PROGRAMME DES FOURNISSEURS D’ÉDUCATION (PFÉ)

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.

Solid surface material is a durable and sustainable solution for custom architectural solutions. Explore the extensive design possibilities of this nonporous, thermoformable material and review key performance characteristics and fabrication guidelines.

ONGOING - 1 HOUR - FREE

Solid surface is a popular material choice due to its beauty, durability, and ease of cleaning. Selecting a solid surface depends on the manufacturing process, the raw materials involved, and the material’s sustainability. This course examines solid surface as a decorative material, discusses its characteristics and attributes, and compares it with other hard surface materials.

ONGOING - 1 HR - FREE

Recently, custom showers have grown in popularity, offering homeowners an escape from the stresses of the outside world with new options providing the same sense of relaxation that was previously reserved for the bathtub. This course covers the trends in shower design, the benefits of hydrotherapy, and the components and technologies that are available to create a spa-like shower experience for today’s homeowners.

ONGOING - FREE

Specialty door and frame assemblies have been developed that are designed specifically for the built healthcare environment where performance criteria are critical. Reviewed in this course are specialty door and frame assemblies that meet the challenges of infection prevention, building cleanliness, patient privacy, and increased security, as well as containment of radio wave and radiation interference in hospitals and clinics.

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.

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.