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Webinars

There is no cost to attend APA webinars.
APA offers both live webinars and recorded webinars for on-demand viewing. Topics include engineered wood basics, fire protection of I-joist floors, wall bracing, disaster-resilient design, design of all-wood podiums and others.
Some, but not all, webinars offer CEU credit; if credit is available, it is noted in the webinar description. AIA requires participants to pass a knowledge test before credit may be conferred.
Note: For webinars recorded previous to 2021, do not navigate to YouTube if you require a certificate of completion, because downloadable certificates are available only when viewed on the APA webpage in entirety, after completing a brief questionnaire. Starting with webinars recorded in 2021, if you require a certificate of completion, these may also be watched in entirety on YouTube.

Upcoming Webinar
Wednesday, May 22 | 10-11 a.m. PDT
Designing Engineered Wood Diaphragm Systems

Diaphragms play a vital role in a building’s lateral load path. Whether that lateral load is from seismic activity or wind forces, the diaphragm is responsible for distributing that lateral load to the shear walls. This session provides guidance on the proper design of engineered wood diaphragm and subdiaphragm systems. Participants will learn best practices as they are guided through simple design examples.

AIA and ICC credits available to participants.

On-Demand Webinar
Design for Force Transfer Around Openings

This webinar includes an overview of APA's free design tool, the Force Transfer Around Openings (FTAO) Calculator, and explains how it can help engineers and code officials in the design implementation of FTAO shear walls. The presentation provides a quick review of code requirements for shear walls and focuses on code-accepted FTAO design methods. It also introduces APA’s FTAO research and findings on full-scale wall models and how the results influenced the development of the FTAO Calculator. APA deflection methodology, updates to APA’s Design for Force Transfer Around Openings Technical Note, Form T555, and a strap development length example are also covered.

AIA and ICC credits available to participants.

On-Demand Webinar
Fire-Rated Systems in Wood Construction

While no building is truly fireproof, construction materials and systems can make a building fire safe. This session provides an introduction to fire-rated systems in wood-frame construction. Along with APA's Fire-Rated Systems design and construction guide, this webinar offers guidance on designing and constructing some of the most cost-effective, code-compliant fire-rated construction systems. Participants will learn what's available, what's acceptable and what's best practice.

AIA and ICC credits available to participants.

On-Demand Webinar
Wood Structural Panels as an Air Barrier

This webinar describes the advantages of using continuous wood structural panel (WSP) wall sheathing as part of an air barrier and air barrier system. Participants will learn the different characteristics and installation methods used in residential markets and see examples of successful and unsuccessful systems with side-by-side comparisons. Participants will also learn about helpful APA resources that reiterate the basis for testing and code compliance, along with cost and energy tradeoffs.

AIA and ICC credits available to participants.

On-Demand Webinar
How to Specify Engineered Wood

This program presents the properties and applications of engineered wood products, including wood structural panels, glulam, structural composite lumber (SCL) and cross-laminated timber (CLT). Participants will learn how to correctly specify engineered wood in accordance with the International Building Code (IBC). This session also covers new technologies, streamlined design options, sustainability concerns and the benefits of working with engineered wood.

AIA and ICC credits available to participants.

On-Demand Webinar
Shear Wall Selection for Wood-Framed Buildings

From wall bracing to FTAO, there are many ways to secure the walls of a building. It’s great to have options, but how do you evaluate which is best for a project? As architects and builders, you may be in the dark about this evaluation process being made by your structural engineer and how it impacts your architectural vision and ease of construction. And as an engineer, you may have always gone with the status quo. But what could you be overlooking? This session examines shear wall options along with the pros and cons of each to help building professionals determine and communicate what structural approach is best for your next wood-framed project.

AIA and ICC credits available to participants.

On-Demand Webinar
Sustainable Structures Built with Engineered Wood

As society seeks a more sustainable future, sustainable building construction is becoming more important. This program looks at sustainability in the construction industry and the role of wood construction, specifically, designing with engineered wood products. Participants will learn best practices to improve design, specification and installation of sustainable solutions using engineered wood systems.

