Railing systems perform various functions, meeting safety requirements and serving as a key component of a building’s aesthetic. This course includes a discussion of the strengths and weaknesses of aluminum and structural vinyl railing systems, how they are made, and how they are used in the building industry, including a detailed summary of how they meet various code requirements.

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

Today’s modern metal roof panel coatings are designed to be low friction in order to self-clean. However, when snow and ice accumulate on the roof, their rapid release causes countless personal injuries, millions of dollars in property damage and liability claims, and business disruptions worldwide. This course provides an overview of snow retention systems that protect against these dangers. Information about components of both pad and bar styles, features, installation, and layout are presented.

The acoustical comfort level in the workplace is a key measure of the quality of the indoor environment for building occupants. This course explores key concepts and characteristics of sound, as well as speech intelligibility and privacy and their associated acoustical remedies. Also presented is the use of sound absorbers and diffusers as acoustical solutions to noise problems.

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.

Insulated metal wall panels (IMPs) offer a sleek, modern, and light-weight envelope system that is highly customizable. This course explores the characteristics of IMPs, including how they can offer a five-in-one design solution that provides the exterior finish, as well as the air, vapor, water, and thermal control layers. Discussions will also include design options, installation processes, code compliance, sustainability, and available warranties.

Specifying the right sectional door system for your commercial project can have a great effect on the health, safety, and welfare of building occupants. This course covers commercial sectional door systems, including the various types of doors available and their associated characteristics including energy efficiency and durability, along with a discussion on how to specify the correct door to meet project requirements.

Uncorrected thermal bridging can account for 20–70% of heat flow through a building's envelope. Improving details to mitigate both point and linear thermal bridges will significantly improve energy performance. This course reviews types of thermal bridges, examines how they appear in codes and standards, and explores some mitigation concepts and principles. Calculation methods to account for thermal bridging in your projects are introduced, and a sample design project is used to demonstrate code compliance.

 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.

Protected membrane roof (PMR) systems offer many benefits to building owners and provide architects with design options that can maximize the energy efficiency, durability, and performance of a building envelope. This course compares the functional and physical features of PMR systems to conventional low-slope roofing applications and discusses the standard ASCE 7 and its impact on wind uplift design.

One of the most complex and least understood areas where fire can propagate is at the perimeter of a multistory building. Fire can spread not only from floor to floor via the edge-of-slab/curtain wall intersections but also along the exterior building enclosure where untested, combustible components are often installed. This program outlines best design practices for providing fire protection for building occupants per ASTM E2307 and ASTM E2874.

Sound control is a critical element in a building’s design. We all think of the walls, ceiling, and floor when discussing sound attenuation, but without the proper acoustic door, the sound-control goals in an acoustic plan may not be met. This course reviews healthy sound levels and how to test and identify target STC ratings. Also discussed are the elements of acoustic door assemblies and how they address fire ratings and ADA compliance, contribute to LEED® certification and green building, and provide security for classified files and electronic data.

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

Floor coating systems are designed to protect surfaces in many different service environments. A coating's ability to increase durability, mitigate abrasion, and utilize antislip properties to improve occupant safety is critical in today's building climate. This course reviews coating system basics, including surface preparation and proper installation techniques. Selection criteria for floor coating systems in various applications are also discussed.

Mosaics have been part of our history since 3000 BCE. From the earliest temples in Mesopotamia to modern-day buildings and museums, mosaics are beautiful examples of artwork that reflects life. This course discusses the evolution of the mosaic and examines some of the technological innovations that have made mosaic artwork more accessible. Installation procedures are described, and various case studies are explored.

This course is Part 1 of two courses aimed at helping contractors get organized, be proactive, and to work efficiently on LEED projects. Part 1 covers proposal preparation for LEED projects and general documentation principles, and also provides some recommendations and best practices for bidding and award during preconstruction.

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

 In order to download this course, a USD $35.00 fee must be paid.

There are several key elements that must be considered with a cavity wall system. Heat, air, and moisture — both vapor and liquid — have a definite impact on how a cavity wall system should be designed and constructed. Once these elements have been addressed, a cavity wall system will increase energy efficiency, meet the required energy and fire code standards, and will provide cost-savings over the life of the building.

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

Unwanted sound can become more than a mere annoyance. Excess noise has been found to increase stress and distraction, reduce learning and productivity, and even lead to hypertension and permanent hearing loss. This course presents an overview of how sound is described and measured and describes the many industrial and architectural products available to control noise in virtually any environment.

Insulated vinyl siding, known as insulated siding, is an exterior cladding that combines the protection and low maintenance of traditional vinyl siding with the energy efficiency of EPS foam. The composite results in an improvement in performance and aesthetics. This course discusses the benefits associated with installing insulated siding on new and renovation residential construction projects, and the range of architectural styles that can be achieved with the breadth of design and color options available.

Fallingwater, named the best all time work of architecture by AIA members in 1991, started experiencing problems shortly after construction. A novel structural system combined with constant interaction with water meant that, in order to maintain this national treasure, major restoration would be required. This course reviews the issues experienced by the building and the path to restoration that was taken.

NFPA 285 is a fire test for wall assemblies in noncombustible buildings that are wrapped in combustible materials. This course explains the NFPA 285 test method, its origin, its procedures, when it is required by the International Building Code, its relevance to ASHRAE 90.1 criteria for continuous insulation and air/water resistive barriers, and design considerations necessary for test compliance. Key combustible wall assembly layers such as insulation, air/water resistive barriers, and exterior cladding options are also discussed.

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

Design-focused wine displays are becoming increasingly popular in amazing residential and commercial properties throughout the world. Top design/build professionals are using stylish wine racks and other premium materials to create wine cellars that are too beautiful to hide in out-of-the-way places like dusty basements. This course explains why wine cellars have become so popular and the key aspects of designing an appealing modern wine cellar, broken into six planning steps that should be considered during pre- or early-construction phases.

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 is one of two identical courses titled Mineral Wool IMPs: Sustainable, Fire-Resistant Construction. You will receive credit for taking only one of these courses.

Knowing how color is commonly used in commercial design projects is a helpful approach to selecting color for a new or renovation building project. Considering how much time we spend in commercial spaces such as restaurants, healthcare facilities, workplace environments, schools, and hospitality accommodations, it makes sense to create spaces that are appealing as well as functional. This course examines paint in terms of product performance, discusses how humans instinctively react to color, and provides some guidelines for selecting paint colors for commercial design projects.

Adhesion and long-term integrity of a high-performance floor system can be undermined by any number of factors. Although surface preparation is one of the most critical aspects of floor coating, there are a number of other steps that must be included. In this course we will review the necessary steps for a successful high performance floor coating application including preliminary inspection and surface preparation, selection of appropriate products, and proper coating application tips.

Underslab moisture is something that designers need to take into consideration in both the design and construction phases of a building project. It can cause many problems for the building and the health of its occupants over the course of its life span; however, if properly addressed during design and construction, many of these issues can be mitigated. This course looks at the different types of moisture movement that exist below the slab, examines solutions for a variety of site conditions, and reviews best practices for managing moisture.

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

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.