This course provides a summary of the changes to the UAE Fire and Life Safety Code of Practice (UAE Fire Code) that came into effect in September 2018. The course is specifically tailored for architects, engineers, and interior designers. The 2018 edition of the UAE Fire Code introduces changes to: building construction (such as spandrel requirements, fire testing of curtain wall systems, façades, and cladding, and third-party inspections); fire service vehicles and personnel accessibility (including emergency vehicle access); means of egress, fire detection and alarm systems, fire protection systems (such as fire hydrants, fire pump flow rate and water tank capacity, and balcony sprinklers); smoke control and smoke management systems; and drawing submission requirements. The primary intent of the changes was to address the technical discrepancies and adapt with the life safety challenges in today's buildings.

Stormwater management is a critical component in any municipality to retain and infiltrate increased runoff volumes and flow rates from developed land that creates increased impervious cover (roofs and pavements). The course discusses the hydrologic and structural design fundamentals of permeable interlocking concrete pavement (PICP) and why it is an excellent choice to help meet stormwater management goals. Discussions include the benefits of using PICP, components of PICP, design and construction considerations and how use of PICP can help earn LEED® credits.

There is evidence that the basic ladder was first conceived over 10,000 years ago. Since that time, ladders have evolved to become a versatile product available in a number of materials and forms to suit many functions. This course explains the methods and advantages of using aluminum for ladders, the many ways ladders can be configured to create the safest and most comfortable usage, the various optional accessories available, and the codes and standards that govern and inform their design.

Energy creation, distribution, and consumption are all in a period of transition. Understanding this transition and its various aspects is critical to sustainable transitional energy planning (STEP). This course delves into the reasoning behind the STEP approach and its contributions to creating resilient communities and explores available exhaustible and renewable energy resources and innovations in the energy sector that can be leveraged by STEP.

Architectural canopies are versatile additions to a wide variety of commercial buildings and serve both functional and aesthetic purposes. They can highlight entrances, create visual interest, support signs and lights, and offer protection from snow, rain, and sun. This course examines canopy types, styles, materials, finishes, and wall attachment considerations and offers guidance on how to select the right system for a project. Case studies demonstrate how canopies can assist in solving common building design challenges.

While providing fresh air intake and exhaust, reducing noise, and keeping out unwanted water and debris, louvers can also provide architectural style to a building design. This course discusses the aesthetics, performance, and weather resistance features of a variety of louver designs from the basic to the extreme. A discussion about the industry standards and test protocols for louver performance is included.

Expansion or modification of electrical cabling is rarely considered yet occurs during the lifetime of most buildings. Expansion of in-wall cabling requires additional work, trades, and possibly electrical service interruption, but cable tray facilitates removal and addition of cabling. This course reviews two types of cable tray—ladder tray and wire mesh tray—their components, characteristics, and applications and code-related installation information.

The trend toward sustainable building design took on new dimensions during the pandemic and concurrent supply chain crisis. Coupled with the ongoing dilution of skilled labor in the construction trades, there emerged an increased urgency and opportunity to specify and install sustainable roofing systems. This course compares low-slope roofing materials in terms of reliability, sustainability, and financial benefits.

In many climate zones, the heating and cooling of outside air (OA) is one of the largest energy loads and contributors to building emissions. Traditional commercial HVAC designs based on the Ventilation Rate Procedure (VRP) rely on large volumes of outside air to maintain acceptable indoor air quality, often resulting in oversized HVAC equipment and wasted energy. Adding to this, good indoor air quality is no longer just a matter of meeting code but is now seen as a necessity for business continuity, improved learning outcomes, and employee productivity. In this course, we will examine ASHRAE Standard 62.1, a recognized standard for nonresidential ventilation system design, and its Indoor Air Quality Procedure (IAQP), which allows for the use of air cleaning technology to offset outside air for a more efficient ventilation system design. We will review the requirements and calculations for this procedure, showing the impact on indoor air quality and energy use, and present a number of case studies. We will also show how IAQP used with air cleaning can help achieve LEED® v4 BD+C: New Construction and O+M: Existing Buildings and WELL v2™ certification.

Building science experts have acknowledged the need for both drainage and ventilation in exterior wall systems in order to eliminate moisture issues and extend the life of buildings. This presentation reviews the concepts of rainscreen technology and the solutions for compliance with a focus on engineered rainscreen drainage and ventilation mats used in direct-applied and ventilated wall designs.

