Birds provide billions to our economy, yet bird populations are crashing, with collisions with glass a primary cause. Whether looking through glass at habitat beyond, or flying towards reflected habitat, birds collide at flight speed with fatal results, often days later, from internal injuries. Birds collide with glass on structures of every size, from shacks to skyscrapers, in urban, suburban and rural areas. Advances in technology are increasing use of glass curtain walls and other large glass features, increasing the rate of mortality. We will describe materials that can make buildings safe for birds without sacrificing light, appearance or view clarity. In 2011, San Francisco was the first U.S. city to require bird-friendly design for some new construction. The LEED Pilot Library added a credit for reducing bird collisions the same year and that has since been added to the primary credit system. Over 20 jurisdictions at levels from state to town, have now mandated bird-friendly construction and more are pending. Notably New York City, in 2019, adopted code requiring bird-friendly design for all new construction. We review use of the LEED credit and important features of legislation across the U.S. and Canada. This class explains how to recognize and remediate hazards to birds in the built environment. We illustrate how many strategies for controlling heat and light, and even security, can also reduce bird mortality. Techniques now in use for evaluating the relative threat level to birds of different materials are described, along with typical results. Resources, like American Bird Conservancy’s searchable database of bird-friendly materials are reviewed....
Architects and other design professionals have a critical role to play in reducing global greenhouse gas emissions through building design and product selection. The urgent need to reduce both operational and embodied carbon means that building designers must be familiar with transparency documents that facilitate low-carbon product selection. In this course, we review the types of carbon of concern, transparency documents that provide critical information, and tools for sourcing embodied carbon information. We also look at the contribution of insulated metal panels to both low embodied and low operational carbon buildings....
Course will cover where FRT wood is specified in the codes, definition of FRT wood, and the use of coatings as an equivalent solution to FRT wood in various construction types....
Life-safety systems encompass both passive fire-protection features, like compartmentation and firestopping, and active ones, such as sprinklers and alarms. Portable fire extinguishers are an integral part of life-safety systems and must meet code-mandated number and placement requirements in most building types. This course looks at how fire extinguishers can be stored safely and securely in cabinets and addresses specification considerations. Also reviewed are the many options available to customize fire extinguisher cabinets so they are tailored to each project’s needs and design goals....
View the Morris Group Course Library
This course is part of one or more "Course Collections". Click here to view the details.
Magnesium oxide (MgO) products are panelized construction products that can be used as a direct replacement for other panels, such as gypsum, plywood, and OSB. This course aims to provide insight into MgO products, equipping building professionals with the knowledge and tools to select and specify them correctly, which in turn impacts occupant safety. We will also explore their performance characteristics, features, and purported issues, as well as relevant building code provisions and the evaluation process required for product compliance. Finally, we’ll look at the types of testing data for building materials and the importance of using certified products to ensure occupants’ life safety....
View the NEXGEN Building Products Course Library
This course is part of one or more "Course Collections". Click here to view the details.
This course explores the below-grade use of polyisocyanurate (POLYISO) insulation to meet energy code and maximize thermal performance of the building foundation. Let us help dispel the myths that have been created relative to POLYISO insulation while discussing its thermal performance, water absorption, and load capacity – the three primary characteristics for below grade insulation. In addition, we will discuss how the insulation can provide protection for the foundation waterproofing system....
View the Rmax - A Division of the Sika Corporation Course Library
Explore specialized materials, code compliance, and the unique environmental demands of mission-critical facilities to optimize energy efficiency and building resilience. Learn about the unique fire risks and environmental demands of data center operations. Evaluate how product solution choices affect energy efficiency, installation, maintenance, and risk management....
3M - Building Protection - Air Barrier, Fire Barrier, and Insulation Moisture Barrier/Jacketing
The building envelope must withstand the effects of long-term exposure to the elements. This course explores rainscreen wall design and the control of hygrothermal loads. The traditional multicomponent backup wall assembly is compared with the single-component, insulated metal composite backup wall system, outlining key differences in design and construction and their overall effect on installation and performance....
Cable railings are a beautifully minimalist way to meet safety requirements without obstructing the view. Learn how to assemble a commercial-grade cable railing with sophisticated fittings engineered to simplify installation, comply with building codes, and reduce overall labor costs....
An expansion joint is a structural gap designed to accommodate the movement of a building in a controlled manner, preventing damage to the building’s internal and external finishes. Expansion joints run throughout a building in walls, ceilings, and floors. Expansion joint covers provide a covered transition across an expansion opening and remain unaffected by the relative movement of the two surfaces either side of the joint. This course explains how to determine joint movement requirements and how to size a joint. It also discusses the performance of different expansion joint cover systems and the applicable fire protection and building codes....
The purpose of this session will focus on what an engineered façade system should provide. Project teams are seeking a complete single-source system from the studs to exterior finish. We will discuss types of testing and approvals Façade systems offer to meet national and international building codes such as FM, NFPA, and others. Further discussion will be on performance warranties for leakage, system integrity, material performance similar to a roofing warranty. From the designer’s role, where you place the insulation and how do you attach the cladding can be the most critical decision when working with a building façade. We will explore both questions from a building science perspective to give clarity and certainty this is done properly....
Urban warming negatively impacts human health and quality of life, energy use, air quality, social equity, and economic prosperity. This course describes how solar reflective cool roof and wall materials help protect individuals and communities from the impacts of extreme heat and discusses the factors that influence energy savings and performance. The course also notes various climate resilience initiatives, green building programs, and energy codes that require or promote the use of cool roofs or walls and concludes by explaining the important role of third-party product ratings and the educational resources available online....
