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.
This course provides an overview of the industry standards and code references for flashing materials used in the installation of windows and doors. The code-referenced material standards for window and door flashings are summarized and compared, and the standard installation practices developed by the three main fenestration industry organizations are reviewed. Applications of the window and door installation standards and principles are shown using standard flashing materials with a focus on commercial and multifamily buildings....
View the DuPont Performance Building Solutions Course Library
Commercial building interiors see all kinds of wear and tear on a daily basis. Various forms of wall protection can combat this wear and tear to help extend the longevity of a space, maintain a clean look, and cut down on maintenance costs. This course discusses the different wall protection products available, how to identify which wall protection products fit certain applications, and which building codes apply to these products....
View the Construction Specialties Course Library
This course is part of one or more "Course Collections". Click here to view the details.
Manufacturers, industry groups, architects, designers, and homeowners all share an expectation of safety in the buildings we occupy and use every day. This course discusses the key chapters where important exterior wall fire provisions can be found in the International Building Code® and examines many common features of global fire incidents. The course also describes the NFPA 285 fire test and discusses the new Annex B in the 2023 edition of NFPA 285. Finally, there is a discussion of the code compliance pathways when exterior walls are required by the IBC® to be tested and comply with NFPA 285....
View the North American Modern Building Alliance Course Library
Increased energy efficiency in both new and existing construction continues to be a large factor behind the design decisions we make and the materials we choose to integrate into our buildings. Concrete masonry construction can provide a wide range of benefits. This course illustrates how building envelopes constructed with concrete masonry create high-performance buildings that can exceed energy code requirements....
View the Concrete Masonry & Hardscapes Association (CMHA) Course Library
Birds provide billions to our economy, yet bird populations are crashing, with collisions with glass a primary cause. Whether looking through glass at habitat beyond, or flying towards reflected habitat, birds collide at flight speed with fatal results, often days later, from internal injuries. Birds collide with glass on structures of every size, from shacks to skyscrapers, in urban, suburban and rural areas. Advances in technology are increasing use of glass curtain walls and other large glass features, increasing the rate of mortality. We will describe materials that can make buildings safe for birds without sacrificing light, appearance or view clarity. In 2011, San Francisco was the first U.S. city to require bird-friendly design for some new construction. The LEED Pilot Library added a credit for reducing bird collisions the same year and that has since been added to the primary credit system. Over 20 jurisdictions at levels from state to town, have now mandated bird-friendly construction and more are pending. Notably New York City, in 2019, adopted code requiring bird-friendly design for all new construction. We review use of the LEED credit and important features of legislation across the U.S. and Canada. This class explains how to recognize and remediate hazards to birds in the built environment. We illustrate how many strategies for controlling heat and light, and even security, can also reduce bird mortality. Techniques now in use for evaluating the relative threat level to birds of different materials are described, along with typical results. Resources, like American Bird Conservancy’s searchable database of bird-friendly materials are reviewed....
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....
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....
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....
Newer energy codes require that homes be sealed and tested to 3-5 air changes per hour. Good home design and the right spec’s go along way to making that happen. Proper air sealing saves energy and reduces moisture and mold problems. In this advanced session 1 hour session building science expert Steve Easley uses pictures from the real world examples to illustrate what works and what doesn’t. Trying to fix a home that does meet these requirements is costly and time consuming, and improper sealing techniques can also lead to serious mold and moisture problems. Learn how to do it right the first time at the lowest cost, how to achieve the ”biggest bang for the buck" when prioritizing labor, and the best methods and materials to meet the newer code requirements....
View the DuPont Performance Building Solutions Course Library
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 growing number of high-rise fire incidents around the world have raised awareness about the fire safety performance of taller structures. Timing for containing a high-rise fire is critical, as high numbers of occupants have limited means of escape. Vertical fire spread along the exterior facade may quickly overwhelm firefighters at ground level, especially if it advances to heights beyond the reach of their ground attack. This course looks at issues surrounding high-rise fires, how they spread, and how following building codes and proper material testing can lessen the risk or impact of these blazes....
View the Owens Corning Course Library
This course is part of one or more "Course Collections". Click here to view the details.
