Advanced Framing with Wildfire Hardened, Creative Building Envelopes (Webinar)
2026-07-13 13:00 - 16:30 (America/Los_Angeles)
Course Description:
Traditional home construction often involves using more wood than necessary. Reducing wood usage not only lowers fuel consumption but also creates space for additional insulation, which decreases fire risk and enhances energy performance. Learn how to build more energy-efficient and wildfire-hardened homes at a lower cost and faster pace! Instructor Ron Kliewer, a seasoned Framer and General Contractor, will share his hands-on experience. He will cover the basic anatomy of wood framing, illustrate current framing practices, demonstrate how to build better buildings with less lumber, introduce alternate framing methods and assemblies, such as Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs) and continuous insulation. Instructor Chris Mellen will connect the benefits of Advanced Framing to the California Energy Code. He will show how Advanced Framing serves as a significant energy upgrade, aiding compliance with current and future energy code cycles. Join us to discover innovative methods for constructing more efficient and reslient homes!
Nerdy Discussions on Framing and Energy Compliance: Dive into the fascinating world of framing technicalities and energy design with our comprehensive discussions. We cover everything from the nitty-gritty of framing terms like “O.C.”, “cripple”, and “trimmer” to the cool innovations in Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs) and common framing mistakes. Explore essential topics such as Framing Factors and Energy Design Rating (EDR) and understand how they impact your energy compliance report. Learn about the origins of Advanced Framing and discover why it’s an excellent choice for building with wood in the Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI), even when using exterior insulation cladding. We also delve into the concept of viewing a building as a system, highlighting how Advanced Framing complements tighter, more efficient, and wildfire-hardened buildings. And yes, we even touch on some math to ensure your designs are precise and compliant!
Agenda:
• Presented online as a live webinar filmed in the SCE’s Energy Education Center Smart Home using the High-Performance Wall (HPW)/High-Performance Attic (HPA) displays
• Course will include a Fact Sheet and PDF of the slide deck for later reference
Learning Objectives:
• Identify commonly used framing members, their specific applications in construction, and the common practices that lead to lumber lumber waste
• Discuss the mechanisms of heat loss and thermal shorts in building envelopes, and explore strategies to mitigate these issues for improved energy efficiency
• Analyze real world examples to enhance your understanding of advanced framing techniques and their significance in achieving energy savings and wildfire hardening, while recognizing the flexibility allowed by the The Building Code
• Evaluate various wall assemblies to determine the methods and materials required to achieve ignition-resistant 1-hour fire rating
• Understand the relationship between lumber usage and Title-24, including the integration of energy modeling and Advanced Framing techniques
• Evaluate the impact of energy code compliance in various climate zones, focusing on advanced framed walls, high-performance walls, reduced air leakage, Structural Insulated Panels (SIPS), raised heel trusses, and high-performance attics
• Understand Advanced Framing techniques and the range of framing choices available, including the ability to discuss the gradients of Advanced Framing while ensuring structural integrity
• Learn the benefits of Advanced Framing in terms of lumber savings, time efficiency, cost reduction, and decreased fuel load
Target Audience:
• Architects
• Building Inspectors
• Builders & Contractors
• Carpenters & Framers
• DIY Homeowners/Remodelers
• Energy Consultants
• Energy Modelers
• Structural Engineers
• Teachers
• Fire Wise Communities
• California Fire Safe Council
Prerequisite(s):
Participants will benefit if they have some knowledge of construction and/or energy modeling but it is not necessary.
Learning Units:
3.5 AIA LU|HSW
Learning Level:
Intermediate Class: Content is appropriate for individuals who possess a fundamental understanding of the topic and have familiarity with basic terminology and methodology of the subject matter. Attendees should have the capacity to participate in instructor-led exercises requiring synthesis and application of concepts.
Instructors:
• Ron Kliewer began his career framing houses and remodeling, eventually becoming a custom home builder and General Contractor, He holds BPI and IR certifications and has constructed a wide range of projects, from outhouses to nuclear power plants. Throughout his career, Ron has worn many hats, including framer, electrician, special inspector, project manager and general contractor. His early interest in energy efficiency led him into the world of building science, where he has collaborated with Southern California Edison, Bonneville Power Administration, Electric Power Research Institute, and other organizations on energy research projects.
• Chris Mellen, PE, is the Senior Engineer for Kliewer and Associates, managing multiple energy research projects and providing technical support to Southern California Edison and the Electric Power Research Institute for Demand Response and Emerging Technology energy pilots. He is a member of CABEC, ASHRAE, and PMI, with experience in energy code compliance. As an early adopter of emerging technology, Chris lives in a home served by heat pump technology, including a water heater, clothes dryer, and (soon) several mini splits. A long-time member of the ASHRAE Orange Empire Chapter, Chris is the past Chapter Historian.
• Chad Gretzner is a Research Engineer at Kliewer and Associates and NFPA Reducing Wildfire Risk to Property: Professional. He assists with project management for the Zero Flame Spread project funded by Southern California Edison and has contributed to the design and forensic study of a 1-hour burn test study representing high-density communities in the Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI). This research led Kliewer & Associates to develop the class “Practical Guide to Hardening Structures & Parcels Against Wildfires” and the design and implementation of the “Parcel Assessment for Wildfire Hardening” (PAWH) form.
Special Instructions:
This is a live Webinar class presented via Microsoft TEAMS; internet access is required.

