The role of a fire-rated door is to maintain the integrity of a fire-rated enclosure in the event of a fire, giving building occupants enough time to exit the burning building. This course is an introduction to fire-rated doors and a general review of the fire codes that relate to fire doors and hardware, referencing 2012, 2015, and 2018 IBC; NFPA (National Fire Protection Association) regulations; and the ADAAG (Americans with Disabilities Act Accessibility Guidelines)....
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
With limited exceptions, the International Building Code® (IBC®) requires testing and compliance with NFPA 285 for exterior wall assemblies of buildings of Types I, II, III, and IV construction containing foam plastic insulation. This course examines three methods for demonstrating that an exterior wall assembly design complies with NFPA 285, including engineering analysis. The course also discusses how and where to locate NFPA 285 information for each compliance method....
View the North American Modern Building Alliance Course Library
Restrooms and other plumbing applications must comply with accessibility regulations, but do you know exactly how to do that? This course is a handy reference that explains what codes and regulations you must satisfy, when those requirements apply to new construction and alterations, and how to select and install fixtures to meet accessibility standards and the requirements of the LEED® v5 for Building Design and Construction and Interior Design and Construction rating systems and the WELL Building Standard™ v2....
View the Zurn Elkay Water Solutions Course Library
This course is part of one or more "Course Collections". Click here to view the details.
This course defines and explains building science behind the code for the four control layers of the building envelope: water, air, thermal, and vapor. Participants will then explore typical design principles as well as alternative system assembly approaches to exterior wall design. In addition, presentation covers common attachment strategies for various types of claddings, including masonry, rain screen veneers, and applied/adhered veneers....
View the DuPont Performance Building Solutions Course Library
The facade is one of the most significant contributors to the energy consumption and comfort parameters of any building. This course explores high-performance building envelopes and the use of advanced insulated metal panel systems featuring integrated daylighting and ventilation components that combine to provide weathertightness and maximum thermal performance....
Knowing your building’s ideal water pressure and how to achieve that pressure is essential to your overall plumbing effectiveness and safety, patrons’ health and safety, and your water conservation efforts. Determining ideal water pressure is not straightforward and many factors should be considered including building use, physical characteristics, codes, and plumbing components. Many of today’s innovative plumbing products can contribute to water conservation and cost savings but it’s also essential that specific water pressure levels are provided for optimal operation....
Bathing facility code compliance does not have to result in an institutional look. Assisted living and healthcare facilities, hospitality installations, universities, multifamily buildings, and large commercial projects all have unique demands, and most require barrier-free, ADA, UFAS, ANSI, California Title 24, or Massachusetts compliant bathing and showering facilities. This course provides an overview of intelligent design solutions that simultaneously address these code requirements and the aesthetic and functional demands of each situation....
View the Bestbath Course Library
This course is part of one or more "Course Collections". Click here to view the details.
Magnesium oxide (MgO) products are panelized construction products that can be used as a direct replacement for other panels, such as gypsum, plywood, and OSB. This course aims to provide insight into MgO products, equipping building professionals with the knowledge and tools to select and specify them correctly, which in turn impacts occupant safety. We will also explore their performance characteristics, features, and purported issues, as well as relevant building code provisions and the evaluation process required for product compliance. Finally, we’ll look at the types of testing data for building materials and the importance of using certified products to ensure occupants’ life safety....
View the NEXGEN Building Products Course Library
This course is part of one or more "Course Collections". Click here to view 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....
Fire safety and suppression are essential design features for building projects. This course explores how innovative water mist fire suppression systems can enhance occupant safety in homes while preserving aesthetics and minimizing water damage. Key design principles of electronically controlled water mist systems are examined, and their installation and maintenance are described. Also discussed is guidance for dealing with code officials when using these systems as an alternative to traditional fire sprinklers....
View the Plumis Manufacturers of Automist Course Library
Plumis Manufacturers of Automist
This course is part of one or more "Course Collections". Click here to view the details.
Recent changes in North America energy codes for the building envelope include higher insulation R-values, continuous insulation, and continuous air barriers for air leakage control. New, code compliant wall assembly design options may be susceptible to increased moisture sensitivity due to lower drying rates, which are inherent to energy efficient assemblies but could be further impacted by design detailing and materials choices. Improved energy efficiency does not need to come at the expense of the long term performance and durability of buildings. This seminar will address design options and materials choices for energy efficient and durable wall design. Design tools for advanced moisture analysis (WUFI®, Wärme und Feuchte Instationär, or Transient Heat and Moisture Analysis) will be used to show how to predict performance of untested new assemblies, how materials substitution could impact the overall performance of the building envelope, and how design detailing could increase moisture management capabilities....
