Lunch & Learn Courses By CSI Division

Observing the manufacturing process provides designers with insight into the many steps required to bring successful products to market. Join us on an in-depth 3-hour tour of our manufacturing facilities where participants will be able to see firsthand the technologies employed to create code-compliant railing systems, including multi-step powder coating process, in-house product testing, and state-of-the-art stainless steel component milling operations.

In this one-hour course, design professionals will gain knowledge on the International Building Code (IBC) sections and test standards for approval related to fire-resistive joints in gypsum board assemblies. Fire-Resistive joints at head-of-wall, bottom-of-wall and wall-to-wall assemblies along with movement and sound performance capabilities will be included. It will discuss different joint treatment types and the components involved with each application.

Gate and perimeter systems are critical safety components in commercial, institutional, and public environments, yet material selection is often driven by long-held assumptions rather than long-term performance. Steel has traditionally been viewed as the default choice for security, but corrosion, maintenance demands, and material degradation can compromise gate safety and reliability over time.

This course will discuss disappearing, standard, and ship stairs and various applications in which they can be safely used. The designer will also learn about codes and minimum requirements necessary to adhere to the standards dimensionally.

Imagine stepping out to enjoy outdoor living spaces made safe because of railings that protect and complement exterior design. Join us in this one-hour course as we discuss aluminum railings as they relate to aesthetic, strength and durability of materials and code compliance, loading testing and sustainable solutions.

This one-hour course will inform architects, designers, and builders about the advantages of panelized aluminum and steel railing systems. It will support informed decision-making in design and construction. We will explore the comparison with traditional fabricated metal railings, the ease and speed of installation of panelized railing systems as well as the benefits of aluminum and steel materials, including durability and longevity.

Join us in this one-hour course as we discuss Modular Panel Systems (MPS) as they relate to the demand for utility and performance in exterior cladding selections. After this course, participants will have mastered expertise in MPS including sustainability measures, pressure equalized rainscreens and design aesthetics as well as the advantages tailored for architectural specification.

Educate the Design Team as to the key role and significance played by the Fabricator on a project. This new understanding will enable the Team to consult and involve the Fabricator early in the design process. This early involvement will enable the Design Team to navigate code requirements, meet sustainability objectives, and design more efficiently.

In this course, we will gain insight into the growing need for and use of fire retardant treated wood (FRTW). We will explore both interior and exterior FRTW and discuss treatment options. Through a review of applications, codes and standards, the design professional will have a better understanding of how to incorporate FRTW into their next project.

As a renewable resource, wood is one of the most sustainable building materials available. Join us in this one-hour course as we discuss how wood coatings can help minimize the harmful effects of UV and moisture damage on wood building products. Participants will learn how to improve the durability and longevity of wood buildings to create a sturdy and sustainable structure that is safe to enjoy for years to come.

Gain insight into the makeup and characteristics of laminated timber columns and compare to other alternatives. Understand the importance of materials selection, production process, and testing.

In this course, we will familiarize attendees with styles and trends within railing systems and discuss how railing material choices affect safety, appearance, and future maintenance. The design professional will learn about code compliance and how product standardization helps to meet regulatory goals.

Join us as we discuss the innovative uses of sustainable wood products in modern architecture, with a particular focus on versatile applications in both exterior and interior settings. In this course, participants will gain a comprehensive understanding of the benefits of utilizing abundant and sustainable wood resources, such as thermally modified spruce, pine, oak and ayous, which offer enhanced stability and longevity.

This course encourages participants to think outside the box and consider using polymer cladding as a material to create aesthetic, enduring, and moisture resistant rainscreens that will better protect buildings and its occupants. We will discuss other more commonly used products and the issues faced with each. We will also consider life cycle costs of various cladding options, including polymer.

This course will explain the functions and benefits of a well-designed entrance system and will provide application dependent guidelines that will aide in proper system design. This one-hour course will discuss the value and benefit of an entrance flooring system. Industry standards, including ADA requirements and United States Green Building Council (USGBC) LEED credits and how they each pertain to entrance flooring systems.

