American Construction Inspectors Association

The American Construction Inspectors Association (ACIA) was formed in 1954 and incorporated in 1959 to provide educational opportunities and promote standards of knowledge and conduct for all construction inspectors.

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Displaying 1 - 25 of 603 results.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    Industrial-strength ladders must provide functional safety for users in varied and demanding building environments. Aluminum ladders are up to the challenge of virtually any application thanks to aluminum’s high strength-to-weight ratio, durability, and corrosion resistance. This course reviews ladder types and safety considerations and discusses how the sustainability benefits of aluminum along with its other attributes make it an ideal material for heavy-duty ladders.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour, 15 minutes ) 

    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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  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    Obesity rates in the U.S. have reached epic numbers and correlate to significant health and economic impacts. Outdoor obstacle courses in public green spaces can provide appealing, effective, and free training equipment to the community to help increase physical activity. Review the theories of obstacle course training and guidelines for their design and installation.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    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.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    Louvers are functional elements that permit airflow and protect against water intrusion. Selecting the right louver for a project requires balancing multiple factors. This course provides an overview of the various types of louvers and their performance characteristics, the AMCA’s role in ensuring reliable, high-performing products, and relevant standards and testing protocols. Finish options, as well as installation, design, and structural considerations, are addressed. Guidance is provided on selecting and specifying appropriate louvers to meet project needs.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    The implementation of synthetic surfacing for leisure and performance applications is rapidly growing. Artificial materials such as synthetic turf (grass), synthetic green walls, and poured-in-place and court surfacing often outperform their natural counterparts. Additionally, increased safety standards and design expectations have accelerated innovation in the materials available to designers. This course outlines synthetic surfacing options and examines synthetic turf systems, detailing their design considerations, performance features, sustainability and health benefits, and associated return on investment (ROI).

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  • ( ~ 30 minutes ) 

    As synthetic turf systems evolve as functional and aesthetic landscape solutions, conversations about sustainability, particularly environmental impacts, are essential. This course addresses the sustainability of synthetic turf from the triple-bottom-line perspective: profit, people, and planet. Also discussed is how synthetic turf can contribute to achieving certification in LEED® v4.1 Building Design and Construction, Sustainable SITES Initiative® v2, and the WELL Building Standard™ version 2.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    Dancers and performers require a safe performance environment that minimizes the risk of injury. Hard sports floors and multipurpose stages have a strong risk of causing severe dance injuries that can affect a performer’s career. Choosing the wrong type of floor also carries the risk of extra costs down the road if it requires replacement. Sprung floors (also known as floating floor systems) are specifically designed for dance and other performance needs and provide a safer space to work. This course looks at the advantages of sprung floors and how they are used in performance venues. 

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  • ( ~ 1 hour, 15 minutes ) 

    A well-designed queuing system not only offers structure, efficiency, safety, and accessibility but also can enhance the aesthetics and visual appeal of an environment. This course presents an overview of the important factors that need to be considered when designing and specifying public queuing and pedestrian flow systems to facilitate a positive and orderly waiting experience.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    Fire safety and suppression are essential design features for building projects. This course explores how innovative water mist fire suppression systems can enhance occupant safety in homes while preserving aesthetics and minimizing water damage. Key design principles of electronically controlled water mist systems are examined, and their installation and maintenance are described. Also discussed is guidance for dealing with code officials when using these systems as an alternative to traditional fire sprinklers.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour, 15 minutes ) 

