87 instructional hours
Ron Auvil
The HVAC Controls / Building Automation Systems Program is an advanced program totaling 87 instructional hours. Students will take one course at a time in a systematic progression through courses that lay a good foundation, then move into commercial HVAC systems and through the specific technologies of controls systems. Students are enrolled as online asynchronous independent study. This access allows students to login at their convenience 24/7/365. The courses were written by Ron Auvil who is the Author of HVAC Control Systems, American Technical Publishers. Along with the courses described below, Ron also teaches these topics in a series of recorded video lecture presentations included with each learning module. This program is NATE recognized for 87 hours of continuing education (CEHs) which are applicable to NATE re-certification, and BPI recognized for 43.5 continuing education units (CEUs).Each course purchase allows 60 days enrollment to complete. Must obtain a 70% or higher to obtain CEU recognition. Course provides you with a Subject Matter Expert (mentor) to assist with questions and all course materials for the duration of the course.
The courses making up the program are:
- 153 HVACR Control Systems Fundamentals
- 154 HVACR Control Systems Types and BAS Basics
- 155 HVACR BAS Installation and Strategies
- 156 HVACR BAS System Management and Advanced Technologies
- 157 HVACR Troubleshooting DDC Systems & Components Course
Required Textbooks
HVAC Control Systems (4th edition) shipped upon program enrollment, included with Program Enrollment.
For course descriptions, find the corresponding course number earlier in this catalog.
Prerequisites
This program is designed for HVAC technicians, facilities managers, and commercial maintenance technicians who have already completed an educational program for HVAC and/or have current industry work experience in the field. The program will build on your existing knowledge of HVAC fundamentals and equipment and help you learn HVACR Controls and Building Automation Systems.
Grades
Students who complete a course with a grade of 70% or higher will receive a certificate of completion for that course. Further, at the end of the program, if all six courses are passed with a score of 70% or higher, students will receive a Certificate of Completion for the HVAC Controls / Building Automation Systems Program. All courses in the program also carry NATE and BPI continuing education credit for technicians maintaining industry certifications.
Jobs
A quick check revealed that Indeed.com shows 1,044 job listings for Building Automation Controls Technician; Monster.com shows over 1,000, Career Builder shows 504, and GlassDoor.com shows 4,457. This skill set is much in demand right now and will continue to increase!
153 HVACR Control Systems Fundamentals
18 Instructional Hours
This course is designed to introduce HVACR Technicians, and others involved in the HVACR industry, to the Fundamentals of HVACR Control Systems. This course will prepare students with a strong understanding of typical HVAC mechanical systems in a commercial building environment. In turn, the student will gain an understanding of the different types of control systems and concepts used in these commercial buildings. Instruction aligns with ACCA Quality Installation & Maintenance Standards. Recommended Prerequisites: you will need a strong working knowledge of HVACR Fundamentals prior to enrollment into this course. This course is NATE recognized for 18 hours of continuing education (CEHs) which are applicable to NATE re-certification, and BPI recognized for 9 continuing education units (CEUs).
The main topics for the course are identified below
- HVAC Fundamentals
- Commercial Building Heating Systems
- Commercial Building Cooling Systems
- IAQ and Commercial Air Handling Units
- HVAC System Energy Sources
- Control Principles
154 HVACR Control System Types and BAS Basics
18 Instructional Hours
This course is designed to introduce HVACR Technicians, and others involved in the HVACR industry, to Electrical and electronic control systems as used in commercial buildings and HVAC systems. Building Automation systems will then be discussed in detail, starting with older systems and proceeding to today’s modern web-based systems. The student will understand types and methods of operator interfaces in commercial buildings, as well as the different types of BAS inputs and outputs in detail. Instruction aligns with ANSI/ACCA Quality Installation & Maintenance Standards. Recommended Prerequisites: you will need a strong working knowledge of HVACR Fundamentals and completion of “153 Controls Systems Fundamentals” prior to enrollment into this course. This course is NATE recognized for 18 hours of continuing education (CEHs) which are applicable to NATE re-certification, and BPI recognized for 9 continuing education units (CEUs).
