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This is your go-to source for free AIA-approved continuing education for architects. Plus, almost all our courses are delivered in streaming HD video. Registration is fast and easy, just click on Login/Register above. Then, you can enroll in any of our courses found in any of our programs with a single click. Our courses meet or exceed NCARB's high standards for state board license renewal. AIA member? Your credit will be reported to AIA for you.

Create Intelligent Buildings with Networked Lighting to Improve Tenant Overall Well-Being

This session will present how IoT lighting can be a fundamental platform for smart environments.  Well planned building integration allows a flexible, scalable lighting system to collect the data that ultimately brings more value to the building owner.

At the end of this course, participants will learn:

  1. Define IDA, light pollution, and related terms
  2. Identify the impacts of light pollution
  3. Demonstrate the difference between IDA and non-IDA lighting
  4. Assess the process of establishing IDA certification
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Sustainable Resiliency with Garden Roofs

Designing with green roofs affords design professionals opportunities to plan projects with exciting new elements, added value, and significant, tangible benefits, thereby enhancing the built environment with newly-created landscapes. This course examines green roof systems, including the types, benefits, components, and related standards. It also reviews a number of installations that demonstrate these principles.

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Improve Occupant Wellness and Productivity with Solar Shading Fabrics

Solar shading devices, while available in numerous weaves, textures, and colors, go beyond contributing to the aesthetics of a space. Specified correctly, solar shading devices can maximize daylighting benefits and contribute to occupant well-being, productivity, and engagement, while mitigating the detrimental effects of UV rays and glare.

Learning Objective 1:
Students will understand the benefits daylighting, including the psychological and physiological well-being of occupants, as well as its drawbacks, such as glare and solar heat gain

Learning Objective 2:
Students will become familiar with the types of solar shading fabrics available for use in commercial settings and their components, including operating systems, weave, color, and openness factor, and the ways in which these contribute to the control of daylighting.

Learning Objective 3:
Students will explore the benefits of solar shading devices that extend beyond light management, such as sound mitigation, sustainability, and antimicrobial properties.

Learning Objective 4:
Students will determine how to select the right fabric for an application, taking into account aesthetics and room conditions

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The Implications of Light Pollution and the Impact of IDA

This course will discuss light pollution and its relation to the International Dark-Sky Association. After taking this course, individuals will know the impacts of light pollution as well as the difference between IDA and non-IDA lighting.

At the end of this course, participants will learn:

  1. To define IDA, light pollution, and related terms
  2. To identify the impacts of light pollution
  3. To demonstrate the difference between IDA and non-IDA lighting
  4. To assess the process of establishing IDA certification
...Read More

Reducing Fire Risk at the Perimeter of High Rise Structures

High rise fires are not new to us. In fact, we have seen an increase in fire incidents in Asia, Europe, and the Middle East in the last 5-10 years that have amplified awareness on fire safety performance of taller structures. High rise buildings present a greater risk with an increased number of occupants that have a limited means of escape in the event of a fire. That is why the time element for containing a fire is so critical. Also, as we have seen in actual fires, vertical fire spread at the exterior façade can rapidly overwhelm fire fighters means of interceding the fire from ground level. As the fire accelerates and upward spread progresses, it often reaches a height beyond the reach of fire services water streams. That is why containing a fire and preventing it from spreading vertically is so critical for both occupant and first responder safety.

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Improving Water Conservation in High-Performance Buildings

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. 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.

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Egress Path Lighting & Emergency Lights ISO 502

This course is designed to introduce the architect to emergency lights. These lights are meant to be selected and installed according to specific standards established by building codes. Additionally, once installed, these systems must be tested to assure their efficacy in case of an emergency. How to select and specify the appropriate markers and the technological solutions available, as well as testing methods, will all be covered in this course.

HSW Justification:
The selection and implementation of a proper emergency lighting program is essential to the life safety of a building's occupants.

Learning Objective 1:
The student will understand egress signage obligations as imposed through building codes and standards.

Learning Objective 2:
The student will further understand the various technologies available to address those signage codes and standards.

Learning Objective 3:
The student will learn what the requirements are to conduct on-going testing of egress systems after installation.

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An Introduction to Custom Balanced Doors

This course will introduce you to the custom balanced door. You will learn about the system components and the differences between a Balanced door and a conventional hinged or pivoted swing door. Then we'll take a closer look at how a balanced door works in an installation. Finally you'll learn about the specific engineering requirements needed to accommodate balanced doors.

HSW Justification:
Balanced doors are safer than conventional doors because they require a smaller interference zone on the sidewalk. Also, they open with ease which benefits smaller people, weak or disabled persons, and the elderly. The majority of this course deals with those benefits and with the mechanical features of the door that make these health and safety benefits possible.

Learning Objective 1:
Understand the differences between the balanced door and a conventional hinged or pivoted swing door

Learning Objective 2:
Know specific requirements for ADA handicap guidelines LO 5: Understand how the balanced door interfaces with power operation LO 6: Understand specific engineering requirements to accommodate balanced doors

Learning Objective 3:
Understand what components make up a typical balanced door system

Learning Objective 4:
Know how the design concept works in an actual installation

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