Electrical systems that deliver access to permanent power and enable device connectivity are critical components of the design and operation of high-performance buildings. Today’s mobile technology means people can connect and move freely between the indoors and outdoors, and integrate their social and work lives, anytime, anywhere. This course examines permanent outdoor power delivery offerings, including charging stations and in-ground power boxes, that support the growing demand for connectivity and data and audiovisual communications in outdoor spaces, and help to create an outdoor environment that promotes longer stays, stimulates creativity, and increases productivity.

As part of a well-designed rainscreen system, single-skin metal panels offer unique aesthetic options combined with the assurance that the building envelope will withstand the effects of long-term exposure to the elements. This course compares common cladding types; presents single-skin metal panel materials, coatings, finishes, and design options; and examines using single-skin metal panels with a single-component barrier wall to form a complete rainscreen assembly.

This course is one of three identical courses titled Single-Skin Metal Panel Building Envelope Solutions. You will receive credit for taking only one of these courses.

Single-family attached residences (residences that share one or more walls between neighbors) are required to utilize area separation walls between units. A key design criterion of any firewall—besides its fire rating—is that it be structurally independent in a fire. This course evaluates two-hour fire-resistance-rated walls used in single-family attached and multifamily residential construction, the options available in today’s marketplace, firewall installation requirements, and fire-resistance testing.

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

The inherent properties of concrete masonry, including strength, durability, and fire safety, have been well documented, though a perception of high cost persists. However, due to significant changes to codes and standards that have increased the flexibility of concrete masonry systems, these systems offer cost-effective solutions. This course reviews changes to ASTM C90 and the masonry design standard and includes a discussion on the benefits and opportunities these new requirements bring.

Stairs are often a prominent feature or even the focal point of an architectural design project and play a vital role in creating an aesthetically pleasing interior atmosphere, or an exterior welcoming point to a residential, commercial, or industrial building. This course provides an overview of the many benefits of installing precast concrete stair treads and landings, how to detail and specify them, and how to address related building code, design, and construction requirements.

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

Where do designers start when designing for safety and security with sectional overhead doors? This course explains not only the safety and security features of overhead doors but also what product options are critical when specifying for safety and security. The course also addresses wind load, fire safety, and industry certifications for installers.

At their root, metal roofs and walls made from steel, copper, zinc, or aluminum have a lower environmental impact because of their ability to be recycled and reused. This course focuses on the green aspects of standing seam metal roofs, and in particular, their cool roof characteristics. Also addressed are the implications of heat islands, what constitutes construction of cool roofs/walls and how they work, some rules of thumb for understanding cool metal roofing, roof slope impacts on performance, and codes, ratings, and standards that apply to designing cool roofs/walls.

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

Policies targeting the reduction of carbon emissions associated with building products require the disclosure of embodied carbon data to inform those policies and verify whether reduction targets or incentive requirements have been met. This course aims to provide a guide to collecting high-quality embodied carbon data.

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.

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 here to view the details...

Upward-acting commercial sectional door systems can be a major contributor to controlling energy costs in buildings. This course evaluates the materials and construction of various door types and discusses the selection criteria and operation features that are available to enhance door performance for a range of applications.

For generations, designers have turned to the beauty and functionality offered by terrazzo. In recent years, new technologies and materials mean terrazzo can respond to the needs of the most modern buildings. This course covers the evolution of terrazzo, terrazzo flooring systems, and the environmental advantages of terrazzo and how they apply to sustainable initiatives for indoor air quality, recycling, and resource efficiency.

In commercial, multifamily, and mixed-use applications, outdoor living spaces are a key amenity. Adding depth to storefronts, expanding outdoor services, or improving the comfort of a patio space can be attained with a functional shade structure. This course discusses the types and features of open-frame structures manufactured off-site, their recommended detailing and applications, and the key design considerations for safe and effective installations.

