Understand More About Toxins and Their Removal in the Building Environment
This course build on out Healthy Buildings I course. It examines things like how a buildings location can influence the health of its occupants, environmental factors, electromagnetic radiation, chemicals in buildings and the environment, ways of controlling environmental influences on building health, and how to make wise choices for home furnishings and finishes used inside buildings.
Study this course to learn to explain and evaluate the impact of the physical characteristics of a building, other than its actual construction characteristics, upon human health.
Upon completion, students will be able to recommend innovative ways to improve the habitability of a building. You will also understand more about the building, ensuring the building is as safe as possible and its occupants are free from harm.
Course Code: BSS300
Course Duration: 100 hours of self paced studies
COURSE CONTENT
There are 8 lessons in this course:
- Environmental Impacts On Buildings
- Scope, nature and principles of building biology
- Environmental impacts on buildings
- Climate, building location, radon, air quality, allergies, temperature, humidity, light, EMR
- Creation of electric fields
- Chemicals
- Air pollutants
- Cleaning chemicals
- Chemical breakdowns
- Leakages and spills
- Pesticides -household, industrial, agricultural
- Solid Waste pollutants
- Persistent organic pollutants (POP's)
- Formaldehydes
- Heavy Metals
- Ammonia
- Resins
- Where different chemicals originate in a building
- Building Surrounds
- Creating a buffer zone
- Windbreaks, hedges, screens
- Creating Shade
- Designing a healthy home garden
- Going natural in the garden
- Avoiding problem materials
- Disposing of waste
- Making compost
- Working with rather than against nature
- Energy conservation
- Solar House Design
- Green principles for house design
- Furnishings
- Gas appliances, heaters and fireplaces
- Furniture
- Materials characteristics
- Floor Coverings
- Cane
- Metals
- Fabrics
- Flame retardation treatments
- Mattresses
- Dry cleaning and mothballing
- Temperature and acoustic properties of fabrics
- Finishes
- Chemical reactions
- Lung disease, cancer, skin disease
- Paint
- Repainting
- Timber finishes against decay
- Varnishes and oils
- Pesticides & Alternatives
- Types of insecticides -inorganic and biological (organophosphates, carbamates etc)
- Rodenticides
- Miticides, Bacteriacides, Algaecides, Termite treatments
- Understanding pesticide characteristics -toxicity, persistence, volatility, etc
- Common chemicals used in buildings, and natural alternatives
- Common garden chemicals and natural pest/weed management
- Understanding Insect Pest Management options
- Managing Interior Environments
- Assessing air quality
- Ventilation
- Temperature control
- Cleaning
- Acoustics
- Electricity
- Domestic pets
- Light
- Colour
- Indoor Plants
- Other hazards
- Consulting
- Services that can be offered to a client
- Checklist of building hazards
- Procedures and business practice for a consultant
- Setting up costs
- Operating a business
- Developing a business plan
- Determining fees to charge
Throughout this course you will review a variety of different building biology resources (eg. organizations, businesses, suppliers and facilities). The profile of each activity should ideally be kept on standard card file cards (126 x 76 mm) for ease of handling. This activities file should be submitted towards the end of the eight lessons.
Each file entry will outline a resource containing the following information:
1. Name of the organization/facility/supplier/business.
2. Address, phone number and contact person.
3. Outline of what the organization or resource does.
4. Any other comments which may be relevant.
The purpose of this file is twofold:
1. To develop your awareness of the industry.
2. To develop a list of contacts. You may develop contacts which could eventually lead to work opportunities. You will also build a file which can help you find information, supplies and facilities when needed in your work.
Set Tasks that involve other practical and research tasks will be assigned in each lesson; making the course very practical and building your capacity to apply what you learn to real life situations in building design, construction and renovation.
Assessment
Self Assessment Tests are presented throughout the course. These are essentially an automated quiz. When you undertake a "SAT" or "Self Assessment Test", you will be able to see what you got correct, and what was incorrect; and in that way, you can identify your weaknesses.
Assignments are given at the end of each lesson. You should complete this assignment, paying careful attention to follow what is asked of you. It can be just as important to learn to work to specification, as it is to learn about the topic you are studying. Graduates who develop a habit of working to specification with vegetable growing, will impress others, and will be more efficient when self employed.
A Final Exam is offered upon satisfactory completion of all assignments. This is optional. If you choose to apply for and do this exam, you will have the possibility of obtaining a "formal credit" or "Pass Certification" for this course. A fee applies. The exam may be sat under prearranged conditions anywhere in the world. This college will award you a formal transcript, upon successful completion of the exam, as proof of your results.
Who This Course Is For
- People wishing for a foundation course to explore the possibilities of working in the building industry with a focus on buildings and human health.
- Current builders, town planners, building designers, project managers, architects or tradespeople looking to add new skills.
- Anyone considering a business with a focus on improving the environmental and negative impact on public health posed by buildings.
- People wanting to expand their knowledge of sustainable and healthy building practices for home improvements.
Thinking of Enrolling? Get in Touch
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