Recent events have emphasized the importance of proper hygiene, especially in public restrooms. Presented here is a discussion on which public restroom surfaces commonly promote the spread of germs and how touchless sink faucets can be used to reduce the proliferation of harmful bacteria. Design professionals will learn about water treatment and filtration options and water system management strategies, and how to apply preventative measures to create hygienic public restrooms that support public safety.

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 outlines why indoor air quality is so important to our health and describes how to improve indoor air quality by using a balanced ventilation system.

Now more than ever, architects and designers of commercial restroom facilities are responsible for meeting or exceeding guest and employee expectations for safety and cleanliness. Presented here are touchless fixtures for public restrooms, how restrooms affect sustainability goals, and the benefits of taking cost-saving measures.

Millions of Americans live with impairments that substantially limit major life activities. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) guarantees that people with disabilities have the same opportunities as everyone else to participate in mainstream living by mandating that public facilities and services be fully accessible to people with disabilities. This course examines the accessible elements of a multiuser toilet room. Discussed are toilet room compliance with applicable accessibility codes and regulations relating to access, use, maneuverability, and safety, and accessible design issues associated with toilet compartment and lavatory accessories.

The importance of handwashing in regard to personal health is well understood, and most people feel they know how to do it properly. However, the places where and methods by which hands are washed are not always as healthy and safe as they should or appear to be. This course outlines the proper handwashing techniques, especially for healthcare and food preparation contexts; explains how germs, viruses, and bacteria are spread and where sanitation problems with sinks may reside; and describes how to select and specify the most appropriate washup, infection prevention, and scrub sinks, countertops, and fitments.

The design of behavioral healthcare facilities should address the therapeutic and safety needs of patients and staff while meeting the applicable codes and regulations. Reviewed in this course are ligature-resistant products developed for patient rooms and bathrooms that strike the balance between providing the safest design solutions and creating a noninstitutional environment.

Now more than ever, today’s buildings require strong attention to hygiene, sanitation, and overall safety. With the latest plumbing innovations, health and safety requirements are prioritized, addressed, and met. From achieving appropriate water flow and pressure in the mechanical room, to providing a touchless restroom experience and delivering effective water temperatures and waste disposal in the kitchen, today’s buildings contribute to optimal patron health and safety. This course explains just how engineers, architects, and contractors can incorporate the latest plumbing products in and around their buildings to achieve safety while also providing cost savings, durability, water conservation, and overall building owner and building patron satisfaction.

In this course, you will learn about strategies for supplying lab vacuum in STEM facilities. Relative strengths and weaknesses are considered. Emphasis is placed on the specification, design, and installation of local vacuum networks. Brief case studies are used to demonstrate the suitability of local vacuum networks for a wide range of project types—renovation and new construction; teaching labs and research labs; and single labs to entire lab buildings.

The planet is currently in a water scarcity crisis, which is significantly affected by toilet water usage. This course examines the current plumbing codes, standards, and regulations that address toilet water usage, the need for and benefits of going beyond current standards, and the goals of a variety of beyond-the-code voluntary standards and rating systems, such as LEED v4 BD+C and ICC 700 National Green Building Standard®. It explains the various types of low-flow and ultra-low-flow toilets, their pros and cons, and their selection criteria. It concludes with a sampling of successful cost- and water-saving installations.

Universal hot water availability is generally taken for granted. At a time when energy prices and sources, environmental concerns, and water shortages are increasing in significance, it is important to produce hot water in a manner that addresses all these issues. This course explains how electric tankless water heaters (ETWHs) do this while also improving health and safety conditions and reducing costs. The examination includes detailed descriptions of many types of ETWHs and the basic calculations and selection criteria for the most suitable system.

Dual-flush wall-mounted toilets help create modern, stylish bathrooms that strike a balance between sustainable water efficiency, flexible design, and space savings. This course compares this style with other traditional types of toilets, discusses how wall-mounted toilets benefit commercial and residential users, and explains how they satisfy the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other accessibility and building code requirements.

Acrylic solid surface is an attractive design solution, delivering enhanced aesthetics combined with superior performance properties. This course compares the characteristics of 100% acrylic solid surface to other surface materials and reviews the driving factors that contribute to its growing role in sustainable design strategies. Also discussed are the manufacturing, fabricating, and thermoforming processes of acrylic solid surface and the related green standards and certification programs.