This comprehensive presentation is designed for architects, engineers, and building specifiers, providing in-depth insights into the effective specification and use of skylights to enhance energy efficiency, natural lighting, and indoor comfort across different climate zones. The session will cover the fundamental principles of skylight design, focusing on key considerations such as light transmittance, Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC), and U-Factor, tailored to the specific requirements of Climate Zones 1-2, 3-4, and 5+. Attendees will learn how to balance daylighting with thermal performance, ensuring compliance with both the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) and ASHRAE 90.1 standards. Practical examples and case studies will illustrate the benefits of using advanced glazing technologies and proper skylight placement to achieve sustainable and comfortable indoor environments. By the end of this presentation, participants will have a thorough understanding of how to specify skylights that meet the stringent energy performance criteria, improve occupant well-being, and contribute to the overall sustainability of residential and commercial buildings....
This course explores design choices to meet energy code and thermal insulation selection strategies to maximize long term building performance. Factors influencing the performance of an insulation in its application include production, R-values, moisture, temperature, aging, and quality of installation will be discussed....
View the DuPont Performance Building Solutions Course Library
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....
Railing systems perform various functions, meeting safety requirements and serving as a key component of a building’s aesthetic. This course includes a discussion of the strengths and weaknesses of aluminum and structural vinyl railing systems, how they are made, and how they are used in the building industry, including a detailed summary of how they meet various code requirements....
View the rdi Railing Course Library
This course is part of one or more "Course Collections". Click here to view the details.
This presentation aims to aid architects, engineers, and specification writers in choosing anchoring systems to comply with the 2022 edition of The Masonry Society’s (TMS) TMS 402 Building Code Requirements for Masonry Structures and the International Building Code® (IBC®). ...
As third-party firestop inspections become more common—and are required by the International Building Code (IBC) for specific building types—construction professionals must understand what inspectors are looking for and how to prepare. This one-hour course explains the purpose and process of firestop special inspections, detailing how UL systems, tested assemblies, and ASTM field standards (E2174 and E2393) are used to verify compliance. Participants will learn how inspectors document findings, common issues that lead to deficiencies, and how proactive coordination and accurate submittals can prevent costly rework. The session also covers International Firestop Council (IFC) guidance for maintaining consistency and quality across inspection programs, helping attendees ensure that passive fire protection systems perform as designed....
Stairs are an essential component of a movement and wayfinding strategy in a structure and a primary means of egress, exit, and floor-to-floor access in the event of a fire or emergency for buildings with multiple floors or a change in rise. This course discusses stair and egress system design and evaluates why the design and fabrication of pre-engineered steel stairs create safe stair environments that comply with building codes....
View the Pacific Stair Corporation Course Library
This course is part of one or more "Course Collections". Click here to view the details.
Modern building envelope assemblies 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 envelope has an important role to play, including the insulation. This presentation introduces the key benefits and attributes of polyiso continuous insulation products used for above grade wall assemblies as well as below grade applications. Topics covered include designing building and energy code-compliant commercial envelope assemblies, solving performance challenges like thermal bridging and moisture barrier and air barrier requirements, and reducing the environmental impacts of buildings with assemblies that contain polyiso continuous insulation products....
View the PIMA - Polyisocyanurate Insulation Manufacturers Association Course Library
PIMA - Polyisocyanurate Insulation Manufacturers Association
Locating mechanical and electrical equipment on a roof is often necessary for space and efficiency in a building design. However, it can be challenging to provide a means for safe maintenance access while preserving the roof membrane and structural integrity and not interfering with other rooftop equipment. This course presents the components that comprise rooftop support systems designed to solve these challenges, as well as system design considerations and compliance with the International Building Code® (IBC®) and the International Mechanical Code® (IMC®)....
Insulating concrete form (ICF) products use a cost-effective and robust structural material option (reinforced concrete) to turn a building envelope into a high-performing thermal, moisture, and air enclosure with disaster resistance and built-in compliance with energy code requirements. As a result of ICF performance, building owners can complete a whole structure with ICFs and reinforced concrete, including intermediate suspended floors, rooftops, and multistory designs. This course examines the advancements in ICF technology and discusses the potential contribution of ICFs to supporting improved sustainability and resilience....
In this course we will identify critical considerations for fire and smoke protection specific to vertical openings in a building. We will walk through keynotes, drawings, and details while diving into the codes and exploring implications and solutions surrounding design decisions for elevators and stairwells. Lastly, we will cover product selection and submittal requirements for your opening protection....
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.
