Building Knowledge and Connections
Health, Safety, and Welfare
All courses identified as HSW, cover Health, Safety, and Welfare topics and have been approved by the AIA (American Institute of Architects) as an HSW Learning Unit (LU/HSW).
Displaying 1 - 25 of 582 results.
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https://redirect.aecdaily.com/s1017501/www.aecdaily.com/course/1038779
Interest in metal cladding is continually growing because of its sustainable features: durability, long life span, recyclability, and contribution to cool roofs. Manufacturers provide a wide range of panel profiles, materials, and colors to meet the increased demand. This course examines the performance characteristics and attributes of metal roofing and cladding, different aesthetic options, and best installation practices, as well as how they contribute to more energy-efficient buildings.
https://redirect.aecdaily.com/s15612/www.aecdaily.com/course/892139
Surface design and color impact people in one way or another. Why do some surroundings induce a sense of calm, happiness, or inspiration while others offer nothing but distraction, discomfort, chaos, doom, and gloom? Interior surfaces are the point of contact between users and their environment, as well as an important connection between the visual and physical worlds. This course examines the integral role that surface color and design play in interior spaces and how color and design can improve health, reduce stress, enhance safety, and promote well-being in building occupants. Key requirements in the selection and specification process are also discussed.
https://redirect.aecdaily.com/s1124494/www.aecdaily.com/course/1138490
This course provides a comprehensive overview of quartz surfacing as a sustainable material in contemporary design. It examines the environmental impact, safety standards, and wide-ranging applications of quartz surfacing. The course focuses on manufacturing processes, performance characteristics, and the material’s contribution to sustainability, equipping participants with the knowledge to effectively utilize quartz surfacing in residential and commercial projects.
https://redirect.aecdaily.com/s9365/www.aecdaily.com/course/1086424
Air curtain units (ACUs) provide a controlled airstream across a door or opening, creating a seamless barrier between two distinct spaces while enabling smooth, uninterrupted traffic flow. Air curtains fulfill numerous purposes and provide building owners with significant energy savings. This course examines how air curtains work and how they reduce whole-building energy consumption and contribute to occupant wellness and safety. The role of air curtains in limiting the infiltration of insects, pathogens, and outside pollutants while maintaining thermal comfort and good indoor air quality is explained. ACU selection and installation considerations are also discussed.
https://redirect.aecdaily.com/s14798/www.aecdaily.com/course/1045296
The operation of mechanical equipment generates vibration and noise, which, if left untreated, can damage the building structure and the equipment itself and be a source of discomfort for building occupants. This course examines HVAC equipment vibration and the specification of isolation solutions. It provides discussions on each of the ASHRAE isolator and base types and describes some acoustical floor treatments.
https://redirect.aecdaily.com/s1126103/www.aecdaily.com/course/1164758
This course addresses the health, safety, and welfare concerns to account for when specifying and installing a modular masonry fireplace. The course discusses the advantages of modular masonry fireplace systems and their uses. When installing fireplaces, it is necessary to understand that safety codes, clearances, and restrictions are for the well-being of the installer as well as the homeowner. We cover these codes and regulations in this course.
https://redirect.aecdaily.com/s5057/www.aecdaily.com/course/888587
Building owners value daylighting and views but face security and safety challenges with large amounts of glazing. Thermoplastic sheet products offer a variety of glazing solutions that resist security threats while providing transparency, strength, and durability. This course introduces the grades and characteristics of acrylic and polycarbonate sheet products and discusses how they meet the requirements for protection against forced entry and ballistics.
https://redirect.aecdaily.com/s682321/www.aecdaily.com/course/856224
Sound abatement products are not just a building owner and occupant preference; minimum sound abatement ratings are required by many local building codes for multistory residential, commercial, and multipurpose buildings. Following an introduction to the basics of sound, this course presents a summary of the most common sound control methods, with a focus on the options available for floor underlayment.
https://redirect.aecdaily.com/s5654/www.aecdaily.com/course/852630
Concrete is one of the most widely used building materials throughout the world, and as such, it is in everyone’s best interest to consider more sustainable options. This course provides an overview of the properties of slag cement. Discussion topics include benefits, effects on plastics and hardened concrete, environmental profile including life cycle analysis (LCA) and environmental product declarations (EPDs), and various slag cement applications.
https://redirect.aecdaily.com/s10100/www.aecdaily.com/course/1159231
This course examines the design and benefits of pre-engineered trench drains in a sustainable wastewater management system. Discover how they effectively manage water runoff, prevent ponding, and enhance safety in transportation, industrial facilities, and public spaces while supporting sustainable practices. Explore system types, maintenance strategies, and performance optimization, along with guidance on funding and compliance. Gain the knowledge to implement smarter, safer, and more efficient water management solutions in your next project.
https://redirect.aecdaily.com/s525798/www.aecdaily.com/course/551827
Expansion or modification of electrical cabling is rarely considered yet occurs during the lifetime of most buildings. Expansion of in-wall cabling requires additional work, trades, and possibly electrical service interruption, but cable tray facilitates removal and addition of cabling. This course reviews two types of cable tray—ladder tray and wire mesh tray—their components, characteristics, and applications and code-related installation information.
https://redirect.aecdaily.com/s14751/www.aecdaily.com/course/1210655
Concrete is the backbone of modern construction, and it comes with an environmental cost, as do most construction materials. This course explores concrete’s contributions to global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and current and emerging solutions to reduce emissions throughout its entire life cycle. Climate-positive design strategies to improve the carbon footprint of exterior projects are presented. Real-world projects demonstrate how permeable pavements are a sustainable alternative to poured concrete surfaces, offering numerous environmental benefits.
