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 599 results.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    Roofing technologies have come a long way from labor-intensive BUR systems that achieved watertightness through redundancy. Today’s single-ply membranes are thin, light and reliable, and installation is safe and efficient. This course focuses on thermoplastic single-plies, particularly those that are PVC based, and explores their benefits and limitations as well as the important factors to consider when selecting a roof system, ranging from fastening techniques to warranties to sustainability.

  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    Insulated vinyl siding, known as insulated siding, is an exterior cladding that combines the protection and low maintenance of traditional vinyl siding with the energy efficiency of EPS foam. The composite results in an improvement in performance and aesthetics. This course discusses the benefits associated with installing insulated siding on new and renovation residential construction projects, and the range of architectural styles that can be achieved with the breadth of design and color options available.

  • ( ~ 1 hour, 30 minutes ) 

    The parking component of a development is typically considered a “necessity,” but have you considered how much the first and last impressions count? This course shows how automated technology turns parking into an all-around winning proposition through increased ROI, unsurpassed safety for drivers and vehicles, sustainable design with a drastically reduced environmental footprint, and a premium valet experience.

  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    Megatrends are long-term global trends that impact societies in complex ways, including design of the built environment. This course examines seven megatrends and how they may inspire kitchen and bath designers to create accessible, diverse, and sustainable solutions to the social and environmental issues our society faces.

  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    Lighting is one of the most influential elements of the indoor environment, with far-reaching effects on the human body, mind, and spirit. For architects, designing spaces prioritizing natural light is critical to fostering comfort, productivity, and well-being. This course explores the health and wellness benefits of tubular daylighting systems and their role in creating healthier, more sustainable indoor environments. Also noted are applicable credits in the LEED® v5 Building Design and Construction and Interior Design and Construction rating systems and features in the WELL Building Standard™ version 2. The course concludes with a review of several case studies.

  • ( ~ 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.

  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    Creating a quieter, more comfortable building starts with a focus on windows and doors, the weakest links in the building envelope for sound transmission. This course covers the elements of sound, the metrics used to measure sound attenuation, and the glazing and installation options best suited for an effective sound control strategy.

  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    Seattle has ranked among the country’s fastest-growing cities since the mid-1990s, causing gentrification and displacement of vulnerable communities. For example, African Americans accounted for 73 percent of Seattle’s Central District (CD) population in 1970 and have fallen to less than 14 percent today. As a result, Black churches in the CD face difficult decisions about whether to stay or relocate. However, the churches own property and other assets and, working as a network, could mitigate this gentrification and displacement through strategic real estate development. This vision is advanced by the Nehemiah Initiative Seattle, a collaboration focused on developing the significant real estate assets of Black churches to stabilize and benefit the CD’s African American community. Since 2019, the Nehemiah Initiative has been collaborating with the College of Built Environments at the University of Washington through a series of interdisciplinary design studios focused on this vision. This presentation provides a brief history of Seattle’s Central District, an overview of the Nehemiah Initiative, and the mutual benefits of collaboration between the academy and the community.

  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    Custom window products include a range of products, from truly one-of-a-kind fabrications to customizable components. This course takes a detailed look at what design options are available to the architect in premium and luxury window products. Installation and performance issues pertaining to large window combinations are also discussed, as well as recommended solutions and mitigation strategies for structural and water infiltration challenges.

  • ( ~ 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. 

  • ( ~ 1 hour, 30 minutes ) 

    Metals are ubiquitous in today’s hardscape and are used in a variety of applications. This course reviews the important considerations related to the proper material, finish, and manufacturing technique to meet the function, aesthetic, and budget of metal designs for hardscape applications.

  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    Infrared patio heaters sustainably increase safety and comfort in outdoor entertaining areas. There are many variables in creating ambient warmth, and the effectiveness and cost of heating an outdoor space depend on the design of the selected heating option. This course looks at the available outdoor heating options and their sustainability profiles, focusing on the types, color choices, mounting methods, and control options of electric infrared heaters. It includes a review of the steps required to select the best solution.

  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    Perforated Metal, Expanded Metal, and Wire Mesh combine aesthetics, durability, and functionality. Although each product is distinct with unique characteristics, they have similar properties that provide light and sound diffusion, security, strength, and durability. This course provides a review of the characteristics and architectural applications of these products, the different materials in them, and how they achieve a safe work environment.

