Free Courses by CSI Division

In this course, we will gain insight into the growing need for and use of fire retardant treated wood (FRTW). We will explore both interior and exterior FRTW and discuss treatment options. Through a review of applications, codes and standards, the design professional will have a better understanding of how to incorporate...

In this course, we will familiarize attendees with styles and trends within railing systems and discuss how railing material choices affect safety, appearance, and future maintenance. The design professional will learn about code compliance and how product standardization helps to meet regulatory goals.

We will...

Gain insight into the makeup and characteristics of laminated timber columns and compare to other alternatives. Understand the importance of materials selection, production process, and testing.

This one-hour course examines the considerations needed during the design phase when selecting surface materials in order to help mitigate bacteria and provide easier cleanability within healthcare facilities. A deep look into microbes provides insight into the challenges and dangers of poorly selected surfaces. Various...

This one-hour course examines the use of solid surfaces to help design professionals realize the versatility this modern, sleek product now offers. Applications of trend-setting solid surfaces are explored in a variety of applications including healthcare, commercial, retail, and educational industries. A comparison of o...

This course will provide a brief overview of Low-Slope Roof Systems to provide the necessary background to discuss cover boards & thermal barriers.  The various cover board types and reasons for their use will be described. Each board type will be discussed along with their primary features, benefits & challenge...

This course will cover types of fasteners for rooftop applications. You will learn how to identify both roof decks and roof fasteners and the best practices for matching them together. You will discover key characteristics of fasteners and roofs to use in your everyday roof projects.

Explore different architectural cladding options. Discover how aluminum composite material (ACM) panels and metal composite material (MCM) panels have broadened architectural horizons, providing weatherability, fire resistance, long service life, and design flexibility.

This course encourages participants to think outside the box and consider using polymer cladding as a material to create aesthetic, enduring, and moisture resistant rainscreens that will better protect buildings and its occupants. We will discuss other more commonly used products and the issues faced with each. We will a...

Explore MCM and ACM panels along with the different types of paint finish systems that include solid colors, prismatic finishes, faux finishes, and more. With an emphasis on new fluoropolymer technology, gain insight into finish standards and testing as well as how the makeup and application of each finish type affects i...

Heavy snow, while perfect for skiing and snowball fights, is less than ideal when it glaciates and moves on roofs. Despite the many damages that snow and ice moving on roofs can cause to a building and its occupants, there are currently no codes or standards for snow retention systems in the United States or Canada. Join...

This course will explain the benefits of roof hatch & smoke vent design and life safety. The designer will have a better understanding of code regulations for life safety and will be able to properly size and place vents in accordance with these codes.

This course will help the designer to correctly determine the proper specification for building movement joints. Selecting, designing, detailing and specifying building joints is a complex task which can be simplified by following a logical process to first determine joint requirements, location and type. Once we know th...

Define the basic properties of SPF and be able to list the general benefits of using ccSPF systems for masonry wall insulation, air barrier, and water sealing. Learn about the installation methods of ccSPF systems and be able to visualize the applications and projects of closed cell spray polyurethane foams.

Rain is one of the most important things to control in wall construction for both a building’s structural integrity and the occupants’ health. Join us in this one-hour course as we discuss the basic building science of moisture management and sustainable rainscreen systems. Participants will gain a new understanding of p...

Stucco assemblies are a popular choice but require proper detailing to avoid problems that can arise from water infiltration. Join us in this one-hour course as we discuss the new IBC 2021 25.10.1 and 25.10.2 Water Resistive Barrier (WRB) and drainage mat requirement, including how to evaluate a project’s environment to...