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....
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This course is part of one or more "Course Collections". Click here to view the details.
The demand for mass timber construction has increased significantly in recent years due to its numerous benefits, including sustainability, strength, faster construction times, cost savings, and a natural wood aesthetic. However, a major drawback of mass timber construction is its poor acoustical performance. This course examines the various mass timber construction types and provides acoustical solutions to meet and surpass building codes....
Architectural insulated metal panels (IMPs) are an increasingly popular choice for building developers and architects, presenting a compelling solution that combines functionality, efficiency, and aesthetic appeal. This course reviews the architectural IMP, its applications and benefits, and comparisons to other materials. It explores current trends and developments that are paving the way for increased aesthetic possibilities and building envelope performance....
The use of automatic entrances and ICU/CCU doors helps solve the problems associated with both circulation and door openings in healthcare design while providing an aesthetically pleasing solution. Healthcare personnel, patients, security personnel, and visitors are constantly rushing and want instant access. Today people are very conscious of touching surfaces and prefer not to have contact with doors. Other issues that need to be addressed during design are movement of patients and equipment, ADA and building code compliance, security, energy conservation, and sustainability....
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....
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It’s imperative to have a dependable, well-designed fire protection system that helps save lives and property. This course is designed to advance awareness and understanding about the wide range of components, functionality, and benefits of today’s most innovative standpipe fire systems and how to select the optimal system for your design based on building type, codes, and other requirements....
This short version course introduces attendees to the basic materials and equipment used to create spray polyurethane foam. It will also discuss the safety aspect related to spray foam in terms of its application as well as its proper use to ensure code compliance. Lastly, it discusses the different kinds of spray foam commonly used and which material works best in different areas of a building....
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....
Uncorrected thermal bridging can account for 20–70% of heat flow through a building's envelope. Improving details to mitigate both point and linear thermal bridges will significantly improve energy performance. This course reviews types of thermal bridges, examines how they appear in codes and standards, and explores some mitigation concepts and principles. Calculation methods to account for thermal bridging in your projects are introduced, and a sample design project is used to demonstrate code compliance....
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This course defines and explains building science behind the code for the four control layers of the building envelope: water, thermal, air and vapor. There will be a detailed overview of air leakage, why it matters in a sustainable envelope and why air barrier continuity is critical to building performance. Participants will be asked to explore typical design principles for addressing the four control layers within the wall assembly. Finally, there will be an in-depth discussion of the critical interfaces, how to detail them and test them to ensure continuity of the control layers for the entire building....
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Rooftop HVAC equipment, waste receptacles, and other necessary but unsightly equipment are common in today’s commercial industries. Rooftop and ground screening can provide a solution for meeting code requirements while improving building aesthetics. In addition, screens may improve a property’s safety and security and establish privacy boundaries. This course offers an in-depth discussion of rooftop and ground screening, the various ways to screen, and considerations when selecting a screen. 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
This course defines the latest code and testing requirements for water, air, and fire considerations in exterior wall assemblies. Participants will learn the various options for water and air control while exploring various wall assembly designs. In addition, participants will be introduced to building science analysis tools to recognize the impact of various designs on long-term building performance....
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Attic ventilation is an important component in proper structural design. By encouraging airflow, attic ventilation plays a key role in maintaining structural integrity, ensuring roof component durability, providing a healthy indoor environment, and minimizing energy consumption. Additionally, proper attic ventilation hinders or prevents mold growth, reduces interior pollutants, and acts as a pivotal fire prevention tool. This course looks at how attic ventilation systems work, the benefits they provide, and the associated building codes and regulations....
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 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....
The selection of windows and doors for a particular project must satisfy its aesthetic and functional requirements. However, we also want windows and doors to be safe, durable, leak-free, and energy efficient and meet the needs of those with disabilities. The International Building Code® and related standards ensure that windows and doors support public health, safety, well-being, and energy efficiency. This course provides an overview of the codes and standards for doors and windows, including weather resistance, durability, egress, safety, and accessibility requirements....
View the Pella Corporation Course Library
This course is part of one or more "Course Collections". Click here to view the details.
This course will discuss best practices to prevent the accumulation of wind driven rain and/or condensation behind exterior adhered masonry systems. We will review proper installation of metal lath, the importance of encapsulation and a wall system that includes a rigid drainage plane. Exterior finishes discussed will include stucco, thin brick, both man made and natural thin stone. When these materials are installed over framed walls moisture management is key to the long-term resiliency of a project. We will also review the expected changes in the 9th Edition of the Florida Building Code pertaining to thin veneer specification and installation....
Stairs are an important component in buildings, facilitating traffic flow and serving as a means of egress in emergencies. They can also pose a safety risk if not designed and outfitted properly. In this course, we address the safety aspects of stair design and specification, providing an overview of anti-slip products for new and existing stairways. Also discussed are the various codes and standards related to stair design and photoluminescent egress path markings and the available solutions to ensure code compliance and the subsequent well-being of users. Finally, we look at installation and anchorage options....
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....
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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.
Roofing is one of the most common renovation projects on commercial buildings. Upgrading a roof assembly to meet current building standards provides an opportunity to save energy and maintain the necessary fire and structural performance. This course reviews the code requirements for commercial reroofing and discusses how reroofing can improve a building’s energy efficiency....
View the PIMA - Polyisocyanurate Insulation Manufacturers Association Course Library
PIMA - Polyisocyanurate Insulation Manufacturers Association
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....
Code-mandated requirements for inspections first appeared in the Uniform Building Code in 1927, and their original intent is still recognizable in our current codes: inspections by a building official are required at specific points in the construction process. In this course, we will examine an alternative to the periodic inspection process, the full-time inspector of record (IOR). We’ll review the historical context and qualifications of the IOR, when a project may benefit from an IOR, and the impact of using an IOR on life safety and property damage....
View the AEC Daily Course Library
This course is part of one or more "Course Collections". Click here to view the details.
The use of automatic entrances and ICU/CCU doors helps solve the problems associated with both circulation and door openings in healthcare design while providing an aesthetically pleasing solution. Healthcare personnel, patients, security personnel, and visitors are constantly rushing and want instant access. Today people are very conscious of touching surfaces and prefer not to have contact with doors. Other issues that need to be addressed during design are movement of patients and equipment, ADA and building code compliance, security, energy conservation, and sustainability....
Radon is a colorless, odorless gas, a Class A carcinogen, the leading cause of cancer after smoking, and the leading cause of death for nonsmokers. It is found in soil, rock, and groundwater. If radon enters a home through slabs, basements, and crawl spaces, breathing it can lead to illness or even death. This course examines how the gas travels through soil and into structures and the various interception approaches and materials that can be utilized to prevent entry into inhabited spaces. It also highlights building code requirements and language that can assist with ensuring the correct radon interception systems are designed and installed effectively....
