AIA Course Descriptions

Fulfill Your AIA Continuing Education Requirement

In the world of architecture and design, continuing education is crucial for professionals to stay updated on industry standards, best practices, and innovations. If you are an architect or a design professional looking to fulfill your continuing education requirements for the American Institute of Architects (AIA), look no further than AIA-approved provider TERPconsulting. We offer AIA CES-certified Lunch ‘n Learn sessions, providing valuable learning units while enhancing your team’s knowledge about Health, Safety, and Welfare (HSW) credits.

 

The Importance of Continuing Education for Architects

Continuing education is not just a requirement for maintaining licensure; it’s an essential part of professional development. For AIA members, obtaining learning units is vital to stay competitive in the ever-evolving architectural landscape. These units help ensure professionals remain knowledgeable about the latest trends, codes, technologies, and sustainable practices that impact their projects.

Health, Safety, and Welfare (HSW) Credits

Health, Safety, and Welfare (HSW) credits are specific learning units focused on topics that contribute to the overall well-being of the public. Architects must earn a minimum number of HSW credits to maintain their AIA membership. These credits encompass a wide range of subjects, including sustainable design, building codes, environmental issues, and other factors that impact the health and safety of occupants and the environment.

 

Reasons to Choose TERPconsulting for Your Continuing Education Needs

 

AIA CES-Certified Education

TERPconsulting is proud to be AIA CES-certified, which means our educational offerings meet the stringent requirements set by the AIA. Our courses are designed to provide practical knowledge that architects can immediately apply to their projects, ensuring that your time spent in continuing education is both productive and beneficial.

Convenient Lunch ‘n Learn Format

One of the most appealing aspects of our program is the Lunch ‘n Learn format. This allows firms to integrate professional development seamlessly into their workday. By hosting a Lunch ‘n Learn session at your office, your team can enjoy a meal while engaging in a valuable educational experience. This setup not only enhances participation but also fosters a collaborative learning environment among your colleagues.

Engaging and Relevant Content

At TERPconsulting, we understand that effective education goes beyond simple presentations. Our sessions are interactive, encouraging discussions and questions that make the material more relatable and applicable to real-world scenarios. As an AIA-approved provider, we cover a variety of topics relevant to today’s architectural challenges, ensuring that your team gains insights that are both timely and impactful.

Topics to Meet Your Firm’s Needs

We recognize that every architectural firm has unique needs and focuses. TERPconsulting offers a range of topics to choose from, allowing you to select a subject that aligns with your firm’s current projects or areas of interest. Whether it’s a code compliance update, accessibility overview, or a primer on engineering judgements, we have sessions to meet your educational objectives.

TERPconsulting’s Current AIA-approved Course Offerings:

• Common Code Approaches and What’s New in 2024-2025

The presentation focuses on generally accepted code interpretations. The framework of the presentation touches on various hot topics of interest industry wide. The presentation covers issues affecting all portions of projects from plans examination to field inspections during construction. Topics range from sprinkler requirements and smoke control to firestopping and NFPA 285.  

• The Fire Code and Common Provisions that Impact Architectural Building Design 

The presentation focuses on the Fire Code and some of the common provisions that impact architectural building design including access, water supplies, and standpipes. Access provisions for fire department vehicle access, personnel access, aerial ladder truck access, and ground ladder access to emergency escape openings will be reviewed. Participants will gain an understanding about how to determine required water supplies for firefighting, fire hydrant requirements, as well as standpipe systems. A review of the code adoption and amendment process, including local jurisdictions, will be discussed so participants will gain an understanding of how to distinguish between model code and state and local code.

• Avoiding Common Accessibility Mistakes 

The presentation focuses on the most common mistakes and challenges encountered when designing buildings and surrounding areas to comply with federal and state regulations. There will be a brief overview of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 2010 as well as any applicable state codes and regulations. The topic of “what happens if you don’t comply” will be reviewed including statistics and lawsuits regarding non-compliance.

