Free Courses by Newest

In this one-hour course, the design professional will review the ADA Standards for accessible design to determine how the codes were developed and more importantly, how they may be applied to building projects. We will discuss why design professionals should do more than minimally meet the standards and encourage design...

In this one-hour course you will learn about the history and evolution of bronze and brass castings and the way that have contributed to the advancement of society. From simple beginnings to modern day technology, you will identify the advantages of using cast metal signs. The characteristics and benefits of metal signs...

This course examines the use of resinous floor coating systems in commercial, institutional, and industrial facilities as a solution to meet functional, aesthetic, and environmental needs. We will distinguish the types of resinous floor coating systems available as well as their benefits and limitations. In addition, we...

This one-hour course examines the use of solid surfaces to help design professionals realize the versatility this modern, sleek product now offers. Applications of trend-setting solid surfaces are explored in a variety of applications including healthcare, commercial, retail, and educational industries. A comparison of o...

The health, safety and performance of athletes is greatly affected by the playing surface. Standards for the dynamic relationship between a sports floor and athletes demonstrate that sustainable maple hardwood flooring offers exceptional accommodation of forces while enhancing play. This course also discusses key selecti...

Examine the ADA Standards, and identify how hand drying methods can impact the design professional decisions that apply to an Accessible Design restroom. Through this thorough review, the design professional will recognize common challenges encountered in barrier-free restroom design, and how to integrate safe solutions...

This course will better inform the designer on moisture management in the building envelope and related considerations. The designer will evaluate rainscreen and wall assembly options to gain a better understanding of how to incorporate rainscreens into their building envelope system. The designer will also gain an under...

Every type of building requires protection against forced entry -- and doors & frames are the first line of defense. Learn about finding the "just right" amount of security for your building projects and how to specify the doors and frames.

Improve your buildings with specialty doors and frames. Architects use them to improve safety, reduce noise or for a striking appearance. Learn about the most popular specialty doors today, including blast & bullet resistant, acoustic, forced entry, tornado resistant and more.

Learn what you need to know about steel doors and frames because every building has them. See how fire ratings work and the different performance capabilities of doors. You will also learn about the most common door upgrades to improve your building.

Structural fire protection guards essential structural components from the devastating effects of fire. This course examines the various active and passive fire protection methods that are available. Examined in depth are the composition, manufacture, finishes, and design and installation considerations of prefabricated...

This course provides the opportunity for you to learn about the hand dryer, its history, use and innovations.

On average, people use the restroom six times per day. Restrooms in a building largely reflect the design decisions you make. The purpose of this course is to make the case that a comprehensive design approach that integrates ADA design requirements, Universal Design strategies, and sustainable initiatives provides an in...

This course expresses the reasons for concern regarding the environmental hazards that come with flooding and describes who is responsible when natural hazards and flooding occur. Learn what a Base Flood Elevation is, as well as the objectives of protection in order to employ this kind of system.

This course provides a framework for understanding the importance of snow retention on roofs, examines various roof type applications, identifies applications that have proven more successful at retaining snow, and underscores the citical need for proper planning, calculating, engineering and installing of these systems....

This course will focus on gypsum products manufactured with fiberglass facing, replacing the paper facing typically used on gypsum board. We will review the high performance characteristics and applications for the fiberglass faced gypsum panels to improve the health, safety and welfare of any project and associated occu...

Learn about the different levels of gypsum board finishes as well as when to specify each according to the needs of the project. Gain insight into the importance of indoor air quality (IAQ) in regard to sustainability, how to improve IAQ, and how gypsum board finishes impact IAQ.

In this course, we explore sound transmission and acoustical requirements in buildings. Codes, standards, and design considerations, are thoroughly reviewed. Acoustically enhanced gypsum board assemblies are evaluated as a solution for improving acoustics in multiple indoor environments.