2025 BES Session: Parapets, Guardrails, and the Building Enclosure (Graz)

Course Overview
This session was originally presented at the 2025 IIBEC Building Enclosure Symposium in St. Louis, Missouri.  This course includes the following components:

• recording of the live session
• a summative assessment consisting of 10 multiple-choice questions
• two surveys required to claim continuing education credit

Description

Parapets and guardrails often overlap in purpose when they are located at the edge of a terrace, balcony, or roof. To make matters more complicated, these “secondary architectural elements” may directly impact the building enclosure in terms of water management, air, and thermal control.  These key issues come into play during the design, construction, and service of the building as these architectural elements have a unique array of considerations for a very complicated location. The structural, thermal, safety, waterproofing/roofing, and aesthetics of the enclosure all need to be considered and coordinated. The intersection of regulatory requirements (such as codes and local ordinances) with good design, detailing, and maintenance practices can help promote long lasting parapets and guardrails for years to come without degrading the performance of the building enclosure.

Course Recommended Prerequisite(s)
N/A

IIBEC Core Competencies: Exterior Walls (EW), Roofing (R)

Knowledge Level: Intermediate

Course Access
Courses are accessible in LearnUpon for one year from the date of purchase.

Presenter/Author

John Graz, RRC, AIA, NCARB

Senior Specialist

BPL Enclosure

John Graz has 30 years of experience with architectural investigations, design, and restoration of building enclosures. Projects range from historic preservation to new construction peer review and design assistance. He uses his extensive background in project management and as a team facilitator to assess, design, and provide construction administration of roof, facade, and plaza projects.

Disclaimer
The views and opinions expressed in the session content at the 2025 IIBEC Building Enclosure Symposium are those of the content author(s)/speaker(s) and do not necessarily reflect the policies or positions of the International Institute of Building Enclosure Consultants (IIBEC). IIBEC makes no warranty, whether express or implied, as to the completeness, accuracy or validity of the information provided.

Credit Start Date 5/22/2025
Credit Expiration Date  5/22/2028

Continuing Education Credit Statement
This course is approved for 1.0 IIBEC CEH
This course is approved for 1.0 AIA LU/HSW
AIA Course Number: BES25_10_OD
AIA Provider Number: G024

Continuing Education Credit Claim Information

To claim IIBEC CEHs, learners are required to:

• Achieve a passing score of 70% on the summative assessment (learners are provided unlimited attempts)
• Complete the course Evaluation & Attestation Survey

After completing the Evaluation & Attestation Survey, learners will be able to download a Certificate of Completion.  Learners are responsible for self-reporting IIBEC CEH credit by uploading their Certificate of Completion to their IIBEC Portal. For assistance in self-reporting CEHs, please reach out to: [email protected]

To claim AIA LU, learners are required to complete the above requirements, as well as:

• Complete the AIA Survey (AIA member number is required)

AIA continuing education Learning Units earned upon completion of this course will be reported to AIA CES for AIA members.

AIA CES Provider statement

IIBEC is a registered provider of AIA-approved continuing education under Provider G024. All registered AIA CES Providers must comply with the AIA Standards for Continuing Education Programs.  Any questions or concerns about this provider or this learning program may be sent to AIA CES ([email protected] or (800) AIA 3837, Option 3).

This learning program is registered with AIA CES for continuing professional education. As such, it does not include content that may be deemed or construed to be an approval or endorsement by the AIA of any material of construction or any method or manner of handling, using, distributing, or dealing in any material or product. AIA continuing education credit has been reviewed and approved by AIA CES. Learners must complete the entire learning program to receive continuing education credit. AIA continuing education Learning Units earned upon completion of this course will be reported to AIA CES for AIA members. Certificates of Completion for both AIA members and non-AIA members are available upon request.