When designing the building enclosure from the substrate to the cladding, architects and designers face a host of challenges, from energy code and NFPA 285 fire testing compliance, to ensuring aesthetically pleasing façade design. This course, featuring a panel of four different industry experts, explains design trade-off complexities and strategies to maximize flexibility while maintaining code compliance—and ultimately build a dependable, robust building façade. First, experts will review the challenges of choosing and placing an air and weather barrier. Secondly, codes and thermal bridging will be analyzed to determine insulation and thermal spacer selection. Finally, we will explore critical challenges associated with continuous insulation and the requirements of a rainscreen cladding system....
An examination and comparison of categories within the exterior trim market, focusing on category specific attributes relating to installation, sustainability, durability and maintenance....
Architects and other design professionals have a critical role to play in reducing global greenhouse gas emissions through building design and product selection. The urgent need to reduce both operational and embodied carbon means that building designers must be familiar with transparency documents that facilitate low-carbon product selection. In this course, we review the types of carbon of concern, transparency documents that provide critical information, and tools for sourcing embodied carbon information. We also look at the contribution of insulated metal panels to both low embodied and low operational carbon buildings....
A summary of performance characteristics of thermoplastic roofing systems and review of results from infrared case studies done on reflective roofing products. Emphasizes thermoplastic roofing as a component of sustainable high performance buildings and highlights some of the areas where they may help with LEED certification. Provides a sample calculation of cool roofing energy savings utilizing an on-line calculator....
Design guidelines for sustainable MVM buildings, Including product innovations and industry related education....
Moisture and soil gas beneath concrete slabs can cause a myriad of problems in both residential and commercial applications. The causes and consequences of these problems are reviewed in this course, along with a discussion on the types and characteristics of under-slab water vapor and soil gas barriers....
Equipment vibration that becomes structure borne can break out directly below or as is often the case far from the source. This presentation will cover the different types of isolation needed under machinal systems. Selection criteria of different isolation media will be offered for chillers, boilers, cooling towers. As important as the proper restraint of isolated equipment; the design and types of seismic and wind restraints will be presented....
Green facades can contribute to building energy efficiency, durability, aesthetic value, sustainability, and cost effectiveness in the performance of ecological system services. This course examines the considerations required for successful green facade installations and includes discussions on system selection, design, plant selection, maintenance, and client/owner education....
The increase in building energy efficiency requirements has led to the use of exterior continuous insulation (CI) to improve the performance of the building envelope. This presentation reviews the benefits of polyiso continuous insulation and then examines in detail the NFPA 285 test standard and fire safety requirements of the 2021 International Building Code for the use of polyisocyanurate insulation in exterior walls of commercial buildings (Construction Types I–IV)....
View the PIMA - Polyisocyanurate Insulation Manufacturers Association Course Library
PIMA - Polyisocyanurate Insulation Manufacturers Association
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....
This course provides a general overview of air barriers- their role in building performance, the material options, and design considerations. Building code requirements and verification testing will be reviewed for an understanding of how to meet or exceed today’s performance requirements. General considerations will also be discussed to aid in selecting the best system and installation methods for specific projects....
The federal government, more and more states and local jurisdictions are enacting regulations and building codes mandating the installation of solar PV or solar-ready design on new building construction. This will result in an accelerated growth of rooftop solar with an intent to reduce costs and maximize the energy output of solar installations. The key to complying with solar mandates is mastering solar and building integration. This means considering the roof and solar as a single system, as well as non-traditional design elements focused on the anticipation of rooftop solar installations. All structural analysis must include all the system elements and full load path, including solar mounting systems and roof structures. And finally, a look at case studies, storms and testing....
Introduction to various types and options in the market place for Specialty siding materials....
Continuous insulation is part of building standards and state and energy codes due to its ability to reduce thermal bridging and the associated heat loss and energy consumption. This course looks at the use of polyisocyanurate as a continuous insulation in Type V and residential construction and its use as a multifunctional envelope component—air barrier, weather-resistive barrier, and vapor retarder—by reviewing code requirements for the building envelope....