AIA and ICC credits are available to participants.

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On-Demand Webinar
Shear Exhilaration: Wood Shear Wall and Diaphragm Design per the 2021 IBC

APA's Aleeta Dene, P.E., provides a top-to-bottom overview of lateral design for wood-framed structures with a focus on shear walls. As a result of this training, participants will understand load path continuity and shear wall performance, including design methodologies for shear walls. Examples from post-disaster evaluations illustrate common failure modes, and methods and outcomes of various designs of wood structural panel shear walls are compared. Participants will also be introduced to installation considerations that may affect performance and how to address these issues proactively. The force transfer around openings method is covered as well.

On-Demand Webinar
Frame it Right! Back to Basics for Big Buildings

The demand for commercial and multifamily construction is soaring, and the framing industry is expanding to meet this demand. APA – The Engineered Wood Association has walked hundreds of job sites and identified the most common wood construction framing errors found in today’s nonresidential buildings. This session examines the consequences of these framing mistakes from the ground up, providing practical solutions for avoiding typical issues using APA’s resources as a guide.

AIA and ICC credits are available to participants.

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On-Demand Webinar
Quality Floors from Start to Finish: Choosing and Preparing Wood Subfloors for Finish Floorings

This program presents considerations in the installation of different finish flooring materials on wood subfloors. Participants will understand the different APA wood subfloor and underlayment grades and building tolerances and the importance of considering moisture when installing these systems. Understanding these elements will assist designers and installers to properly install finish flooring systems and minimize risks associated with these systems.

AIA and ICC credits are available to participants.

On-Demand Webinar Series
2018 IRC Wall Bracing Provisions

This five-part webinar series covers the 2018 IRC wall bracing provisions. The series begins with a one-hour introductory session covering load path, lateral forces and limitations to wall bracing. Additional sessions address related topics, including the simplified wall bracing method and bracing for higher seismic and wind zones.

APA has collaborated with code bodies since the 1950s to improve wall performance and reduce the risk of catastrophic home failure through the development of prescriptive wall bracing techniques that specify plywood and OSB wood structural panel sheathing. AIA and ICC credits are available to participants.

On-Demand Webinar
Sheathe for Success: Simple Techniques to Make Buildings Stronger and More Energy Efficient

Wood structural panel wall sheathing offers superior strength and durability and can be used to solve many building challenges. The same panels commonly used as wall sheathing can also act as an air barrier, resist loads from winds and earthquakes, support siding and trim and much more. This session discusses how wood structural panel wall sheathing balances structural integrity, energy efficiency and cost effectiveness with a single product that is sustainable and environmentally friendly.

AIA and ICC credits are available to participants.

On-Demand Webinar
Overview of Engineered Wood Products

With the expanding choice and use of engineered wood products (EWPs) in today's construction market, it's more important than ever to understand how to properly select, install and detail engineered wood materials. This course will introduce plywood, oriented strand board (OSB), glued laminated timbers (glulam), I-joists and structural composite lumber (SCL), as well as the benefits of engineered wood and its proper application.

AIA and ICC credits are available to participants.

On-Demand Webinar
Lateral Load Path Basics II: Tracing a Seismic Load Through a Wood-Framed Structure

Presented by Aleeta Dene, P.E., this session looks at the path lateral loads take in wood-frame structures. Topics of discussion include examples from catastrophic events, load path continuity, discussion of common detailing and examples of successful and unsuccessful connections. As a result of this training, participants will:

Understand basic lateral load path through a simple building.
Recognize basic components of the lateral load resisting system in wood buildings.
Understand the consequences of an incomplete path
Comprehend the role of various connections in completing the lateral load path.

AIA and ICC credit available to participants.