• A Guide to Smoke Modeling, Smoke Control, and the Special Inspections that Follow

This course explores the smoke control system design and construction process as well as the benefits of fire modeling by focusing on the requirements of smoke control systems in atria and the smoke modeling process that can be used to design such systems. It discusses when a system is needed and the process differences of using prescriptive methods compared to using sophisticated smoke modeling tools. The special inspection process is also covered with respect to smoke control systems provided for life safety purposes. Case studies are used as examples within the curriculum to highlight key code concepts.  

• Multifamily Buildings: Beyond the Basics of the Building Code 

The presentation focuses on all things multifamily relating to fire and life safety code compliance. A walk through the building codes as well as fire and life safety standards is guided by an experienced code consulting professional. As-of-right compliance strategies as well as alternative methods are explored for topics that include, but are not limited to, podium construction, fire-resistance ratings, sprinkler protection, accessibility, occupancy separation, NPFA 285, and roofdecks. Chosen topics for the presentation were largely based on industry interest and actual project experience. Case studies are used to illustrate the intent of the code. 

• The Benefits of Performance-Based Fire Protection Design: Working within the Requirements of the Building Code

The presentation focuses on challenges encountered when utilizing performance-based aspects of the building code with respect to fire protection design. The benefits of using performance-based design as well as alternative means and methods are discussed and illustrated through the use of case studies. Commonly accepted and sound engineering practice is detailed as well as potential pitfalls and red flags which could lead to the use of certain designs that may not align with the performance-based aspects of the building code. The process of implementing performance-based designs is also discussed in the presentation. 

• Structural Fire Resistance and the use of Engineering Judgment 

The presentation focuses on structural fire resistance. Performance-based design is explored through a discussion of the acceptable use of fire models. Alternative means and construction methods are also presented which involves an overview of engineering judgments. Case studies are presented to show the benefits of engineering judgments and structural fire models. Cautionary situations are presented as well as specification recommendations to avoid design errors. 

Scheduling a Lunch ‘n Learn is a straightforward process:

  • Contact Us: Reach out to atrobough@terpconsulting.com or call 702.953.9436. We will answer any questions you may have about our offerings and how we can best serve your firm.
  • Choose Your Topic: Share the specific topics that would benefit your team the most. We can provide recommendations based on current industry trends and your firm’s focus areas.
  • Set a Date and Time: Once you’ve selected a topic, we’ll work with you to find a convenient date and time for your Lunch ‘n Learn session.
  • Prepare for the Session: We can assist in coordinating logistics, including presentation materials and any necessary technology setup.
  • Enjoy the Learning Experience: Gather your team, enjoy lunch, and engage in an enriching educational session that earns your firm one (1) learning unit of HSW credit.

 

Investing in continuing education through TERPconsulting offers numerous benefits:

  • Stay Compliant: Ensure your firm meets the AIA’s continuing education requirements without the hassle of sourcing external courses.
  • Enhance Team Knowledge: Improve your team’s understanding of critical issues related to health, safety, and welfare, ultimately leading to better project outcomes.
  • Foster Team Cohesion: A Lunch ‘n Learn format promotes teamwork and collaboration, helping to build stronger relationships among colleagues.
  • Promote a Culture of Learning: By prioritizing continuing education, your firm demonstrates its commitment to professional development and excellence in the field.

Continuing education is a vital component of an architect’s career. By partnering with TERPconsulting for your AIA continuing education needs, you gain access to certified, relevant, and engaging educational opportunities that fit seamlessly into your workday. As an AIA-approved provider our Lunch ‘n Learn sessions provide a unique way to fulfill your requirements while enhancing your team’s expertise in health, safety, and welfare. Contact TERPconsulting today at 702.953.9436 to schedule your session and empower your team with the knowledge they need to thrive in the architectural profession. Together, let’s build a safer, healthier, and more accessible future.

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