This course will cover the need to understand and specify the correct level of finish for specific project needs. We will review the different applications, aesthetic results, and how to overcome some aesthetic concerns, based on application and project requirements. This course will also cover the different gypsum board Levels of Finish from Level 0 through Level 5, based on the GA-214 Recommended Levels of Finish for Gypsum Board, Glass Mat, and Fiber-Reinforced Gypsum Panel technical publication, and when each of the different Levels of Finish could be specified on a project, based on the lighting or final decoration applied.

After more than 40 years in the same location, Saint-Gobain and its construction materials subsidiary, CertainTeed Corporation, moved into a new headquarters. The 65-acre campus has been retrofitted into a LEED platinum open plan commercial office. This tour will provide insight into the integrated design, construction, and operations of this best in class building.

After more than 40 years in the same location, Saint-Gobain and its construction materials subsidiary, CertainTeed Corporation, moved into a new headquarters. The 65-acre campus has been retrofitted into a LEED platinum open plan commercial office. This tour will provide insight into the integrated design, construction, and operations of this best in class building

Commercial and institutional building construction widely relies on the use of interior building products, including those made with gypsum, in a multitude of ways. They can be used with corner treatments to create interior spaces that are dramatic or sublime. They provide fire-resistance as part of rated interior and exterior wall assemblies. They are used in exterior walls in combination with insulation to meet a variety of energy demands. Moisture resistant products are used on exteriors and damp areas to address water vapor issues. In recent times, the rise of green building programs such as LEED®, the WELL Building Standard, and the Living Building Challenge, has also led to some manufacturers to create high performance interior products that have the ability to address a variety of indoor environmental quality concerns as well. These most recent advancements can help address issues of indoor air quality, enhanced sound control and better durability in commercial buildings, among other beneficial traits. This course provides an overview of indoor environmental health, safety, and welfare considerations in sustainable buildings while assessing interior products like high performance gypsum and insulation products that are currently available to meet those needs for walls and ceilings. As such, this course provides a basis for follow-on courses that are available to address, in more detail, some of these specific design and construction issues

A project's seismic design category (A-F) must be established for each construction project based on three main factors: anticipated ground motion, soil type in a specified geographic area, and occupancy category. In this course, we’ll examine the definitions of seismic categories, how they are assigned, along with structural requirements of ceiling components and integration with ceiling devices.

This course guides the user through a detailed examination of the acoustic characteristics necessary to comprehend the more complex performance criteria used in designing private and open offices. It includes a review of the arbitrary ranking of areas of importance in designing private and open offices. This course also explores how the value of such advanced acoustic design can be translated to a conceptual level understandable to architectural clients.

This course provides an overview of the principals of sound attenuation and light reflectance. Learners will be introduced to subjects such as, the Noise reduction coefficient. Further discussion will introduce the main properties of acoustical ceilings, their function and performance.

This course describes dynamic glass technologies, how they work and where they are applied. It also provides data and case studies on both the human and sustainability benefits the technology offers.

This course discusses a process for creating sound reduction in healthcare buildings. Keeping informed of the best available evidence, with the goal of improving outcomes, you will be introduced to basic design concepts for improving acoustical performance within a facility.

Provides an overview of Ceilings: Classroom Acoustics.

A program that provides an overview of comfortable environments through sustainable design in commercial Building Science.

This course provides an extensive review of the science of sound, how sound flows through various spaces, and how better acoustics can help you achieve points in the Indoor Environmental Quality category of the LEED rating system.

This course is designed for architects, engineers and LEED professionals. The course provides an extensive review of the various air barrier systems. Participants will also review details related to fenestration products and how proper air barrier systems can lead to LEED points.

This course provides an extensive review of the thermal properties of building materials, how thermal control effects spaces, and how improved thermal design can help you achieve points in the Energy and Atmosphere and Indoor Environmental Quality Category of LEED rating systems.

There is probably no single factor that plays such a decisive role in the health of a building over its life cycle as how liquid water and water vapor are managed by the materials and structures that make up the building. This course examines moisture management in the context of a sustainable building, and includes material that informs LEED professionals about specific LEED system requirements pertaining to moisture management.

When classrooms are too noisy, learning is significantly impacted. Attendees will review general methods for creating high-performance classroom acoustics and the applicable code requirements. A 2013 classroom acoustics case study will provide recommendations on remediation techniques. Specific wall design and installation solutions will be presented.

The purpose of this course is for Owners, Architects, Contractors, and industry professionals to understand the importance of room acoustics in building planning, and its impact on healthcare, work productivity, and the learning environment.

