Accessibility for All!!!

Wednesday, October 29, 2025 | 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm

Most people will inevitably suffer from accessibility issues in their lifespan. These issues would arise due to:

• Diagnosis
• Aging process
• Accidental mishaps and combat related injuries
• Lifestyle

Thanks to advances in healthcare and medical sciences, people are living longer, but not necessarily healthier. Most Americans spend roughly 90% of their time indoors which is 2.5 to 3 times more toxic than the outdoors. This is due to off-gassing VOC's from materials/finished used, bacterial contamination, poor air quality, water contamination, etc. thus affecting indoor environment quality (IEQ). 

By integrating building science thoughtfully, it is possible to create meaningful live/learn/work/play spaces. This presentation will illustrate how the principles of Universal Design (UD) help create an enabling and healthy environment. 

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a civil rights act that addresses issues faced by Americans with physical and mental impairments. It is applicable to about 1 in 5 Americans. ADA based design guidelines establish minimal accessibility standards.

Universal Design (UD) is applicable to the broadest spectrum of people irrespective of age, gender or abilities. UD is a multifaceted accessibility enabling paradigm (i.e. Keyless Entry, Swiss Army Knife, Smartphone, etc.). The market success of designs based on UD (i.e. smartphone, OXO grips) is undeniable and shows that such designs sell by themselves.

Learning Objectives

1. Understand UD goals and principles.
2. Identify UD 's application to spaces, products, appliances and equipment.
3. Learn how UD is applicable to technology (i.e. IOT, ICT, Assistive Tech).
4. Discover how UD is applicable to planning and design.
5. Learn how to adapt design to improve upon unfavorable dynamics, expediency in regulatory approvals and reduce life cycle cost. 

CE: 1 LU | HSW

Architectural Exposed Long Span Acoustical Decking

September 11, 2025 | 12:00 - 1:00 pm

This webinar, presented by Epic Metals, will cover Structural Long Span Decking along with Exterior Cladding Materials, Screening and an Interior Cloud System.

Learning Objectives

1. What is an Architectural deck versus commodity deck (N-deck and B-deck).
2. Compare metal deck systems enabling creation of lightweight open spaces with minimal structural elements.
3. How roof and floor metal deck systems enhance sustainability by reducing environmental impact and embodied carbon.
4. Advantage of factory finishes and the environmental impact.
5. How architectural deck systems can provide exceptional acoustic properties.
6. How to integrate utilities within architectural decks.
7. The importance of incorporating air control system and effects on the building environment.
8. Long-span architectural grillage systems to reduce thermal load, structural elements, costs and pest potential.

Design Tactics for Stone Masonry Products

Thursday, July 24, 2025 | 5:30 pm - 7:00 pm

This program will explore how to effectively design masonry walls using proper design techniques focusing on the prevention of moisture, cracking and cleaning issues. This building design focus is on planning and designing sound masonry walls using proper architectural structural components based on industry guidelines and specifications. Attendees will learn why walls crack, differential movement and how to design to eliminate unnecessary repairs and maintenance.

Learning Objectives

1. Identify causes of cracking in masonry and its effect on structural performance
2. Discuss how to control cracking using reinforcement, control joints and joint sealant design
3. Demonstrate proper detailing methods and procedures for moisture prevention
4. Discuss advantages and benefits of using Manufactured Masonry Stone Product

Considerations for Safe & Compliant Pipes in Plenum Space

 July 16, 2025 | 12:00 - 1:00 pm

Plenum spaces in buildings are often out of sight but shouldn't be out of mind. These areas house critical infrastructure like piping, wiring, and HVAC systems, systems that directly affect occupant health, fire safety, and long-term durability. This session explores the material selection challenges architects and engineers face when designing piping systems in plenums. Using case studies, code reviews, and technical insights, it uncovers health and safety risks, as well as legal liabilities, that piping can pose. It also provides recommendations to meet performance standards and sustainability goals.

1. Identify fire-safety risks associated with piping materials used in plenum spaces and explain how material combustibility influences code compliance and occupant protection.
2. Assess long-term risks to occupant health and building resilience based on the chemical, thermal and structural performance of piping systems.
3. Compare lifecycle sustainability impacts of pipe materials, with a focus on recyclability, embodied carbon and other sustainability requirements.
4. Understand the legal and insurance implications of material choices in plenums, including how failures can shift liability to design teams or contractors.

CE: 1 LU | HSW

A Range of Rainscreens 

Selecting the appropriate moisture management system for the building envelope can be a daunting task. Determining the appropriate rainscreen application can be based on several contributing factors – climate, building codes, cladding, and a variety others. This course will explore the importance of rainscreens as a moisture management solution, as well as the characteristics of the assortment of applications.

Learning Objectives

1. Understand the performance characteristics of rainscreens in the building envelope.
2. Recognize the characteristics and differences of "open" and "closed" rainscreens.
3. Understand and identify the installation applications of "open" and "closed" rainscreens.
4. Recognize the pre-installation considerations when choosing the appropriate rainscreen applications.

CE: 1 LU | HSW

 

Fire Safety in High Rise Buildings

One of the most complex and least understood areas where fire can propagate is at the perimeter of a multi-story building. Not only can fire spread from floor-to-floor via the edge-of-slab/curtain wall intersections but also along the exterior building enclosure where untested, combustible components are often installed. This program outlines best design practices for providing fire protection for building occupants per ASTM E2307 and E2874.

Learning Objectives

1. Participants will gain a stronger understanding of vertical fire spread in high rise buildings through use of visuals of actual fire case studies.
2. Participants will also learn how to identify proper wall design techniques that will help provide fire safety in multi-story wall applications based on presenter showing common curtain wall construction and special conditions detailing.
3. Architects will also learn how common building materials, used in wall construction, behave when exposed to the rigors of fire per ASTM E2307. Presenter will provide outline based on fire testing and photos of actual curtain wall component failure.
4. Participants will be provided the information on the design criteria required for code compliant assemblies.

CE: 1 LU | HSW

 

Understanding Stone Wool (Mineral Wool) in Interior and Exterior Applications - Solutions for Thermal, Fire and Sound Control

The net energy savings realized in a properly insulated building are well understood. However, as design professionals strive to maximize thermal resistance, yet reduce mass in the wall assembly, insulation is increasingly being positioned in both the stud wall and the exterior side of the building envelope. This split insulation concept has introduced a number of design issues and concerns; particularly as relates to fire resistance, moisture management, and wall drying rates. This program focuses on the unique properties of stone wool insulation, and suggests how it can improve thermal, fire, water and sound suppression performance in a well detailed wall assembly.

Learning Objectives

1. Define and explain what stone wool insulation is and how it is manufactured.
2. Identify the differences between stone wool, glass fiber and foam insulations.
3. Explain the key features and value added benefits of stone wool.
4. Discuss the ecologically sustainable aspects of stone wool.
5. Illustrate applications for stone wool in commercial buildings and low slope roofing.
6. Comment on Code Changes to IBC Chapter 26 and testing standards for NFPA 285.

CE: 1 LU | HSW

February 20, 2025 - Glazing Strategies for Sound Control 

This course, presented by Chris Carpenter from Pella, examines the significance of sound control strategies and how they can improve the health and well-being of individuals by increasing comfort and workplace productivity, reducing stress, and allowing for proper rest.