9 daysOverview
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The Building Operator Certification (BOC®) program is eight modules rolled out over a nine-day skills based training and certification program which affords facility personnel improved job skills and knowledge to transform workplaces into more comfortable, energy-efficient and environmentally friendly environments.
Each course consists of highly interactive and hands-on classroom training facilitated by very knowledgeable and experienced building professionals. Project assignments are to be completed at the participant’s facility, and an in-class exam is administered at the end of each day of training.
Building operators are responsible for day-to-day maintenance and operation of large buildings with complex heating, mechanical and electrical systems, which offer excellent opportunity for significant energy savings. You and your company can do a lot to ensure that your buildings operate as energy-efficiently as possible: increase tenant comfort; save money; and reduce your environmental footprint.
NEW CERTIFICATION EXAM
Starting in 2018, the BOC program will be aligned with ISO 17024, an international standard for organizations that certify personnel. This change includes the addition of a comprehensive exam. The exam takes place after the course is completed. Upon successfully passing the exam, candidates earn the CBO (Certified Building Operator) certification.
The Certification Exam is a three-hour computer-based test addressing topics covered in the course training. The exam is comprised of 100 multiple choice questions.
Candidates who complete a public BOC program must schedule their certification exam with NEEC. There are several testing locations across Canada with flexible dates and times. Candidates register and pay the USD 285 exam fee on NEEC’s Certifior website.
For more information on the BOC program, please visit BOC's official website.
This program is offered in collaboration with the Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO).
Agenda
DAY 1: Introduction to the whole building system concept and how components interact with each other, with the building, its occupants, and the environment. Energy efficient operations and maintenance, thermal comfort theory, heat transfer, air movement, and air systems are reviewed.
- Introduction to the BOC Program and Certification Requirements
- Energy Efficient Operations and Maintenance
- Building Enclosures: Where Does The Heating and Cooling Energy Go
- HVAC Equipment (Heating and Cooling Devices)
DAY 2: Focuses on troubleshooting and optimization approaches for heating and cooling units, systematic diagnostic procedures, and determination of repair needs.
- Cooling Systems
- Air Properties and Human Comfort
- Air Systems/ Central Air Handling Units
- Wrap-Up and Summary
Day 3: Participants will learn how to perform quantifiable evaluations of their facilities’ energy use in order to be able to target prospects for energy conservation. Participants will learn energy management planning techniques and the basic principles of energy accounting to identify ways to improve efficiency.
- Energy Fundamentals
- Utility Bills & Rate Structures
- Energy Accounting
- Building Energy Analysis
- Trend Analysis
- Energy Conservation & Facility Management
- Conservation Programs
- Putting it All Together
Day 4: Participants will learn lighting fundamentals and principles of efficient lighting including: evaluation of lighting levels; fixture and control technologies; retrofit and redesign options; and required maintenance to reduce energy use associated with lighting while maintaining recommended lighting levels needed for productivity and safety.
- Lighting Principles and Terminology
- Lighting Equipment
- Lighting Maintenance
- Making Lighting Systems More Efficient
- Lighting Costs and Savings
DAY 5: Participants will learn the fundamentals of automatic control systems for building mechanical systems to target possible inefficiencies in their HVAC systems and to evaluate potential problems as part of an enhanced operation and maintenance program. Participants will be introduced to Building Automation Systems (BAS) and the graphic user interface as a cost effective tool to review real time building data, identify problems, and verify proper performance for air handling and central plant systems.
- Controls Fundamentals
- Computerized Control Systems
- Controls Strategies for Improving Energy Efficiency of HVAC Systems
DAY 6: Participants will learn about the causes of indoor environmental quality (IEQ) problems and the relationships between cause, control, occupant sensitivity, and ventilation in order to develop a reliable method of diagnosis and remediation.
- Introduction to Indoor Environmental Quality
- Preventing IEQ Problems
- Investigating and Resolving Complaints
DAY 7: Participants will learn typical areas and problems with different system types and equipment and the relevant diagnostic tools and techniques to identify common opportunities that offer the greatest energy savings potential.
