Logis-Tech Associates

A typical HNC in Building Services Engineering program  by Distance learning – Course Contents

HNC – Building Services Engineering – GD2H 15

Mandatory Units ( 6 credits required ):

(i) Unit Title: Design Principles and Application (1credit)

Unit code: DP12 34

This unit is designed to provide the candidate with a fundamental understanding of the design process and of how the planning and design phases are co-ordinated and managed.

This unit forms the design base for the study programme.  The unit has been devised to enable candidates studying Building Services Engineering programmes to demonstrate both knowledge and understanding of design considerations and the design process.  It is intended that this unit will help candidates develop the ability to apply, analyse and evaluate the design in terms of the production and cost implications for projects.

On completion of the Unit the candidate should be able to:

• Differentiate between the planning, design and production phases of the construction process and describe the co-ordination and management of each phase.
• Analyse the various factors that affect the selection of materials, systems and equipment and evaluate the environmental impact of energy and other constraints on the planning, design and construction processes.
• Describe the roles, responsibilities and obligations (including liability for health, safety and welfare) of all parties to a construction project.
• Demonstrate how technology affects the design of a construction.

(ii) Unit Title: Analytical Methods (1 credit)                                                         

Unit code: DP0X 34

This unit provides the candidate with the fundamental mathematical knowledge and analytical techniques needed to successfully complete the core and specialist optional units in this qualification. This unit has been designed to enable candidates to use fundamental mathematical processes in the solution of Building Services Engineering problems.

It is also intended as a base for further study of analytical methods and mathematics needed for candidates progressing to degree qualifications.

On completion of the Unit the candidate should be able to:

• Apply analytical methods to the management and production of building services installation processes and operations.
• Apply analytical methods to surveying, testing and control problems in building services engineering process.
• Analyse and solve problems using statistics and probability.
• Apply analytical methods to analyse building services engineering systems and provide appropriate solutions

(iii) Unit Title: Health and Safety in the Building Services Industry (1 credit)

Unit code: DP17 34

This core Unit will introduce the candidate to a wide range of health and safety issues applicable to the Building Services Industry.

On completion of the Unit the candidate should be able to:

• Define the main health and safety legislation in the building services sector
• Explain the main requirements of an effective health and safety policy.
• Demonstrate an understanding of hazard and risk identification in relation to the design and construction of an appropriate installation.
• Undertake a risk assessment appropriate to  the work area of the candidate.

(iv) Unit Title: Building Services Engineering Science (1 credit)

Unit code: DP11 34

The aim of this unit is to develop candidate understanding of principles and concepts used in a wide range of building services applications and to provide a basis from which the more specialised service applications can be developed.

The unit explores core fundamental principles and formulae of fluid flow, heat transfer, acoustics, electrical quantities and controls systems.

On completion of the Unit the candidate should be able to:

• Identify human and environmental factors influencing thermal comfort
• Analyse and apply basic principles to the flow of heat energy and fluids
• Analyse and evaluate single phase ac electrical networks
• Investigate the characteristics, transmission and effects of sound and vibration
• Identify elements of control systems and their performance.

(v) Unit Title: Building Services Engineering Graded Unit 1 (1 credit)                 

Graded Unit Code: DP0M 34

Type of Graded Unit: Project

Assessment Instrument: Case Study

This Graded Unit is designed to provide evidence that the candidate has achieved the following principal aims of the HNC Building Services:

This Group Award Graded Unit is designed to provide evidence that the candidate has achieved the following principal aims of the HNC Building Services Engineering to:

• prepare candidates for a range of technical, professional and management careers in Building Services Engineering.
• provide specialised studies which build upon previous study and experience, and are directly relevant to the individual vocations and professions in which candidates are currently working, or in which they intend to seek employment
• enable candidates to make an immediate contribution in employment in the building services sector

Generally the Graded Unit aims to;

•  skills of study, research and analysis
• ability to define and solve problems
• transferable skills
• ability to be flexible and work cooperatively      with others
• responsibility for own learning
• planning, organisational and review/evaluation      skills
• technical skills- broadening and deepening
• oral, written and pictorial communication skills
• numerical and ICT skills
• resource management ability

(vi) Unit Title: Building Services Engineering Project Management (1 credit)

Unit code: DP10 34

This unit is intended to provide a broad knowledge and understanding of management principles and their applications.  This unit is designed to provide an understanding of the application of management techniques to building services business and project management.

The unit has been designed to enable candidates studying higher national programmes to demonstrate both knowledge and understanding of project/contract management.  Candidates will have the opportunity to apply, analyse and evaluate processes of management and to identify opportunities for improvement.

On completion of the Unit the candidate should be able to:

• Develop an understanding of the objectives of project/contract management in terms of cost, quality, performance and continuous improvement.
• Demonstrate an understanding of procedures and processes involved in procuring projects, producing tenders and estimates, and the factors that affect profitability.
•  Demonstrate an understanding of management structures and relationships involved in project delivery.
•  Determine and understand what constitutes a contract, standard contracts, rights and obligations, commercial and financial risks.
• Demonstrate an understanding of project management systems and procedures for forecasting, planning, allocation and control of human, material and financial resources.

