The eLearning Center for Gatlin Education Services

Overview

In today's building industry, the concept of integrated sustainable design has taken root and is branching out into full blossom. Green is in. Green is considered the responsible way to design. Integrated design is a process whereby the various disciplines involved in design-architect, mechanical engineer, electrical engineer, interior design professional, etc.-work together to come up with design solutions that maximize performance, energy conservation, and environmental benefits.

In this course the student will learn a wide variety of integrated sustainable concepts and practical ideas for building electrical, mechanical and plumbing systems, from design to facility operation, that will help with the integration of the various systems within the building. Although the reference text discusses Federal Facilities, the principles apply to all building types.

The student is expected to read and review the material contained in the Greening of Federal Facilities - Second Edition, May 2001 (Part V - Energy Systems).

The student must take a multiple-choice quiz consisting of forty five (45) 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:

  · Energy and Conservation Issues
  · HVAC Systems: Boilers, Air Distribution Systems, Chillers, Absorption Cooling
  · Desiccant Dehumidification
  · Ground-Source Heat Pumps
  · HVAC Technologies to Consider
  · Water Heating: Heat-Recovery Water Heating, Solar Water Heating
  · Lighting: Fluorescent Lighting, Electronic Ballasts, Lighting Controls, Exterior Lighting
  · Office, Food Service, and Laundry Equipment
  · Energy Management
  · Electric Motors and Drives: High-Efficiency Drives, Variable-Frequency Motors, Power Factors
  · Electric Power Systems Analysis
  · Microturbines, Fuel Cells, Photovoltaics, Wind Energy, Biomass Energy Systems
  · Combined Heat and Power Systems

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.