Wildfire Resilience: Hardening Structures & Communities (Webinar)
2026-07-14 08:30 - 12:00
Course Description:
There is an urgent need to perform parcel assessments in order to harden homes, parcels and communities to “stand alone” to survive wildfires. Why? Multiple fires and other conditions may outpace the efforts of first responders. What is needed to mitigate risks for individual buildings and communities? A comprehensive structure and parcel assessment based on a burn test study Kliewer and Associates (K&A), performed and the Hazard Mitigation Methodology (HMM) published by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST).
In early 2024 and funded by SCE, Kliewer & Associates performed a burn test study that represented a high-density setting. One conventionally framed structure was not hardened against wildfire and had no defensible space. The hardened structure had a structure separation distance of 10’ from the burn structure and had defensible space. Thermocouples and cameras were placed inside and around the hardened structure to measure the temperature behind the fire rated door, window, and in the middle of the ceiling. The resulting forensic study performed after the burn test was completed, exposed vulnerable locations in the building assembly. Discover what features were most effective for survivability, and what features increased vulnerability and damage. Find out why some homes survive an event while the surrounding structures are destroyed.
This study sheds light on how to rebuild or retrofit structures and parcels with ignition-resistant building assemblies and how full structure hardening against direct flame exposure may greatly increase the probability of high-density homes surviving wildfires.
Building Scientist Ron Kliewer, Research Engineer Chad Gretzner, and Chris Mellen, P.E., will discuss the nuts and bolts of a wildfire hardened building envelope and the energy efficiency gains that are achievable.
Agenda:

Taught simultaneously as a webinar and in-person at SCE’s Energy Education Center (EEC), Irwindale classroom and partly in the EEC Smart Energy Experience Home using the full size Wildfire Hardened High-Performance Wall (HPW)/High-Performance Attic (HPA) displays.
The course will include a fact sheet guide.

Learning Outcomes:

How to build, rebuild or retrofit existing structures in a cost-efficient way, implementable by Pros, DIYers, and communities.
Reduce the vulnerability of structure and parcel ignition from wildfires by choosing ignition-resistant assemblies and materials.
How to protect structures in the Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) to “stand alone” or as a community to survive fire and ember exposures when first responders are not yet available to intervene.
How to perform a parcel assessment for wildfire hardening.
Identify the 40 structure ignition vulnerabilities.
Locate, prioritize, and choose fire resistant building materials.
Use limited funds to target key strategies to slow the spread of a wildfire
Identify fire hazard severity zones in your area.

Target Audience:

Homeowners/ Remodelers
Architects
Builders & Contractors
Building Inspectors
Community Leaders
Developers
Engineers
Hazard Mitigation Specialists
HOA’s
FireWise Communities

Prerequisite(s):
Participants will benefit if they are motivated to be prepared for wildfire exposures, whether individually, or as a community.
Learning Units:

3.5 AIA|HSW

Learning Level:
Intermediate Class: Content is appropriate for individuals who possess a fundamental understanding of the topic and have familiarity with basic terminology and methodology of the subject matter. Attendees should have the capacity to participate in instructor-led exercises requiring synthesis and application of concepts.
Instructors:
• Ron Kliewer began his career framing houses and remodeling, eventually becoming a custom home builder and General Contractor, He holds BPI and IR certifications and has constructed a wide range of projects, from outhouses to nuclear power plants. Throughout his career, Ron has worn many hats, including framer, electrician, special inspector, project manager and general contractor. His early interest in energy efficiency led him into the world of building science, where he has collaborated with Southern California Edison, Bonneville Power Administration, Electric Power Research Institute, and other organizations on energy research projects.
• Chris Mellen, PE, is the Senior Engineer for Kliewer and Associates, managing multiple energy research projects and providing technical support to Southern California Edison and the Electric Power Research Institute for Demand Response and Emerging Technology energy pilots. He is a member of CABEC, ASHRAE, and PMI, with experience in energy code compliance. As an early adopter of emerging technology, Chris lives in a home served by heat pump technology, including a water heater, clothes dryer, and (soon) several mini splits. A long-time member of the ASHRAE Orange Empire Chapter, Chris is the past Chapter Historian.
• Chad Gretzner is a Research Engineer at Kliewer and Associates and NFPA Reducing Wildfire Risk to Property: Professional. He assists with project management for the Zero Flame Spread project funded by Southern California Edison and has contributed to the design and forensic study of a 1-hour burn test study representing high-density communities in the Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI). This research led Kliewer & Associates to develop the class “Practical Guide to Hardening Structures & Parcels Against Wildfires” and the design and implementation of the “Parcel Assessment for Wildfire Hardening” (PAWH) form.
Special Instructions:
This course is offered as a hybrid event, both In-Person and as an online Webinar. This is a live Webinar class presented via Microsoft TEAMS; internet access is required.

Troubleshooting Lighting Controls (Webinar)
2026-07-24 09:00 - 13:00
Description:
This course teaches attendees how to diagnose and resolve common lighting controls issues in commercial buildings. Participants will learn a structured troubleshooting process for systems that may include occupancy sensors, daylighting controls, wall stations, dimming zones, networked lighting controls, relays, emergency lighting interfaces, time schedules and integration with building automation systems.
This course focuses on practical field scenarios and participants will leave with a repeatable method for identifying whether an issue is caused by wiring, device configuration, programming, documentation, installation, commissioning or user operation.
Agenda:
Introduction to lighting controls troubleshooting
The troubleshooting workflow.
Common field issues and root causes.
Device-level troubleshooting.
Networked lighting controls and communication issues.
Documentation and closeout.
Learning Outcomes:
Apply a systematic troubleshooting workflow for commercial lighting control systems.
Identify common control system failure points.
Test lighting control components in the field.
Document findings clearly and communicate corrective actions to the appropriate project stakeholders.
Target Audience:
Project Managers, sales reps and installers.