- Introduction and Overview
- Three Key Practices
- Equipment Scheduling
- Sensor Error
- Simultaneous Heating and Cooling
- Outside Air Usage
- HVAC Systems and Major Equipment
- Introduction to Data Loggers
DAY 8: Participants will learn basic electrical theory, safety procedures, power distribution, and energy conservation to develop a practical understanding of electricity and its use in commercial facilities. Participants will learn basic troubleshooting in order to effectively work with licensed staff and/or contractors with ongoing electrical problems and maintenance support.
- Safety
- Electrical theory
- Electrical Distribution
DAY 9: Participants will learn O&M best practices for green or high performance buildings including exterior site issues, water efficiency, cleaning products, material and supply purchasing, energy, and indoor environmental quality to improve the performance of both existing buildings and newly-designed green buildings.
- Sustainability/Green Building Primer
- Exterior/Site
- Water Efficiency
- Energy
- IEQ
- Building Materials/Supplies
- Operations
- Resources
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
Eligibility Requirements
BOC is for building operators with two or more years experience in building operation and maintenance, who wish to broaden their knowledge of the total building system. Past participants have included building engineers, stationary engineers, maintenance supervisors, maintenance workers, facility coordinators, HVAC technicians, electricians, operations supervisors, operations techs, and others in the facility operation and maintenance field.
Eligibility for certification is based on work experience and education, AND completion of BOC classes, exams and on-the-job projects.
It is highly recommended that applicants for certification have a high school diploma or GED, and must have one of the following:
- two or more years of experience working in operations and maintenance of a commercial or institutional facility,
OR
- a minimum of one year of experience working in operations and maintenance of a commercial or institutional facility AND one year of technical college level education in facilities engineering related program,
OR
- two or more years of experience in energy management of facilities with a focus on operations and maintenance.
RECOGNITION
The BOCT is an acceptable certification allowing professionals to verify building energy use data under Ontario’s Reporting of Energy Consumption and Water Use Regulation.
Testimonials
- 10 out of 10 (Winnipeg, winter 2017)
- Fantastic course, lots of useful knowledge (Winnipeg, winter 2017)
- Topics covered are informative and helpful in my role (Toronto, winter 2017)
- I learned a lot, valuable course (London, fall 2016)
- Very good, good learning experience (London, fall 2016)
- Excellent information and conveyed well through presentation and demos (London, fall 2016)
- Awesome course – highly recommend! (Winnipeg, spring 2016)
I enjoyed this course & presentation much more than others in the industry. Very relaxing environment able to culture learning for old & new in the industry (Winnipeg, spring 2016)
- It was a great experience and very well presented (Toronto, spring 2016)
- Very relevant to my current role (Vancouver, winter 2016)
- I’m sad for this program to end! (Vancouver, winter 2016)
- Definitely it is added advantage for building operators (Toronto, fall 2015)
- Very good use of real life examples to relate (Region of Waterloo, winter 2015)
- Great presentation – up to date knowledge! (Toronto, fall 2015)
- Detailed, useful and helpful information provided (Toronto, fall 2015)
- Great info to bring back to workplace and apply to increase savings potential (Kitchener-Wilmot, fall 2015)
- Highly recommended (Toronto, fall 2015)
- Excellent class, learned lots, very important (Kitchener-Wilmot, fall 2015)
- Good place to start writing policies & procedures for our office (Kitchener-Wilmot, fall 2015)
- Eye opening experience (Kitchener-Wilmot, fall 2015)
- All maintenance staff should participate (Toronto, fall 2015)
- It is the best course I have ever had. The professor is professional with amazing presentation skill. He turns a “boring” topic into a vivid way and leads us into the right path to feel, to participate and to make changes. The overall program is really successful for a great topic with everybody’s efforts (Toronto, fall 2015)
- Thank you for organizing this great course. I find it so very interesting and exciting (Toronto, fall 2015)
- The course was really excellent and beneficial – having accreditation and recognition is an added value – exposure to the course components and how we implement is also really important. I would recommend this course to anyone with a building eng/BAS team for sure. Thanks so much and kudos to CIET! (Kitchener-Wilmot, fall 2015)
