EDUCATION PROVIDER PROGRAM (EPP)

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 powder and liquid coating application methods. It is also important to understand third-party specifications published by AAMA, which cover architectural coatings.

Corrosion is a significant concern for interior and exterior metal doors and frames, primarily due to the constant exposure to environmental factors like moisture, humidity, salts, and chemicals. Corrosion not only affects the aesthetics of these structures but also compromises their structural integrity and performance. This presentation reviews the causes, types, impacts, and treatments of corrosion in metal doors and frames. It examines how preventive measures related to materials and door design and construction inhibit corrosion, contributing to a durable, safe, and functional entryway and exit.

Roof and floor hatches offer practical solutions for improving accessibility, safety, and functionality in residential, commercial, and industrial buildings. They must be designed and specified to provide safe access to rooftops and below-ground spaces to facilitate maintenance, inspections, equipment installations, and more. The specification considerations for roof, floor, and skylight hatches are presented here. Discussions include size considerations, material options, types of operation, safety features, loads, and thermal, fire, and acoustic performance.

Dancers and performers require a safe performance environment that minimizes the risk of injury. Hard sports floors and multipurpose stages have a strong risk of causing severe dance injuries that can affect a performer’s career. Choosing the wrong type of floor also carries the risk of extra costs down the road if it requires replacement. Sprung floors (also known as floating floor systems) are specifically designed for dance and other performance needs and provide a safer space to work. This course looks at the advantages of sprung floors and how they are used in performance venues. 

ONGOING - FREE - 1 HOUR

This introductory course on spray polyurethane foam (SPF) covers component chemistry, different types of SPF, and the proper use of SPF in construction applications. In addition, the course addresses code compliance related to SPF for residential and commercial construction, as well as safe SPF installation practices. Participants will come away with a strong knowledge of how the proper use and application of spray foam can improve the indoor environment and the durability of the built environment.

The building envelope is the physical separator between the conditioned and unconditioned environment of a building and provides resistance to air, water, heat, light, and noise transfer. As a thermal barrier, spray polyurethane foam (SPF) offers numerous opportunities to contribute to building envelope performance and indoor air quality in several project types. This course presents the sustainable aspects of SPF, SPF fire and strength testing, and the benefits of SPF in below- and above-grade and rooftop applications.

ONGOING - FREE - 1 CORE HOUR

This course aims to educate learners about the chemistry of spray-applied polyurethane foam (SPF), its various applications in the construction industry, safe handling and installation, and its contribution to sustainable design. The advantages of using SPF are highlighted in terms of its benefits to energy conservation and fire safety. Its role as a high-performance air barrier that satisfies code and LEED® criteria and complies with various standards is also discussed. 

ON-GOING  1.25 hrs

A metal roof combines performance and aesthetics to give commercial and residential buildings strength, longevity, and character. This course examines the features and benefits of standing seam metal roofing and explains the factors to consider when selecting a project-specific metal roofing system.

Strength and conditioning facilities are designed for high-performance athlete training at the professional, international, national, collegiate, and high school levels. These facilities are fundamentally different than commercial fitness centers (which focus on improving general fitness) and must be custom designed for the athletes’ sport-specific training programs. This course reviews key design considerations for these facilities, including specialized flooring construction required for athlete safety and preservation of building structure.

ONGOING - FREE - 1 HOUR

Interlocking concrete pavers (ICP) have the ability to spread applied loads via the interlock between each unit. This means that the surface does not respond structurally as single pavers but as a composite paved surface. This structural characteristic of ICP allows the design method for these pavements to be based on flexible pavement design. In this course, we examine the ASCE and ICPI structural design methods for ICP and review examples using different soil strengths/stiffnesses and traffic uses. Finally, we survey the design and construction support material and software available from the Interlocking Concrete Pavement Institute.

ONGOING

For many applications, well-designed glass fiber reinforced plastic (FRP) composites deliver significant value and advantages over metal, wood, or concrete materials. In corrosive environments, FRP can decrease maintenance downtime and offer cost savings. This course identifies the components of FRP composites and discusses how using FRP can provide substantial, life-cycle cost savings and a long, maintenance-free service life along with meeting FM and UL wind and fire approvals. Various case studies are also examined.

ONGOING - FREE - 1 HOUR

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 roof systems. This course discusses the characteristics of laminated wood decking and reviews recommended design, specification, and installation practices.

With the ever-increasing focus on the environmental impact and carbon footprint of buildings, building owners, architects, engineers, and contractors are looking for more information about the impacts of incorporating structural steel into their designs. Presented here is a comprehensive view of the cradle-to-cradle life cycle of structural steel from raw materials through to deconstruction and recycling. We look at how structural steel contributes to LEED® v4 BD+C Materials and Resources credits. The course also details two other important considerations when specifying sustainable structural steel: heat transfer and fireproofing.

Sublimation transfer printing is an innovative technology used to transfer designs, effects, and finishes onto both metallic and nonmetallic surfaces. In this course, we explore the science behind sublimation printing and identify the benefits of the sublimation process on aluminum profiles, including advantages to sustainability. Applicable tests, performance criteria, and case studies are also shown.

High-performance, fully composite insulated wall panels deliver all the benefits of factory precasting with load-bearing and energy efficiency performance from the lightest, thinnest panels possible. This course describes the makeup and cost efficiencies of composite precast panels, their benefits when made with carbon fiber grid shear trusses, and considerations for selecting among the insulation options. The majority of the course focuses on case studies of successful precast enclosure projects in a wide variety of building types across a range of markets.