PROGRAMME DES FOURNISSEURS D’ÉDUCATION (PFÉ)

ONGOING - FREE - 1.25 HOUR

Secret doors and spaces have been used throughout history to protect valuables, hide people, conceal activities, and provide amusement. This course examines some historic examples before discussing contemporary uses for hidden doors and rooms. Suggested design strategies and hardware specifications are discussed, and safety guidelines, common design mistakes that might expose the existence of a secret door, and some inspirational case studies are reviewed.

Often the largest access point in a building, sectional door systems play a significant role in controlling energy costs and supporting sustainable design in residential and commercial buildings. This course explores the specification considerations and the different types of sectional garage doors, as well as their role in enhancing the thermal performance of homes and commercial buildings.

ONGOING - FREE

Modern security bollards are highly engineered and tested devices that can withstand deliberate ramming by a 15,000 lb vehicle. Bollards are more than decorative boundary markers; they are an essential tool to protect lives and property. This course explains bollard crash testing standards, reviews the pros and cons of available bollard materials, and discusses steel bollard designs for low- and high-impact applications.

Pass-through windows are a common and convenient method of conducting transactions in a variety of settings, some of which may present concerns for the security of the employees behind the windows. This course addresses the protection options available for security pass-through windows. Proper specification of pass-through windows as well as convenience and performance features are also discussed. 

ONGOING - 1 HOUR - FREE

Underground enclosures provide safety for pedestrians and vehicles and easy access for maintenance and repair. This course presents an overview of underground enclosures for nondeliberate traffic areas, including selection considerations, load ratings, placement, and installation, with a discussion of the ANSI/SCTE 77 performance stand

ONGOING - 1 HOUR - FREE

Architectural railing systems offer safety, durability, strength, and design flexibility for a variety of indoor and outdoor applications. This course provides an overview of the important factors that need to be considered when selecting and specifying a railing system for a commercial or residential building project. Topics include materials and finishes, fabrication and installation, and relevant building codes and standards.

Louvers are functional elements that permit airflow and protect against water intrusion. Selecting the right louver for a project requires balancing multiple factors. This course provides an overview of the various types of louvers and their performance characteristics, the AMCA’s role in ensuring reliable, high-performing products, and relevant standards and testing protocols. Finish options, as well as installation, design, and structural considerations, are addressed. Guidance is provided on selecting and specifying appropriate louvers to meet project needs.

This course provides an overview of how hybrid vinyl flooring contributes to long-term value through reduced maintenance needs, verified indoor air quality performance, and responsible material sourcing. It examines manufacturing processes such as vertical integration, layer fusion, and closed-loop production that influence consistency, durability, and environmental impact. These attributes can support credit achievement in green building programs such as the LEED® v5 Building Design and Construction and Interior Design and Construction rating systems and the WELL Building Standard™ version 2 by addressing low-emitting materials, recycled content, and product transparency.

Architects and designers have many options for specifying site furniture products for their projects. Selecting materials and finishes is an integral part of this process, yet making material selections has become more and more complex. The course examines conditions and constraints of outdoor environments; evaluates materials commonly used in outdoor applications; discusses using green building standards and rating systems, and the role of suppliers as resources for material selection; and provides examples of products that adhere to a higher environmental standard. 

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.

Metal is a versatile building material, boasting both historical credentials and modern aesthetics. To earn the right to rise to the top as the material of choice, however, metal must also demonstrate cost efficiency, durability, and minimal environmental impact. In this course, we will examine the value of metal roofs and walls during initial construction and through a building’s life cycle and illustrate metal’s benefits with a number of case studies.

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.

As part of a well-designed rainscreen system, single-skin metal panels offer unique aesthetic options combined with the assurance that the building envelope will withstand the effects of long-term exposure to the elements. This course compares common cladding types; presents single-skin metal panel materials, coatings, finishes, and design options; and examines using single-skin metal panels with a single-component barrier wall to form a complete rainscreen assembly.