Building Technology

BT104 - Advanced Design of Residential Foundations

This course covers the foundation design requirements found in the current North Carolina Residential Building Code. Footing, foundation wall and retaining wall loading and design requirements and load calculating procedures are discussed. Attendees will have an opportunity to work through a simple house plan to determine the location and size of the footings and foundation walls required by code.

BT105 - Advanced Design of Residential Walls

This course covers wall design requirements found in the current North Carolina Residential Building Code. Wall loading requirements and load calculating procedures to meet code are reviewed to include instruction on wood stud, header, lintel, and masonry wall design, bracing and support. Pertinent portions of Chapter 45 for high wind regions (coastal and higher mountain elevations) will be included. Attendees will have an opportunity to work through a simple house plan to determine the location and size of the studs and headers required. Wall Bracing will be only briefly covered in this course.

BT108 - Resource Efficiency and Materials

Build confidence in your product by learning the best practices for water management and resource efficiency. Maintaining a clean and dry building assembly ensures not only job-site appearance but longevity of the building structure as well.

BT109 - Comfort and Indoor Air Quality

Selling comfort is a difficult proposition and requires knowledge of building science principles and how they interact with current applications to combat the elements of discomfort. Designations: AB, AA, AR, ARS

BT110 - Asbestos and Lead Awareness

Renovation, repair and demolition activities can create hazardous dust and chips by disturbing asbestos or lead-based paint if present in an existing building or structure. Every occupational exposure to asbestos or lead based paint contributes to the risk of getting asbestos or lead-related diseases in addition to exposing building occupants to those risks. This awareness training program helps make contractors aware of the hazards associated with these types of materials and how to best protect themselves, their employees and building occupants.

BT112 - The Sealed Attic

In this course a student will learn the basic principles behind a sealed attic. The student will be able to competently answer questions about the key differences between a sealed attic and a vented attic. They will also use the current building code to outline the basic design differences and benefits of sealed attic.

BT113 - Foundation Waterproofing Methodology

It only takes living in a home with a leaky foundation to understand the importance of waterproofing. From structural and personal contents damage, to mold and mildew infiltration, water can turn from being your biggest asset, to your biggest liability, in a flash. This course is designed to explore the difference between damp proofing and waterproofing, the different types of waterproofing systems, how the applications are applied, and what might be the most appropriate application for your project.

BT114 - The ABC's of Building Quality Concrete Floors and Driveways

During this course you will discuss how to build quality concrete slabs and driveways, including repair methodologies. As this is one of the most costly problems experienced in residential construction, this is a great opportunity to learn about the details.

BT115 - HVAC - The Good, the Bad & the Ugly

Few things in a home have more potential to improve the quality of life for home occupants than a professionally designed and properly installed HVAC system. At the very least, a system should do no harm. Unfortunately, mistakes in design and defects in installation can turn lives upside down. This course will highlight the choices that need to be made to protect the health and well-being of the occupants with a well-considered HVAC system while reducing the liability risk for the builder.

BT116 - Residential Foundations

This course covers the foundation design requirements found in the current North Carolina Residential Building Code. It starts out by thoroughly reviewing the requirements of Chapter 3. Then Chapter 4 is studied to determine how footings, foundation walls and retaining walls are to be designed. Photographs of Do’s and Don’ts are shown for all systems.

BT117 - Residential Walls

This course covers wall design requirements found in the current North Carolina Residential Building Code. It starts out by thoroughly reviewing the requirements of Chapter 3. Then Chapters 6 and 7 are studied to determine how wall studs, headers, lintels, and masonry are to be designed and how they should be braced and supported. How studs can be notched and where holes can be drilled will be covered. How to place grout in masonry walls is also discussed. Photographs of Do’s and Don’ts are shown. Pertinent portions of Chapter 45 for high wind regions (coastal and higher mountain elevations) will be included. The fastener schedule is also covered. Wall Bracing will be only briefly covered in this course.

BT204 - Advanced Design of Residential Floors

This course covers the floor design requirements found in the current North Carolina Residential Building Code. Floor joists and girder/beam design, support, bracing, drilling and notching are thoroughly discussed. Loading requirements and load calculating procedures to meet code are reviewed. Wood floor trusses and the NC Residential Code Appendix M for Wood Decks will also be discussed. Attendees will have an opportunity to work through a simple house plan to determine the location and size of the floor joists and girders required.

BT205 - Advanced Design of Ceilings & Roofs

This course covers roof and ceiling design requirements found in the current North Carolina Residential Building Code. Roof/ceiling code loading requirements and load calculating procedures with specific instructions on the design, bracking and support for rafters, ceiling joists, and girders/beams will be discussed. Wood roof trusses will also be thoroughly reviewed. Attendees will have an opportunity to work through a simple house plan to determine the location and size of the rafters and ceiling joists and girders required.

