The eLearning Center for Gatlin Education Services

Overview

Building commissioning has emerged as the preferred method of ensuring that building systems are installed and operated to provide the performance envisioned by the designer. While most commissioning processes focus on bringing building operation to the original design intent, Continuous Commissioning is different. Continuous Commissioning focuses on optimizing HVAC system operation and control for the existing building conditions. Continuous Commissioning is an ongoing process to resolve operating problems, improve comfort, optimize energy use and identify retrofits for existing commercial and institutional buildings and central plant facilities. Continuous Commissioning focuses on improving overall system control and operations for the building, as it is currently utilized, and on meeting existing facility needs.

In this course, the student will learn about Continuous Commissioning basics and benefits. The student will also learn about specific energy improvement measures related to water/steam distribution systems, central chiller and heating plants, thermal storage systems. In addition multiple case studies are discussed to show real continuous commissioning retrofit applications.

The student is expected to read and review the material contained in the Continuous Commissioning Guidebook for Federal Energy Managers, Maximizing Building Efficiency and Comfort, DOE - Federal Energy Management Program - October 2002.

The student must take a multiple-choice quiz consisting of fifty (50) questions at the end of this course to obtain PDH credits.

Specific Knowledge or Skill Attained

This course teaches the following specific knowledge and skills:

  · Benefits of Continuous Commissioning
  · Basic Continuous Commissioning measures
  · Continuous Commissioning for Water/Steam Distribution
  · Continuous Commissioning for Central Chiller Plants
  · Continuous Commissioning for Central Heating Plants
  · Continuous Commissioning for Thermal Storage Systems
  · Continuous Commissioning for Optimal Building Performance

State Board Acceptance

This course can be used by professional engineers to fulfill PDH requirements mandated by state and provincial licensing boards. Decatur Professional Development is an approved provider of continuing education in all states that pre-approve course providers. In all other states that mandate continuing education for engineers, it is the individual engineer's responsibility to determine the suitability of activities for PDH credit. The state boards typically accept online* courses that cover technical, managerial** or ethical content and which are relevant to the practice of engineering. The course must have a clear purpose or objective with a content that will maintain, improve or expand the skills and knowledge of the licensee's field of practice. For questions about your mandatory PDH requirements, visit the website of your state licensing board.

*Online courses are accepted by all state licensing boards that mandate continuing education. Other than New York (which limits online courses to 18 PDH) and Iowa (which limits online courses to 6 PDH), there are no limits placed by other states on the number of hours that can be earned through online continuing education. Consult with your state licensing board if you have any questions about the acceptability of online courses.

*The New York State Board of Engineers does not accept general office management courses, but will accept project management courses that are offered by an approved provider and that are technical in nature and contribute to the engineer's professional practice.