  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    New technology and improvements in masonry veneer installation can help your team save time and money in the construction process while providing superior results. In this course, you'll learn how cutting-edge technology is helping masons move beyond traditional lath and scratch and be introduced to the principles behind enhanced masonry veneer installation systems (EMVIS). Learn how to create permanent, high-strength installations for residential, commercial, and industrial applications using EMVIS with fortified mortars and innovative waterproofing barrier membranes that protect against air and water penetration.

  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    Various control strategies are used to prevent rain from penetrating a building envelope and entering a building assembly. This course compares exterior wall metal cladding systems and takes an in-depth look at the design options, testing, specifications, environmental implications, and the detailing of single-skin metal panel systems as used in a pressure-equalized rainscreen (PER) application.

  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    Daylighting has traditionally been considered a functional way to bring natural light into building design. This course explores innovative applications of daylighting using various methods to deliver natural light into spaces and create visually appealing natural lighting as part of an overall design. It also examines daylighting strategies, considerations, and material options for successful project planning. By incorporating daylighting into projects, architects can create innovative environments that meet the sustainability goals of the building and the health, safety, and welfare needs of its occupants. Applicable credits and features in the LEED® v4.1 Building Design and Construction rating system and the WELL Building Standard™ version 2 are noted.

  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    Adequate water consumption is essential to human health, and many turn to bottled water for convenience or out of concerns about the public drinking water supply. But bottled water presents its own water quality issues along with environmental impacts of disposable plastic bottles. This course explores bottle-filling stations that offer safer, convenient, sustainable hydration in a wide range of applications. Also reviewed are the features, benefits, and installation options of bottle-filling stations and how they contribute to drinking water requirements in the WELL Building Standard™ (WELL™) version 2.

  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    This course provides an overview of the industry standards and code references for flashing materials used in the installation of windows and doors. The code-referenced material standards for window and door flashings are summarized and compared, and the standard installation practices developed by the three main fenestration industry organizations are reviewed. Applications of the window and door installation standards and principles are shown using standard flashing materials with a focus on commercial and multifamily buildings.

  • ( ~ 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.

  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    Power and charging needs in hotels, offices, and lobbies have changed due to emerging trends in how people use their electronic devices. Modern users require more and better access to charging. This need combined with the rise of the USB-Type C Standard, new furniture-based power technology, and the challenges of open space design requires designers to apply a new strategy for power/charging outlets. This course discusses how to employ furniture power distribution units (FPDUs) to meet the needs of users, hotel operators, and facility managers.

  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    Thermal modification is a tried and tested process for increasing the durability of wood while maintaining a warm aesthetic in building design. This course examines all aspects of this sustainable wood product and how it can be incorporated into a variety of projects.

  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    Resiliency is a growing necessity. It is important to understand the impacts on the built environment resulting from natural and manmade disasters and disturbances and to design for those impacts now. Presented in this course is an overview of the benefits of using steel doors as part of a resilient design strategy for applications requiring resistance to blasts, tornadoes, and ballistics.

  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    Stairs are an important component in buildings, facilitating traffic flow and serving as a means of egress in emergencies. They can also pose a safety risk if not designed and outfitted properly. In this course, we address the safety aspects of stair design and specification, providing an overview of anti-slip products for new and existing stairways. Also discussed are the various codes and standards related to stair design and photoluminescent egress path markings and the available solutions to ensure code compliance and the subsequent well-being of users. Finally, we look at installation and anchorage options.

  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    With the ever-increasing focus on the sustainable built environment, building owners, architects, engineers, and contractors are incorporating structural steel into their designs. Presented here is a comprehensive view of the cradle-to-cradle structural steel supply chain from a sustainability perspective. Also discussed are steel production and design, steel’s potential contribution to LEED v4 credits, thermal capacity, and the environmental and life cycle benefits of prefabricated fireproof steel columns.

  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    With office vacancies rising amid changes in technology and the growth of working from home during the COVID pandemic, the practice of converting office buildings into residential spaces such as apartments, condominiums, and hotels has been embraced by communities and all levels of government as a solution to the housing crisis. This course examines the factors behind these conversions, with emphasis on the use of in-wall toilet systems as a solution to design, economic, and sustainability concerns.

Displaying 1 - 25 of 599 results.

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