BT207 - Choosing the Best HVAC System

There is nothing more frustrating to a builder than selecting the best HVAC contractor. The entire topic is fraught with confusion, claims, and controversy cloaked in incoherent jargon. Selecting the best HVAC system can be a simple and reasoned process. This course shows the builder “how to” navigate through the maze. The curriculum provides an overview of the ACCA (Air Conditioning Contractors of America) professional design process. Required by the NC Building Code.

BT208 - Partner With the Land

The purpose of this course is to give a thorough overview of considerations that should be made in order to thoughtfully develop land for residential purposes. We will discuss considerations for cost and value based upon regional constraints and desired outcomes. The class will also learn how to avoid costly mistakes and develop Site Plans to better maximize space utilization.

BT210 - IAQ (Indoor Air Quality): The Key Ingredient to Whole Living

Green building is not a new concept to most of us, after all, it has been around since the beginning of time. However, as our new homes envelopes have gotten tighter, we are in danger of poisoning the inhabitants with toxins and poor IAQ. In today’s class, we are going: •To introduce you to the concept of Whole Living •To recognize the dangers that selections and furnishings can present to the home •To explore and identify the pollutants that contribute to poor indoor air quality during the construction process •To identify construction practices that reduce particulates and increase IAQ •To present real solutions to furnishing a new home

BT211 - Will You Allow Water Damage to Sink Your Homebuilding Career?

When it comes to water damage, time does not heal all wounds. The destruction that will inevitably take place as time passes causes considerably more damage to a home than you can ever imagine. Learn the unfortunate side effects of water damage beginning with unintentional neglect to the construction process. Learn how to avoid expensive and unnecessary litigation and remediation. Water damage escalates to mold and microbial growth issues in just a few days, which can compromise the health of the inhabitants, including pets! Don't let these damaging wounds sink your career - learn how to remediate existing water concerns and build better in the future to ensure dry, safe, healthy homeowners.

BT212 - Sealed Crawlspaces

Students in this course will achieve a working understanding of how a sealed crawl space differs from a vented crawl space. They will be able to layout a construction sequencing based upon best practices for installation. Students will be able to answer questions, both technical and basic, on the advantage of a sealed crawl space and as to why a sealed crawlspace did not function as expected.

BT213 - Building Better Foundations

The Building Better Foundations course is designed to challenge participants to build better foundations by several means; by understanding foundation basics, understanding building code specifics and options, better understanding load transfer from structural members that foundations support, the introduction of the definition of Presumptive soil values, as well as, tools and resources for soil testing prior to construction.

BT214 - A House has to Breathe, Right?

Everyone has heard that a house has to breathe. Does that make sense? It turns out houses don’t have lungs. So they don't likely need to breathe. But people living inside them do have to breathe. The problem arises when occupants are forced to breathe the same air over and over in substantially airtight homes. Research clearly shows the air in our homes is filled with a variety of contaminants that can create health complications. This course will review those contaminants of concern, their impact on health and how to reduce the risk to health and wellness using whole house ventilation.

BT215 - Framing Member Sizing

This course covers the load estimating procedures for the purposes of sizing any framing member within a residential building as required to meet the requirements found in the current North Carolina Residential Building Code. It starts out by reviewing the procedures outlined in the code's Appendix W - Load Estimating. Then, the framing plans of an actual simple two-story house will be used to select all framing members required to satisfy the code requirements for the roof, ceiling, floors, walls, headers, girders, and, finally, the foundations and footings. The span tables in the code will be used to make those selections. The attendees that will find this class most useful are those who perform the tasks of project price estimating and those who develop construction drawings. In addition, framers who must size and select their own framing members will also benefit greatly from this course.

BT216 - Residential Floors

This course covers the floor design requirements found in the current North Carolina Residential Building Code. It starts out by thoroughly reviewing the requirements of Chapter 3. Then Chapter 5 is studied to determine how floor joists and girders/beams are to be designed and how they should be braced and supported. How floor joists can be notched and where holes can be drilled will be covered. Wood floor trusses will also be thoroughly discussed. Then Appendix M for Wood Decks will be covered. Photographs of Do’s and Don’ts are shown for all systems.

BT217 - Residential Ceilings and Roofs

This course covers roof and ceiling design requirements found in the current North Carolina Residential Building Code. It starts out by thoroughly reviewing the requirements of Chapter 3. Then Chapter 8 is studied to determine how rafters and ceiling joists and girders/beams are to be designed and how they should be braced and supported. How ceiling joists can be notched and where holes can be drilled will be covered. Wood roof trusses will also be thoroughly discussed. Photographs of Do’s and Don’ts are shown for all systems.

Join Contractors Across NC

By attending NCBI classes you will not only gain valuable information to further your business, but you will also have the opportunity to meet and network with other industry professionals experiencing the same challenges in today’s marketplace.