Building Automation Systems (BAS) Program

The Building Automation Systems Program is an advanced program totaling 90 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, Ron also teaches these topics in a series of recorded video lecture presentations included with each learning module. This program is NATE recognized for 90 hours of continuing education (CEHs) which are applicable to NATE re-certification.

The vast majority of commercial buildings today utilize Direct Digital Control (DDC) systems. Any technician working in a commercial building must have a basic understanding of these systems. Technicians choosing a career path in controls must have an even greater understanding of these systems.

This six module series is designed for new hires and those transitioning from residential systems to commercial building HVAC and control systems. Direct Digital Control system types and configurations are presented and discussed. The course is generic and not focused on one manufacturer or type. Emphasis is put on real-world troubleshooting and operation scenarios. It will cover common commercial HVAC systems and multiple generations of controls.

Students will take one course/module at a time in a systematic progression. Students are enrolled as online asynchronous. This access allows students to login at their convenience 24/7/365. This program is NATE recognized for 18 hours of continuing education hours (CEHs) which are applicable to  NATE re-certification.

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.

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 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.

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 18 hours of continuing education (CEHs) which are applicable to NATE re-certification.

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.

Tap into the experience of a Pro! Videos included! 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!

This course is NATE recognized for 21 hours of continuing education (CEHs) which are applicable to NATE re-certification.

This course will prepare both HVAC and Controls Technicians to work on today’s modern web-based systems in a commercial HVAC Control System. This course will provide technicians with an introduction to Ethernet networking concepts, hardware, configuration, and troubleshooting. This course is aimed at HVAC technicians servicing automated control systems that are based on networked controllers. We will cover the basic operation of an Ethernet-based network, servers, and software tools. We’ll follow that with examples of the 19 most common causes of network problems, including their symptoms, diagnosis, and remedies. Professional relationships and collaboration with facility IT staff is emphasized throughout.

This course is NATE recognized for 21 hours of continuing education (CEHs) which are applicable to NATE re-certification.

This program complies with ACCA Quality Installation & Maintenance Standards.

Ron Auvil is a Staff Instructor for HVACRedu.net. He has over 38 years of HVAC and Controls Experience. This includes 35 years teaching experience. He has worked as a senior controls technician for Johnson Controls. He has also taught HVAC controls classes across the United States for Johnson Controls, Honeywell, and others. He has written the definitive textbook on pneumatic and DDC control systems ‘HVAC Control Systems’ 3rd Edition, from American Technical Publishers.

Ron Auvil