https://redirect.aecdaily.com/s14798/www.aecdaily.com/course/1056815
Undesirable acoustics in educational spaces adversely affect the learning and teaching processes. The impact on students’ academic achievement, social adaptation, and mental health can be profound and long lasting. This course examines the impact of different sound problems and presents solutions that create synergy between the architecture and the classroom environment to optimize student learning and engagement and teacher retention.
https://redirect.aecdaily.com/s574478/www.aecdaily.com/course/800190
Railing systems perform various functions, meeting safety requirements and serving as a key component of a building’s aesthetic. This course includes a discussion of the strengths and weaknesses of aluminum and structural vinyl railing systems, how they are made, and how they are used in the building industry, including a detailed summary of how they meet various code requirements.
https://redirect.aecdaily.com/s3379/www.aecdaily.com/course/916307
The building envelope must withstand the effects of long-term exposure to the elements. This course explores rainscreen wall design and the control of hygrothermal loads. The traditional multicomponent backup wall assembly is compared with the single-component, insulated metal composite backup wall system, outlining key differences in design and construction and their overall effect on installation and performance.
https://redirect.aecdaily.com/s425610/www.aecdaily.com/course/1112782
Water is vital for life. As we move out of the pandemic, consumers are becoming more aware of their health and are taking steps to maintain healthy, active lifestyles, including drinking pure, clean water. This course explores the importance of staying hydrated and explains how dehydration can negatively affect health and wellness. The course also examines some of the most common contaminants in drinking water and the potential health effects of ingesting such water. Gain insight into how consumer lifestyle trends drive the need for healthier and more sustainable water in the kitchen and beyond and discover how consumers can meet these needs. Finally, learn about some of the newest water filtration systems available for cleaner, healthier, sustainable drinking water in the home.
https://redirect.aecdaily.com/s710971/www.aecdaily.com/course/1043037
Building fires claim nearly 4,000 lives each year in the U.S. It is the responsibility of building designers to do their utmost to prevent such fires and their accompanying loss of life. Often, the difference between life and death is as simple as a fire door that functions properly. This course focuses on describing how design professionals can reinforce their ability to ensure that fire doors are specified, installed, inspected, and maintained properly and that they meet or exceed all relevant code requirements.
https://redirect.aecdaily.com/s12071/www.aecdaily.com/course/831596
Accommodating an aging population in multistory homes means finding ways to simplify access to all levels. As residential elevators continue to decrease in cost, they are being considered as the most effective solution to offer safety, comfort, and convenience to the homeowner. This course reviews all considerations needed for the installation of a residential elevator including preplanning, locating, power and structural requirements, and code considerations.
https://redirect.aecdaily.com/s936437/www.aecdaily.com/course/1016042
Saunas that exude authentic Nordic minimalism and elegance promote wellness, relaxation, meditation, and socialization. There are many different types of saunas for private or public purposes, but a few unique features and finishing options set some sauna designs apart. This course explains why the sauna has a much deeper tradition than wellness and discusses the considerations for selecting a ready-made or tailor-made sauna solution.
https://redirect.aecdaily.com/s386533/www.aecdaily.com/course/926557
Learners will receive information about cast stone and how it is made, testing requirements, applications, design recommendations, and how it differs from related materials. Learners will describe appropriate specification, design details of cast stone for architectural applications, and how to determine quality cast stone production.
https://redirect.aecdaily.com/s5833/www.aecdaily.com/course/1197856
Cable railings are a beautifully minimalist way to meet safety requirements without obstructing the view. Learn how to assemble a commercial-grade cable railing with sophisticated fittings engineered to simplify installation, comply with building codes, and reduce overall labor costs.
https://redirect.aecdaily.com/s1179290/www.aecdaily.com/course/1197346
Structural HDPE plastic lumber offers strength, durability, and design versatility and is a sustainable alternative to traditional building materials. This course examines the types of structural HDPE plastic lumber and their manufacturing processes and provides technical information on performance attributes, suitable applications, installation considerations, and design guidelines. Comparisons are made to wood and wood-plastic composite lumber. Also presented is how recycled HDPE plastic lumber may help meet credit requirements in the Sustainable SITES Initiative® (SITES® v2) and LEED® v4.1 Building Design and Construction (BD+C) and Residential BD+C rating systems. Case studies demonstrate the exemplary performance of structural HDPE plastic lumber in aggressive environmental conditions.
https://redirect.aecdaily.com/s1140981/www.aecdaily.com/course/1183825
This course examines the role of access doors and panels in building design. It covers their functions, material options, and performance requirements. Topics include resistance to fire, sound, and moisture, as well as durability, code compliance, and integration with surrounding finishes. The course also presents best practices for specifying and installing access components that support safety, accessibility, and design continuity across a range of project types.
https://redirect.aecdaily.com/s796052/www.aecdaily.com/course/843093
Synthetic (artificial) grass or turf has improved steadily since its first installation half a century ago, and it is now a sophisticated surfacing system that can be customized to suit specific purposes. This course reviews that development and then focuses on the specifics of synthetic grass suitable for use on playgrounds. This focus includes a detailed examination of its construction, installation, and maintenance, and a number of sample installations.
https://redirect.aecdaily.com/s1773/www.aecdaily.com/course/880606
Air control dampers are an essential component of a building’s HVAC system, regulating heating, cooling, and ventilation performance. Presented here is an introduction to control, balancing, backdraft, industrial, and multizone dampers; each type plays an important role in the HVAC system. Discussed are damper types, components, and performance metrics. Guidance is provided for damper specification, installation, maintenance, and inspection.
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