Health, Safety, and Welfare

All courses identified as HSW, cover Health, Safety, and Welfare topics and have been approved by the AIA (American Institute of Architects) as an HSW Learning Unit (LU/HSW).

Displaying 1 - 25 of 601 results.

FIRST [1-25] [26-50] [51-75] [76-100] [101-125] NEXT LAST

  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    Natural and artificial lighting surrounds us at all times. Light helps us to work safely, enhances design, creates atmosphere, and influences our well-being. This course discusses the circadian rhythm, occupant health, and lighting color temperature, and it examines LED lighting requirements and options for lighting-integrated bathroom mirrors and cabinets.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    The construction of residential and commercial buildings that use less energy to operate and are long lived is a key part of sustainable design. Insulated concrete forms (ICFs) provide the necessary U-factor, airtightness, resiliency, and durability for all building types. Insulated concrete forms in residential and commercial construction projects offer excellent thermal performance and reduced energy consumption and operating costs, while maintaining a very comfortable and healthy interior environment. This course examines the ICF wall, including materials and components, and discusses design considerations and construction.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour, 15 minutes ) 

    Due to their durability, low operational cost, and sustainability, metal roofs are gaining popularity in both commercial and residential markets. Owner expectations for this product family have increased as well and now include heightened aesthetics and long-term performance. While metal roofing systems are certainly up to these challenges, when they fail, the results are costly. Consequently, it is imperative designers have full knowledge of metal roof design and detailing. This course covers the top ten problems metal roof designers face and describes how these problems can be prevented through proper design.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    This course is designed to help the commercial building team understand how to best use new products introduced into the market for building enclosures. These innovative products and systems assist in combining multiple steps of a traditional commercial exterior assembly, such as structure, fire, water, air, thermal, vapor, and acoustic control layers, into fewer steps. The course reviews various hybridized sheathing solutions and shows how the integration of advanced technology has improved performance, capability, and sustainability.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    Redwood offers warmth, character, durability, and strength in products from sustainably managed and harvested forests. This course provides insights into forestry practices and the environmental benefits of redwood lumber, and compares redwood with other common decking materials. Details are presented on how to differentiate and specify grades of redwood; finishing options and methods are also discussed. The course concludes with examples of applications that showcase the unique beauty and attributes of redwood.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    With office vacancies rising amid changes in technology and the growth of working from home during the COVID pandemic, the practice of converting office buildings into residential spaces such as apartments, condominiums, and hotels has been embraced by communities and all levels of government as a solution to the housing crisis. This course examines the factors behind these conversions, with emphasis on the use of in-wall toilet systems as a solution to design, economic, and sustainability concerns.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    Installing snow retention systems on rooftop applications improves the safety of building occupants and can decrease the risk of property damage. This course identifies different snow guard styles and explains how each contributes to snow retention. Installation techniques are reviewed, and layout designs that maximize occupant safety and minimize hazards are also discussed.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour, 15 minutes ) 

    Advancements in composite decking technology are transforming the way outdoor spaces are designed and built, particularly in multifamily settings where effective water management is critical. This course introduces mineral-based composite decking systems and their role in eliminating the need for secondary membranes. Learners will explore how these all-in-one solutions streamline installation, reduce long-term maintenance costs, and help prevent common issues such as mold, decay, and water intrusion. The course also highlights how well-designed outdoor amenities can foster social connection, support resident well-being, and enhance the value of shared spaces.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    Concrete floors require protection. Choosing the right concrete floor coating system is essential to meeting the performance requirements of commercial, industrial, and residential environments. This course discusses the assessment and repair of a concrete floor and specifies how to select a high-performance coating system based on the conditions and requirements of a construction project.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    The fireplace has always been a focal point in any home, providing warmth and a place for friends and family to gather. Today’s wood-burning fireplaces, inserts, and stoves have become increasingly efficient and clean burning. This course examines using wood as a fuel source and discusses the many characteristics that can affect heat production, efficiency, and burn time. New burning technologies that meet EPA certification requirements for released particulate matter are summarized, as are design and installation specifications.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    Sound abatement products are not just a building owner and occupant preference; minimum sound abatement ratings are required by many local building codes for multistory residential, commercial, and multipurpose buildings. Following an introduction to the basics of sound, this course presents a summary of the most common sound control methods, with a focus on the options available for floor underlayment.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour, 15 minutes ) 

    Anytime a facility has people working on a roof, their safety and protection must be the priority. Even under the best conditions, working on a rooftop is dangerous due to the roof’s elevation, slope, and edge, as well as other hazards created by weather conditions, electricity, and power tools. This course reviews the hazards of the rooftop environment and the relevant Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations to aid designers, property owners, and facility managers in selecting safe access and fall protection systems for their buildings.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    Some of the most common disciplinary actions against architects consist of those related to the use of the architect’s seal. In these case studies, we review the legal requirements and ethical considerations related to the use of the architect’s seal, responsible control, the boundaries between architecture and other disciplines, and interstate practice. Want free access to this and other NCARB courses? The NCARB Continuum Education Program offers free HSW CE courses to licensure candidates and architects who hold a current NCARB Certificate, which can be accessed through their NCARB record. Renew your NCARB Certificate , or get NCARB Certified .

