AAC — The Superior Building Material for Fire Safety, Sustainability & Energy Efficiency
A focused AIA Continuing Education course introducing AAC as a high-performance building material for fire safety, sustainability, energy efficiency, thermal comfort, acoustic performance, moisture resistance, and code-aware project decisions.
Understand AAC as a high-performance building material.
This course gives architects, engineers, developers, and construction professionals a structured overview of Autoclaved Aerated Concrete. The page presents only a summary and selected preview pages so visitors can understand the value of the session without exposing the full course material. For project-specific AAC planning, review MHE's AAC system expertise.
Through production process, material composition, product systems, fire safety, thermal performance, acoustic performance, moisture resistance, structural properties, code compliance, and lifecycle cost relevance — this AIA HSW course establishes AAC as a verified high-performance solution for modern construction challenges.
Learning Objectives Theatre
Upon completion of this AIA Continuing Education session, participants will be able to:
AAC Fundamentals
Understand the production process, material composition, and structural properties of Autoclaved Aerated Concrete.
Product Systems
Evaluate AAC product lines including blocks, panels, floor / roof systems, cladding, and their application in diverse building typologies.
Performance Analysis
Analyze the fire, thermal, acoustic, moisture resistance, and sustainability performance of AAC relative to alternative materials.
Code & Lifecycle Application
Apply AAC system knowledge for energy code compliance, fire sprinkler protection scope evaluation, and reduced lifecycle cost opportunities.
Course Runway
Summary topics only. Full content delivered in-session. Selected modules include slide preview references.
AAC Fundamentals
What AAC is, history, material composition, and global adoption.
Manufacturing Process
How AAC is produced from raw materials to autoclave curing and quality packaging.
Product Range
Blocks, panels, floor / roof systems, cladding, and related applications.
Fire & Safety Performance
Fire resistance and safety-related AAC performance.
Thermal, Acoustic & Moisture
Comfort, insulation, sound, and moisture-related themes.
Sustainability & Energy Efficiency
Sustainable design relevance, energy code relevance, and long-term performance.
Installation & Detailing
Best practices, project-specific review, and implementation awareness.
Discussion & AIA Credit
Questions, presenter contact, references, and AIA credit information.
Course Preview Pages
Selected page previews are shown as summary visuals only. Click any preview to enlarge it.
AAC Performance Learning Zones
Each zone corresponds to a core performance theme addressed in this AIA HSW session.
Fire Safety
AAC assemblies can support fire ratings up to 4 hours depending on tested assembly and project-specific code review.
HSW – Life SafetySustainability
Low embodied carbon, minimal waste in production, and long-term material durability support sustainable design goals.
HSW – SustainabilityEnergy Efficiency
AAC's thermal mass and insulation properties reduce heating and cooling loads, supporting energy code compliance.
HSW – EnergyThermal Comfort
Consistent interior temperatures and superior thermal resistance for year-round occupant comfort in diverse climates.
HSW – ComfortAcoustic Comfort
High sound transmission class (STC) ratings for privacy and acoustic comfort in residential and commercial buildings.
HSW – ComfortMoisture Resistance
AAC's cellular structure and factory-applied coatings provide resistance to moisture intrusion and long-term durability.
HSW – DurabilityProduct Systems
Comprehensive product ecosystem: blocks, panels, floor/roof systems, and cladding for full building envelope coverage.
HSW – Building SystemsCode-Aware Decisions
Apply AAC knowledge to energy codes, fire code evaluation, and lifecycle cost analysis for responsible project decisions.
HSW – Code Compliance
Michael Hofmann
Presented by Michael Hofmann, Registered AAC Specialist and international AAC expert with 40+ years of experience and 3,000+ AAC projects worldwide. As Founder and Registered AAC Specialist of MHE Group, Michael brings AAC system, product, factory, and construction experience to every AIA Continuing Education session.
Continue Your AIA Education
Education Hub
View all MHE AIA Continuing Education programs and available courses.
Request NowRequest Course 1 Session
Schedule this AIA HSW Lunch & Learn for your architecture or engineering team.
AIA Course 2AAC Structural Systems
Wind, Seismic & Load-Bearing Design — continue to Course 2 focused on structural systems.
Download or request this AIA Continuing Education session
Use the Course 1 PDF as a professional AAC education resource, or book MHE's live session on fire safety, sustainability, energy efficiency, and high-performance building systems for your team.