The savings that water conservation measures can provide are real and practical and offer enormous untapped potential. One of the best ways to boost conservation really hasn’t been thoroughly utilized, yet it’s right here at our fingertips: faucets. This course provides an overview of commercial faucets, including the evolution of the modern faucet, design and installation considerations, and the faucet’s impact on water conservation and green building programs.

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

The US has the highest incarceration rate in the world, and with recidivism rates as high as 75% within five years, the prospects for released inmates are dim. There is no simple solution to these issues, but one approach is to focus on rehabilitation to help inmates reintegrate successfully into society upon release. This course looks at the role evidence-based building design can play in a rehabilitative environment that promotes healing, autonomy, and growth. Design strategies are presented with a focus on ADA-compliant, ligature-resistant plumbing products and water management systems that support a clean, safe, secure, rehabilitative environment.

This course reviews the trends in outdoor amenity spaces in hospitality, commercial, and multifamily developments with a focus on the use of stainless steel cabinetry in outdoor kitchen design. Included are discussions on outdoor kitchen components, mobile food and beverage service carts, and the post and panel system developed for multifamily applications.

Keeping bathrooms and kitchens clean and hygienic is essential to health and well-being but can be challenging in busy family homes. This course introduces some basic principles of home hygiene, provides an overview of the most effective cleaning strategies, and shows how contemporary kitchen and bathroom technology and design innovations can make hygienic cleaning substantially easier. Technologies discussed include touchless activation, intelligent toilets, bidet seats, and antimicrobial surfaces.

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

Meeting the ventilation requirements of ASHRAE 62.2 and maintaining an energy efficient home means balancing the need for fresh outdoor air and the energy needed to condition it. In this course we will examine the ventilation requirements in ASHRAE 62.2, discuss how they can be met, and look at some solutions for energy efficient ventilating.

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

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.

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

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...

Creating a quieter, more comfortable building starts with a focus on windows and doors, the weakest links in the building envelope for sound transmission. This course covers the elements of sound, the metrics used to measure sound attenuation, and the glazing and installation options best suited for an effective sound control strategy.

Curved elements, such as walls, ceilings, columns, soffits, light covers, clouds, and arches have often been used to add interest to architectural designs. This course outlines conventional methods of framing curves in wood and steel, as well as new methods of framing using flexible track systems. Discussions include options for wall coverings and trims for curved surfaces.

The purpose of this course is to provide an introduction to the use of entrance floor systems in commercial buildings in order to promote a safe and clean environment. The course explains the codes, regulations, and guidelines specifically related to entrance flooring systems for high-traffic entrances in healthcare, education, transportation, corporate, and other commercial settings.

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

Thin brick veneer wall systems offer a lightweight design option to use in many areas, both where traditional brick is commonly used as well as where its use is limited, such as interior accent walls or inset panels. This course outlines the differences between wall systems using anchored and adhered masonry veneer, with a focus on the design, materials, and installation methods of adhered brick veneer wall systems. The use of adhered brick veneer in interior applications is also discussed.

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

Modern security bollards are highly engineered and tested devices that can withstand deliberate ramming by a 15,000 lb vehicle. Bollards are more than decorative boundary markers; they are an essential tool to protect lives and property. This course explains bollard crash testing standards, reviews the pros and cons of available bollard materials, and discusses steel bollard designs for low- and high-impact applications.

Thermally fused laminate (TFL), also known as melamine panels, has become the leader in durable realism in kitchens, closets, home offices, and organized storage, delivering great value, quality, and safety without sacrificing design. Presented here is the evolution and manufacture of TFL and its properties and performance attributes, the link between texture and perception and the role texture plays in the visual impact of a TFL panel, and finally, residential living trends that are forcing designers and manufacturers to innovate.

An ideal railing system enhances the appeal and value of a property and contributes to design as well as safety, while not requiring large amounts of time or money to maintain. This course presents an overview of railing system material options with a focus on aluminum and thermoplastic. The performance, design, and sustainability benefits of each material are discussed, along with mounting and aesthetic options. The course concludes with tips on selecting the right railing system for the project and case studies showcasing aluminum and thermoplastic railing system installations.

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.

In response to steadily growing demands for more and more storage capacity and the costs and energy required to implement that storage, data center design is now focusing on solutions that conserve energy, materials, money, and space. This course explores the current influences that directly or indirectly affect energy usage and management, the resulting trends in data center development, and how containment strategies enable designers to optimize energy efficiency and create facilities with minimal environmental footprints.

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

This course covers Part 10 and Part 11 of the OBC and is applicable to existing buildings that are subject to change of use or renovation in the Province of Ontario. It provides an overview of both parts and focuses on case studies to help users of the code navigate application of the requirements in Part 11 of the OBC.

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

 In order to download this course, a USD $29.00 fee must be paid.

Recently, custom showers have grown in popularity, offering homeowners an escape from the stresses of the outside world with new options providing the same sense of relaxation that was previously reserved for the bathtub. This course covers the trends in shower design, the benefits of hydrotherapy, and the components and technologies that are available to create a spa-like shower experience for today’s homeowners.

Surface design and color impact people in one way or another. Why do some surroundings induce a sense of calm, happiness, or inspiration while others offer nothing but distraction, discomfort, chaos, doom, and gloom? Interior surfaces are the point of contact between users and their environment, as well as an important connection between the visual and physical worlds. This course examines the integral role that surface color and design play in interior spaces and how color and design can improve health, reduce stress, enhance safety, and promote well-being in building occupants. Key requirements in the selection and specification process are also discussed.

Heated towel racks not only warm and dry damp towels, but also add a sense of comfort and luxury. This course explores heated towel racks and includes discussions on: the functions, benefits, and applications of heated towel racks; centrally heated, electric, and hydronic heating systems; materials and finishes; installation and care; and, design and accessory options.

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.

Finding ways to improve the energy efficiency of buildings is a key focus of many codes organizations, designers, architects, and government groups. This course examines how the roof of a building—one of the few parts of a building envelope that undergoes periodic replacement—impacts energy efficiency. It also explores how roof design can be a key contributor to meeting both sustainability and energy operating cost goals.

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

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.

Homeowners are looking for alternatives to traditional cladding materials that are affordable and long-lasting, and require little or no upkeep. Advances in technology and manufacturing techniques mean cellular PVC cladding products can meet all of these requirements without sacrificing aesthetics. This course reviews the benefits of cellular PVC as a cladding material and discusses how cellular PVC R&R prefinished shingles can provide the look and feel of wood shingles with an extended level of durability and low maintenance.

Synthetic or artificial grass bears virtually no resemblance to its early version produced over fifty years ago. The current product is much more aesthetically pleasing, safer, softer, and durable, made with environmentally friendly materials, highly customizable to suit many indoor and outdoor uses, and recyclable and nonflammable. This course details the many sustainable attributes of this material; its benefits, construction, and certifications; and numerous sample installations.

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