PPD Pass - Online
To provide background, I have 5 years of experience in architecture, and 1 year of experience in construction management. I have dyslexia and want to encourage people to continue their exams even though you may need more time to read the study materials. The entire study process took me about 2 months, with 20 hours of reading a week.
Sources I read, and best done in this order:
(In depth) IBC 2018 - I have experience with code so I didn't need to study this as much. But read through all Chapters 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, and 2902 Plumbing Facilities. (2 weeks)
(Reference) Ching's Building Codes Illustrated - Use this as a reference for portions of IBC that you do not understand. I would not recommend just reading this book alone. (included in the 2 weeks with IBC 2018)
(In depth) 2010 ADA Standards - Read all of it but really know Chapter 3-5. (included in the 2 weeks with IBC 2018)
(In depth) Heating, Cooling, Lighting (Lechner) - I basically read the entire book but skipped over sections I was already familiar with due to experience and the PA exam. If you don't have time, just read Thermal Comfort, Electric Lighting, Thermal Envelope, and Mechanical chapters. (2 weeks)
(In depth) Plumbing, Electricity, Acoustics (Lechner) - Read the entire book. (1 week)
(Reference) Architectural Graphic Standards: Look at every detail. Only read chapter 4: Services.
(Reference) Building Construction Illustrated: Look at all the details.
(Reference) The Architect's Studio Companion: Read sections 2 & 4.
(Reference) MEEB: Flip through to review diagrams and review anything you are lacking by the end of studying.
(Reference) Free Black Spectacles on Youtube: Mainly watched the structural and mechanical videos.
Sources marked "in depth," broke down concepts to the root of their purpose and function. The "reference" sources were used after I had a basic understanding of the topics. Like I said, I have dyslexia, when I read some of the "reference" sources first, I was unable to understand and retain much information because it jumped right into the specifics, and MEEB would take too long. But I'm sure others are able to read those sources and get it.
A few other topics you should study:
- Stormwater management.
- Seismic failures (FEMA Earthquake Manual Chapters 4-5).
- Standards of Historic Preservation.
I failed my first attempt because I only read Building Construction Illustrated, Architect's Studio Companion, FEMA, code, and AGS. I thought I could rely on my experience, but this test was more in depth than the typical coordination I have done. I believe the amount of hours I put towards PPD equate the combined hours I put into PA, PcM, PjM, and CE. Good luck to everyone and I hope this helps!
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Thank you, Nasheet! Nothing different from the listed sources above, I didn't go as in depth on this one due to my lack of resources. I didn't want to spend more money on textbooks that I would never use again.
The Architect's Studio Companion, Section 2.
FEMA Earthquake Manual, Chapters 4-5 for seismic design information. It's free online. This was my biggest asset for structural study materials but I believe majority of people I spoke with found the Studio Companion and Building Structures (James Ambrose) most helpful. I did not read Building Structures but may need that for PDD.
AGS, look through the details and diagrams in Chapter 1-2 and some of the material chapters.
Black Spectacles YouTube videos have practice calculations they walk you through, but there aren't many.
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