop applications. Comparisons between traditional roofing and standing seam metal roofing platforms are examined, and the benefits of a nonpenetrating clamping system are discussed.

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

Through sustainable management, the forests of New England have had a remarkable comeback since the 1830s, with eastern white pine being the most represented softwood in these forests. This light yet strong wood species has been used for generations and meets today's requirements for a renewable and sustainable building material. This course reviews eastern white pine’s contribution to sustainability, its grading rules, wood products, and many applications.

For some applications, building codes provide for the use of fire-retardant-treated (FR) wood products as an alternative to noncombustible materials. To ensure that FR wood products are properly specified, it is important to understand how these products are made, their formulations, and the building code references that guide their use in construction. This course offers a review of FR wood products, including their manufacture, the applications and types of fire retardants that are available, and the factors that must be considered to ensure FR wood products are properly specified for code compliance.

Manufacturing companies are seeing an increased demand for product transparency. This course discusses what sustainability and Design for Environment are, how transparency documents are created, how they contribute to green building certification, and how investing in sustainability can produce process and operational efficiencies that benefit people, planet, and business.

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

The beautiful gray patina of zinc architectural metal has graced the rooftops of buildings in Europe for hundreds of years. This course examines the sustainable characteristics of zinc as a roofing material, including its 100% recyclability, zero VOC requirement, and low embodied energy production process. The life cycle analysis of zinc is examined, as is zinc’s long-term service life. Various types of roof and wall applications are also discussed.

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

Energy creation, distribution, and consumption is in a period of transition. Understanding this transition and its benefits is critical to sustainable community energy planning (SCEP). This course reviews the transition forces, describes the systems that are emerging, illustrates them with international and national examples, details the steps required for SCEP and provides a comprehensive overview of the many renewable energy options now viable for community energy systems.

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

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 here to view the details...

A vapor/gas barrier is one of the most economical yet essential components of a home or commercial building in preventing moisture- and gas-related problems and ensuring healthy indoor air quality. This course reviews the critical properties that require consideration when specifying underslab vapor barriers and gas/moisture barriers and includes discussions on the basic installation guidelines to help ensure a successful installation.

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

As architects push the boundaries of design, the need for a material that offers the greatest amount of flexibility is required. From the vast number of aesthetic options, superior durability, cost efficiencies, and ease of installation in all weather conditions, single-component metal panel systems offer such flexibility.

Provides an overview of how designers and engineers have moved from their basic 2D environment, into a highly intelligent, collaborative world based in the cloud. Design, construction, and building maintenance will never be the same.

Motorized doors in industrial and warehousing environments provide convenience, save time, and increase productivity. However, motorized doors also carry the risk of entrapment. This course explains the need for entrapment protection devices on motorized commercial and industrial doors and discusses how to specify the appropriate sensing edge actuation method and monitoring function to meet design, safety, and industry code requirements for specific building projects.

The tools, techniques, and approaches to Sustainable Community Planning (SCP) have evolved substantially in the last few decades, turning it from an abstract notion into a comprehensive and beneficial planning approach. This course reviews a broad spectrum of the more effective approaches currently being utilized to convert basic SCP principles into practical projects around the world. The review includes numerous links to the sources of these tools and approaches and includes background on a number of international projects.

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

This 4-hour LEED Green Associate exam preparation course provides an introduction to green building, covers each of the credit categories within the LEED BD&C rating systems, includes 400 realistic practice exam questions and provides access to a comprehensive study guide designed to prepare you for exam success.

 In order to download this course, a USD $99.00 fee must be paid.

Our planet has a constant amount of water and a rapidly increasing population, meaning water must be used efficiently. This course takes a look at water and stormwater management at the site, neighborhood and watershed levels and various methods of conservation and water quality management. We’ll look at the basics of our natural water cycle and how it is impacted by population. Finally, we’ll review some examples of water and stormwater management plans.

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

Fallingwater, named the best all time work of architecture by AIA members in 1991, started experiencing problems shortly after construction. A novel structural system combined with constant interaction with water meant that, in order to maintain this national treasure, major restoration would be required. This course reviews the issues experienced by the building and the path to restoration that was taken.