Continuous insulation is part of building standards and state and energy codes due to its ability to reduce thermal bridging and the associated heat loss and energy consumption. This course looks at the use of polyisocyanurate as a continuous insulation in Type V and residential construction and its use as a multifunctional envelope component—air barrier, weather-resistive barrier, and vapor retarder—by reviewing code requirements for the building envelope....
View the PIMA - Polyisocyanurate Insulation Manufacturers Association Course Library
PIMA - Polyisocyanurate Insulation Manufacturers Association
Architectural insulated metal panels (IMPs) are an increasingly popular choice for building developers and architects, presenting a compelling solution that combines functionality, efficiency, and aesthetic appeal. This course reviews the architectural IMP, its applications and benefits, and comparisons to other materials. It explores current trends and developments that are paving the way for increased aesthetic possibilities and building envelope performance....
This course examines the role of access doors and panels in building design. It covers their functions, material options, and performance requirements. Topics include resistance to fire, sound, and moisture, as well as durability, code compliance, and integration with surrounding finishes. The course also presents best practices for specifying and installing access components that support safety, accessibility, and design continuity across a range of project types....
View the Best Access Doors Course Library
This course is part of one or more "Course Collections". Click here to view the details.
Dual-flush wall-mounted toilets help create modern, stylish bathrooms that strike a balance between sustainable water efficiency, flexible design, and space savings. This course compares this style with other traditional types of toilets, discusses how wall-mounted toilets benefit commercial and residential users, and explains how they satisfy the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other accessibility and building code requirements....
This recorded webinar is the third of five sessions presented during the Building Science Master Summit held by DuPont Performance Building Solutions. This course dives into the topic of below-grade thermal performance and how to appropriately design for the long term. It explores heat loss patterns; energy code requirements and how they differ by region and building type; insulating best practices and benefits; and considerations for material selection....
View the DuPont Performance Building Solutions Course Library
Energy codes at the federal, state, and local levels increasingly focus on reducing energy consumption, saving consumers money, and reducing CO2 emissions. Whether new or recently updated, energy codes play an essential role in the buildings we design, build, and ultimately live, work, and play in. This course examines the lighting requirements and provisions of ASHRAE Standard 90.1-2019 and the 2021 International Energy Conservation Code ® , with a focus on plug and lighting control strategies for energy efficiency....
With the coming of the 2009 and 2012 International Energy Conservation Codes (IECC), insulating sheathing has played a growing role in the drive to make homes more energy efficient and comfortable for their occupants. The pressure is on for builders, home designers, and architects to find cost-effective construction methods and materials to meet these ever-growing performance standards. Educating one’s self and remaining current on building science trends, technologies and materials has proven to be a powerful measure of success in today’s residential construction markets. The following presentation “Why Use Insulating Sheathing”, aims to educate attendees on the flexibility of using foam sheathing in various Type V construction assemblies in order to meet stricter energy code minimums. Additional learning takeaways from this presentation include investigating common faults in Type V wood-framed walls from a framing, moisture, thermal bridging, and air sealing perspective; and how insulating sheathing can help correct these faults. Attendees will walk away with a thorough understanding of the advantages of using insulating sheathing in residential walls and be able to effectively communicate these advantages to their customers. Additionally, attendees will also leave with a solid understanding of the basic science behind any insulating material and how to better utilize these materials in various environments....
View the DuPont Performance Building Solutions Course Library
Stairs are an essential component of a movement and wayfinding strategy in a structure and a primary means of egress, exit, and floor-to-floor access in the event of a fire or emergency for buildings with multiple floors or a change in rise. This course discusses stair and egress system design and evaluates why the design and fabrication of pre-engineered steel stairs create safe stair environments that comply with building codes....
Now more than ever, the environmental impacts of products used in construction are a worldwide concern and one that the architecture and design (A&D) community is being asked to address in their work. Environmental product declarations (EPDs) are powerful tools when choosing materials for commercial projects. This course discusses how, where, and why to use EPDs to inform sustainable product selection and specification decisions and how EPDs are incorporated into key green building rating systems and codes, including LEED® v4.1 Building Design and Construction (BD+C) and Interior Design and Construction (ID+C), Green Globes® for New Construction (NC), and the International Green Construction Code® (IgCC®)....
View the Resilient Floor Covering Institute Course Library
Resilient Floor Covering Institute
This course is part of one or more "Course Collections". Click here to view the details.
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....
Insulated metal panels (IMPs) are lightweight composite exterior wall and roof panels with superior insulating properties. Commercial and industrial buildings benefit from their energy efficient insulation, lightweight construction, durability, and cost-effective, timely installation. This course discusses IMPs in terms of their design options, appropriate support structure, installation, function, code compliance, and warranties....
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....
View the Stepstone, LLC. Course Library
This course is part of one or more "Course Collections". Click here to view the details.
With limited exceptions, the International Building Code® (IBC®) requires testing and compliance with NFPA 285 for exterior wall assemblies of buildings of Types I, II, III, and IV construction containing foam plastic insulation. This course examines three methods for demonstrating that an exterior wall assembly design complies with NFPA 285, including engineering analysis. The course also discusses how and where to locate NFPA 285 information for each compliance method....
View the North American Modern Building Alliance Course Library
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