Construction Continuing EducationCourses
 

Courses are approved for HSW and LU's credit for licensing renewal for Architect's and Engineer's.

Course Details

Blueprint Reading - LUs: 3

This course will cover the basic components of reading and understanding design and construction blueprints and plans. Topics will include types of construction documents, why construction documents are needed, layout of construction documents, drawing symbols, ortographic projections, sectional views and details, diagrams, schedules and their use, site plans, specifications, and  reproduction of drawings.  NOTE: This course satisfies HSW requirements.

Bidding & Budgeting Construction Projects - LUs: 6

Course will focus on the true forces that drive the bidding environment.  Economical (macro and micro) considerations, identification of competition, logistics, schedule, clarity and coordination of drawings, payment terms and other important factors that are regarded by contractors as dollar-impact decision drivers.  The differences between private and separate bidding.  How to create a detailed bid package and separate contracts.  Analyzing and qualifying bidders in the public and private forum and what legalities are involved (ie: what you can do and can’t do).  *NOTE: This course satisfies HSW requirements.

Stucco/E.I.F.S. Fundamentals - LU’s:7

This seminar examines in-depth the variety of systems/components used for both Portland Cement Plaster (Stucco) and Synthetic Plaster (E.I.F.S.) exterior cladding applications. The main topic of discussion will be the issue of moisture penetration of the building envelope when Stucco and/or E.I.F.S. (Exterior Insulating & Finishing Systems) are used as the exterior finish material/system.

The morning session discusses traditional, time-tested Stucco while the afternoon session is devoted to E.I.F.S. Though E.I.F.S. has gained widespread use in North America over the past two decades, it has been the subject of much debate, litigation and controversy.

Participants will gain knowledge of how moisture penetrates the building envelope, detailing for good design and avoidance of common errors, the role of building codes and barrier vs. drainage systems. *NOTE: This course satisfies HSW requirements.

Sustainability & Design - LU’s:7

Visionary Buckminster Fuller dreamt of a world where intelligent, ecological design would create an enlightened built environment that would not only be self-sustaining but, also, economical and practical. His vision of this brave new world; a world which, by its very design precepts, was sustainable is now being realized. The pre-eminence of sustainable or “green” design and construction practices, nurtured to maturity by the green building movement and the rise of the Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED) program, has made this dream a reality. From passive solar designs to structures which literally use the waste products of society to build with to the recognition/revival of ancient building techniques, the sustainable design revolution is the future and the future is now.  *NOTE: This course satisfies HSW requirements

Construction Cost Estimating: An Overview - LU’s:7

Estimating is often referred to as “The Bridge” between the 2-dimensional world of design and the 3-dimensional world of construction. This day-long seminar provides the participant a generic understanding of the complex process by which cost is determined for a building project. Both major aspects of construction cost estimating are discussed: General Contractor/Construction (Macro) and Sub/Trade Contractor/Construction (Micro).  The first half of the seminar discusses the Macro or General Contractor aspects of estimating including: The profession of estimating, Types of estimates & estimators, Role/attributes of an estimator, Industry hierarchy & the bidding process, The decision to bid: Internal & External review of factors, and Cost of work: Direct & Indirect cost factors.  The second half of the seminar discusses the Micro or Sub/Trade Contractor aspects of estimating including: Scope of work, Unit & Alternate pricing, Allowances, Long-lead considerations, Value engineering, Revision & addenda / logging & recording the bid documents, Familiarization & referencing techniques, The Quantity Survey, and Cost Analysis. *NOTE: This course satisfies HSW requirements.

Building Green - LU’s:7

This day-long seminar provides an in-depth examination/discussion of the “Green Building” phenomenon from a generic perspective. Using the U.S. Green Building Council’s (USGBC) LEED (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design) green building rating/certification program as the basis by which this understanding will be achieved, the seminar highlights the: Environmental, Economic, Heath & Safety, Community, and Productivity benefits derived from Environmentally Sustainable/Responsible Design & Construction.  Topics of discussion include: Why build green?: the need, purpose & growth of the green building movement, The LEED program’s: history, purpose, growth, format, future, and the five major aspects/components by which credits are achieved towards LEED certification. *NOTE: This course satisfies HSW requirements.