Plumbing design is highly regulated; improper design and installation can pose a serious health risk or result in costly property damage. This course reviews the plumbing codes and standards that govern plumbing fittings and fixtures, with special attention to standards to control the leaching of organics, metals, and lead into drinking water.

For the typical homeowner, choosing exterior color can be a daunting task; however, there is guidance available to help choose color palettes that complement the exterior of the home. This course presents the FRESH approach: a strategic method used for the selection of colors for the exterior of buildings. The course focuses on both residential and commercial design considerations and details the steps to follow in the color selection process to achieve a harmonious design.

Risks of self harm and suicide are inherent in behavioral health facilities. The common areas for concern in psychiatric inpatient units are ligature attachment points that present a hanging risk. In this course we review the evolution of patient safety hardware with a focus on ligature-resistant hardware designed to prevent the opportunity for self harm.

Metal roofing and single-skin siding are increasingly specified products of choice. This is due to metal’s longevity, durability, and visual appeal. Today, a range of color and finish options are available for metal roofing and siding that afford specifiers broad design flexibility. With so many options available, color selection can be difficult. Appropriate color selection can impact design vision, material cohesion, project cost, and green building objectives. This course reviews important color considerations for metal roofing and siding, details on finish options, and emerging color trends.

Structural laminated decking allows the beauty of the wood structure to be exposed, creating a unique architectural experience for its occupants. Aesthetics, strength, and durability are combined in one engineered product. Structural laminated wood decking is an environmentally sustainable and cost-effective alternative to solid timber and other roof systems. This course discusses the characteristics of laminated wood decking and reviews recommended design, specification, and installation practices.

The spread of smoke in mid- and high-rise building fires is recognized as a major threat to the safety of the building occupants and responding fire personnel and the effectiveness of firefighting operations. This course explains how smoke migrates in a multistory building fire and discusses how building codes have evolved to address this danger and why they mandate smoke containment in specific areas of a structure. Product applications and assemblies designed to meet building code requirements and limit vertical smoke migration via elevator hoistways and lobbies are examined.

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.

This course encourages dialogue and shares methods to adopt inclusive design approaches within the daily practice of design while seeking to inspire industry professionals to imagine an inclusive world that is powered by your creativity and sense of humanity. As our world becomes smaller and smaller, humanity aspires to provide care, work, and play and live connected experiences that are more meaningful. As designers, it is our responsibility to create considerate environments that support this quality of life for all. This is the Future of Design.

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.

Bamboo, with its superior strength, light weight, ease of use, and ability to be regrown quickly, has been utilized as a construction material in its natural state for many centuries. More recently, it has been combined with other elements to create improved materials such as bamboo fiber composite decking and fencing. This course, illustrated with harsh climate installations from around the world, explains this advancement, the products now available, and how to certify, specify, install, and maintain them.

Cooktops are manufactured and classified by construction type and method of heat energy transfer. This course reviews the operation, control, performance, and efficiency of induction cooktops in comparison to their gas and electric counterparts, and shows how induction cooktops can be incorporated into any kitchen design in residential and specialty-commercial applications such as marine, mobile, military, academic, institutional, and hospitality.

With the relatively recent development of new products and procedures for polishing concrete, concrete floors have added aesthetic appeal to their list of impressive performance characteristics. This course will discuss improving and prolonging the performance of finished concrete floors by exploring the many benefits of concrete flooring, summarizing the procedure for creating concrete floors, explaining maintenance methods and spill removal, and explaining how a floor protection plan will aid in the prolonged service life of the floor.

Custom window products include a range of products, from truly one-of-a-kind fabrications to customizable components. This course takes a detailed look at what design options are available to the architect in premium and luxury window products. Installation and performance issues pertaining to large window combinations are also discussed, as well as recommended solutions and mitigation strategies for structural and water infiltration challenges.

Natural light is important in everyday life, with positive effects on one's health, well-being, and productivity. This course provides an understanding of how automated high-performance shades can provide more natural light. Current market drivers and their effects on a building's value are also discussed. The course explores how to increase visual and thermal comfort by automating the balance of natural and artificial light and outlines the role of high-performance shades in meeting sustainability standards. This course also discusses the influence of automated façades on a building’s performance.

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) applies to all state and local government agencies, commercial facilities, and public entities that have “places of public accommodation.” Presented in this course are the fundamentals of what accessibility means in terms of architectural door hardware specification. Topics include available hardware technology, the criteria for interior and perimeter access, and the codes and guidelines pertaining to the ADA requirements that affect door hardware selection.

There is no single waterproofing system that is best for all, or even most, waterproofing applications. This course evaluates common waterproofing product types and technologies and provides specification tips with an emphasis on quality assurance.

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 surface coating is the first line of defense in prepainted metal, and one of the most important elements to consider as part of a metal purchase. Selecting the right coating, finish, and paint system can affect product lifespan, energy efficiency, and aesthetic appeal. This course discusses the composition of prepainted metal, its application and performance, and examines the building and environmental factors that may influence the type of paint system specified.

Lightweight, prefinished, and factory-fabricated insulated metal panels (IMPs) offer building owners a durable, cost-efficient, and easy-to-install roofing system that provides an air barrier, vapor barrier, and insulation all in one product. This course discusses the characteristics of IMPs and the installation process and explains why IMPs are ideally suited for pre-engineered and structural steel buildings. The role of IMPs in a building’s hygrothermal control layers and IMP code compliance are reviewed.

Kitchens have evolved, and so has the role of refrigeration in the home; there are a variety of factors that are contributing to this change. This course examines the social, economic, and demographic trends that are stimulating the reimagining of the kitchen space. The latest trends in kitchen design are discussed as is the role of modular refrigeration—a key design element in the creation of functional spaces that reflect the changing domestic landscape.

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.

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.

Comprehensive paint specifications define minimum quality levels and the materials and methods required to achieve them. This introductory course reviews paint specification types/formats, key performance and application standards, key variables addressed by paint specs, general product recommendations, and paint submittals.

In addition to being an effective alternative to artificial lighting options, daylighting provides a wide range of other benefits for the building and the health and comfort of its occupants. This course addresses achieving daylighting in building design using skylights and translucent wall systems. This program includes discussions on the basics of daylighting, glazing options, daylighting methods, creative design, and the environmental benefits of daylighting systems.

The architectural uses for perforated metal span a wide variety of interior and exterior applications for residential, industrial, and commercial projects. Reviewed in this course are the applications and the specification considerations for standard and custom perforated metal, along with a discussion on how it is used to sculpt light, control sound, and compose views.