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     In order to download this course, a USD $25.00 fee must be paid.

  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    This course provides an overview of types of hybrid vinyl flooring and how they contribute to long-term value through reduced maintenance needs, verified indoor air quality performance, and responsible material sourcing. It examines manufacturing processes, product content, and material transparency 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, responsible manufacturing, and product transparency.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    Birds are an important part of ecosystems, performing many essential ecological functions. Unfortunately, millions of birds are killed every year due to collisions. This course discusses how architects can include bird-safe glass design strategies in their projects to significantly reduce the number of bird collisions and positively impact the environment and biodiversity. It also examines how bird-safe glass may help projects satisfy credit requirements in the LEED® v5 Building Design and Construction rating system.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    No discussion about a material’s sustainability is complete unless it addresses embodied carbon, the carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions associated with the material over its cradle-to-grave life cycle. Changes made to spray polyurethane foam (SPF) insulation formulations address the impacts of embodied carbon. This course explores the evolution and environmental impacts of SPF blowing agents, the performance benefits of SPF, physical property testing and certifications, and SPF’s potential LEED® v4 contributions. Case studies make evident the performance value of SPF.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    Lighting controls allow homeowners to adjust lamps and light fixtures from anywhere in the home without special wiring or expensive master controllers. Lighting controls can be integrated into a home for single-room, multiroom, whole-house, or automated systems. This course discusses the role of lighting in design and occupant comfort and then outlines how lighting controls can benefit occupant behavior, health, and productivity and the appeal and performance of the home, especially regarding energy efficiency.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    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.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour, 30 minutes ) 

    Light-manipulating materials use internal channels to capture, bend, scatter, and redirect light and create visually stunning spaces. Panels and slabs in resin, glass, and terrazzo make an experiential surface for privacy screens or signage, primary or accent lighting, and countertops or flooring—anywhere the interplay of light and shadow is desired for beauty and inspiration. This course describes the different types of light-manipulating materials and substrates, design and installation options, and the contributions of these products to sustainability goals as well as occupant health, well-being, and engagement in a wide range of dynamic, unique applications.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    As noted in the first two parts of this course, water-related issues arising from growing, concentrating, and shifting populations, new weather patterns, the increasing frequency and ferocity of storm events, disappearing water supplies, and rising costs have become increasingly important in community planning. This portion of the course outlines many of the evolving, resilient, and environmentally responsible management strategies that communities worldwide are adopting in response to these issues. The descriptions are accompanied by several case studies of resilient water plans and projects.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour, 15 minutes ) 

    Uncorrected thermal bridging can account for 20–70% of heat flow through a building's envelope. Improving details to mitigate both point and linear thermal bridges will significantly improve energy performance. This course reviews types of thermal bridges, examines how they appear in codes and standards, and explores some mitigation concepts and principles. Calculation methods to account for thermal bridging in your projects are introduced, and a sample design project is used to demonstrate code compliance.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    Modern interior spaces often feature open areas and hard surfaces. What should be comfortable rooms in these spaces can become unpleasant from noise and echo or sound reverberation. This course discusses how melamine foam can be used to improve the sound quality in a space. The different options for melamine foam products are discussed along with their installation methods. This course also provides an overview of the sustainability features of sound-absorbing melamine foam.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour, 15 minutes ) 

    Energy codes at the federal, state, and local levels increasingly focus on reducing energy consumption, saving consumers money, and reducing CO2 emissions. Whether new or recently updated, energy codes play an essential role in the buildings we design, build, and ultimately live, work, and play in. This course examines the lighting requirements and provisions of ASHRAE Standard 90.1-2019 and the 2021 International Energy Conservation Code ® , with a focus on plug and lighting control strategies for energy efficiency.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour, 15 minutes ) 

    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.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    Railings are often one of the most important parts of a deck or stair project because of the safety and security they provide, but they can offer character, style, and beauty as well as functionality. Today's railing systems present many possibilities to create a unique design perfectly suited to the project needs. This course examines high-strength, powder-coated aluminum railings, from code considerations to installation and maintenance. It presents the versatile, mix-and-match capability of finishes, top rail styles, lighting, and infill options that offer long-lasting, easy-to-install solutions for residential and commercial applications.

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Displaying 1 - 25 of 601 results.

FIRST [1-25] [26-50] [51-75] [76-100] [101-125] NEXT LAST