The ABCs of CEUs for Metal Architecture
By Senior Editor Mark Robins,
Posted
06/05/2012
The knowledge behind gaining knowledge of metal
architecture
Almost every architect is familiar with the requirements for
continuing education to maintain professional standing in the
profession. The American Institute of
Architects (AIA) is one of the leading movers and shakers of
continuing education in the construction industry.
The basis for proof of ongoing education is the continuing
education unit (CEU), which is a unit of credit equal to 10 hours
of participation in an accredited program designed for
professionals with certificates or licenses to practice various
professions. The annual number of CEUs required varies by state and
profession. Colleges, universities, or any association, company or
organization that is willing and able to meet the standards
established for a particular industry may be accredited to award
official CEUs.
"CEU programs provide unbiased, science-based learning
opportunities to increase architects' knowledge to deliver
high-performance and durable metal buildings for years to come,"
says Doug Todd, market manager of commercial construction at Dow Building Solutions,
Midland, Mich.
How an architect benefits
A basic CEU on metal identifies conditions where metal is
appropriate for existing and new structures, and explores the
characteristics, features and benefits of metal for architectural
and structural design. Architects can quickly learn about the
different kinds of metal systems and the important details of those
systems. Many metal-focused CEUs available today go well beyond
metal construction basics to cover specific topics such as
retrofit, alternative energy, sustainability, energy savings and
value engineering.
"Continuing education courses about metal construction,
including cold-formed steel framing, can benefit architects wanting
information about new installation systems, best construction
practices, environmental benefits and available engineering
services that assist with specification," says Robert Warr, PE,
LEED AP, director of engineering services at ClarkDietrich
Engineering Services in Atlanta. "In today's economy, it is
important for architects to collect and disseminate new information
about products and services that can be shared with general
contractors. By regularly participating in CEUs that offer
meaningful content, architects can increase the service they
provide to clients and bring new ideas to the table when discussing
projects."
Architects can learn about very specific component parts that
they can take back and use in their professional lives. "In metal
roofing, it's important to understand metal roof details around
valleys, ridges, gables, eaves and peaks," says Tony Newman,
director of sales at Englert
Inc., Perth Amboy, N.J. "Architects also get a good sense of
the kinds of metals used and why, and the different kinds of
coatings and their benefits, features and even their downsides.
"Special CEUs, like those on wind uplift, can familiarize
architects with design conditions when using metal in high-wind
environments including wind-uplift building codes and
recommendations. CEUs on metal retrofit are valuable to architects
and building owners faced with maintaining aging properties.
Similarly, CEUs on sustainability and alternative energy are useful
to architects and owners looking for ways to reduce energy costs
over the long term." Jeff Steiner, architect at JLG Architects in Grand
Forks, N.D., believes the increased knowledge gained by CEUs leads
to fewer problems and boosts architects' confidence in their
ability to do their job correctly.
"Metal siding that used to be seen as utilitarian has really
become mainstream aesthetically. With the increasing use of metal,
particularly its use in challenging forms and geometries,
architects benefit greatly from the industry's experience with
proper installation detailing. Also, industry representatives are
often helpful in illustrating pitfalls to avoid."
CEUs teach current techniques
Architects benefit from CEUs by learning current techniques,
technologies and regulations, and staying abreast of the current
developments and the various procedures to have successful
projects. "Architects benefit from continuing education because it
brings them up to speed on the knowledge base of the materials,"
says Dan Nicely, director of market development at Umicore Building Products USA
Inc. in Raleigh, N.C. "Even though these materials are old and
have been used for countless decades and in some cases centuries,
there are changes that take place in availability, colors, textures
and systems."
These changes and new developments in the metal industry have a
major impact on the longevity, construction costs, energy costs and
maintenance costs of a new building or renovation. "Earning the
credits keeps me up-to-date with new product options," says Ted
Haug, AIA, LEED AP, design principal at Legat Architects Inc. in Chicago.
"With the wide variety of metal finishes, colors and applications
available, it becomes necessary to participate in continuing
education. Educated and informed architects have a better
understanding of how to use metal panel products to their full
potential."
Brian P. Fredley, Associate AIA and president of BPF Design Inc. in Daytona Beach,
Fla., agrees, saying: "The benefit is to understand the material
and products that are currently available, and how these materials
are used and applied to our projects. Understanding the details,
cost efficiencies and other aspects of metal allows us to design
more innovative buildings. We personally like courses in
pre-engineered metal buildings, roof systems and components. We
also have benefited from envelope or metal skin seminars that
display all the latest products for roofs and wall sheathing as
well as fasteners."
