The course details the benefits of designing with natural metals such as zinc, stainless and copper in order to achieve a uniquely aesthetic style with complex curves and tapers of the metal panels for a roof or a wall application....
Discover the art and science of snow control on roofs and its effects. Examine the liabilities of improper or no snow retention. Learn how to properly engineer snow guards, minimize hazards and increase safety. Reveal critical considerations when choosing a snow guard system. Review specification techniques to limit liability....
As more companies invest in solar to generate clean power for their operations, meet environmental goals, or save money on electrical bills, architects and building owners may need to be prepared to accommodate rooftop photovoltaic (PV) systems in both existing and new buildings. This course provides an introduction to rooftop PV systems, including a discussion of modules, components, and attachments, and best practices for a durable roof and PV system....
History and development of SBS-modified bitumen waterproofing systems, including addition of FR additives impacting sheet performance in catastrophic fire events allowing protection for building occupants. Modified bitumen sheet anatomy, incorporating discussion of self-adhesive and sanded sheet cold adhesive sheet installations and their impact on building occupants. Methodology of roof system application, including pertinence to environmental and safety impact review modified bitumen membrane surfacing including highly reflective surfacing material options and their impact on building performance and subsequent occupant comfort....
“Designing A Sustainable Masonry Cavity Wall Building Envelope” provides the characteristics of sustainable design as defined by the AIA, especially as it relates to masonry cavity walls. It explains typical problems in masonry cavity walls and how both improper design and construction can cause these problems, and it provides examples of excellent cavity wall design and the proper materials that should be specified to create a sustainable masonry cavity wall. At the end of the program, the attendees will have a much better understanding of how to design and specify masonry cavity walls that not only meet the AIA’s definition of sustainability, but which will also perform well over the life of the building....
This course features an overview discussion on sustainability in the built environment, including common terminology and guidance on what tools/resources are used in designing for low embodied carbon green building projects. In addition, it reviews certification platforms and how to optimize product attributes with the many commercial roofing assemblies....
Undesirable acoustics in educational spaces adversely affect the learning and teaching processes. The impact on students’ academic achievement, social adaptation, and mental health can be profound and long lasting. This course examines the impact of different sound problems and presents solutions that create synergy between the architecture and the classroom environment to optimize student learning and engagement and teacher retention....
View the Catalyst Acoustics Group Course Library
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Although known for being a strong and versatile building material, there are a number of factors that affect the sustainability of concrete, and a variety of measures that can be taken to increase its durability and extend its service life, thus protecting the health, safety, and welfare of the users. This course discusses the environmental impact of concrete and some of the main causes of concrete deterioration, and examines how crystalline waterproofing technology can be employed to increase the durability and sustainability of concrete....
As the market continues to transform the way sustainable buildings are designed, single-skin metal roof and siding products are at the forefront of contributing to healthier built environments. This course breaks down the material inputs and sustainable attributes of single-skin metal roof and siding panels and includes an overview of how the panels can contribute toward earning several LEED ® for Building Design and Construction credits in v4.1....
A general overview of SOPREMA and our products and application methods. SOPREMA offers a comprehensive line of commercial roofing, waterproofing, wall protection, and civil engineering solutions combining superior products and systems with decades of proven performance. Our solutions include industry-leading SBS-modified bitumen membranes, polymeric PMMA/PMA liquid-applied membranes, and synthetic single-ply PVC membranes. For applications as diverse as roofing, below-grade waterproofing, plaza deck and balcony waterproofing, air and vapor barriers, and bridge and parking structures, SOPREMA has the solution. SOPREMA’s relentless pursuit of technological advancement, sustainability, and product quality has been known and respected around the world for over 100 years....
Modern roof systems and envelope assemblies (both commercial and residential) may need to deliver a wide range of benefits – from protecting against severe weather to reducing energy waste to improving occupant well-being and comfort. Each component of the building envelope has an important role to play, including the insulation layer. This presentation introduces the key benefits and attributes of polyiso roof insulation products, polyiso continuous insulation products used for above grade wall assemblies and below grade applications, and continuous insulation products used as part of residential envelope assemblies (steep slope roofs, above grade walls, and below grade foundation). Topics covered include: • Designing building and energy code-compliant roof assemblies and commercial and residential envelope assemblies. • Solving performance challenges like ponding water on roofs. • Solving performance challenges like thermal bridging and managing the threat of moisture and air intrusion in commercial and residential building envelope assemblies. • Reducing the environmental impacts of buildings with roof systems and envelope assemblies that contain polyiso insulation products....
View the PIMA - Polyisocyanurate Insulation Manufacturers Association Course Library
PIMA - Polyisocyanurate Insulation Manufacturers Association
A high-performance building envelope, such as one made with architectural insulated metal panels (IMPs), serves as the building’s primary defense against environmental elements and protects the health and well-being of its occupants. This course reviews the components and benefits of IMPs, which offer all four control layers—air, vapor, thermal, and water—within a single component, delivering superior thermal performance and high-end design....