    Le besoin d’évaluer les ponts thermiques dans la conception et le rendement d’un bâtiment a gagné en importance en raison des exigences grandissantes en matière d’efficience énergétique des bâtiments. Ce cours sert d’introduction aux ponts thermiques, aux exigences du code de l’énergie et à l’usage de barrières thermiques conçues pour améliorer l’efficience énergétique de l’enveloppe du bâtiment.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    In today’s digitally interconnected world, data centers play an essential role in society and the global economy. Data centers have unique design needs to ensure security, reliability, efficiency, scalability, and sustainability. This course focuses on the exterior data center design requirements and examines how fiber-reinforced plastic (FRP) products contribute to more efficient facility construction, seamless maintenance, and long-term operational savings.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    The performance and durability of a roof are critical to the health, welfare, and safety of both building occupants and the building itself. This course examines the construction, materials, and best detailing practices that ensure the proper long-term performance of steep-pitch roofs. It describes and details layout options for assemblies of steep-pitch roofs and the key characteristics of roofing systems that help to prevent roof deterioration and damage. It then highlights best practices in detailing and constructing steep-pitch roof systems that mitigate water, ice, snow, fire, or wind damage to the roof.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    People are captivated by birds, and for many, they hold intrinsic value. However, millions of birds collide with glass every year, significantly impacting avian populations. This course examines the ecological services that birds perform that impact human wellness and safety and reviews how bird-friendly glass can mitigate collisions. Various bird-friendly glass examples are also identified, and design guidelines and existing legislation mandating bird-friendly buildings is discussed.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    Manufacturers, industry groups, architects, designers, and homeowners all share an expectation of safety in the buildings we occupy and use every day. This course discusses the key chapters where important exterior wall fire provisions can be found in the International Building Code® and examines many common features of global fire incidents. The course also describes the NFPA 285 fire test and discusses the new Annex B in the 2023 edition of NFPA 285. Finally, there is a discussion of the code compliance pathways when exterior walls are required by the IBC® to be tested and comply with NFPA 285.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    Wood is not only visually appealing; it plays a vital role in shaping acoustics. This course examines the acoustic properties of wood and its applications in wood-based architectural solutions, focusing on how acoustic wood products can help control noise in commercial and residential environments. Also reviewed is how these products support sustainable design objectives, including their role in meeting the criteria of the LEED® v5 Building Design and Construction and Interior Design and Construction rating systems, as well as the WELL Building Standard™ v2. The presentation features design strategies and case studies that illustrate the effectiveness of acoustic wood products in achieving superior performance.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    Incorporating sustainable building materials into design practices is essential for creating environmentally responsible, healthy, and resilient built environments. Thermal modification is a tested and proven chemical-free process for increasing the dimensional stability and long-term performance of wood while preserving its natural beauty. Presented are the thermal modification process, the attributes, applications, and favorable environmental impacts of thermally modified wood, and how thermally modified wood can contribute to achieving certification in LEED® v4.1 Building Design and Construction and Interior Design and Construction, Sustainable SITES Initiative® v2, the WELL Building Standard™ version 2, and the Living Building Challenge (LBC).

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  • ( ~ 1 hour, 30 minutes ) 

    Insulating concrete form (ICF) products use a cost-effective and robust structural material option (reinforced concrete) to turn a building envelope into a high-performing thermal, moisture, and air enclosure with disaster resistance and built-in compliance with energy code requirements. As a result of ICF performance, building owners can complete a whole structure with ICFs and reinforced concrete, including intermediate suspended floors, rooftops, and multistory designs. This course examines the advancements in ICF technology and discusses the potential contribution of ICFs to supporting improved sustainability and resilience.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    Insulated metal panels (IMPs) are lightweight composite exterior wall and roof panels with superior insulating properties. Commercial and industrial buildings benefit from their energy efficient insulation, lightweight construction, durability, and cost-effective, timely installation. This course discusses IMPs in terms of their design options, appropriate support structure, installation, function, code compliance, and warranties.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour, 15 minutes ) 

    Our built environment must be optimized to create comfortable and healthier spaces. Shading systems can be used to enhance our spaces by providing optimal daylight and comfort to create an ideal indoor environment. This course reviews the performance, aesthetics, and material health of various shadecloth compositions and how each factor contributes to the shadecloth selection process.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    The inherent properties of concrete masonry, including strength, durability, and fire safety, have been well documented, though a perception of high cost persists. Due to significant changes to codes and standards that increased the flexibility of concrete masonry structural design, this construction method may also offer cost-effective and energy-efficient alternative solutions. This course reviews changes to ASTM C90 and the masonry design standard and includes a discussion on the benefits and opportunities these requirements bring.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    Understanding building physics is critical to proper building envelope design. Examined here are practical concepts for the building designer, including how cladding systems perform across different climate zones and applications. Environmental control layers and hygrothermal loads are reviewed, as is the concept of perfect/universal wall design. The course focuses on how single-component insulated metal panels (IMPs) function as a perfect/universal wall, simplifying wall system design and installation.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    Modern hydronic radiator systems are an energy-efficient, healthy, and hygienic solution for residential and commercial applications. This course discusses the principles of radiant heating and panel radiators, and how to size panel radiators for residential applications.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    Just as healthcare providers strive to stop the spread of disease at its source in the body, so too are facilities trying to stop the source of waterborne viruses and bacteria before they get out of control. This course highlights the concerns and consequences of improper water delivery in healthcare facilities and discusses why they are embarking on a systems approach and using a monitoring system to manage water and infection control.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    In designing successful interior building spaces that positively impact their occupants, it is critical to have knowledge of the principles of acoustics and noise control and link them to design methodology. This course explores these principles, with a special emphasis on common building types where acoustics and noise control are often required and noise can have detrimental effects on users, such as athletic facilities and performance spaces.

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Displaying 1 - 25 of 603 results.

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