This presentation provides best practices related to specifying creative acoustic solutions for indoor environments. The presentation begins with an outline on why acoustics are an important consideration and how noise and excessive sound can impact productivity, health, and overall experience in an indoor environment. Next, this presentation explores the science of sound and how sound is measured. Also, the material discusses modern options in custom-engineered products that provide high-performance and flexible acoustic designs that offer value-added noise-control solutions without sacrificing creative design and beauty. Finally, this presentation offers real-world case studies that demonstrate how common challenges can be resolved and client goals achieved through knowledgeable and thoughtful custom-engineered acoustic solutions. Once you have completed the course and passed the test you will be receiving an email shortly with your certification information.

Modern open spaces create a unique set of challenges when it comes to acoustics, particularly because many new buildings are designed with open plans and open plenums. Fortunately, there are innovative acoustic systems on the market that are designed to integrate with open plenums that can help to overcome these challenges. This course will discuss customizable acoustical solutions for open plenum design, including baffles, beams, clouds, and acoustical wall panels, which are available in a variety of materials like metal, wood, fiberglass, and felt. The course will explore the importance of acoustical design and how these open plenum ceiling systems can transform a space aesthetically while maximizing acoustics.

This course spotlights fiberglass mat-faced gypsum products, their applications and their advantages. The course will review how fiberglass mat-faced gypsum board: o Defends against weather conditions, o Improves the health, safety and welfare of any project and its occupants thanks to improved fire ratings and indoor air quality. Each product category in this presentation will have its unique ASTM standards. While all products specified in this presentation share common characteristics (fiberglass mat), benefits vary based upon the products application.

Seminar to increase the understanding of the various groups influencing the codes and standards used in commercial low-slope roofing with an emphasis on UL and FM as the major drivers in the specification of modified bitumen roof systems. Testing protocols along with comparisons of standards are used to help guide their use when developing project specifications.

Seminar to increase the understanding of ASTM standards used in the manufacture of commercial low-slope asphaltic roofing products with an emphasis on specific material standards and some of the related key physical performance properties tests. Property comparisons are used to consolidate the information presented.

Provides an overview of Design and Installation Ideas with Cellular PVC.

This course provides an overview of fire resistant ceiling and wall assemblies using Gypsum boards, including the two primary ASTM standards that apply. It also addresses issues pertaining to fire-ratings that must be considered when constructing ceiling, wall, and column assemblies. Common construction issues pertaining to separation walls are also covered.

This course reviews the gypsum board manufacturing process, gypsum board as a life safety device, types of gypsum board and joint compound, and the many benefits of gypsum board This course will review how gypsum board: The main mineral used in gypsum board How this mineral makes it fire resistant How gypsum board is made The benefits of using gypsum board Additional discussion will focus on the many variations of gypsum board, their performance characteristics, and how to implement these variations into your projects, to achieve your project’s desired results

The majority of homes today use gypsum boards, panels, and compounds in a multitude of ways. While gypsum has a long history of use in American construction, changes in building codes and design, programs such as the USGBC LEED, and construction practices have generated a need for a suite of specialized solutions. Participants who complete this course will be able to identify the environmental human and health considerations related to the selection of gypsum solutions, the types of gypsum boards available today and where they are intended for use, how the level of gypsum finishing is evaluated and communicated, as well as identify emerging IEQ technologies.

Commercial and institutional buildings in North America need to comply with a myriad of fire safety issues as defined by the International Building Code and National Building Code of Canada. This course focuses on this fire safety issue, addresses the challenges of properly designing and testing horizontal assemblies, and looks at an innovative, attractive solution found in horizontal shaftwall construction.

This one-hour course discusses today's gypsum area separation walls (ASWs) are a response to a pervasive need: to prevent the spread of fire through multi-family townhouses. What many people may not be aware of how they work to accomplish their important task. The course begins with a brief comparison of some historical alternatives to the modern gypsum ASW, and a review of the elements that make up the ASW assembly.

Over the past few decades we have added more and more layers to our walls in order to save energy but we have in the process sacrificed some ability to tolerate moisture intrusion. Recent research has shown the benefits of drained and vented claddings and adaptive materials like smart vapor retarders have created new options for managing the moisture flow and moisture storage of the assembly as a whole. In order to take advantage of these options, we must understand the inter-relationships of heat, air, and moisture flow and so we will review these basic forces and identify strategies for preventing wetting while promoting drying both towards the interior and the exterior.

An examination of how the skilled labor shortage impacts low-slope roofing specification choices.

This course presents the background and results from a unique study of how high-performing buildings can impact the outcomes for their occupants. A large sample group of professionals of diverse functions were studied as they performed their tasks and lived their work lives in two distinct office environments. Physical measurements combined with survey responses were used to provide comparison and impact. This course provides participants with the human and business impacts of moving a corporation from an outdated and inefficient facility to a state-of-the-art, energy-efficient and environmentally-sustainable building designed with the occupant in mind.

Seminar about the history of low-slope modified bitumen membranes, the internal make up of modified bitumen membranes and how they are applied with a final comparison of two-ply modified roofing systems and single-ply systems with an emphasis on durability, abuse resistance and application efficiency.

