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 604 results.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    Net zero energy ready buildings are a popular topic in today's world of climate change. This course explores how energy efficiency has expanded toward exterior wall assemblies, where thermal bridging and thermally broken subframing systems are becoming the new norm.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    Perforated metal panels combine functionality and aesthetics for a wide range of structures, from parking garages to schools, hospitals, office buildings, and more. This course reviews the many options for types of metal and finishes, attachment methods, and perforations, including custom designs and imaging. Application examples and case studies explore how perforated metal panels can be used as unique facades that offer ventilation, shading, safety, and concealment while creating striking aesthetics that enhance building design.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    This course examines bamboo as a sustainable construction material by focusing on its properties, environmental advantages, and innovative applications. Participants will explore responsible sourcing, manufacturing practices, and key certifications. The course also covers advanced products such as thermally modified and high-density bamboo. Professionals will gain the knowledge required to integrate bamboo into projects that align with performance and sustainability standards.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    The demand for mass timber construction has increased significantly in recent years due to its numerous benefits, including sustainability, strength, faster construction times, cost savings, and a natural wood aesthetic. However, a major drawback of mass timber construction is its poor acoustical performance. This course examines the various mass timber construction types and provides acoustical solutions to meet and surpass building codes.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    Building a stronger connection with nature is critical for humans to maintain health and well-being. Composite wood decking is a durable, environmentally sustainable product that can help build links with nature through applications including home outdoor rooms, roof gardens, healing spaces, and public boardwalks in green spaces.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    Well-designed and detailed skylight systems can significantly improve both building and occupant performance. This course explores the benefits, techniques, and importance of daylighting systems that utilize high-performance skylights to optimize daylighting benefits, avoid negative impacts, and contribute positively to building, occupant, and envelope performance. It examines how daylighting with skylights can help meet the requirements of the LEED® v4.1 Building Design and Construction and Interior Design and Construction rating systems and the WELL v2 Building Standard™.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    Stormwater management is critical in an era when severe storms and sewer overflows are increasing in many areas. In urban contexts where open space is at a premium, using on-structure bioretention planters can be the ideal approach. This course explores the benefits of bioretention and how bioretention planters reduce peak flows and improve water quality. The course also discusses how bioretention planters should be designed, can perform as amenities, and contribute to meeting the requirements of green building certification programs.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    In commercial, industrial, and parking structures, it is important to use doors that can provide speed, safety, separation, and security. High-performance roll-up doors provide all these elements better than conventional doors. This course provides an in-depth discussion of the different types of high-performance doors—fabric, rigid, and rubber—along with their benefits and functions in different applications. The design and installation considerations for using these doors are also discussed.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour, 15 minutes ) 

    In the 1920s, aluminum turned the world of metals upside down with its benefits of light weight, strength, fabrication flexibility, and durability. Since then, finishing technology has provided a steady stream of protection and coloring improvements. This course explores the sustainability of aluminum, the anodizing process, and the performance characteristics of architectural anodized aluminum. It includes information to assist in the selection and specification of architectural anodized finishes for aluminum sheet, extrusions, and panels.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    The beaches and proximity to the Atlantic Ocean are some of the advantages of living in Florida. However, the extreme wind forces from hurricanes can easily damage even the strongest buildings and cause billions of dollars in property loss. As a result, certain areas of Florida―Miami-Dade and Broward Counties—have been designated High Velocity Hurricane Zones. The building products used in these zones must be laboratory tested to meet extreme wind and pressure performance standards. This course explains why a metal roof system designed to minimize the damage from hurricanes is important.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour, 15 minutes ) 

    There is an extremely wide array of coated or composite fabrics available on the market, each type formulated for specific uses and with different levels of performance and quality. To assist in the decision-making process, standards have been developed to show product performance, facilitate quality control, and assure designers that the product they are specifying is suitable for normal commercial use. This course briefly outlines the history, properties, and uses of coated fabrics, the intent and content of one coated fabric standard, and the testing protocols that support it.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    The reasons for and benefits of adopting STEP have become increasingly clear as both national and international communities continue in their efforts to transition from dirty fuel sources to renewable ones. This course reviews the various systems and strategies that enable STEP, such as smart grids and microgrids, and explores strategies that STEP enables, such as integrated design processes, efficient water management, and energy innovation.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    Vinyl is suitable for many building materials and is often the best selection when durability, aesthetics, and value are vital. This course is intended to help designers and specifiers make the most informed decisions about vinyl product selection. It describes the realities and improvements of today’s vinyl product manufacturing, discusses the latest information about the safety and sustainability of vinyl products, and presents a verification standard for responsible vinyl manufacturing.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    Asphaltic-rubber membranes play a crucial role in the successful implementation of below-grade foundation waterproofing by forming a monolithic, flexible layer that protects the foundation and supports its long-term structural integrity. Presented is an overview of dampproofing and waterproofing, preparation requirements for foundation design, hydrostatic pressure, and positive- and negative-side waterproofing. Also discussed are the design of below-grade, vertical foundation waterproofing applications and guidelines for proper specifications. The course compares waterproofing membrane technologies and addresses insulation, drainage, and backfill requirements.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    In applications where wood may be exposed to moisture, insects, or fungal organisms, preservative-treated wood can ensure a project’s durability. This course reviews: the manufacturing process for pressure-treated wood; types of preservative treatments and the required levels of retention as dictated by the end-use application, desired service life, and exposure conditions; American Wood Protection Association (AWPA) Use Category standards; current issues concerning preserved wood in residential and commercial construction; and Best Management Practices (BMPs) for aquatic uses.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    Falls are responsible for more open wounds, fractures, and brain injuries than any other cause of injury. Photoluminescent (PL) exit path markers have proven to provide safe and quick egress in all light conditions for occupants and fail-safe guidance to first responders entering unfamiliar surroundings in the event of an emergency. This course discusses the benefits of PL safety products and the codes and testing standards related to PL way-finding systems.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour, 15 minutes ) 