Optional Units (6.0 credits required):

(i)   Unit Title: Engineering Mathematics (1 credit)                                           

Unit code: DP13 35

This unit provides the candidate with the opportunity to acquire knowledge of a range of mathematical techniques and will develop his/her understanding of how these techniques can be applied to solve engineering problems.  Candidates will also learn the value of mathematics as a method of communicating results.

The knowledge and skills that candidates acquire in this unit will underpin their study of most other units of the Higher National Programme.

On completion of the Unit the candidate should be able to:

•  Demonstrate a knowledge of the properties of trigonometric functions
•  Construct and solve algebraic equations representing engineering problems
• Use techniques of calculus to determine maximum and minimum values and to calculate areas and volumes
• Define engineering problems using differential equations and solve these equations using analytical and numerical methods
•  Analyse problems using probability and statistics.

(ii) Unit Title: Heating A (1 credit)                                                                         

Unit code: DP15 34

The purpose of this unit is to develop candidate understanding of the principles of design, installation, operation and commissioning of heating equipment and installations.

It will provide an opportunity to experience the process of completing heating designs in complex industrial and commercial applications.

It will enable candidates to interpret the heating requirements of a building, develop practical heating schemes for a range of environments and evaluate the effectiveness of alternative schemes.

On completion of the Unit the candidate should be able to:

•  Evaluate the appropriate heating needs for commercial/industrial buildings
•  Determine space heating loads and energy requirements for heating schemes
•  Produce and evaluate designs for heating systems for commercial/industrial buildings
•  Select appropriate heating plant and energy sources for space heating and hot water generation systems.

(iii)   Unit Title: Piped Distribution Systems (1 credit)

Unit code: DP0N 34

The purpose of this unit is to develop candidate understanding of the underlying principles of the design, installation, operation and commissioning of a range of piped distribution systems and equipment.

It will provide an opportunity to experience the process of undertaking piped services designs in complex industrial and commercial applications.

It will enable candidate to interpret the requirements of modern commercial and industrial buildings, develop practical schemes and evaluate the effectiveness of alternative schemes for hot and cold water, fuel gas, medical and industrial gas and, fire fighting and mechanical fire protection.

On completion of the Unit the candidate should be able to:

• Evaluate the need for mechanical services distribution networks including fire fighting and fire protection services.
• Identify design strategies for cold and hot water supply systems.
• Identify design strategies for mechanical fire fighting and fire protection systems.
• Identify design strategies fuel gas, industrial and medical gas and compressed air installations.

(iv)   Unit Title: Thermofluids and Acoustic Criteria (1 credit)

Unit code: DP0T 34

This unit is designed to enable candidates to extend their knowledge and understanding of the principles used in the analysis and application of fluid flow, heat transfer and acoustics in the design of Building Services Systems.

On completion of the Unit the candidate should be able to:

• Analyse and apply modes of heat transfer
• Apply dimensional analysis to fundamental and empirical formulae with special reference to heat exchanger design and performance
• Investigate the performance of refrigeration plant and thermodynamic cycles
• Investigate acoustic criteria and apply suitable design methodology.

(v) Unit Title: Air Conditioning A (1 credit)                                                          

Unit code: DP0V 34

This Unit is designed to develop the candidate understanding of the principles of design, installation and operation and of air conditioning equipment and plant.  It will provide an opportunity to experience the process of completing air conditioning designs in complex industrial and commercial applications.  It will enable candidates to interpret the air conditioning requirements of a building, to develop practical air conditioning schemes for a range of environments and to evaluate the effectiveness of alternative schemes.

On completion of the Unit the candidate should be able to:

• Evaluate the ventilation and air conditioning needs for commercial/industrial buildings.
• Determine cooling loads and energy requirements for buildings and peak summertime temperatures for spaces without air conditioning.
• Produce and evaluate a design to satisfy the ventilation and air conditioning needs of commercial/industrial buildings.
• Select appropriate cooling plant and associated equipment for air conditioning systems.

(vi)   Unit title: Air Conditioning B (1 credit)

Unit code: DP0W 34

This Unit is designed to further develop candidate understanding of the principles and applications of air conditioning and also to provide an additional opportunity to experience the process of air conditioning design for large complex industrial/commercial multi-zone buildings. The Unit will enable the candidate to interpret the air conditioning and ventilation requirements of a building, to develop practical air conditioning schemes for a range of environments and to evaluate the effectiveness of alternative schemes.

On completion of the Unit the candidate should be able to

• Determine energy requirements using data related to climate, building envelope, occupancy and use.
• Produce and evaluate a design for ventilation systems for comfort and safety control in complex commercial and industrial buildings including aspects of fire and smoke management.
• Design for large multi-zone air conditioning systems for a range of complex commercial/industrial buildings including the use of high pressure/velocity systems.
• Analyse and evaluate the operation and application of refrigeration systems within air conditioning applications.
• Design and evaluate pipe and ductwork distribution systems.

* Other subjects to follow

Building Management Systems                                      DP0Y 34     1

Electricity and Lighting                                                  DP0R 34     1

Heating B                                                                            DP16 34     1

Notes:

It should also be said that each of these HN modules are stand alone courses and are all achievements in their own merit.  They are also often used for CPD (continuous professional development) to assist career progression.

If a student fails an end of unit test there is the opportunity for a resit at a later date.  If a student falls short of a PASS by a few marks.  The supportive exercises are then used as further evidence of the students work and the A-1 tutor can award a PASS in this instance based on academic judgement.