Residential homes are often built with multiple cladding types - masonry, vinyl siding and more. This course will review the fundamentals of moisture flow and detail how that moisture interacts with different cladding materials. At the end of this course, attendees should understand the advantages and disadvantages of various wall claddings and feel confident specifying an assembly that is best for the homeowner.

This course will give an overview of the features, benefits, safety and security that a Polyethylene Privacy Fence can provide. The course will outline the unique attributes of polyethylene and how they compare to other fencing materials commonly found on today’s projects.

This course provides an extensive look at how specific publications regarding product selection promote environmentally sustainable buildings. These publications such as LCA, PCR and EPD describe environmental concepts and how these concepts may be of value to architectural firms and building owners pursuing LEED certification.

Fire-rated glazing, combined with fire-rated framing, provides the maximum fire protection of people and property. Modern fire rated framing has several design elements that allows the product to blend harmoniously to other design details. Flush un-interrupted surfaces can be achieved with a system having less vertical or horizontal framing members. Discrete joint intersections can be utilized as well, allowing the product to work with popular corner details. This allows for expansive curtain wall systems in applications that require high-span, self-supporting construction. This course will explore how to push the design envelope with fire-rated glazing and framing systems.

This course will introduce the attendees to the basic principles of acoustics and sound control. Further information will be provided regarding common acoustical measurements and calculating sound absorption within a given space. There will be a review of performance characteristics of acoustical ceilings and wall systems.

This course reviews the acoustical properties of sound travel and sounds effect on the building interior and its occupants. There will be discussion on one of the most effective ways to attenuate noise from one room to another with the use of specific insulation products. Further discussion will center on sound absorption and noise control. Learners will also discuss the HVAC systems and the ability to insulate sound that travels throughout the building envelope.

An analysis of how to manage low-slope roofing projects across various parameters with a focus on comparisons of the installation speed and installed costs of various multi-ply asphaltic and single-ply systems in order to deliver the best roofing options on time and in budget.

This course explains how to select materials and design options that will improve the look and function of interior and exterior ceiling systems, including factors such as acoustics, cost, aesthetics, and sustainability.

As building envelopes get tighter concerns over the potential of mold and moisture in the wall assembly increase. In this course we review the basics of building envelope design as it relates to moisture movement, dew point and relative humidity, air pressure, science of climates, and heat flow. We will also discuss the principle structural details of framed wall assemblies as they pertain to moisture problems and demonstrate how you can use these considerations to earn points toward environmental design codes.

By understanding the art and science of residential home design, a safe and healthy environment can be designed to assure healthy airflow, comfortable temperatures, and limit moisture concerns.

Sustainable buildings now address indoor air quality (IAQ) to enhance the comfort of building occupants. The course focuses on airborne pollutants and chemicals associated with adverse health effects. Participants who complete this course will be able to identify common contaminants and design appropriate remediation strategies, as well as identify emerging product capture technologies.

This course is intended to provide an overview of various mineral fiber insulation systems and provide an overview of the key differences between fiber glass systems and stone wool systems.

This course provides an extensive review of how the principles of cool roofing are applied in the design of a new or renovated building. The following key areas are reviewed: energy efficiency, green roofing, heat island affect; materials, durability, recycling, and interiors; indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ), ventilation and air quality systems.

This course provides an overview of Vinyl siding products and compares to other traditional methods of exterior cladding. Further discussion will provide analysis of environmentally friendly manufacturing processes. To conclude the course will describe design and installation features.

In this course, we will cover drywall finishing terminology, standards and installation procedures as they pertain to achieving aesthetic and performance goals when specifying. Additionally, we will discuss the advantages of specifying high-performance products that can help to maintain design integrity and minimize maintenance issues for building owners, as well as minimizing the architect's time in the field creating punch list items which lead to unnecessary construction administration hours for both architects and contractors.

This one-hour course provides an overview of the importance of weather resistant barriers in protecting the building envelope and as a component of green building design and sustainability. Lessons include a comparison of various barriers based on specific performance criteria.

There is no question that a walk in the park, fresh air, and the sun’s warmth on one’s skin surrounded by grass and trees is a refreshing, positive experience. Driven by a growing body of research proving the physical, physiological, and emotional benefits promoted by connections to nature, architects and designers are actively incorporating natural elements, particularly wood, into their designs. This course demonstrates how by creating a direct connection to nature, wood ceilings and wall systems can boost occupant health, well-being, and productivity.

This course is about four different roof-top systems that respond to the challenge of sustainably addressing solar radiation. It begins by describing ways the solar radiation typically affects buildings, and some of the effects this has on their environments. It also reviews three metrics used to describe rooftop performance, the key one being the solar reflectance index (SRI), and explains what they measure.