EDUCATION PROVIDER PROGRAM (EPP)

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 fundamental science behind cool roofs to address alleged issues concerning the performance of cool roof products.

ONGOING - FREE - 1 HOUR

The commercial space design trend toward open plans has had a major impact on interior electrical and digital infrastructure. Offices, hotels, retail spaces, and transit areas all utilize open spaces, each with their own specific issues and requirements. This course provides designers with the information required to provide code-compliant, user-friendly, and convenient power, data/communication, and AV access for a wide variety of spaces and end users, including facility managers, cleaning staff, and visitors.

ONGOING - FREE - 1 HOUR

This course provides an overview of the industry standards and code references for flashing materials used in the installation of windows and doors. The code-referenced material standards for window and door flashings are summarized and compared, and the standard installation practices developed by the three main fenestration industry organizations are reviewed. Applications of the window and door installation standards and principles are shown using standard flashing materials with a focus on commercial and multifamily buildings.

ONGOING - 1.25 HOURS - FREE

Structural fire protection guards essential structural components from the devastating effects of fire. This course discusses some of the types of passive fire protection methods that are available. Examined in depth are the composition, manufacture, finishes, and design and installation considerations of prefabricated fireproof structural columns designed for exposed exterior and interior load-bearing applications.

ONGOING - FREE - 1 HOUR

Single-ply membranes, along with their installation methodologies, have evolved to best meet the roofing needs of today’s low-slope commercial buildings. This course reviews the most prevalent membranes and describes the advantages and disadvantages of EPDM, PVC, and TPO. An overview of attachment methods is presented, as well as a discussion of single-ply system strength, cool roof benefits, and condensation issues from a building science perspective.

ONGOING - 1 HOUR - FREE

As the market continues to transform the way sustainable buildings are designed, single-skin metal roof and siding products are at the forefront of contributing to healthier built environments. This course breaks down the material inputs and sustainable attributes of single-skin metal roof and siding panels and includes an overview of how the panels can contribute toward earning several LEED® for Building Design and Construction credits in v4.1.

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.  

Single-skin metal siding can be used for a wide range of projects, from commercial buildings to educational, healthcare, residential, agricultural, and even high-end architectural designs. These siding panels can also contribute to green designs and certification programs. This course explores the different types of single-skin metal siding, specification details, and performance and design considerations.

Well-designed and detailed skylight systems can significantly improve both building and occupant performance. This course explores the benefits, techniques, and importance of daylighting systems that utilize high-performance skylights to optimize daylighting benefits, avoid negative impacts, and contribute positively to building, occupant, and envelope performance. It examines how daylighting with skylights can help meet the requirements of the LEED® v4.1 Building Design and Construction and Interior Design and Construction rating systems and the WELL v2 Building Standard™.

Sliding doors systems not only save room but also offer users expanded flexibility in how a space functions, providing more or less privacy, circulation, or intimacy with a simple movement. Smooth-working and reliable sliding door hardware ensures that users of all abilities can operate the doors and that the system will perform as intended over its lifetime. This course presents the types of sliding door systems and outlines their suitability for applications ranging from residential to commercial, healthcare, hospitality, and more. A review of system components, specialty systems, and case studies provides guidance on how to choose and install the right system to best meet user needs.

Smart access control and management systems are quickly gaining popularity in multifamily and multitenant properties, and the smart lock market is poised for rapid growth both domestically and internationally. Understanding how smart locks work can be advantageous for architects, specifiers, and construction professionals to help their clients design and develop properties with enhanced security, efficiency, and simplicity in access management. Smart locks are quickly moving beyond mechanical functions to create streamlined, efficient lifestyles. This course discusses the technology, features, and benefits of smart locks while outlining current trends and options.

The spread of smoke in mid- and high-rise building fires is recognized as a major threat to the safety of the building occupants and responding fire personnel and the effectiveness of firefighting operations. This course explains how smoke migrates in a multistory building fire and discusses how building codes have evolved to address this danger and why they mandate smoke containment in specific areas of a structure. Product applications and assemblies designed to meet building code requirements and limit vertical smoke migration via elevator hoistways and lobbies are examined.

Fire safety is an important building enclosure design factor and needs to be addressed hand-in-hand with energy code requirements. NFPA 285 is a critical consideration with modern building assemblies incorporating combustible materials in noncombustible construction. This presentation reviews the history and scope of the NFPA 285 test standard and its adoption into the International Building Code® (IBC®). The compliance criteria are outlined, and triggers and contributors under the standard are identified. The course also reviews how the selection of building components such as insulation, air-/water-resistive barriers, and claddings affects the fire performance of an assembly, and solutions and common paths for compliance are presented.

ONGOING • FREE • 1 HOUR

Good building envelope design provides a weathertight and insulated structure. However, additional attachments are often required for safety, aesthetic, or functional reasons. This course discusses the design and installation of snow retention systems and mounting systems for solar panels that maintain roof integrity, contribute to a long-lasting building envelope system, and support solar energy and safety.

ONGOING

Humans have been building successfully with natural stone for thousands of years, but there are still some misconceptions about dry-stacked stone retaining wall construction. This course addresses these misconceptions and introduces best practices for wall design and construction, the Federal Highway Administration and Associated Rockery Contractors guidelines and laboratory testing standards, and many key natural stone facts and sustainability attributes. It concludes with a number of illustrated case studies.