    Specifying door products that are durable enough to withstand the rigorous demands of high-traffic applications in the healthcare and hospitality industries is crucial to the long-term success of each installation. This course reviews traditional doorway materials and doorway protection options, and provides design solutions that utilize engineered polyethylene terephthalate (PETG) components that extend the life of the door assembly and minimize health and safety issues for the building occupants.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    This course explores how understanding disability can guide the creation of accessible and inclusive spaces. It examines access opportunities in educational and public environments, with an emphasis on strategies that go beyond code compliance. These approaches can help meet credit requirements in the LEED® v5 Building Design and Construction and Interior Design and Construction rating systems and the WELL Building Standard™ version 2 by improving usability, promoting occupant well-being, and reducing long-term barriers through design solutions.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour, 15 minutes ) 

    Universal design is not a new concept; however, it is time for a paradigm shift. Considering ADA design, universal design, and living in place, should designers now be offering universal design solutions to all clients, regardless of age or ability? This course reviews both ADA and universal design guidelines and discusses compelling reasons for recommending universal design in your kitchen and bathroom projects. Various kitchen and bathroom applications are discussed in detail.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour, 15 minutes ) 

    Secret doors and spaces have been used throughout history to protect valuables, hide people, conceal activities, and provide amusement. This course examines some historic examples before discussing contemporary uses for hidden doors and rooms. Suggested design strategies and hardware specifications are discussed, and safety guidelines, common design mistakes that might expose the existence of a secret door, and some inspirational case studies are reviewed.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    Today—as climate change, population growth, and record droughts present an unprecedented strain on our water supply—conservation technology is building awareness to the importance of having the most water efficient fixtures in a home or business. This course recognizes the flush toilet as one of the biggest users of water and discusses how toilet design is pushing flush technology to develop ways for homes and commercial buildings to conserve water without sacrificing the performance of the toilet. Industry testing protocols and the water-saving capabilities of different technologies are evaluated.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    Now more than ever, the environmental impacts of products used in construction are a worldwide concern and one that the architecture and design (A&D) community is being asked to address in their work. Environmental product declarations (EPDs) are powerful tools when choosing materials for commercial projects. This course discusses how, where, and why to use EPDs to inform sustainable product selection and specification decisions and how EPDs are incorporated into key green building rating systems and codes, including LEED® v4.1 Building Design and Construction (BD+C) and Interior Design and Construction (ID+C), Green Globes® for New Construction (NC), and the International Green Construction Code® (IgCC®).

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  • ( ~ 1 hour, 15 minutes ) 

    Insulation can help increase overall energy efficiency, minimize the spread of fire, manage risks associated with moisture and mold, and improve occupant comfort. Choosing the right insulation and putting it in the right location is becoming one of the most important decisions in design, construction, and retrofit. Reviewed in this course are the features, benefits, and design and installation considerations related to mineral wool continuous insulation.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    Third-party environmental product declarations (EPDs), using a life-cycle analysis (LCA) approach, provide a comprehensive analysis and quantification of a product’s sustainability. This course examines how EPDs can inform sustainable site furniture selection and how the use of sustainable site furniture can contribute to meeting various credit requirements of LEED® v4.1 Building Design and Construction, Sustainable SITES Initiative® v2, and the WELL Building Standard™ version 2.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    FRP products are not only an ideal alternative to traditional building materials, but in certain applications, they should be the only choice. This course demonstrates the value of FRP‘s core features of corrosion resistance, nonconductivity, and overall lighter weight than steel by up to 70%. The additional primary properties and benefits of FRP are also discussed, showing how FRP can enhance project design, speed up installation, and solve challenges in numerous industries.

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Displaying 1 - 25 of 604 results.

FIRST [1-25] [26-50] [51-75] [76-100] [101-125] NEXT LAST