The effects of Strom Water during Peak Flow periods in areas serviced by Combined Sewer Systems is a hot button issue all over the United States. Blue Roofs are a useful and cost effective tool for managing Storm Water during Peak Flow periods and can be used to contribute to minimizing Combined Sewer Over-flow....
This course goes over sustainable roofing considerations. Participants will understand what role the roof system plays in sustainable design, and how conventional roof design impacts sustainability. They will also learn the how insulation type impacts lifecycle, and how to improve design with the ‘Perfect Roof.’ Presentation covers critical concerns of stormwater management, construction requirements, and functionality of space....
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From the presenters of “Maintaining Continuous Insulation and AWBs at Transitions” comes the next detailing presentation in the series. This presentation expands on integrating insulation and air barriers using the previously described building science fundamentals but applied to some trickier details. How do you integrate continuous insulation at a foundation where the masonry veneer must rest on concrete foundation walls? How do you attach heavy, but combustible, low mass veneers? Join us to find out....
Underlayment is an integral part of roof system design, so it’s vitally important to understand how underlayment interacts with the specified roof covering material. This course will take a holistic view of roof systems and explore the different categories of underlayment, as well as options that can optimize performance and compatibility with roofing materials. It will also explore performance attributes of different underlayment categories and how superior products can increase energy efficiency, wind resistance, and fire resistance....
For many years, preformed metal wall panels have been a top choice for building owners and architects, offering an excellent blend of cost effectiveness, functionality, and aesthetic appeal, particularly in rainscreen and screen walls. This course examines the different materials, profiles, and finish options for these panels and dives into applications and best practices for design and installation....
Lightweight, prefinished, and factory-fabricated insulated metal panels (IMPs) offer building owners a durable, cost-efficient, and easy-to-install roofing system that provides an air barrier, vapor barrier, and insulation all in one product. This course discusses the characteristics of IMPs and the installation process and explains why IMPs are ideally suited for pre-engineered and structural steel buildings. The role of IMPs in a building’s hygrothermal control layers and IMP code compliance are reviewed....
Protected Roof Membrane Assemblies and particularly Vegetative Roof Assemblies place extreme requirements on the components below the surface from waterproofing to insulation and everything in between. Each component must meet specific standards to achieve energy efficiency and durability. This course describes the high-performance attributes of PRMA components and defines the building code/performance standards and best specification practices to meet fire, wind, thermal, and moisture performance....
The diffuse light-transmitting and composite technology of translucent structural sandwich panels has increasingly caught the imagination of architects and designers because it is possible to maximize wall or roof daylighting while minimizing energy loss, with consequent savings in the running costs of heating, air conditioning, and artificial lighting. This course explores the fundamental connection between light and health by examining how translucent structural sandwich panels deliver glare-free, diffuse daylight deeper and more evenly into spaces with maximum thermal efficiency....
Modular metal panels (MMPs) integrate advanced technology with modern aesthetics, providing high-performance building envelopes that enhance design and durability. This course explores the evolution of MMPs and what distinguishes them from other building products. You will examine the key components that make up the system and its fundamental principles and best practices. Finally, the course demonstrates how these elements combine in real-world applications, showcasing various design options....
Understanding how insulated metal panels comply with fire safety regulations under the code are critical to their proper use in creating highly energy efficient and sustainable buildings. This course takes a relatively complex subject and addresses the most important fire safety related aspects to allow building designers to make an informed decision on the use of these popular cladding systems. We will review how these products have been addressed in the development of the International Building Code, including their applications in both combustible and noncombustible structures as well as single and multi-story construction. The program will conclude with a look at the various third-party product listings, evaluation reports, and engineering judgements used to evidence compliance with the International Building Code....
As energy codes continue to push building envelopes to higher R-value performance, architects and designers are challenged with also managing the moisture flow within the envelope to minimize the risk of condensation and the potential for mold and corrosion. Advanced testing and analysis demonstrate how specifiers can utilize mineral wool as an exterior continuous insulation, and significantly reduce the risk of condensation and subsequent mold/corrosion damage in all climate zones....
Commercial roofing systems are quite varied. As such, their performance expectations are varied, and their suitability for different applications vary. Certain types of high performance roofing systems require specific components, and performance standards to achieve energy efficient and durable life cycle performance. This course describes the high-performance attributes of extruded polystyrene (XPS) and cellular glass insulations in commercial roofing applications including PRMA (plaza deck, vegetative roofs, and split slabs), unprotected roof membranes, architectural metal and asphalt pavement systems for which cellular glass and XPS are uniquely suited. It defines the building code/performance standards and best specification practices for those systems. Further, it compares various insulation types, how they are manufactured, and how the manufacturing process affects the physical properties and performance of each type of insulation....
