Gate and fencing systems can be both functional and decorative. This course illustrates how architectural gate and fencing systems can be designed to meet modern security and design requirements while harmonizing with their surrounding environment. Fencing and gate systems are discussed in terms of their composition, materials, coatings, finishes, and performance in interior and exterior applications.

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

Wood is both beautiful and practical but lacks long term durability when used outdoors. Modified woods change the material properties of the wood at the molecular level to improve its weathering capabilities. This course discusses one type of modification: acetylation. We discuss the process, its impact on wood performance, the life cycle impact of acetylated wood and how and where this type of wood can be used.

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

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...

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...

Elevators are integral to accessible, smooth, and efficient operations in many applications. For low-rise buildings, hydraulic or gearless machine room-less (MRL) elevators are most common; this course presents the differences between the two in installation, maintenance, speed, energy efficiency, sustainability, and cost. Also addressed are the distinctions between proprietary and nonproprietary elevator systems and recommendations on how to specify a nonproprietary system to maximize its long-term benefits.

A sound building envelope should be sustainable and provide fire resistance, good thermal performance, and protection from the elements. Mineral wool, fire rated insulated metal panels (IMPs) can improve building performance and contribute to a sustainable design strategy. Included in this course are discussions on mineral wool IMP characteristics and design options, performance advantages, and installation considerations. The course details how fire resistance is specified in the International Building Code and provides examples of fire wall and fire partition construction assemblies.

This course material is identical to the MBCI course Mineral Wool IMPs: Sustainable, Fire-Resistant Construction.

Flooding is an increasingly frequent and costly danger, and flood-prone areas are expanding in the US as storms worsen, floodplains expand, and sea levels rise. As a result, many homes and buildings that were poorly built were built without flood-resistant construction, or were inappropriately detailed have been swept away, demolished, or significantly damaged. This course begins with an overview of flood requirements and then explores the concepts and details of flood-resistant construction, provides detailed advice on how anchors, fasteners, and connectors can be used to create flood-resistant buildings, and records the relevant terminology, codes, and standards that should be used when consulting experts and authorities and designing flood-resistant buildings.

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

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.

It’s easy to be overwhelmed by outdoor solar lighting specs and components, especially when every manufacturer presents its products differently. Lighting professionals can help clients put these manufacturers on an equal playing field. Providing an in-depth introduction into the technology and benefits of off-grid solar lighting, the course explores why clients choose commercial solar lighting, what components make up a solar lighting system, and the three steps lighting professionals can take to ensure their clients choose a reliable, efficient, and cost-effective solution that meets their unique expectations.

(Canadian Version) Different types of paints are typically classified according to the type of resin they contain or the mechanism by which they dry and cure. This course discusses the classification of paints, advantages and disadvantages of latex versus alkyd coatings, the benefits of a three-coat system, surface preparation and priming techniques, and causes of and solutions for common paint problems.

Due to their durability, low operational cost, and sustainability, metal roofs are gaining popularity in both commercial and residential markets. Owner expectations for this product family have increased as well and now include heightened aesthetics and long-term performance. While metal roofing systems are certainly up to these challenges, when they fail, the results are costly. Consequently, it is imperative designers have full knowledge of metal roof design and detailing. This course covers the top ten problems metal roof designers face and describes how these problems can be prevented through proper design.

The use of life safety dampers is driven by requirements in various building codes. There are many different applications for which fire, fire/smoke, smoke, and/or ceiling radiation dampers can be used, each having its own specific purpose and unique installation requirements. This course gives an in-depth look at the different types of dampers and explains how and where they're each used and installed.

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

The design community has become increasingly focused on ensuring that the products and places they create suit the diverse needs and differing abilities of everyone. This course explores how universal design principles and products can inform design to create places that are safer, more comfortable, visually appealing, and usable and that provide a richer experience for all users. This exploration utilizes the examples of door hardware and the needs of a diverse group of users including senior citizens and others to explain some of these principles and provides a detailed examination of a universally designed door latch.

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

Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) has been used in North America as a single-ply roof membrane for more than 40 years. Because of the longevity of PVC and its history of performance, PVC roofs have a lower roof replacement rate compared to other single-ply membranes. This course discusses how PVC is manufactured, its features and benefits, and comparisons between its performance and that of other thermoplastic single-ply membranes.

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

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

Typically specified for pavements because of its strength, durability, and life-cycle value, concrete is increasingly being specified for a variety of exterior and interior projects because of its aesthetic potential. This course explores colored concrete including coloring methods, pigments, color consistency, and maintenance. It examines the specification considerations of cast-in-place and precast concrete and looks at a range of interior applications and concrete finishes.

This recorded webinar is the fourth of five sessions presented during the Building Science Master Summit held by DuPont Performance Building Solutions. This course covers approaches to high-performance commercial wall system design, analysis tools, and the pros and cons of different barrier options so you can make the most informed design decisions for your job. We’ll also take a look at current code requirements and testing specifications.

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

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.

(Canadian Version) Around the globe, companies and manufacturers are embracing socially responsible design, construction, and the development of sustainable products. This course provides an overview of sustainable design and the creation of healthier environments in reference to architectural paints. Included are discussions regarding the components of paint, independent testing methods and standards, categories of LEED®, and specification of paint systems for today’s designer.

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

Water intrusion creates a variety of problems for masonry structures, including freeze-thaw damage, chemical- and pollution-based attacks, efflorescence, calcium carbonate stains, and mold. This course reviews the application and specification considerations related to water repellents and how they can help to prevent these problems.

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.

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

Natural fibers have been used for over 2,000 years as a method to strengthen building materials. Cellulose fiber provides an excellent alternative to traditional secondary reinforcement, reducing plastic shrinkage cracks and improving durability, impact resistance, shatter resistance, and freeze/thaw resistance without compromising the appearance or finishability of a concrete surface. This course covers the evolution of fiber, its benefits, and why it is a sustainable material.

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

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...

One of the more complicated issues today in building science is addressing moisture movement, since moisture can penetrate a building in several different ways and result in material degradation, air quality issues, and failure of the building enclosure. This course examines the ways moisture can enter a structure and discusses the role of different moisture control layers that, when correctly placed and installed, can prevent unwanted moisture infiltration.

Concrete is a very versatile and fundamental building material; however, because it is porous and wicks water through its matrix, concrete has water-related design challenges. This program examines the sustainable benefits of integral concrete waterproofing and analyzes traditional waterproofing methods as compared to integral methods in terms of performance, durability, risk, cost, and construction timeline.