How the industry benefits
The entire metal architecture industry benefits from having
CEU-accredited architects. "To continue to grow the use of metal
building products over alternative materials, we must educate
architects on the materials available, proper use of materials and
innovative solutions that are available," says Rick Brow, director
of marketing at CENTRIA, Moon
Township, Pa. "Creative continuing education programs on metal
materials can inspire architects to use more metal materials in
their designs and help fulfill the industry's desire to grow the
use of metal materials."
A better educated metal industry means better metal designs and
installations. Better metal designs are the best way to promote
metal systems. "The metal architecture industry benefits from
having CEU-credited architects by having advocates for their
product being employed in new project and renovation designs that
in turn become an economic partnership for continued commerce,"
says Fredley.
Daisy Lilley, marketing manager at Fabral, Lancaster, Pa., insists that
architects up-to-date with the latest technical and specification
information can ensure their designs meet the highest performance
standards and aid in awareness of metal architecture. "Offering
continuing education classes adds tremendous credibility to the
metal industry," she says. "In a sense, they validate metal,
performance and design-wise, as a viable product for architects to
consider. The metal industry employs many industry leading
individuals and by offering high-quality education classes we
communicate the professionalism of the metal industry and showcase
the industry itself."
Useful and popular classes
Metal architecture-based CEU classes range from the "Basics of
Metal Roofing" to "Energy Efficiency Through the Use of Metal
Roofing and Wall Systems." They are very popular and useful based
on the audiences' experience.
Lilley says classes such as "Integrated Solar Roofing" and
"Energy Efficiency Through the Use of Metal Roofing and Wall
Systems" CEUs are very popular now because they both address topics
that are "top-of-mind" for many designers. Additionally, the
"Energy Efficiency Through the Use of Metal Roofing and Wall
Systems" CEU specifically addresses the benefits of phase-change
materials integrated with metal building envelope systems,
something Lilley says is of real interest to architects.
A new and interesting CEU topic focusing on the emergence of the
IgCC-the International Green Construction Code and its impact on
green construction practices here and abroad-is in demand. Also, a
topic that continues to be very popular with architects is
sustainable design. "The sustainable design credits are more and
more critical as architects and manufacturers become more green and
more sustainable to the environment and the buildings they are
putting together," Nicely says.
Jim Bush, vice president of sales at ATAS International Inc., Allentown,
Pa., agrees, saying: "A hot button is sustainable tracks that
address sustainability in construction. How metal can be
incorporated into sustainable design, from solar technologies to
air barriers, to creating more energy-efficient buildings. Most
architects I have met encourage these types of programs. They
welcome the opportunity for exposure to multiple products, I have
seen a rise in energy-efficiency tracks. Whether or not their
buildings are implanting those technologies, everybody loves to
learn about those technologies."
Health, safety and welfare (HSW) CEUs in architecture are very
popular and relevant. Their course content consists of anything
that relates to the structural integrity or soundness of a building
or building site. Health aspects of architecture have salutary
effects among users of buildings or sites and address environmental
concerns. Safety aspects of architecture intend to limit or prevent
accidental injury or death among users of the buildings or sites.
Welfare aspects of architecture engender demonstrable positive
emotional responses among, or enable equal access by, users of
buildings or sites.
Huag says he is always interested
in courses that allow him to investigate new aesthetic
possibilities for metal projects. "I have frequently applied the
knowledge gained in courses related to finishes and profiles to my
own projects," he says. Brow says he has found that architects love
to see design-oriented CEU programs. "We have found that
architects, in general, want programs that can qualify for both HSW
and sustainability design credits." Architects not only benefit
from current technologies and procedures, but many feel business
principles pertaining to metal architecture could be helpful.
"CEUs could be of benefit if they actually taught professionals
better business practices, prepared young professionals to take on
more responsibility, taught how to manage larger, more complex
commissions, dealt with ever-changing business environments and
laws, prepared them to react properly and professionally to a
challenge when they arises, and taught them how to teach others to
grow and be better mentors," says Tony Cosentino, project design
coordinator at Perini Building
Co., Henderson, Nev.
AIA is top teacher
Manufacturer-sponsored and AIA-approved CEUs are the most common
way to learn about metal industry developments and the niche metal
markets of concern to architects. The AIA Continuing Education
System (also known as AIA/CES) is a thriving, multifaceted,
lifelong professional development program and the largest source of
education specifically targeted to the design and building
industry. This program was developed by the AIA to help members
meet their state mandatory continuing education (MCE) requirements
and to help them fulfill their AIA continuing education requirement
for membership renewal. Most state licensing boards with MCE
requirements recognize AIA/CES as the primary source of continuing
education for their licensed architects.
