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....
The purpose of this session will focus on what an engineered façade system should provide. Project teams are seeking a complete single-source system from the studs to exterior finish. We will discuss types of testing and approvals Façade systems offer to meet national and international building codes such as FM, NFPA, and others. Further discussion will be on performance warranties for leakage, system integrity, material performance similar to a roofing warranty. From the designer’s role, where you place the insulation and how do you attach the cladding can be the most critical decision when working with a building façade. We will explore both questions from a building science perspective to give clarity and certainty this is done properly....
Exterior trim plays a crucial role in both the function and appearance of a building, which in turn impacts occupant safety and well-being. This course provides an overview of exterior trim functions and common material options available today. Also discussed are product evaluation reports and their role in code compliance; sustainability considerations and embodied carbon; and key considerations for choosing the right trim. Finally, the course applies these concepts to several design scenarios and identifies the appropriate trim option for each....
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....
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Understanding the performance of building materials in real-world conditions is key to a successful building design. Recent studies have shown that the commonly reported R-values of polyisocyanurate foams at room temperature may overstate their real-world performance in cooler temperatures. This decline in R-value is driven by complex phase change mechanisms, which modify the foam's insulation performance. Insulations not performing to the expected levels may result in gaps in designed building enclosure assembly performance and quality. In this course, through a theoretical framework and empirical data, it is shown that optimized polyisocyanurate foam insulation results in better insulation performance leading to improved energy savings and reduced potential for condensation. Participants are encouraged to explore innovative insulation materials, understand differences between them, and match optimal materials to specific applications, while meeting modern construction codes and regulations. By matching the right insulation materials to the application, architects can contribute to energy-efficient and cost-conscious construction practices, and help buildings reduce their impact on the environment...
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With the global rise in natural disasters and the increasing need for sustainable environments, resiliency has become a necessity in the design and building industries. This course provides an overview of resilient design, how it relates to building codes and standards, and the role it plays in ensuring the safety and sustainability of the built environment. It examines the role masonry construction plays in meeting resilient design goals and the inherent properties of masonry that make it resilient and provides examples and case studies of resilient design strategies....
View the Concrete Masonry & Hardscapes Association (CMHA) Course Library
This presentation focuses on wind design requirements for commercial low-slope roofing. The presentation covers building code history, ASCE 7, future tornado wind design requirements and agency approvals for wind uplift resistance for low-slope roofing....
Security entrance control is essential to manage the flow of visitor and authorized user traffic through secured or restricted areas. A wide range of products with multiple types of technologies are available, and a host of buzz words describing their operation abound in this industry. Join us as we journey through the range of products, their operation, the level of security they provide, and both building code and ADA compliance. Security entrance control enhances the safety and peace-of-mind for of employees, residents, passengers, customers, visitors, etc. by providing automatic security screening of those who try to enter and exit the secured space. This secured space may be a campus, an entire building, or designated area within the building. Security entrance control occurs at office and residential buildings, healthcare facilities, entertainment complexes, transportation facilities, campuses, shopping locations, and anywhere that people enter and exit. The security entrance combined with credentialing equipment and software that limits use to only authorized personnel, make for a seamless passage into a secure area. Not only do security entrances control access and/or egress, they provide a visual presence that serves as a deterrent. SECURITY IS A MUST IN TODAY’S WORLD....
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....
This program is designed to provide the design community with an understanding of how energy efficiency impacts water management in wall systems and how to address the control layers of the envelope. The presentation will cover building science, code for bulk water, air, thermal, and vapor, and practical solutions for WRBs, drainage, and flashing....
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The purpose of this course is to provide an introduction to the use of entrance floor systems in commercial buildings in order to promote a safe and clean environment. The course explains the codes, regulations, and guidelines specifically related to entrance flooring systems for high-traffic entrances in healthcare, education, transportation, corporate, and other commercial settings....
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This course is part of one or more "Course Collections". Click here to view the details.
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....
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....
Energy codes at all levels increasingly focus on reducing energy consumption, saving consumers money, and reducing CO2 emissions. New and updated energy codes play an essential role in the performance of buildings. This course examines the lighting requirements and provisions of ASHRAE Standard 90.1-2019 and the 2021 International Energy Conservation Code® (IECC) and focuses on plug and lighting control strategies for energy efficiency....
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....
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This course is part of one or more "Course Collections". Click here to view the details.