The main topics for the course are identified below
- Control Systems
- Electrical Control Systems
- Electronic Control Systems
- Building Automation Systems and Controllers
- Operator Interfaces
- Building Automation System Inputs and Outputs
155 HVACR BAS Installation and Strategies
15 Instructional Hours
This course is designed to equip HVACR Technicians, and others involved in the HVACR industry, with the skills and understanding needed to install and program typical modern BAS equipment. This will be done in a vendor-independent manner. VAV terminal box, Air Handling Unit, and Central Boiler/Chiller Plant Programming will be used as examples. Instruction aligns with ACCA Quality Installation & Maintenance Standards. Recommended Prerequisites: completion of 153 Controls Systems Fundamentals, and 154 Control Systems Types and BAS Basics prior to enrollment into this advanced course. This course is NATE recognized for 15 hours of continuing education (CEHs) which are applicable to NATE re-certification, and BPI recognized for 7.5 continuing education units (CEUs).
The main topics for the course are identified below
- Building Automation System Installation, Wiring, and Testing
- Computer Networks and Web Based Control
- Direct Digital Control Strategies
- Supervisory Control Strategies
- Building Automation Retrofit of Existing Systems
156 HVACR BAS System Management and Advanced Technologies
15 Instructional Hours
This course is designed to equip HVACR Technicians, and others involved in the HVACR industry, with the knowledge needed to implement advanced strategies in BAS regarding alarms trends and energy saving features. This course will also equip the technician to perform basic service troubleshooting of BAS and understand the role and structure of interoperable systems including BACNET and LON. The student will then be able to work with commissioning agents to ensure proper BAS operation and implementation. Instruction aligns with ACCA Quality Installation & Maintenance Standards. Recommended Prerequisites: completion of 153 Controls Systems Fundamentals, and 154 Control Systems Types and BAS Basics, and 155 BAS Installation and Strategies prior to enrollment into this advanced course. This course is NATE recognized for 15 hours of continuing education (CEHs) which are applicable to NATE re-certification, and BPI recognized for 7.5 continuing education units (CEUs).
The main topics for the course are identified below
- Building System Management
- Energy Audits and Utility Structures
- Building Automation System Troubleshooting
- Building Automation System Interoperability-Advanced Technologies
- Building Commissioning
157 Troubleshooting DDC Systems & Components Course
21 Instructional Hours
Tap into the experience of a Pro! This class is designed for advanced level technicians who want to learn and enhance their BAS/DDC Troubleshooting skills. Dozens of In-depth multiple field troubleshooting scenarios are covered in detail in a ‘ride-along in the service van’ format. All scenarios are derived from actual service calls. Upon completion of this course the technician will have covered a minimum 75% of the most common service calls on BAS/DDC. Videos and hands-on access to a control system will be used to enhance the learning experience as well! Prerequisite: Successful completion of BAS Program 153-156 or Equivalent Field experience. Required Text: HVAC Control Systems’ by Ronnie J Auvil 4th Edition. This course is NATE recognized for 21 hours of continuing education (CEHs) which are applicable to NATE re-certification, and BPI recognized for 10.5 continuing education units (CEUs).
The main topics for the course are identified below
- Troubleshooting Tools & Safety; Overview of ‘Typical’ DDC System Today
- Input Troubleshooting with Multiple, Typical Field Scenarios
- Output Troubleshooting with Multiple, Typical Field Scenarios
- Field Controller Level Troubleshooting Part 1
- Field Controller Level Troubleshooting Part 2 with Multiple, Typical Field Scenarios
- Basic Web-Based Control Systems Troubleshooting Part 1
- Web-Based Control Systems Troubleshooting Part 2 with Multiple, Typical, Field Scenarios