Internal Training Hub for Building Engineers
Centralized technical knowledge for HVAC, plumbing, fire protection, and boiler operations. Step-by-step procedures, equipment documentation, and safety protocols for all engineering staff.
Operating Procedures
Photos & Videos
PM Checklists
Compliance Guides
Create an internal training website for building engineers that explains and documents all major mechanical systems. The goal is to centralize technical knowledge, improve onboarding, and provide visual and written guides.
Training materials, SOPs, and system documentation for all engineering staff, supervisors, and contractors. Includes HVAC, plumbing, fire protection, and boiler systems across all managed buildings.
A packaged HVAC system installed on the roof that provides heating, cooling, and ventilation in a single self-contained unit
A Rooftop Unit (RTU) is a complete HVAC package that combines heating, cooling, filtration, and ventilation components in one weather-resistant enclosure mounted on a building's roof. RTUs are common in commercial buildings because they save interior space, are easy to service, and can be replaced without disrupting indoor operations.
Uses refrigeration cycle to remove heat and humidity from indoor air
Gas furnace or electric heat strips provide warmth during cold weather
Brings in fresh outdoor air to maintain indoor air quality
Purpose:
Pumps refrigerant through the system and increases its pressure and temperature
How it works:
Purpose:
Releases heat absorbed from indoor air to the outside atmosphere
How it works:
Purpose:
Absorbs heat from indoor air, providing cooling effect
How it works:
Purpose:
Reduces refrigerant pressure and controls flow rate
How it works:
Purpose:
Moves conditioned air through ductwork to building spaces
How it works:
Purpose:
Provides heating during cold weather operations
How it works:
Purpose:
Remove dust, pollen, and contaminants from air
How it works:
Purpose:
Brings in free cooling from outdoor air when conditions allow
How it works:
Purpose:
Electronic brain that controls all RTU operations
How it works:
Compressor raises refrigerant pressure and temperature, turning it into hot high-pressure gas
Hot gas flows through condenser coil, releases heat to outdoor air, and condenses into liquid
Expansion valve drops pressure rapidly, turning refrigerant into cold low-pressure liquid/vapor mix
Cold refrigerant absorbs heat from indoor air in evaporator coil, turning back into gas. Cycle repeats.
A ventilation device that recovers heat energy from exhaust air to pre-condition incoming fresh air, significantly reducing heating and cooling costs
A Heat Recovery Unit transfers thermal energy between two air streams—exhaust air leaving the building and fresh outdoor air entering the building—without mixing them. In winter, warm exhaust air preheats cold incoming air. In summer, cool exhaust air precools hot incoming air. This process dramatically reduces the energy needed to condition ventilation air.
Warm exhaust air (70°F) transfers heat to cold outdoor air (20°F), raising incoming air temperature to approximately 55-60°F before it enters the building. This reduces heating load significantly.
Cool exhaust air (72°F) absorbs heat from hot outdoor air (95°F), lowering incoming air temperature to approximately 78-80°F before it enters the building. This reduces cooling load significantly.
Purpose:
Transfers heat between exhaust and supply air streams
Types:
Purpose:
Move fresh and exhaust air through the heat exchanger
Operation:
Purpose:
Protect heat exchanger from dust and contaminants
Key Points:
Purpose:
Allow air to bypass heat exchanger when recovery not needed
When Used:
Heat Recovery Efficiency
Energy Cost Reduction
Payback Period (years)
HRUs are essential for meeting modern ventilation requirements while maintaining energy efficiency. Required in many commercial buildings by energy codes like ASHRAE 90.1.
A terminal unit that varies the amount of conditioned air delivered to a zone based on heating or cooling demand, providing individual zone control and energy savings
A Variable Air Volume (VAV) box is a zone control device installed in the ductwork that regulates airflow to individual rooms or zones. Unlike constant volume systems that always deliver the same amount of air, VAV boxes adjust airflow based on the zone's temperature needs. When a zone needs more cooling, the VAV box opens to allow more airflow. When the zone is satisfied, it throttles down to minimum airflow, saving fan energy.
VAV box damper opens to increase cold airflow when zone temperature rises above setpoint. More cooling = more airflow.
Damper closes to minimum position and reheat coil (hot water or electric) activates to warm the air when zone needs heat.
Purpose:
Varies airflow by opening or closing
Operation:
Purpose:
Motor that physically moves the damper
Types:
Purpose:
Measures actual airflow through box
Function:
Purpose:
Manages VAV box operation
Functions:
Purpose:
Heats air when zone requires warmth
Types:
Purpose:
Monitors space temperature
Details:
Energy Savings: By reducing airflow when zones don't need full cooling, VAV systems save 30-50% in fan energy compared to constant volume systems. The AHU supply fan speed slows down as VAV boxes close, reducing overall system energy consumption.