Moisture related flooring failures cost the flooring industry and associated stakeholders billions of dollars annually. Understanding the issues provides a path for solutions related to floor covering choices, mitigation products, and industry standards. This course identifies the issues, outcomes, industry standards, and best solutions available for design professionals....
Topics discussed include daylighting strategies available through the integration of structural sandwich panels, energy conservation, enhancements, options, form, and aesthetics. The many benefits to health, productivity, safety, and sustainable design will be discussed, as well as the specialty applications including explosion venting, blast resistance, OSHA fall through protection, and hurricane resistance....
One of the more complicated issues today in building science is addressing moisture movement, since moisture can penetrate a building in several different ways and result in material degradation, air quality issues, and failure of the building enclosure. This course examines the ways moisture can enter a structure and discusses the role of different moisture control layers that, when correctly placed and installed, can prevent unwanted moisture infiltration....
The presentation reviews a brief history of architectural IMP’s, current trends with comparisons to other materials and explores developments which will lead to future aesthetic possibilities and performance enhancements....
Studies show that a breathable self-adhering roofing underlayment has the ability to: Provide drying Ease installation Extend the life of the roof assembly This course investigates current knowledge of breathable, vapor-open (permeable) roofing underlayments and their ability to mitigate water intrusion, reduce long-term exposure to wetted substrates, and enhance the drying capacity of the roof assembly — extending the life of the roofing...
Retrofitting and replacing roof systems are essential aspects of the construction industry and offer opportunities to reduce a building’s energy consumption. Sustainable retrofitting of roofs with durable, energy-efficient materials helps reduce waste and conserve resources while promoting ecofriendly building practices. This course gives an overview of expanded polystyrene (EPS) insulation and innovative roof systems that are designed to enhance building efficiency....
In the fight against climate change, efforts intensify against the planet’s number one enemy—carbon dioxide. The building industry will play a significant role in these efforts. Embodied carbon—the global greenhouse gas emissions generated from sourcing raw material and processing, manufacturing, transporting, and installing building materials—will be the target over the next decade. This course will define embodied carbon, its impact on greenhouse gas emissions, the construction industry's impact, and the methods and tools that building designers can employ to limit embodied carbon....
Tour of Westlake Royal Stone plant allowing participants to observe the manufacturing process and to engage participants in understanding the processes, materials, and quality standards of cultured stone, and to increase understanding of the installation methods for this high quality, durable masonry product....
Join us for our webinar series with a focus on Transportation projects. From airports to bus and train stations, Kalwall’s translucent systems are a perfect fit for keeping your project moving in the right direction. Travelers will benefit from visual privacy, enhanced security and easier way-finding due to brilliant natural daylight or soft backlighting. Facility managers can enjoy superior energy efficiency, easy cleaning and high visual acuity for inspection or repair workers....
Concrete structures often face some of the most challenging environments, where chemical reactions can rapidly cause erosion and reduced service life. This course explores how acid attack, microbially induced corrosion (MIC), and carbonation compromise the structural integrity of concrete. It covers the origins and damaging effects of these processes, such as cracking, spalling, and corrosion. Learners will discover waterproofing strategies that prevent deterioration through performance-based admixtures that combine antimicrobial and crystalline technologies, along with a visual detection system for on-site verification. Designers will be better equipped to specify protective measures that extend the service life of concrete structures, reduce long-term maintenance, and lower the project’s carbon footprint....
Today’s business environment presents significant challenges for commercial roofing systems. Shortages and disruptions in the supply chain, coupled with a diminishing labor force, have led to uncertainty, inflation, and scheduling difficulties for many projects. However, these challenges also open doors for innovative solutions. This course explores the financial and environmental advantages of using a PVC roofing system. It also highlights the benefits of choosing a roofing system from a single supplier....
Understanding building physics is critical to proper building envelope design. Examined here are practical concepts for the building designer, including how cladding systems perform across different climate zones and applications. Environmental control layers and hygrothermal loads are reviewed, as is the concept of perfect/universal wall design. The course focuses on how single-component insulated metal panels (IMPs) function as a perfect/universal wall, simplifying wall system design and installation....
