Building services engineers are responsible for many aspects of a building’s functionality. They carefully plan out the layout of a building and oversee all the construction details, ensuring that everything works according to specifications. Building services engineering professionals design and construct all the internal working parts inside a building, such as the heating and cooling systems, plumbing, electrical wiring and all the supporting structures. They usually work on large projects like offices, schools, hospitals, labs, sports arenas and parks and retail centres and residential properties. They test layouts to ensure that everything is functional and up to code. If a building needs to be redone or an upgrade is needed, a professional engineer can make the necessary changes that will keep the building up to code and operational.
What Skills Do They Provide?
Some building services engineers are involved in the mechanical aspects of a building’s ventilation, with the purpose of ensuring that the building stays cool or warm enough during summer and winter seasons. Engineers check the ducts to ensure efficient airflow and remove debris that may be clogging them. They also check fire extinguishers and sprinkler systems to ensure that they are in good condition and properly mounted.
When construction projects take place under budget constraints, building services engineers work to find ways to cut costs and streamline operations. They analyse systems and find ways to make things operate more efficiently. For instance, if a building is being built for one square foot per day, for example, instead of building three stories the engineers can choose to use a system where only one level of the building has to be erected. They can also choose to have fewer workers on any job, saving money and time on the construction project. All of these methods can make a difference in the final cost of a project.
Just like any other engineer, building services engineers need to know about construction laws and regulations as well. This knowledge helps ensure that safety is a priority during construction. An efficient drainage system is important to save on water consumption and prevent flooding. Plumbing is another critical aspect, since buildings have to transport water and waste to areas of use. The proper piping and drainage system will cut down on water wastage and allow buildings to function more efficiently.
The next step after creating a plan and designing a building is to hire an engineer, a chartered engineer, or any other type of employee to oversee the project. When choosing employees for these positions, building services engineers often look to experienced apprentices to provide on the job training. By having employees learn on the job, building services engineers can save money and time by not having to train full-time workers. The cost savings in training wages for one employee instead of two can add up to significant savings for a company.
Future Changes For The Industry
In order to get apprenticeship training, however, building services engineers often rely on referrals from reputable employers. For those with no referrals, or who are looking to increase their chances of getting an apprenticeship, they can also go to recruitment agencies. Recruitment agencies have connections with training companies and can provide their clients with a list of companies that do business with them. They can also provide potential employees a list of companies that do not have working relationships with the agency, but who may be interested in training. Either method allows the employee to find a good training program at a reasonable price.