A versatile system that provides both heating and cooling by reversing the refrigeration cycle, moving heat rather than generating it
A heat pump is an air conditioning system that can reverse its operation. In cooling mode, it works exactly like an air conditioner—removing heat from inside and rejecting it outside. In heating mode, it reverses the refrigerant flow to extract heat from outdoor air (even cold air contains heat energy) and delivers it indoors. This makes heat pumps much more efficient than electric resistance heating because they move heat rather than create it.
Indoor coil = evaporator (absorbs heat)
Outdoor coil = condenser (rejects heat)
Result: Cool air indoors, hot air outdoors
Indoor coil = condenser (releases heat)
Outdoor coil = evaporator (absorbs heat)
Result: Warm air indoors, cold air outdoors
Purpose:
Changes refrigerant flow direction to switch between heating and cooling
Operation:
Purpose:
Backup heat when outdoor temperature too cold for heat pump efficiency
Types:
Purpose:
Removes ice buildup on outdoor coil during heating mode
Process:
COP (Coefficient of Performance):
For every 1 kW of electricity, heat pump delivers 2-4 kW of heating
Comparison:
Heat pump heating capacity and efficiency decrease as outdoor temperature drops. This is why auxiliary heat is needed in very cold climates.
Main Distribution Frame and Intermediate Distribution Frame—the backbone of building telecommunications and data networking
The MDF is the central hub where all building telecommunications and data services originate. It's the primary connection point between external service providers (ISP, telephone company) and the internal building network.
Location: Usually basement or ground floor for easy provider access
IDFs are satellite communication closets located on each floor or zone of a building. They connect back to the MDF via fiber optic backbone and distribute network services to end users on that floor.
Location: One per floor or zone, typically in closet near building core
Centralized mechanical equipment that generates heating and cooling for distribution throughout the building via piping systems
Produces cold water (typically 42-45°F) for building cooling
Produces hot water (140-180°F) or steam for building heating
Delivers heating/cooling throughout the building
Automated controls manage entire central plant
Large equipment operates more efficiently than many small units. Can achieve 20-40% energy savings.
All major equipment in one location makes servicing easier. Reduces roof access needs and simplifies repairs.
Multiple chillers/boilers provide backup. Can serve addition buildings. Easier to upgrade capacity.
Understanding water supply, drainage, and waste systems that provide clean water and remove waste safely from buildings
Brings clean, pressurized water into the building for drinking, washing, and equipment use
Removes wastewater from fixtures and carries it to the sewer system using gravity
Allows air into drain pipes to prevent siphoning and maintain proper drainage flow
Purpose:
Entry point where municipal water enters building
Components:
Purpose:
Distributes water throughout building
Materials:
Purpose:
Reduces high street pressure to safe building level
Function:
Purpose:
Heats water for domestic hot water use
Types:
Purpose:
Absorbs pressure increase when water heats up
Function:
Purpose:
End-use devices and flow control
Examples:
PSI Minimum
Below this, fixtures may not operate properly
PSI Ideal Range
Optimal pressure for residential use
PSI High
Uncomfortable but tolerable, may reduce fixture life
PSI Too High
PRV required, risk of leaks and damage
Unlike water supply which uses pressure, drainage systems rely on gravity to move wastewater. All drain pipes slope downward (typically 1/4" per foot) so water flows naturally to the sewer. Vent pipes allow air behind the flowing water, preventing suction that would slow drainage or siphon water out of fixture traps.
Every plumbing fixture has a trap—a U-shaped bend that holds water to block sewer gases from entering the building. The vent system keeps these traps working properly by equalizing pressure.
Purpose:
Carry waste from individual fixtures
Details:
Purpose:
Holds water to block sewer gas odors
Function:
Purpose:
Provides air circulation in drainage system
Function:
Purpose:
Collect waste from multiple fixtures
Details:
Purpose:
Main vertical pipe carrying waste down
Function:
Purpose:
Final exit of waste from building
Components:
Lavatory Sink
Shower/Bathtub
Toilet/Water Closet
Main Building Drain
Causes:
Causes:
Causes:
Causes:
Comprehensive training on commercial and industrial boiler systems, covering operation, maintenance, and safety protocols essential for building engineers.
A boiler is a closed vessel that heats water or produces steam by burning fuel or using electricity. The heated water or steam is then circulated through pipes to provide heating or process requirements in a building or facility.
Hot combustion gases pass through tubes surrounded by water. Most common in commercial applications.
Water flows through tubes heated externally by combustion gases. Used for high pressure applications.
Captures latent heat from flue gases. Achieves efficiency ratings up to 98%.
Mixes fuel and air in proper proportions for efficient combustion.
Transfers heat from combustion gases to water efficiently.
Monitors and adjusts boiler operation based on demand and safety.
Prevents dangerous pressure buildup. Required by ASME code.
Maintains proper water level and quality in the boiler.
Safely removes combustion gases from the building.
Boiler operation requires specialized knowledge and training. Understanding proper procedures, safety interlocks, and maintenance schedules is critical for safe building operations.
Start-up, monitoring, and shutdown sequences
Daily, weekly, monthly, and annual tasks
ASME, NFPA 85, EPA regulations