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....
The planet is currently in a water scarcity crisis which is significantly affected by toilet water usage. This course examines the current plumbing codes, standards, and regulations that address toilet water usage, the need for, and benefits of, going beyond current standards as well as the goals of a variety of beyond the code voluntary standards and rating systems. It explains the various types of low and ultra-low flow toilets, their pros and cons, and their selection criteria. It concludes with a sampling of successful cost and water-saving installations....
In the wake of the green movement, combined with rising energy costs, building sustainability has become an important topic. This course examines how foil-faced polyisocyanurate (polyiso) continuous insulation can function as a multiple control layer, providing a building with an air and water-resistive barrier and a thermal control layer. Additionally, this course reviews building codes and standards for meeting the continuous insulation requirements in steel stud building envelope designs, the benefits of using polyiso insulation in wall assemblies, and how polyiso insulation meets NFPA 285 requirements....
View the Rmax - A Division of the Sika Corporation Course Library
What are you doing to address the urban heat island effect? This hot topic in the design industry has led to local governments following LEED and amending their building codes to combat the effect of traditional roofing materials. In this session, you'll discover materials and techniques that will help you bring sustainable roofing into your practice - meeting both the latest building codes and the demands of increasingly eco-conscious clients. Discover how "cool roofing" and "green roofing" can help elevate sustainability while also maintaining performance and controlling costs....
Protected Roof Membrane Assemblies (PRMA) have unique design requirements since they are loosely laid, held in place with stone ballast, pavers, or vegetative materials. The International Building Code contains prescriptive requirements to guide design and specification of such systems. The standards reviewed in this program provide methods to design wind uplift resistance of ballasted and vegetated roofing systems. The standards are intended to be used as references for designing, specifying, and installing ballasted roofing systems, and are to be used in conjunction with the installation specifications and requirements from the manufacturers of the specific products in the system. For roofs that exceed the boundaries of these standards (meaning designs that are not covered in this document) the authority having jurisdiction is the only source for approval. ASCE 7 gives guidance on how non-standard conditions should be evaluated. See other references, or, utilize professional wind engineering consultants, or, conduct wind tunnel studies in accordance with ASCE 7 for information to determine requirements for designs or systems not covered....
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....
Masonry can be used for a variety of different applications. Because of its durable nature, and use of less embodied energy, it is a very environmentally friendly building product. Masonry offers a variety of different facial applications that can greatly enhance the decorative appearance of the building. This program will discuss the different ASTM specification classifications that the architect utilizes regarding masonry. The different types of masonry products are briefly discussed. Also, the IECC energy codes are discussed, as well as the environmental contribution that masonry offers the architect in the specification of building materials, including the prevention of mold in construction projects....
Exterior wall systems are the dividing line between the exterior and the interior and must address several fundamental performance goals of the building envelope. This course reviews traditional rainscreen design and examines why, with its single-component construction, an insulated composite backup wall system is a vast improvement over traditional multicomponent building technology....
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.
Helps provide the design community with a better understanding of the model energy code requirements for insulation in metal buildings, how codes are changing, including requirements for continuous insulation and air barriers along with considerations when selecting the right insulation....
View the DuPont Performance Building Solutions Course Library
Dual-flush wall-mounted toilets help create modern, stylish bathrooms that strike a balance between sustainable water efficiency, flexible design, and space savings. This course compares this style with other traditional types of toilets, discusses how wall-mounted toilets benefit commercial and residential users, and explains how they satisfy the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other accessibility and building code requirements....
Falls are responsible for more open wounds, fractures, and brain injuries than any other cause of injury. Photoluminescent (PL) exit path markers have proven to provide safe and quick egress in all light conditions for occupants and fail-safe guidance to first responders entering unfamiliar surroundings in the event of an emergency. This course discusses the benefits of PL safety products and the codes and testing standards related to PL way-finding systems....
View the Ecoglo Inc. Course Library
This course is part of one or more "Course Collections". Click here to view the details.
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....
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....
The trend toward greater resilience in roof design has come into sharp focus in recent years. The forces driving this trend include the decline in skilled labor among roofing contractors and allied trades; changes in the building code that have been influenced by severe weather patterns; and the increasing application of sustainable and “green" technologies. The urgency of this trend has challenged both design and construction professionals to find both human and technological solutions in a dynamic work environment. This presentation will explore how the trend toward greater roof resilience has affected the application and performance of roofing systems over time. It will also discuss ways to meet the changing demands....
This course covers two widely used acoustic metrics, the STC and IIC ratings. Although these ratings are required by building codes and frequently used, they are still often poorly understood and there are many myths and misconceptions around their use. This course looks “under the hood” of the STC and IIC ratings to get a better understanding of what they are, how they work, and what they do and don’t tell us. Importantly, this course covers shortcomings of the STC and IIC ratings that if not understood can lead to poor designs for noise control. In that vein, this course also looks at two new acoustic ratings, HIIC and LIIC, that provide a better insight into the impact-noise reduction provided by floor/ceiling assemblies. Finally, the course uses the knowledge gained about ratings to discuss general methods of improving the acoustic performance of floor/ceiling assemblies....
Rooftop HVAC equipment, waste receptacles, and other unsightly equipment are commonplace in today’s commercial industries. Unfortunately, these items are necessary but unsightly. However, screening can help building owners enhance aesthetics and meet code requirements. Screening offers not only a visual benefit but also helps to improve the safety and security of your property. This course offers an in-depth discussion of rooftop and ground screening, the various ways to screen, and considerations when selecting a screen for your project. Different installation techniques and comparative characteristics of traditional screening methods versus unit-attached and modular screening methods are also discussed....
View the CityScapes Architectural Innovations Course Library
Life-safety systems encompass both passive fire-protection features, like compartmentation and firestopping, and active ones, such as sprinklers and alarms. Portable fire extinguishers are an integral part of life-safety systems and must meet code-mandated number and placement requirements in most building types. This course looks at how fire extinguishers can be stored safely and securely in cabinets and addresses specification considerations. Also reviewed are the many options available to customize fire extinguisher cabinets so they are tailored to each project’s needs and design goals....
View the Morris Group Course Library
This course is part of one or more "Course Collections". Click here to view the details.
Reducing noise between occupied spaces isn’t just needed for occupant comfort and productivity, it is sometimes required by building code. This presentation is an overview of noise control principals, construction composites, and design methodology for ceilings, floors, and partitions. A special emphasis is placed on performance-oriented designs requiring third party consultants....
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....
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....
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 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....
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....
Explore specialized materials, code compliance, and the unique environmental demands of mission-critical facilities to optimize energy efficiency and building resilience. Learn about the unique fire risks and environmental demands of data center operations. Evaluate how product solution choices affect energy efficiency, installation, maintenance, and risk management....
3M - Building Protection - Air Barrier, Fire Barrier, and Insulation Moisture Barrier/Jacketing