On-Demand Webinar
Lateral Load Path Basics: Tracing a Wind Load through a Wood-Frame Structure

Presented by Cathy Scarince, P.E., this session outlines the path a wind load takes through a wood-frame structure, as well as the importance of a complete load path and associated construction details. As a result of this session, participants will:

Understand the complete lateral load path
Identify common framing errors within this path
Understand the consequences of an incomplete path
Discuss and evaluate code requirements for critical details

AIA and ICC credits are available to participants.

On-Demand Webinar
From Outsider to Insider: An Engineer's Perspective of APA Services

Presented by Aleeta Dene, P.E., this webinar provides a window into the many services APA provides as well as some specific highlights from the perspective of a new Engineered Wood Specialist in her transition from consulting engineering to the association. The webinar includes discussion of the various tools available to designers as well as several design considerations for the office and in the field. This webinar does not offer continuing education credits at this time.

On-Demand Webinar
Beam Me Up! Exploring the Worlds of Engineered Wood Beams

This program will present the properties and applications of structural engineered wood beam products like glulam and structural composite lumber. The webinar will cover proper design and specification in accordance with the International Building Code. New technologies, streamlined design options and sustainability issues will be addressed, as well as the constructability benefits of engineered wood beams. This course is approved by AIA (1 LU/HSW) and ICC (0.10 CEU).

On-Demand Webinar
Frame for Success: Avoid Callbacks

Based on hundreds of job site inspections, APA staff have identified the most common wood construction framing and sheathing errors found in today’s construction market. This session will examine the consequences of these common errors and provide practical solutions for avoiding them. This course is approved by AIA (1 LU/HSW) and ICC (0.10 CEU).

On-Demand Webinar
Wood as a Sustainable Building Material

Presented by Kathryn (Katie) Fernholz of Dovetail Partners, this webinar for architects, engineers and other building design professions outlines what makes wood a green building material and clears up misconceptions on the environmental impacts of harvesting wood. Katie is President of Dovetail Partners, a nonprofit environmental think tank based in Minneapolis. She is a forester by training with more than twenty years of experience with forest management concerns. She has worked throughout North America on efforts to address sustainability in land use and material choices. She serves in many leadership roles in the forest sector, including as a board member of the American Forest Foundation and on the Minnesota Forest Resources Council as a governor appointed environmental representative. This course is approved by AIA (1 LU) and ICC (0.10 CEU).

On-Demand Webinar
Sustainable Choices–Wood Products in Industrial Applications

This webinar for industrial product and systems designers, packaging professionals and purchasing and facilities managers will outline what makes wood sourced from North America a green material and clear up misconceptions on the environmental impacts of harvesting wood. There are many types of materials that can be used as components of products or systems, and the environmental impact of using several of these are evaluated. Presented by Kathryn (Katie) Fernholz of Dovetail Partners.

This webinar can be viewed on the Performance Panels website. Go to Webinar

On-Demand Webinar
Portal Frames Built Right

This 30-minute webinar enables participants to understand the importance of wall bracing to resist wind and earthquake loads, recognize the role of portal frames in resisting lateral loads, identify the different portal frame options in the International Residential Code (IRC), spot the key elements of a portal frame and avoid common errors. This webinar does not offer continuing education credits at this time.

On-Demand Webinar
Converting to Advanced Framing: Learn from Experience

As energy codes become stricter, builders and designers are seeking options for energy-efficient construction that maintain strength, durability, sustainability and cost-effectiveness. One effective solution is advanced framing, a system of construction framing techniques that optimize material use and increase energy efficiency. Join APA's Warren Hamrick as he discusses common advanced framing techniques, the benefits of the system and typical challenges that builders encounter during the conversion from traditional framing to advanced framing. This course is approved by AIA (1 HSW/LU) and ICC (0.10 CEU).