"In addition, AIA/CES tracks continuing education courses taken
by members and records them on their AIA transcripts as a service
and as a benefit of AIA membership," says Richard L. Hayes, Ph.D.,
CAE, AIA and director of knowledge resources at Washington,
D.C.-based AIA, "AIA/CES enables architects to keep current, master
new knowledge and skills, plan for the future, and responsibly meet
the role society entrusts to a professional architect.
The program also allows members to fulfill a requirement for AIA
membership and meet any state mandatory continuing education
requirements. In this role, the program has the potential to be a
primary force in the advancement of our profession."
The AIA has developed a network of more than 2,000 educational
providers made up of AIA chapters, affiliate organizations, firms,
manufacturers, universities, non-profit organizations and
government agencies. A search for courses by topic area and by
provider in the AIA may reveal a course specific to a particular
need via an online course directory. This system allows architects
to determine in what areas they need to become better educated.
"AIA members and other architects licensed in states with [MCE]
requirements for license renewal are required to complete a minimum
number of hours of HSW-related training," Hayes says. "AIA members
are required to take 12 learning unit (LU) hours of continuing
education per year in approved HSW topics."
In-person versus online
With online continuing education, you can gain CEUs from
anywhere in the world while you are sitting in your own home. With
in-person "live" education, you get spontaneous interaction and
instantaneous responses to questions. Which mode of education
delivery is best? It depends on who you talk to. "Online seminars
seem to be the preferred choice; it has the obvious advantage of
convenience," says Steiner. "No doubt this trend will
continue."
Dow Building Solutions has recently introduced webinars and will
continue to support this type of continuous education with sessions
planned on metal buildings. "Our experience with webinars has been
overwhelmingly favorable," Todd says. "With live presenters
officiating, attendees can easily log in, watch the training
session, download any supporting documentations such as CAD details
or specifications, and ask any questions during the live session.
An additional feature is it permits on-demand webinars where
participants can log in later or even re-watch a webinar."
But as an architect, Fredley prefers
live education. "It is more meaningful and memorable," he says. "To
be able to listen to someone who has experience in the field is far
more personal and informative than online. Nothing substitutes
being able to use all of your senses to gain information in
person." Brow agrees, saying, "The ability to interact with a
presenter is missing with most online education. Immediate
questions cannot be addressed."
ATAS is not doing any online CEUs and the primary reason,
according to Bush, is "getting people out in front of the
architectural community to present the programs in a professional
manner, where we then in turn also become a resource or a
consultant to those architects when they do pose questions. So it
is a two-fold initiative, we are providing a service to the
architectural community and it also allows our field
representatives to create some face-to-face relationships to
respond to questions face-to-face. Our AIA continuing education is
typically lunch-and-learn type programs. Typically our field
product representative conducts these face-to-face at an
architect's office, where they may bring in, if it's a firm of 100
architects, 20 to 50 of them participating in the topic you are
presenting." Lilley feels both vehicles are great for learning.
"The online classes offer the architect freedom to complete when
it is most convenient and without need for travel or taking time
out of the office. The live education classes allow for another
level of understanding as they have direct access to an expert who
can answer questions and clarify topics. Plus, interaction with the
rest of the class can be engaging and helpful to the learning
process."
Warr also sees advantages to both forms of learning. "A benefit
of online training is it gives the architect more flexibility. If
something comes up and a course needs to be paused, then the
participant can easily return to the place they left off. Live
training provides a great opportunity to interact with other
professionals and continue the discussion after the presentation is
complete. Most architects know which methods of learning work best
for them and their schedule, so it is important to identify courses
that fall into those strengths."
sidebar
Learn the new AIA CEU rules
AIA members can no longer self-report health, safety and welfare
(HSW) courses for credit. Members must complete HSW credits by
taking qualifying courses from registered AIA/CES providers and
these providers must report HSW courses for members to receive HSW
credits.
These courses may be taken through traditional, face-to-face
classroom learning, or virtual learning. Providers will be
responsible for reporting HSW credits to be posted to member
transcripts. Members can continue to self-report a general
education course as it applies to the architectural profession for
learning unit (LU) credit.
Qualifying topics will help AIA members improve the performance
of their practice. In addition, members may self-report
Professional Community or self-designed activities involving
research or analysis. The new education requirement allows for six
learning unit credits per year. While some courses do not qualify
for HSW and sustainable credits, these learning unit courses are
equally as important to the architectural profession.
When submitting a self-reported activity, you must include the
name of the course, four learning objectives or an in-depth
description, the number of learning units, and the contact
information for the administrator of the course you attended.