EDUCATION PROVIDER PROGRAM (EPP)

ONGOING - FREE - 1 HOUR

High-performance waterproof panels are engineered to mitigate moisture damage in areas where water is ever present while offering easy installation and lasting beauty. This course reviews the importance of moisture management in wet applications and examines the performance attributes of waterproof panels that make them a complete wall solution. 

Water and moisture intrusion can affect everything from a building’s structural durability to its indoor air quality. Understanding the material options, installation, and testing criteria for high-performing weather-resistant barriers (WRBs) can help specifiers manage present and future moisture concerns.

In commercial, industrial, and parking structures, it is important to use doors that can provide speed, safety, separation, and security. High-performance roll-up doors provide all these elements better than conventional doors. This course provides an in-depth discussion of the different types of high-performance doors—fabric, rigid, and rubber—along with their benefits and functions in different applications. The design and installation considerations for using these doors are also discussed.

Parking in buildings can be challenging to design because of space constraints. Automated parking lets architects design better buildings by maximizing parking capacity, using fewer resources, and providing a better parking experience for users. This course explains the different types of automated parking, their benefits and limitations, and what to consider when choosing automated parking for a project.

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.

The demand for digital services and high-performance computing (HPC) technologies, such as artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML), is increasing rapidly. With rising power densities comes the need for data center operators to reassess their cooling strategy. Many are turning to liquid cooling solutions as they offer superior heat conduction capabilities compared to air, allowing for higher rack power densities without the need for aisle containment, raised floors, or air handlers. This presentation explores the different types of liquid cooling solutions, from two-phase to direct-on-chip and dielectric cooling. Learn more about the need to adopt liquid cooling solutions that offer high performance and efficiency that can convert waste heat into usable energy as part of their sustainability strategy. Additionally, discover how leveraging an innovative liquid cooling technology with a cabinet system to efficiently manage heat in high-density data center environments can enhance performance, reliability, and energy efficiency.

Surface design and color impact people in one way or another. Why do some surroundings induce a sense of calm, happiness, or inspiration while others offer nothing but distraction, discomfort, chaos, doom, and gloom? Interior surfaces are the point of contact between users and their environment, as well as an important connection between the visual and physical worlds. This course examines the integral role that surface color and design play in interior spaces and how color and design can improve health, reduce stress, enhance safety, and promote well-being in building occupants. Key requirements in the selection and specification process are also discussed.

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.

When installing precast concrete, it is important to plan for and know how to overcome numerous site challenges. If not dealt with properly, these challenges can prevent a project from passing inspection and can result in installation problems, moving and cracking of pavers, and safety hazards to pedestrians. This course addresses the most frequently asked questions regarding on-site paving issues to facilitate a successful installation for a variety of applications.

ONGOING - FREE - 1 HOUR

This course details the benefits and selection process of magnesium oxide (MgO) sheathing in multifamily and commercial construction. MgO sheathing offers structural, fire resistance, and other properties that enable architects and designers to simplify the design and installation of building enclosures. Comparisons of MgO sheathing to traditional sheathing materials such as gypsum are included.

ONGOING - FREE - 1 HOUR

Traditionally, hydraulic doors have been used in aviation hangars and agricultural and commercial applications. Recently, they’ve found unique uses, such as in shipping containers and residential installations. This course reviews the types of hydraulic doors available and how they promote user well-being, safety, and ADA compliance. Also reviewed are installation methods, cladding options, and applicable standards and performance characteristics.

Contemporary drinking fountains, water coolers, and water bottle refilling stations provide communities with access to safe, clean drinking water. This course recounts the history of the drinking fountain and addresses regulations surrounding drinking water distribution and treatment. It introduces touchless activation, compares the use of bottled water to bottle refillers, and provides guidelines for specifying commercial water delivery systems.

Now more than ever, public restrooms must provide users with a hygienic and safe experience that supports inclusivity, human health, and wellness. In this course, we explore how multistall public restrooms address users’ concerns about hygiene, safety, privacy, and efficiency through partitions, touchless fixtures, hand dryers, and more. We also discuss fulfilling WELL Building Standard™ v2 requirements by promoting public health and safety in restroom design.

This course explores insulating concrete forms (ICFs) as part of a sustainable construction system by covering their benefits, applications, and design considerations. The course delves into the structural properties, energy efficiency, and environmental impact of ICFs. Also presented are best practices for integrating ICFs into various architectural projects and a concise overview of installation steps.

Daylighting is the controlled admission of natural light into a building. It takes into consideration both direct and diffuse sunlight and reduces use of electric light, thereby decreasing energy costs. By controlling daylight, solar heat gain can be minimized, lowering the demand on HVAC systems. This course evaluates a variety of daylighting strategies for commercial applications and includes discussions about the relevance of daylight factor calculations and the impact fabric characteristics have on a shading solution.