PROGRAMME DES FOURNISSEURS D’ÉDUCATION (PFÉ)

The durability of a home is affected by how well it is protected from moisture. This course reviews the methods of preventing and managing moisture in walls, the installation considerations of moisture management products, and the required tests and acceptance criteria for water-resistive barriers.

This introductory course is designed to educate all attendees on the most common types and configurations of multifamily buildings. In addition, each attendee will gain access to common manufacturing details associated with multifamily work and how to properly size engineered wood products. Two methods of design are reviewed using specific manufacturer literature and software that is available from all manufacturers and third-party sources.

While exotic, tropical hardwoods provide beauty and durability as materials for outdoor decks, they are expensive to maintain and come with concerns about their sustainability and the effects of harvesting on ecosystems. Multilayer, cellular PVC decking products combine the desired durability and look of hardwoods but utilize a more sustainable production process to create materials that are easier to maintain.

Play and music are both essential parts of our lives. When we can combine music and play together in a fun and engaging space, the benefits are numerous, no matter your age. This course discusses why play and music education perform such a critical role in the development of happy, healthy children. We’ll discuss the copious amounts of research that tell us that music education has real-life benefits, such as increased IQ, language development, and social engagement, and the role music plays within multiple therapies for the elderly and those suffering from mental illnesses. The course finishes with an overview of how to design musical play spaces for safety and inclusivity. 

One of the most important concepts behind biophilia is the “urge to affiliate with other forms of life” (E.O. Wilson). Humans are connected to nature, inspired by nature, and desire to be harmonized with nature. This course discusses the main principles of biophilic design and explains how a connection with nature benefits human well-being, increases classroom performance, and reduces stress. Multiple case studies demonstrating the positive benefits of daylight and views on building occupants are discussed, and applications of biophilic design are examined.

Slate has been used for centuries as a long-lasting building material, and its natural beauty is unsurpassed. Today, rainscreen cladding systems have been developed to adapt natural slate to new architectural demands for sustainable building design approaches. This course explores the energy efficiency and moisture management benefits of a rainscreen system in combination with the durability and versatility of slate. The different designs and fastening systems are reviewed, and case studies demonstrate the advantages and possibilities for sustainable and beautiful slate projects.

ONLINE - 1HR - FREE

Building a stronger connection with nature is critical for humans to maintain health and well-being. Composite wood decking is a durable, environmentally sustainable product that can help build links with nature through applications including home outdoor rooms, roof gardens, healing spaces, and public boardwalks in green spaces.

Selecting the right grout for a project is essential for its success. In this course, we delve into the world of grout, exploring the various types available and their unique characteristics, strengths, and challenges. The course describes the latest innovations in grout that provide superior performance characteristics such as lifelong durability, flexibility, stain and mold resistance, color consistency, and sustainability, while also being easy and safe to install. Additionally, guidance is provided on the essential questions to ask during the selection process, ensuring that every aspect of the project is carefully considered to achieve the desired outcome.

Seattle has ranked among the country’s fastest-growing cities since the mid-1990s, causing gentrification and displacement of vulnerable communities. For example, African Americans accounted for 73 percent of Seattle’s Central District (CD) population in 1970 and have fallen to less than 14 percent today. As a result, Black churches in the CD face difficult decisions about whether to stay or relocate. However, the churches own property and other assets and, working as a network, could mitigate this gentrification and displacement through strategic real estate development. This vision is advanced by the Nehemiah Initiative Seattle, a collaboration focused on developing the significant real estate assets of Black churches to stabilize and benefit the CD’s African American community. Since 2019, the Nehemiah Initiative has been collaborating with the College of Built Environments at the University of Washington through a series of interdisciplinary design studios focused on this vision. This presentation provides a brief history of Seattle’s Central District, an overview of the Nehemiah Initiative, and the mutual benefits of collaboration between the academy and the community.

The role of a fire-rated door is to maintain the integrity of a fire-rated enclosure in the event of a fire, giving building occupants enough time to exit the burning building. This course is an introduction to fire-rated doors and a general review of the fire codes that relate to fire doors and hardware, referencing 2012, 2015, and 2018 IBC; NFPA (National Fire Protection Association) regulations; and the ADAAG (Americans with Disabilities Act Accessibility Guidelines).

ON-GOING  1 HR

Outdoor living space has become an important residential design consideration in the last several years. Decks create welcoming spaces to relax and entertain with family and friends, and a well-built deck can add more living space and value to a home. This course discusses deck surfaces, maintenance, and costs and explores porcelain tile as an alternative to wood and composite deck surfaces that is well suited to exterior environments. Also discussed is how porcelain tile can be used with a new pultruded fiberglass and composite underlayment, called structural ribbed self-supporting boards, and the sustainable features of this technology.

New building materials don’t come around very often, and in some cases, an early high-profile stumble can shape perceptions of an otherwise valuable technology. Learning from those mistakes, however, is a fundamental element of driving technical innovation, and real, robust solutions to known issues can ultimately produce the highest level of performance. Magnesium oxide-based composite panels have been used as exterior wall sheathing for several decades due to a number of highly desirable properties, including resistance to fire, dimensional stability, high strength, and other attributes. Early iterations of boards were found to have issues related to moisture and chemical stability, leading to premature failure of the building façade but also teaching the industry specific factors that needed to be improved in future generations of board. Now, as a maturing product category, the enabling technology of how to make consistent, high-quality boards is well known, even if not universally practiced. In this presentation, we review the basics of MgO chemistry, how boards incorporating MgO cement have evolved over time to address early issues in board performance, and how this technology can be incorporated into building exterior wall systems with many favorable attributes.

This course explains the NFPA 285 test method, its origin, its procedures, when it is required, and design considerations necessary for compliance. Criteria in ASHRAE 90.1 for continuous insulation and air/water-resistive barriers are reviewed and identified as contributors to the rise of NFPA 285 requirements. The course also addresses code compliance in light of recent material changes, code changes, and additional testing.

DISTANCE LEARNING

When designing noise control measures for a building, it is critical to look beyond the sound transmission class (STC) and impact insulation class (IIC) ratings in order to create an ideal environment that promotes occupant well-being, protects their hearing, and fulfills the project’s needs. This course provides an overview of noise control principles, construction composites, and design methodologies that reduce noise, with an emphasis on performance-oriented designs requiring third-party acoustical consultants. 

The demand for noise control is increasing due to a growing population, greater expectations of sound privacy, and an increasing awareness of the harmful effects of noise pollution. Noise control is a key component of design because it affects occupant privacy and well-being. This course reviews the design of floor-ceiling assemblies to improve acoustics and occupant wellness.