The AEC (architecture, engineering, and construction) industry is constantly evolving. New technologies and techniques are being developed all the time. To stay competitive and deliver the best results to clients, industry professionals need to continue their education throughout their careers. This is where continuing education comes in.
Importance of Continuing Education for AEC Professionals
Continuing education is vital for AEC professionals to current with the latest industry trends, building product innovations and code requirements. It also allows them to expand their skill sets and increase their value to clients. Not to mention, continuing education is often a requirement for maintaining professional licenses and certifications, as well as for meeting AIA membership requirements.
AEC Continuing Education Requirements
The AIA (American Institute of Architects) requires its members to complete 18 hours of continuing education every two years, including at least 3 hours of Health, Safety, and Welfare (HSW) credits. This requirement is in place to ensure that AIA members are knowledgeable about the latest industry trends, regulations, and best practices and that they can provide safe and healthy environments for building occupants.
In addition to the AIA, other professional organizations and state licensing boards also have continuing education requirements for AEC professionals. For example, the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB) has a program called the Architect Registration Examination (ARE) that requires candidates to complete continuing education as a requirement for licensure.
Similarly, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and the International Code Council (ICC) have continuing education requirements for professionals in the fire protection and building code industries.
It is important for AEC professionals to stay aware of and to meet the continuing education requirements of their respective professional organizations, as well as state licensing boards. Failure to do so can result in penalties such as fines, suspension or revocation of licenses, or non-renewal of professional membership.
Free AIA Continuing Education Courses
Fire Trol is a manufacturer of prefabricated fireproof columns, and we offer a variety of free AIA continuing education courses through AEC Daily. These courses provide valuable information to architects, engineers, and contractors looking to earn HSW credits. They will also stay up-to-date with the latest industry trends relating to fire-rated products and design.
Course #1 Showcase-Quality Exposed Fireproof Columns
This course discusses various types of passive fire protection methods, including prefabricated fireproof structural columns. It covers the composition, manufacture, finishes, and design considerations of these columns, which are designed for exposed exterior and interior load-bearing applications.
Professionals will gain an understanding of how to incorporate fireproof columns into a design to ensure the structural integrity of a building.
Course #2 Structural Steel: Sustainability & Fireproofing
This course covers the sustainable built environment and how structural steel can be incorporated into designs. It examines the cradle-to-cradle structural steel supply chain from a sustainability perspective, including:
- steel production and design
- steel’s potential contribution to LEED v4 credits
- thermal capacity
- the environmental and life cycle benefits of prefabricated fireproof steel columns
It discusses the importance of fireproofing structural steel to ensure the safety of the building in the event of a fire. This course will allow professionals to gain a deeper understanding of how to design and construct sustainable buildings using prefabricated fireproof columns.
These courses are a great opportunity for professionals to learn about the latest technologies, trends, and best practices in the AEC industry, especially in the field of fireproofing a building and incorporating prefabricated columns. AEC professionals will earn AIA HSW credits and GBCI credits while doing so, too!
Fire Trol’s free AIA continuing education courses are a valuable resource for professionals looking to advance their careers and improve the safety and sustainability of the built environment.
Lunch and Learns: In-Person Networking and Interactive Learning
In addition to online courses, Fire Trol also offers Lunch and Learns, which provides an opportunity for AEC professionals to learn in a more hands-on, interactive setting.
These sessions cover topics such as fireproofing systems, building code requirements, and sustainable design. They are a great way for architecture, engineering, and design firms to learn about the latest prefabricated fireproof columns while networking with their peers.
Attendees will also receive a 1-hour continuing education credit from AIA. Book a Lunch and Learn for your firm!
A Comprehensive Resource for AEC CE Credits and Prefabricated Fireproof Columns
Continuing education is essential for AEC professionals to stay competitive and deliver the best possible results to clients.
Fire Trol provides valuable resources and opportunities to help professionals meet their AIA continuing education requirements and expand their knowledge of prefabricated columns and fireproofing systems.
Professionals can take advantage of the many resources available to enhance their skills and advance their careers in the industry. Whether that’s through virtual, self-paced learning or in-person Lunch and Learns. Our goal is to make CE accessible and to simplify the process of writing specifications for our prefabricated fireproof columns.
To learn more about our products and our company, visit our website at https://fire-trol.com/. If you would like to get in touch with a representative, please call us at 860-610-4084 or feel free to fill out this form that we can use to get ahold of you!