View the DuPont Performance Building Solutions Course Library
This presentation will cover what civil engineers need to know when utilizing segmental retaining walls for grade separation in their site development plans. The presentation will introduce participants to the National Concrete Masonry Association’s Best Practices Guide for Segmental Retaining Walls focusing on recommendations relevant to Civil Engineers and discuss how they are applied to enhance the safety and longevity of structural segmental walls. Topics will include risks associated with using a “design by others” approach to segmental retaining walls and the importance of geotechnical engineering support. The presentation will address how building foundations, footers, pond applications, and fencing/guardrail codes impact the design and construction of segmental walls....
An expansion joint is a structural gap designed to accommodate the movement of a building in a controlled manner, preventing damage to the building’s internal and external finishes. Expansion joints run throughout a building in walls, ceilings, and floors. Expansion joint covers provide a covered transition across an expansion opening and remain unaffected by the relative movement of the two surfaces either side of the joint. This course explains how to determine joint movement requirements and how to size a joint. It also discusses the performance of different expansion joint cover systems and the applicable fire protection and building codes....
When considering the building enclosure, fire safety is an important design factor and needs to be considered hand-in-hand with energy code requirements. The NFPA 285 “Standard Fire Test Method for Evaluation of Fire Propagation Characteristics of Exterior Non-Load-Bearing Wall Assemblies Containing Combustible Components” is a critical consideration with modern building assemblies incorporating combustible materials in non-combustible construction. This presentation will review the history and scope of the NFPA 285 test standard, and its adoption within the International Building Code (IBC). It will outline the criteria for compliance, as well as identify triggers and contributors under the standard. The presentation will review how the selection building components such as insulation, air/water resistive barriers and claddings, can affect the fire performance of an assembly, and identify solutions and common paths for compliance....
View the DuPont Performance Building Solutions Course Library
Wood-plastic composite cladding offers a pleasing aesthetic and exceptional durability as part of a rainscreen assembly, enhancing the performance and longevity of the building envelope. Presented here are the functions and components of Lstiburek’s “perfect (universal) wall” design and a drained and ventilated rainscreen assembly. The course explores the composition, manufacture, benefits, design possibilities, and installation of wood-plastic composite cladding, as well as compliance with building codes and standards....
The construction industry has experienced a significant increase in moisture-related problems in exterior walls. This presentation explains how a rainscreen wall system prevents moisture accumulation within walls by providing a means for drainage and ventilation, thereby prolonging the life of buildings. Discussion topics include air and moisture movement in the building envelope, building code and water-resistive barriers, and stucco and thin veneers in rainscreen systems....
Having an up to date specification starts with understanding what is in the building code. This course reviews the requirements that steel framing must meet to be compliant to IBC 2021. It covers the standards for manufacturing tolerances, minimum thickness and protective coatings. Participants will also review fire-rated partitions...
This course focused on the design considerations of Data Centers and incorporation of insulated metal panels to achieve superior building performance. Topics include supporting structure design including allowable spans, environmental control layers (air, water vapor, and thermal) code requirements, and fire safety building regulations. How insulated metal panels (IMPs) are used in the HVAC design and function as a "Perfect/Universal" wall system throughout the building....
When daylighting a space, there are endless ways to go about it. With the power of daylight simulation, you can make informed decisions about material selections, placement and opening sizes, as well as building geometries. Modeling allows you to compare multiple designs to see how they will perform, while verifying light levels, potential glare and code compliance. Learn how we can help....
This course offers detailed information about modern redwood timberland management approaches that contribute to the species’ long-term sustainability as a building material. The course also provides insight into how third-party certification helps the redwood industry communicate environmental stewardship. The course details how wood is created through the process of photosynthesis and how carbon is sequestered long-term in wood products, drawing a connection between sustainably sourced redwood lumber products and the ability to achieve carbon-neutral standards. Lastly, the course defines redwood grades and performance characteristics and describes how these properties achieve building code acceptance....
This course will provide an overview of resilient design and discuss how resilient design is not covered by typical building codes and standards. The role of masonry construction in meeting resilient design goals is explained, and the inherent properties of masonry that make it resilient are described. There will be examples given in the presentation of resilient design strategies....
This course covers how to comply with the most stringent Energy Code requirements using pre-fabricated wall panels and components featuring next generation concrete masonry unit designs....
This presentation explores exterior wall design performance; energy code requirements; influences of air, moisture, thermal, and vapor barriers; and actual project case studies are presented. This program will be an interactive session that encourages feedback and questions....
How to Achieve Superior Building Envelope Performance in Rainscreen Wall Design explores rainscreen wall design theory, how rainscreen walls control hygrothermal loads, and shortcomings of today’s multi-component backup wall assemblies used in rainscreen wall construction. The course will compare and contrast the common multi-component backup wall assembly with the single-component insulated metal composite backup wall system, and demonstrate how the latter overcomes deficiencies of the former in creating a building envelope with superior performance as well as other key benefits....
