Course Structure and Lesson Content
The Healthy Buildings Construction course comprises 10 lessons, as follows:
Lesson 1. Introduction To Building Biology
- Scope and Nature of Building Biology
- Building Diseases - Chemical, Electrical, Cage, Location
- Environmental Law
- Biological Damage to Buildings
- Environmental Considerations
- Clean Interiors
Lesson 2. Building Materials
- Introduction
- Dangerous Building Materials
- Chemical Effects on the Human Body
- Timber
- Formaldehyde Adhesives
- Plastics
- Masonry and Concrete
- Insulation Materials
- Soft Furnishings
- Paints
- Timber Treatments, stains, polishes, etc.
Lesson 3. Construction
- Roofing Materials
- Roof Gardens
- Roof Construction
- Floors
- Reasons to Choose Different Floors or Floor Coverings
- Pests in Buildings
- Dust Mites
- Fleas
- Ants
- Termites, Flies, Mosquitoes, Wasps, Cockroaches, etc.
- Spiders
- Rodents, Birds, Snakes, etc.
Lesson 4. Services
- Electricity
- Electrical Fields
- Circuits
- Measuring Electricity and Exposure limits
- Terminology
- Power Supply Systems
- General Waste Disposal
- Waste Water
Lesson 5. Temperature
- Introduction to Heating and Cooling
- Principles of Temperature Control
- Heat Loss
- Types of Heaters
- Cooling Effects
- Air Cleaners, Filtration, Circulation, Air Conditioning
- Energy Conservation
- Solar House Design
- Active and Passive Solar Heating Systems
Lesson 6. The Internal Environment: Ventilation
- >Scope and Nature
- Natural Ventilation
- Mechanical Ventilation
- Air Conditioning
- Humidity Management
Lesson 7. Light
- Internal Light in Buildings
- Natural Light
- Artificial Light
- Electric Light
Lesson 8. Acoustics
- Internal Acoustic Control
- Improving Internal acoustics
- Noise Insulation
Lesson 9. Ergonomic Considerations
- Scope and Nature of Ergonomics
- Form, Shape and Spatial Dimensions
- Furniture Design
- Interior Layout
Lesson 10. Psychological Considerations
- Scope and Nature
- Physical and Psychological Affects of Colour
- Stressful or Calming Environments
- General Principles for Interior Design
Each lesson culminates in an assignment which is submitted to the school, marked by the school's tutors and returned to you with any relevant suggestions, comments, and if necessary, extra reading.
Aims
- Explain the concept of healthy buildings including its relevance to human health.
- Select building materials which are safe to human health.
- Evaluate the health impact of different building techniques, including construction and design.
- Explain how the way in which services are installed, can impact upon the health of people using a building.
- Explain how building design can impact upon the quality of the physical environment inside.
- Explain ergonomic considerations in building design.
- Explain psychological considerations in building design.
What The Course Covers
- Explain the concept of building biology, in accordance with the international building biology institute.
- Explain the history of building biology institutes in different countries.
- Explain the current status of bio-harmonic architectural practices in your country.
- Assess in a summary for each, problems with different dangerous building materials including: Asbestos, plastics, insulation materials, and treated pine.
- Compare characteristics of different commonly used building materials, including: Rate of deterioration, thermal qualities, light reflection.
- Develop a checklist, for evaluating the health impact of different building materials.
- Evaluate the impact of different building materials on health, in a building inspected by the learner.
- Develop a checklist of building design factors, to assess the effect of design on human health.
- Develop a checklist of building construction factors (other than materials) which may impact upon human health.
- Explain how design can impact upon different aspects of the internal environment, including: Thermal comfort, humidity, condensation, and acoustics.
- Compare the impact of building techniques, including construction and design, upon human health, in two different specific buildings studied by the learner.
- Explain the impact of electric fields on human health in a building inspected by the learner.
- Explain how electrical fields can be minimised by the way in which electric wires are laid in a specific house plan analysed by the learner.
- Compare differences upon the impact on health from different power supplies including: Mains power, self generated systems, different voltages.
- Compare the potential impact on health, of different waste disposal systems including: Chemical treatments, reed beds, and settling ponds.
- Explain potential impact of different water supply systems on human health, including: Mains water, ground water, and different types of rain water tanks.
- Explain possible impacts of gas supply systems on human health including: mains gas, bottle gas, and self generated bio-gas.
- Compare the impact of different types of artificial light sources on human health, including: Electric light, combustion systems.
- Compare the impact of different types of heating systems on human health.
- List ways temperature can be controlled inside a building by design.
- Explain health impacts of air conditioning in a building studied by the learner.
- List ways acoustics can be controlled, by building design.
- List ways light can be controlled, through building design.
- List ways ventilation can be controlled, by building design.
- Explain solar energy applications in a specified building.
- Evaluate the impact of the design of a building visited by the learner, on the interior environment.
- Redesign a building from a specified building plan, to improve the quality of the physical environment inside.
- Evaluate the heights of three different kitchen benches for ergonomic suitability to the people who are primary users of those benches.
- Explain the importance of clear and easy access into and through the building for all users, including the disabled.
- Explain health aspects of the relationship between the human body and the interior of a specific building.
- Explain the effect that four different colours may have on human health.
- Explain the effect of space perceptions may have on human health, in a visited interior workplace.
- Evaluate the psychological impact of the interior environment in two distinctly different offices upon the people who work in each of those offices.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs)
What are the benefits of studying Healthy Buildings?
Understand practical steps that can help lower exposure to common indoor pollutants and allergens.
Make spaces feel better to live in by improving comfort (temperature, draughts, humidity) and reducing damp/mould problems.
Learn how everyday building issues can affect respiratory health, allergies, and overall comfort of occupants.
Gain confidence applying the right ventilation, moisture management, and energy-efficiency approaches.
Make better and more cost-effective decisions that focus on health when undertaking renovations.
Develop foundation skills for roles in facilities, building management, energy/retrofit, or sustainable renovation.
Enhance your career or expand your skillset.
What is the course duration and format?
There are 10 lessons.
The course can be completed in approximately 10 weeks.
Each lesson includes experiential tasks, a self-assessment test, and a written assignment.
Assignments are marked by our expert tutors and returned with written feedback.
There is an optional exam upon completion of the course.
The course is self-paced. Study wherever you want, whenever you want.
How long can I access course materials?
You have all the time you want. We don't have a cut-off date. You can continue to access your course indefinitely. This is one of the ways we are different.
You can review and revisit course material as often as you like, helping to reinforce learning and improve retention.
Can I use this course as a credit toward a qualification?
Yes. This can be used as a module in a variety of certificates and diplomas with ACS or in a degree with one of our affiliate partners, Warnborough College.
Various other universities and colleges around the world have also assessed and given credits for our courses in degrees.
Who is this course for?
Property managers
Building owners
Homeowners and renters
Facilities managers and maintenance workers
People in roles that support occupants (e.g., community housing, support workers)
Renovators and retrofitters
Sustainable housing officers
Environmental health workers
Career changers
Anyone wanting to develop valuable skills in green buildings
Ready to Enrol?
You can enrol on the course at any time. If you have any questions - get in touch today. We are happy to answer your questions, and discuss your goals and study options.