The magnitude and negative impacts of solid waste have become increasingly apparent, especially in regard to plastics and their presence in the oceans. As a result, there have been many approaches to rethinking what constitutes waste and how it can be avoided or used/managed in a more sustainable manner. This course explores these emerging approaches to waste management planning and illustrates them with current examples of solid waste management plans and initiatives from various countries around the globe. In the first part of this course, we’ll dig into the impact of our growing waste problem and some methods for rethinking this waste. In the second, we’ll provide guidance for the design of a sustainable community waste management plan.

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

When designing a steel mesh fence, there are three steel mesh options to consider: chain link fabric, expanded metal, and welded wire mesh. Although mesh choice may be the primary focus when designing fence, an understanding of the application and material specifications should be key considerations as well. This course provides a review of the material specifications, installation, and standards related to the design of steel mesh fence systems.

Water leaks and damage are some of the biggest problems encountered with masonry construction and cavity walls. The proper choice and installation of flexible through-wall flashing, however, can ensure that moisture is directed out of the wall cavity and the risk of potential damage is minimized.

Today's complex steel structures present numerous design challenges, including the challenge of fireproofing appropriately in order to ensure the safety and well-being of building occupants as well as protection of the structure itself. This course outlines the code and testing standards that inform fireproofing choices and the various passive fire protection products and methodologies that can address a comprehensive range of design challenges; insight into the proper specification of fire protection products as well as their ability to improve LEED® certification levels is also provided.

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

Increased energy efficiency in both new and existing construction continues to be 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 here to view the details...

Deck structures provide neat and sturdy living spaces that mirror interior conveniences while set in the ultimate, great outdoors. Choosing the right deck board for a specific project requires considering the size of the project, its location, and local climate conditions. This course discusses the performance characteristics and benefits of using multi-layer, cellular PVC decking—a durable decking material that replicates the unique beauty of exotic hardwood.

Currently, there are no national or state codes relating to snow retention for roofing applications. Consequently, it is very important for building professionals to take extra care when designing a snow retention system for installations in snowy environments. This course provides a review of the problems and solutions associated with roofing in cold climates, including a discussion on the proper engineering of snow retention devices.

Multifamily Group R construction has traditionally been access controlled by means of pin and tumbler mechanical locks. With the migration to electronic access control locks, it can be complicated to understand how to comply with building and fire codes. This course attempts to demystify electronic access control by addressing the basic components, important terms, and design and code considerations, and concludes with a look at a case study.

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

Rain has been cited as the most important thing to control in wall construction. Rainscreen systems have, for over five decades, proven to be highly effective in this regard. Following an analysis of moisture management issues and rainscreen systems, this course then identifies the unique attributes of wood-plastic composites (WPCs) for use in rainscreen applications. It concludes with a detailed description of how WPC cladding should be applied and fastened in rainscreen systems.

Understanding building physics is critical to proper building envelope design. Examined here are practical concepts for the building designer, including how cladding systems perform across different climate zones and applications. Environmental control layers and hygrothermal loads are reviewed, as is the concept of perfect/universal wall design. The course focuses on how single-component insulated metal panels (IMPs) function as a perfect/universal wall, simplifying wall system design and installation.

Quartz surfacing material is one of the most durable products in the market today. While there are many surfacing options available such as natural stone, acrylic solid surface, ceramic, concrete, and laminate, none offer the flexibility, strength, durability, and endless design possibilities of a quartz surface. This course examines the characteristics, attributes, and manufacturing processes involved with quartz surfaces, explaining how they influence material performance, safety, and durability. A comparison with other surfacing options and the use of quartz surfaces in healthcare applications are also discussed.

Fluid-applied resinous coatings have the ability to meet the performance demands of spaces as varied as aircraft hangars, surgical suites, and high-end restaurants. Selecting the proper coating type that meets all project needs calls for an understanding of coating components, substrate requirements, and the wide variety of performance characteristics of each type. This course introduces high-performance resinous coatings, providing you with the information to be able to make an informed selection to best meet clients’ needs and expectations for durability, safety, hygiene, and aesthetics.