Building Knowledge and Connections
Building Knowledge and Connections
White roofs made of PVC (vinyl) can reflect three-quarters or more of the sun's rays and emit 70% or more of the solar radiation absorbed by the building envelope. Despite protecting and keeping buildings cool in all climates around the world for decades, misconceptions about the energy impact of cool roofs still exist. This course uses the fundame...
View the Chemical Fabrics and Film Association Course Library
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 co...
With the rise in popularity of green roofing, many municipalities are adopting requirements for sustainable design from LEED and other sources. As this creates an increased frequency, design professionals require an increased level of knowledge as to how to create green roofs within the framework of waterproofing, thermal envelope, elevation limits...
This course provides a comprehensive exploration of building general commercial structures using Insulated Concrete Forms (ICFs). Participants will gain valuable insights into how ICFs enhance the design and construction process, delivering superior efficiency, durability, and sustainability. The program also examines how these innovative construct...
Learners will closely evaluate steep-slope roofs, examining materials and practices that improve roof performance. By the end of the course, they will be able to identify key characteristics of roofing systems that prevent roof deterioration and damage, providing protection to the occupants within the structure. Finally, learners will evaluate best...
Structural laminated decking allows the beauty of the wood structure to be exposed, creating a unique architectural experience for its occupants. Aesthetics, strength, and durability are combined in one engineered product. Structural laminated wood decking is an environmentally sustainable and cost-effective alternative to solid timber and other ro...
Undesirable acoustics in educational spaces have long been considered averse to our goals to effectively teach, create, collaborate, listen, and learn. Now, in the wake of implementing pandemic protocols, our acoustic comfort in these spaces is greatly challenged. This course examines the impacts of poor soundscapes in educational facilities and in...
View the Catalyst Acoustics Group Course Library
This course is part of one or more "Course Collections". Click here to view the details.
This presentation focuses on Florida's wind design requirements for commercial low-slope roofing. The presentation covers new building code requirements, ASCE 7, future tornado wind design requirements and agency approvals for wind uplift resistance for low-slope roofing....
Acoustical doors are vital in managing sound transmission in various architectural and industrial settings. This course discusses evaluating, specifying, and integrating acoustical doors into projects that demand effective noise control, speech privacy, and occupant comfort. It also examines how acoustical doors may help meet credit requirements in...
Residential building envelope assemblies need to deliver a wide range of benefits – from reducing energy waste to maintaining occupant comfort to providing critical shelter during severe weather events. Each component of the envelope has an important role to play, including the insulation. This presentation introduces the key benefits and attribu...
View the PIMA - Polyisocyanurate Insulation Manufacturers Association Course Library
PIMA - Polyisocyanurate Insulation Manufacturers Association
Discuss IRC Egress Code and the possible Product choices, attributes and Factors which could effect performance Review the installation process, Egress window well design trends...
Penetrations of the WRB are unavoidable, but it is critical to ensure that they remain watertight. The recommendations for sealing these penetrations are often based on unrelated test methods such as those for nail penetrations in roofing membranes or on anecdotal evidence. This course will cover a data driven test plan which was used to was used t...
View the DuPont Performance Building Solutions Course Library
An introduction to the use of Polyisocyanurate insulation to provide a Continuous Insulating Air & Water Resistive Barrier, providing energy efficiency, fire safety, sustainability, and a healthier indoor environment....
View the Rmax - A Division of the Sika Corporation Course Library
We will discuss how Polyiso Continuous Insulation will improve the thermal performance of walls of Steel Stud Construction. In addressing the advantages of continuous insulation – we will also address the disadvantages of using steel studs without continuous insulation. We will discuss what Sustainability d how it is measured, including – facto...
View the Rmax - A Division of the Sika Corporation Course Library
Residential solar power generates clean energy, reduces carbon footprint, protects against rising electricity rates, and protects property from outages, but it is only effective during daylight hours. Adding battery storage to a solar system—called solar plus storage—removes this limitation and moves a home closer to energy independence. In thi...
Structural fire protection guards essential structural components from the devastating effects of fire. This course examines the various active and passive fireproof methods that are available with a focus on the features, types, and design considerations of prefabricated fireproof structural columns designed for exposed exterior and interior load-...
When daylighting a space, there are endless ways to go about it. With the power of daylight simulation, you can make informed decisions about material selections, placement and opening sizes, as well as building geometries. Modeling allows you to compare multiple designs to see how they will perform, while verifying light levels, potential glare an...
Wall system applications are becoming more and more common in the building envelope industry today. Explore the science behind wall systems and the tangible benefits of incorporating this technology into building structures. There is an emphasis on the differences between air barriers that are impermeable to vapor drive and air barriers that are va...
This course focuses on the rapidly growing data center industry and how critical it is to control noise for facility employees and residents living in neighboring areas and to follow city ordinances. The noise issues data centers pose for their workers and their external surroundings are examined, and practical solutions are reviewed....
Concrete-faced insulated products are composite prefinished panels that are used to construct walls and roofing assemblies to maximize the energy efficiency, durability, and performance of a building envelope. This course discusses the design criteria used in designing energy-efficient buildings using concrete-faced continuous insulation systems fo...
With growing concerns about blast threats—whether from human actions or nearby industrial facilities—buildings are increasingly incorporating blast protection into their design. This course offers guidance on evaluating appropriate blast load protection levels, understanding industry standards, and assessing key factors such as standoff distanc...
View the USBP - United States Bullet Proofing, Inc. Course Library
Commercial aluminum wall, window, and roof systems have undergone improvements in recent decades, making them technologically sufficient to meet contemporary standards of durability. In addition to being familiar with the systems’ thermal and other ecological benefits, specifiers need to understand paint chemistry and the difference between powde...
This course provides specifiers of masonry veneer walls the description of a complete high performance wall system that meets the wall systems requirements ASTM E2357 (Air Leakage), ASTM E331 (Water Penetration), and NFPA 285 (Fire Propagation). The wall components associated with moisture management and interactions with other system components ar...
This presentation will review the basics of spray polyurethane foam chemistry, application, safety, code compliance, and building performance. It discusses safety requirements during the foam application, how spray foam can contribute to improved indoor air quality by reducing air leakage, how spray foam creates a more comfortable environment, a...
Having up-to-date specifications starts with understanding what is in the building code. This course reviews the requirements that cold-formed steel framing must meet to be compliant to the 2024 International Building Code. It covers the standards for manufacturing tolerances, minimum thickness and protective coatings. Participants will also review...