On-Demand Webinar
Engineered Wood I-Joists: Fire Protective Assemblies and Firefighter Safety

The 2012, 2015 and 2018 editions of the International Residential Code (IRC) include fire-protective membrane requirements to enhance the fire performance of floor systems. Presented by Robert Neale of Integra Code Consultants, former vice president of National Fire Service Activities, this training focuses on assemblies that meet the fire-protective membrane requirements of the code, specifically as they relate to I-joist floor systems. This information is presented in the context of what firefighters, fire officials and code officials should know about code requirements and tested alternatives to ensure requisite structural performance in fire conditions. This course is approved by AIA (1 HSW/LU) and ICC (0.10 CEU).

On-Demand Webinar
Meeting the Energy Code Using the Performance Path

Using the performance path to meet energy codes offers many benefits to builders, designers and code officials. APA Engineered Wood Specialist Matt Brown presents Meeting the Energy Code Using the Performance Path; a one-hour presentation that focuses on the advantages to performance-based energy code compliance, pathways to comply with energy codes and the impacts of different materials and systems on energy efficiency. The presentation identifies cost-effective ways to meet the energy code. This course is approved by AIA (1 HSW/LU), ICC (0.10 CEU) and RESNET (1 PDH).

On-Demand Webinar
Connection Design Solutions for Wood-Frame Structures

Proper connection design and specification is important to the structural performance and serviceability of any wood-frame structure. APA Engineered Wood Specialist Robert Kuserk, PE, presents Connection Design Solutions for Wood-Frame Structures, a one-hour presentation featuring wood connection design, including common fastener types and their design values. The presentation also includes the orthotropic nature of wood and its role in connection design, commodity and specialty connectors, the use of steel connectors in wood-frame construction, and techniques for designing efficient, durable and code-compliant connections. This course is approved by AIA (1 HSW/LU) and ICC (0.10 CEU).

On-Demand Webinar
After the Storm: Building for High Wind Resistance

APA Engineered Wood Specialist Mary Uher presents After the Storm, a webinar focusing on common structural failures observed during storm damage assessments. The presentation includes an overview of high wind forces, the importance of a continuous load path, and how good design and construction practices can improve the storm resistance of buildings.

Mary also discusses code requirements and APA’s above-code recommendations for wind-resistant building, as well as how attention to connection details, understanding lateral load concepts, and recognizing common failure modes seen in storm damage assessments can help builders cost effectively build a safer home and reduce future storm damage. This course is approved by AIA (1 HSW/LU) and ICC (0.10 CEU).

Fire-Protective Assemblies for Residential Floors

This APA webinar focuses on several different floor assemblies that meet the fire protective membrane requirements of the International Residential Code, specifically as they relate to I-joist floor systems.

The webinar reviews the options in the IRC, including drop-in gypsum board (supported on top of bottom flanges), partial sprinkler systems, and fire protective coatings. This webinar does not offer continuing education credits at this time.

Back to Basics Engineered Wood Training Series

Manufacturers, distributors, and builders are all reporting a critical need for training as they rebuild from the recession and hire new employees. APA’s new, comprehensive training series includes six “back to basics” modules that cover key topics related to I-joists, Rim Board®, laminated veneer lumber, and glulam. The training modules run between 30 and 90 minutes each and are presented by an APA Engineered Wood Specialist. Modules that last an hour or more offer continuing education credits for participants.

On-Demand Webinar: All-Wood Podiums in Mid-Rise Construction

All-Wood Podiums in Mid-Rise Construction is an architectural case study on the use of an all-wood podium in mixed-use design. Mid-rise podium construction, up to four stories of wood framing on top of a concrete first story, has been widely used throughout North America for many years in order to build an economically superior superstructure atop a more traditional commercial construction type below. With the introduction of substituting a wood podium for concrete into this construction type, the overall construction cost has further decreased as well as the construction time, while creating a more sustainable, less massive and more uniform building. This presentation provides a solution to building a green and cost effective structure using a wood podium as well as addresses design challenges such as durability, fire protection, sound transmission and designing for high seismic loads. Several recently construction buildings in California will be analyzed with lessons learned shared by the project teams. Approved for credit by AIA (1 HSW).