The 2024 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) fundamentally shifts how the thermal performance of building enclosures is designed and evaluated. In the 2024 IECC Chapter 4 Commercial Energy Efficiency, compliance now requires design teams to account for linear and point thermal bridging, as does ASHRAE 90.1-2022, which is incorporated by reference. This impact will notably change how design professionals consider typical building details like parapets, cladding attachments through continuous insulation, window perimeters, and more. Through a side-by-side review of previous and current requirements, this course will bolster design professionals’ understanding of the steps needed to address thermal bridges and how to incorporate these results in prescriptive path, performance path, and COMcheck compliance calculations. By examining the updated air leakage testing requirements codified in the 2024 IECC, professionals will learn to decipher whether whole-building air leakage is mandatory or if the air barrier design and verification approach will apply to their project. This course will explore the practical impacts of the new energy code requirements, reveal strategies for meeting compliance, and share tools that can help design professionals stay ahead in a rapidly changing energy code landscape. This course welcomes both new and experienced design professionals alike. Those with a basic understanding of building enclosure-related heat transfer and fundamental calculation methods will benefit most from this course....
At this time, there are no national or state codes relating to snow retention for roofing applications, even in the heaviest snow load areas. Consequently, it is very important for building professionals to take extra care when designing a snow retention system for installations in snowy environments. This course provides a review of the problems and solutions associated with roofing in cold climates, including a discussion on the proper engineering of snow retention devices. There are many dangers involved if the appropriate considerations are not made while building and maintaining a roof in an alpine region....
Acoustical design requirements are frequently based on laboratory test data. Floor/ceiling assemblies constructed in a lab for testing are built under ideal conditions and with high levels of precision. These assemblies also do not have any of the attachments or penetrations that are ubiquitous in real-world construction. Selecting a tested floor/ceiling design that meets an STC and/or IIC requirement is not enough to provide adequate sound isolation in the real-world. To achieve good sound isolation, it is imperative that designers understand how to treat the myriad of details that can compromise a floor/ceiling assembly's performance. These include: can lights, soffits, control joints, window shades, access panels, speakers, and wall/ceiling intersections. In this presentation we: discuss why a detail is important for noise control, provide the acoustical impact of poor detailing based on test data (when available), and provide acoustical best practices for the details....
This course reviews the importance of weather-resistive barriers (WRBs): why they are critical and the technology considerations specifiers should use when evaluating WRB’s performance. It will also outline several of the most important building code and industry requirements related to air barriers and what they mean....
This course is focused on the essential aspects of below-grade waterproofing. It offers a comprehensive overview of the most prevalent technologies and innovative solutions designed for these critical applications. We'll uncover the common causes of membrane failures and share proven risk mitigation strategies to ensure the longevity and integrity of your projects. Enhance your expertise and learn best practices that can significantly impact your next project....
This is a Product SpotLight Presentation. SOPRANATURE TOUNDRA BOX combines all the necessary components of a green roofing system into a modular tray. Each tray includes built in drainage slots, filter fabric, growing medium and pre-grown plants protected by a removable retention frame. Suitable for both small and large surfaces, these lightweight, easy-to-carry trays are easily assembled in minutes to create an instant green roof....
This course is designed to provide an understanding of the importance of a properly designed Air and Water Resistive Barrier System. You will learn the importance of an air barrier system and how a properly designed system can contribute to the environment and improve indoor air quality. You will learn to identify the different types of air barrier systems and where each may be more appropriate. You will learn to design a system to properly control air and water vapor, and how this may differ from one area of the country to another. You will learn how to specify an air barrier system, including the performance criteria for and system, and the code requirements, testing criteria other governing factors....
View the Rmax - A Division of the Sika Corporation Course Library
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....
Thermoplastic single-ply roofing systems have over a half century of proven performance. This course outlines their history and the various types of membranes that have been developed and identifies the individual attributes and benefits of each type. This highly illustrated course also discusses the cooling benefits of white and green roofs, the numerous single-ply attachment and warranty options, and descriptions of sample installations. ...
Modular metal panel (MMP) wall systems allow for an array of different exterior and interior building designs due to their wide range of panel sizes, planes, and layout configurations. This course covers the attributes of MMPs, including the available substrates, their fabrication and ease of installation, and their ability to deliver a simple, constructible concealed-fastener rainscreen system....
Building a stronger connection with nature is critical for humans to maintain health and well-being. Composite wood decking is a durable, environmentally sustainable product that can help build links with nature through applications including home outdoor rooms, roof gardens, healing spaces, and public boardwalks in green spaces....
Acoustical doors are vital in managing sound transmission in various architectural and industrial settings. This course discusses evaluating, specifying, and integrating acoustical doors into projects that demand effective noise control, speech privacy, and occupant comfort. It also examines how acoustical doors may help meet credit requirements in the LEED® v5 Building Design and Construction rating system and the WELL Building Standard™ version 2. Compliance with fire safety codes and SCIF specifications is also discussed....
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....