Fire safety is an important building enclosure design factor and needs to be addressed hand-in-hand with energy code requirements. NFPA 285 is a critical consideration with modern building assemblies incorporating combustible materials in noncombustible construction. This presentation reviews the history and scope of the NFPA 285 test standard and its adoption into the International Building Code® (IBC®). The compliance criteria are outlined, and triggers and contributors under the standard are identified. The course also reviews how the selection of building components such as insulation, air-/water-resistive barriers, and claddings affects the fire performance of an assembly, and solutions and common paths for compliance are presented....
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Vacuum insulation panels (VIPs) offer higher thermal resistance per unit thickness than traditional insulation materials. This means a building envelope can meet the effective R-values for enclosures required by the energy codes without having to increase the thickness of the walls, roof, or floors. This course discusses how VIPs work, why they are effective, and the impact the properties of the materials used to construct a VIP can have on its performance. VIP installations and the latest developments in VIP technology are reviewed to illustrate the advantages of using VIPs as thermal insulation in the design of energy-efficient buildings....
View the Panasonic Industrial Devices, Building Materials Group Course Library
Review the physics of building envelopes, including hygrothermal loads, control layers, climate zones and cladding functions. The importance of control layer continuity at wall, roof and slab connections is studied. We look at how IMPs perform the same functions as multi-component wall systems through the use of panels joints, sealants and an insulating core. Emphasis is placed on the concept of the Perfect/Universal Wall, and how utilizing the proper ordering of wall components can greatly simplify wall design in all climate zones. Energy codes are also touched on, including their impact on the use of Perfect/Universal Wall designs. This course reduces a relatively complex subject to a level that teaches practical concepts for the building designer....
Stairs are often a prominent feature or even the focal point of an architectural design project and play a vital role in creating an aesthetically pleasing interior atmosphere, or an exterior welcoming point to a residential, commercial, or industrial building. This course provides an overview of the many benefits of installing precast concrete stair treads and landings, how to detail and specify them, and how to address related building code, design, and construction requirements....
View the Stepstone, LLC. Course Library
This course is part of one or more "Course Collections". Click here to view the details.
The increase in building energy efficiency requirements has led to the use of exterior continuous insulation (CI) to improve the performance of the building envelope. This presentation reviews the benefits of polyiso continuous insulation and then examines in detail the NFPA 285 test standard and fire safety requirements of the 2021 International Building Code for the use of polyisocyanurate insulation in exterior walls of commercial buildings (Construction Types I–IV)....
View the PIMA - Polyisocyanurate Insulation Manufacturers Association Course Library
PIMA - Polyisocyanurate Insulation Manufacturers Association
This course outlines the dangers posed by Mother Nature and the science, codes, testing, and methods in which to build and combat these forces. In addition, this course addresses the value of continuous insulation to improve the conservation of energy in the building. We will also address how proper incorporation of materials, including continuous insulation and air and weather-barrier systems, will improve indoor air quality and contribute to environmental sustainability....
View the Rmax - A Division of the Sika Corporation Course Library
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....
Provides an overview of the Industry Standards, as well as Code References, for the flashing materials used for the installation of Windows & Doors. The Code referenced material standards for window & door flashings are summarized and compared, as well as the Installation Standard practices that have been developed by the three main Fenestration Industry organizations. The Window & Door installation standards and principles presented, are also demonstrated through hands-on application using standard flashing materials with a focus on Commercial and Multi-Family Buildings....
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The 2024 edition of the International Building Code® (IBC®) contains significant, helpful, and useful updates to fire safety provisions for exterior wall assemblies containing combustible components and combustible exterior wall coverings. Key changes include new and revised defined terms, new provisions clarifying when vertical and lateral flame propagation testing (NFPA 285) is required and provides three (3) prescriptive compliance methods. Several New sections were added for building materials such as Insulated Metal Panel systems (IMPs) and Building Integrated Photovoltaic (BIPV) systems for exterior wall coverings. Additionally, significant reorganization and revisions of Section 104 Duties and Powers of the Building Official were made that provide the building official with more clear guidance and tools to both interpret and enforce the building code. This presentation will combine an overview of fire safety requirements for exterior wall assemblies based on the 2021 IBC with explanations regarding updates that were made to the 2024 IBC....
View the North American Modern Building Alliance Course Library
The need to evaluate thermal bridging in a building’s design and performance has become more prevalent because of the increasing requirements for more energy-efficient buildings. This course provides an introduction to thermal bridging, energy code requirements, and the use of thermal break solutions designed to improve energy efficiency in the building envelope....