“Sustainable” design isn’t just “environmental.” It’s design that works for and contributes to the health and welfare of all individuals as well as the planet, now and in the future. This course looks at hand dryers as part of sustainably designed restrooms and discusses how air knife hand dryers benefit the environment through energy efficiency, resource conservation, and waste reduction, and benefit all members of society by meeting ADA requirements and Universal Design principles.

While the kitchen has long been considered the heart of the home, the bathroom is often thought of as a utilitarian space. However, by drawing inspiration from kitchen design principles, designers can create a bathroom that’s personalized, organized, and highly functional. Beyond serving basic needs, the bathroom is a space for relaxing, recharging, and preparing for the day ahead. This course discusses strategies for incorporating organization, ergonomics, personalization, and technology to create a streamlined styling space.

Bathrooms can be dangerous places for people with and without physical limitations. The prevalence of bathroom falls amongst persons of all age groups and levels of ability has driven the trend of accessible shower design. Presented here is an overview of how curbless shower pans are designed for durability and safety, and to meet the needs of accessible design. Included are discussions on traditional and modern shower pan design and installation methods and their associated drawbacks and benefits. Industry resources and standards are outlined.

Although drains may not be a primary thought when specifying plumbing, valuing the importance of proper drainage is essential to a building's overall safety and longevity. With proper drainage in place—both internally and externally—human and vehicular traffic surfaces are intrinsically safer and more sanitary; the building and its grounds require fewer repairs and less maintenance and downtime; and possible moisture buildup and mold is avoided. This course presents plumbing innovations that ensure proper drainage so that building owners and patrons can focus their thoughts on other business matters.

Firestopping is the process of sealing openings around penetrants or in joints or gaps between fire-rated assemblies to restore hourly fire resistance ratings. It is a critical part of fire containment and a balanced fire and life safety plan. This course outlines resources and code requirements that architects and designers should be aware of while preparing specifications for firestop systems in their projects. The course also reviews common mistakes to avoid.

Manufacturing companies are seeing an increased demand for sustainable products. This course discusses what drives the requests for sustainable products and how to incorporate sustainable choices within each step of the design and construction phases, including understanding what makes a product sustainable, what to look for when specifying a product and manufacturer, and how sustainable choices throughout the phases can have a positive impact on the construction project.

Modular systems are designed around individual components that can be joined together to configure a seamless and personalized space solution. This course discusses the key design principles and benefits of modular design along with strategies for successfully incorporating modularity into a bathroom design.

This presentation celebrates the value of incorporating artisanal, handcrafted fixtures and furnishings into a building’s design. Not only are these products unique, functional, and aesthetically appealing, but they can also establish a sense of connection with their maker. Many artisanal, handcrafted products are made using traditional techniques that have been passed down over time, often from generation to generation. And because many of these products are made from sustainable, recycled, or reclaimed materials that are locally available, they can help reduce the environmental impact of a new build. This course illustrates how sourcing artisan-made products for their projects can allow designers and builders to effect social, economic, and environmental change.

As populations in cities grow, natural ground cover is being replaced with impervious surface cover that, in turn, is causing an increase in stormwater runoff. The need to successfully manage and mitigate the harmful effects of stormwater runoff is becoming clear. This course discusses how permeable interlocking concrete pavement (PICP) offers solutions for stormwater management, including mitigating runoff volumes, decreasing peak flow, reducing flooding potential, and decreasing stream bank erosion. Pavement components, design considerations, and pavement maintenance are also examined.

A rooftop solar photovoltaic system offers myriad benefits to both building owners and the environment; to maximize the benefits, however, it is important to be aware of the potential causes and effects of problems with rooftop installations. This course presents the issues to consider to prevent damaging the roof, voiding the roofing warranty, and incurring additional costs. Solar system mounting options are explored in terms of how they can help eliminate concerns around rooftop installations.

This course provides an overview of one-piece shower bases, glass shower enclosures, and accessories and includes discussions on methods of waterproofing shower floors, shower design, and installation and tiling guidelines for shower pans and accessories.

Inclusive design is a win-win for customers and businesses. It shows the business supports the assumption that public spaces should be functional for all users no matter their age, health, or abilities. The commitment to inclusivity encompasses promoting and respecting everyone’s right to choose a washroom. This course explores the benefits of inclusive spaces and discusses the sustainable, hygienic, functional, and distinctive design and material options for inclusive public bathrooms.

This presentation provides an overview of sustainable materials for the bath, including production, performance, maintenance, and frameworks for assessment, and focuses on recycled copper, sustainably made concrete, FSC®-certified bamboo, and reclaimed wood.