View the PIMA - Polyisocyanurate Insulation Manufacturers Association Course Library
PIMA - Polyisocyanurate Insulation Manufacturers Association
Rapidly changing trends in our society, such as urbanization and a modern lifestyle, have resulted in the isolation of humans from experiences within nature. Research has shown that the psychological effects of biophilic design on noise perception have a significant influence on the well-being and health of humans. In this course, we review the science of sound, identify the potential problems associated with noise, and introduce the range of acoustic solutions formed from polyethylene terephthalate (PET) felt designed to provide sound-dampening benefits for busy commercial, educational, and healthcare facilities....
View the Catalyst Acoustics Group Course Library
This course is part of one or more "Course Collections". Click here to view the details.
With the ever-increasing focus on the sustainable built environment, building owners, architects, engineers, and contractors are incorporating structural steel into their designs. Presented here is a comprehensive view of the cradle-to-cradle structural steel supply chain from a sustainability perspective. Also discussed are steel production and design, steel’s potential contribution to LEED v4 credits, thermal capacity, and the environmental and life cycle benefits of prefabricated fireproof steel columns....
This course focuses on design considerations when using insulated metal roof panels. Panel characteristics, paint finishes and roof geometry options are reviewed. Support structure requirements (ex: purlins, joists, decking) including steel alignment/tolerances, panel spans and roof diaphragm considerations are studied. Functional aspects including environmental control layers (air, vapor, water and thermal) are examined. A full color animated video provides guidance on the step by step process of how IMP roofs are installed. Code compliance including air/water, thermal, fire safety and wind uplift is addressed. The program concludes with product and installation warranties, including paint, corrosion and weather tightness....
Research indicates that the quality of light directly affects the quality of life in a space; access to daylight and outdoor views promotes happiness and productivity. Reviewed in this course are the features of polycarbonate sheeting systems and how they contribute to energy-efficient daylighting design, as well as the overall health and well-being of the building occupants....
This presentation focuses on Florida's wind design requirements for commercial low-slope roofing. The presentation covers new building code requirements, ASCE 7, future tornado wind design requirements and agency approvals for wind uplift resistance for low-slope roofing....
Wind forces always influence building design and detailing. This course focuses on one particular force, wind uplift, and its influence on roof paving system design and selection. It examines how wind loads and building configuration affect the design of roof paving systems; the codes, regulations, and calculation approaches that inform and control such designs; and the various options designers can use to design safe, appealing outdoor roof paving systems that will withstand even the strongest winds....
Review the physics of building envelopes, including hygrothermal loads, control layers, climate zones and cladding functions. The importance of control layer continuity at wall, roof and slab connections is studied. We look at how IMPs perform the same functions as multi-component wall systems through the use of panels joints, sealants and an insulating core. Emphasis is placed on the concept of the Perfect/Universal Wall, and how utilizing the proper ordering of wall components can greatly simplify wall design in all climate zones. Energy codes are also touched on, including their impact on the use of Perfect/Universal Wall designs. This course reduces a relatively complex subject to a level that teaches practical concepts for the building designer....
Stormwater management is critical in an era when severe storms and sewer overflows are increasing in many areas. In urban contexts where open space is at a premium, using on-structure bioretention planters can be the ideal approach. This course explores the benefits of bioretention and how bioretention planters reduce peak flows and improve water quality. The course also discusses how bioretention planters should be designed, can perform as amenities, and contribute to meeting the requirements of green building certification programs....
An examination of the new Poly-Ash category of exterior siding as it relates to other types of siding, specifically around the areas of installation, maintenance, and sustainability....
This course is an overview of the advantages and design considerations, of utilizing insulated metal panels as part of a high performance building envelope strategy for cold storage projects and those in which a temperature controlled environment is vital. In addition to providing superior thermal performance and air tightness, insulated metal panels can accelerate speed of build and allow for greater design flexibility. As well, Insulated metal doors can play a huge role in the success of your project; this course examines the benefits associated with both insulated metal panels and various types of insulated doors....