This course will explain the benefits of roof hatch & smoke vent design and life safety. The designer will have a better understanding of code regulations for life safety and will be able to properly size and place vents in accordance with these codes. We will conclude this one hour course with a 10 minute Q&A period for review of the topics covered today.

This course will help the designer to correctly determine the proper specification for building movement joints. Selecting, designing, detailing and specifying building joints is a complex task which can be simplified by following a logical process to first determine joint requirements, location and type. Once we know the size and geometry of the joint system we then can identify the wall, floor, ceiling, and roof systems that are impacted.

Stucco assemblies are a popular choice but require proper detailing to avoid problems that can arise from water infiltration. Join us in this one-hour course as we discuss the new IBC 2021 25.10.1 and 25.10.2 Water Resistive Barrier (WRB) and drainage mat requirement, including how to evaluate a project’s environment to ensure proper specification and installation as they relate to stucco assemblies.

Elevate occupant well-being and protection by eliminating haphazard design through strategic planning, business acumen, and thoughtful material selection. This one-hour course explores competitive advantage strategies related to the building envelope, focusing on materials like fiber cement cladding. Participants will learn to adapt to industry shifts impacting the built environment and occupant welfare, ensuring resilient and sustainable spaces.

This course covers the essentials of commercial roof hatches, including key materials, hardware, and specification requirements. It explores roof access hatch applications for both personnel and equipment, emphasizing the importance of incorporating thermal breaks to enhance energy efficiency and prevent condensation. Considerations for roof hatches in extreme weather conditions are discussed, along with how these factors relate to building code certifications and standards.

During this one-hour presentation, we explore the rusting process and how it relates to structural integrity, life-cycle, and safety. We review rust prevention strategies, surface, preparation, and specific coating types.

This course provides a comprehensive overview of selecting the appropriate window products based on project-specific design and performance requirements. It covers various window types and their performance characteristics, examining factors such as location, building type, air and water infiltration, and design pressures.

Experience the architectural sophistication of custom wood windows and doors, designed not only for their timeless aesthetic appeal but also for their high-performance capabilities. In this one-hour course, we’ll dive into the superior value of custom wood fenestration that exceeds standard offerings, meeting a wide range of architectural demands.

This course explores the role of access doors in building performance, safety, and code compliance across multiple building types. Participants will review key specification considerations—such as fire rating, acoustics, security, environmental exposure, and substrate compatibility—and compare requirements across multifamily, education, hospitality, and healthcare facilities.

In this one-hour course, participants will receive a general overview of both fire rated and non-fire rated rolling doors and their competitive advantages in the door industry. It will discuss the components of each type of rolling doors, focusing on customization options, efficiency, and ability to protect individuals during a fire.

Effective acoustical control is essential in any environment. Selecting the right operable partition to address sound management and spatial flexibility can resolve multiple challenges at once. In this one-hour course, we examine acoustics, operable walls, and how their integration with complementary architectural elements delivers superior sound control across a variety of spaces.

This course provides a complete overview of movable wall systems. Topics include panel types, seals, closures, panel movement, stacking, acoustical control, finishes, and field integration. Ideal for architects, facility managers, and contractors seeking practical guidance on specifying and detailing partition systems.

This one-hour course explores commercial wall and ceiling Access Doors, their purposes, locations and applications. You will learn design considerations and factors including fire-ratings, materials and hardware. We will also discuss code, compliances and LEED requirements necessary for specification.

Privacy glass and observation control are important considerations for the built environment in healthcare, education, high security environments, and commercial sectors. In this one-hour course, we will examine three types of privacy glass: blinds between glass, non-electric privacy glass, micro shading systems and switchable glass.

This course will better inform the designer about Operating Room design, critical factors involved in designing an OR and the key equipment essential to design integration for functionality and space planning. This course also explains how new surgical techniques create a need to reassess the conventional design of these rooms.

This one-hour continuing education course examines the design challenges of generator exhaust systems in hyperscale data center environments. As facilities grow from single-generator installations to large mission-critical campuses with dozens of parallel generators, exhaust system design becomes far more complex.