Prerequisites: No

Course Level: Introductory

Modern interior spaces often feature open areas and hard surfaces. What should be comfortable rooms in these spaces can become unpleasant from noise and echo or sound reverberation. This course discusses how melamine foam can be used to improve the sound quality in a space. The different options for melamine foam products are discussed along with their installation methods. This course also provides an overview of the sustainability features of sound-absorbing melamine foam.

As we become more aware of the levels of toxins in our environment, we are realizing that the quality of air inside our homes is just as important as the quality of air outside our homes. This course outlines why indoor air quality is so important to our health and describes how to improve indoor air quality by using a balanced ventilation system.

Sometimes a design finish cannot be achieved within a certain budget or time frame. While not intended to be a substitute for real materials in every situation, architectural finishes mimic the aesthetics of natural and other materials. This course discusses the uses, manufacturing process, performance characteristics, selection considerations, and proper installation techniques of architectural finishes.

Over time, different types of concrete have been developed for a variety of architectural applications, including cast stone, precast panels and shapes, glass fiber reinforced concrete (GFRC), and ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC). These concrete forms differ in physical properties, applications, and cost. This course reviews the four essential types of architectural precast including their composition, functions, advantages, and specifications to facilitate the proper selection based on project requirements.

Prequalification of contractors is a method used to manage the risks of an open tender process. It ensures the contractors invited to bid on the project have demonstrated applicable experience and are capable of delivering the necessary quality and value. This course is a primer on contractor prequalification and describes who benefits from the process, the applicable project delivery methods, the role of the architect, the typical information requested of the contractor, and when to use prequalification and when not to.

Today, architects and designers need to give special consideration to building acoustics when developing plans for new and newly renovated construction projects. Excessive noise in any environment is considered a serious problem that can negatively impact occupant comfort, leading to learning difficulties, sleep deprivation, delayed recovery from illness, and lack of privacy. Sound basics are discussed in this course, and STC, IIC, and sound attenuation (reduction) techniques are explained. Various case studies are examined to develop further understanding of the performance of common sound abatement assemblies that are essential for occupant well-being and comfort.

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.

Whether for new construction or a retrofit, doors and openings play an integral role in defining how a space functions and can impact occupants in multiple ways, making door selection an important process. This course discusses the many benefits sliding and pocket doors offer, including aesthetics, space savings, improved occupant flow, accessibility, and ease of operation. Typical sliding and pocket door hardware types, methods of operation, and installation are also reviewed.

The LEED® (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) suite of rating systems recognizes projects that implement strategies for better environmental and health performance. Presented here is an overview of LEED v4 BD+C New Construction credits to which paints and coatings may apply. The course reviews LEED credit intents, explains credit requirements, and describes where to find materials to meet the needs of the credits.

Redwood lumber and timbers from sustainably managed and harvested forests offer warmth, durability, and strength in indoor and outdoor projects. This course covers the performance characteristics, environmental benefits, and applications of Redwood, including several case studies that highlight the beauty and versatility of Redwood products. Details are presented on differentiating the grades of Redwood, specifying the right grade for the project type, and the specification resources that are available.

Synthetic roofing materials have been available in the market for more than a decade, providing a cost-effective, viable alternative to traditional slate and shake roofing systems. This course provides an overview of the features and benefits of slate and shake synthetic roofing products, including a discussion on the testing methods used to rate specific performance characteristics.

Critical to concrete waterproofing are the products used in combination to create a system that ensures complete control of moisture migration. Presented here are effective concrete waterproofing technologies and how they improve the durability and lifespan of structures. Discussions include water penetration, system selection, membrane protection, and cementitious waterproofing.

Concrete is often the substrate for both new and existing floors. Transforming the surface into a finished floor is far more sustainable than consuming additional flooring materials, adhesives, and transportation-related energy to install a floor covering. This course discusses the stages and options of the concrete polishing process, recognizes benefits of recent advances in concrete densification chemistry, and provides an overview of the limitations and possibilities for concrete floor finishes.

Various control strategies are used to prevent rain from penetrating a building envelope and entering a building assembly. This course compares exterior wall metal cladding systems and takes an in-depth look at the design options, testing, specifications, environmental implications, and the detailing of single-skin metal panel systems as used in a pressure-equalized rainscreen (PER) application.

Architectural resin panels are engineered to suit the demands of a wide array of interior and exterior applications and offer almost unlimited combinations of color, pattern, and design. This course presents the features and options that allow resin panels to meet design requirements for both function and beauty and discusses how resin panels may play a role in projects seeking LEED® v4 BD+C, ID+C, and O+M; Living Building ChallengeSM v3.1; or WELL Building Standard® v1 certification.