EDUCATION PROVIDER PROGRAM (EPP)

Personal and corporate security is a steadily increasing issue of concern, and more homes and businesses are installing gates to control who can enter or leave. Sliding cantilevered gates, with their wide range of design and operating options, are increasingly popular for these installations. This course outlines their advantages; the many ways they can be designed, built, and operated; and those aspects that make them safe, aesthetically appealing, and reliable. The course concludes with a series of illustrated sample installations.

The 2022 Inflation Reduction Act shines a light on how low-carbon building material selection is one of the keys to reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the US. High-performance, sustainable products and thoughtful assemblies designed with the building life cycle in mind are critical to the future of our sustainable communities. This course provides a look at how low-carbon and sustainability considerations are activated from product to building design. Factors impacting a sustainable building life cycle are discussed to help architects and owners with building performance that meets the design intent not just on paper but also in use. 

ONGOING - FREE - 1 HOUR

Redwood Timbers are a safe, strong, and sustainable option for exterior and interior building projects where natural wood is desired. This course provides an overview of the properties of Redwood Timbers including insulation properties, grades, dimensions, fasteners, finishing options, and strength. It concludes with numerous case studies exploring the use of Redwood Timbers for post and beam construction, decorative elements, deck posts, and outdoor living structures. 

Designing restrooms to allow for and maximize proper hygiene is important in reducing the spread of germs. This course discusses the elements of hygienic restroom design and how reducing required touchpoints helps to increase safety and cleanliness. The key steps in proper hand hygiene are also discussed. The course then focuses on hand dryers and considers their impact on hand hygiene and sustainability. The future of commercial restroom design is then explored.

This course explores how the use of color and coil and extrusion coated metal building products can help you make a big visual impact on your next façade design. Learn about the coating process, color theory, the chemistry behind color creation, and the benefits of solar reflective pigments.

This course explores the use of coil and extrusion coatings (70% PVDF metal coatings) for protecting and enhancing exterior façades. It demonstrates how utilizing color and aesthetic attributes can further enhance a building’s impact and brand recognition. The coating application/treatment process is also discussed in detail. Sustainability benefits that 70% PVDF coating has to offer are outlined, and real-world case studies show the positive impact that 70% PVDF coatings can have on a project.

ONGOING - FREE - 1 HOUR

Wind forces always influence building design and detailing. This course focuses on one particular force, wind uplift, and its influence on roof paving system design and selection. It examines how wind loads and building configuration affect the design of roof paving systems; the codes, regulations, and calculation approaches that inform and control such designs; and the various options designers can use to design safe, appealing outdoor roof paving systems that will withstand even the strongest winds.

Due to advancements in architectural decorative glass technology, the number of design options available to help designers and architects achieve specific aesthetic, safety and sustainability requirements, has dramatically increased. This course provides a review of architectural decorative glass including product options, applications, features, and specification considerations. Also discussed is how decorative glass can contribute to LEED® v4 and WELL® initiatives. 

With faster build speeds, superior environmental control performance, and exceptional design flexibility, insulated metal panels (IMPs) offer many advantages over other conventional building envelope systems. This course details these and other aspects of IMPs and why they can be considered the key component of “the perfect wall.”

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. 

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.

Lightweight, prefinished, and factory-fabricated insulated metal panels (IMPs) offer building owners a durable, costefficient, and easy-to-install roofing system that provides an air barrier, vapor barrier, and insulation all in one product. This course discusses the characteristics of IMPs and the installation process and explains why IMPs are ideally suited for pre-engineered and structural steel buildings. The role of IMPs in a building’s hygrothermal control layers and IMP code compliance are reviewed.

Metals are ubiquitous in today’s hardscape and are used in a variety of applications. This course reviews the important considerations related to the proper material, finish, and manufacturing technique to meet the function, aesthetic, and budget of metal designs for hardscape applications.

Modular mechanical support systems are flexible and adaptable frameworks used in mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) applications. They replace fabricated steel and streamline the installation process. This course presents the history of modularization in construction and the functions, features, benefits, and applications of several modular mechanical support systems, including structural steel framing, adjustable pipe supports, pipe racks, and skid systems.

Kitchens have evolved significantly over time, and so has the role of refrigeration in the home; a variety of factors are contributing to this change. This course explores the social, economic, and demographic trends that are reshaping kitchen spaces. It also discusses the latest kitchen design trends and highlights modular refrigeration as a key design element in creating functional spaces that reflect the changing dynamics of modern households.