Specialist building automation is now a VDI course

The certificate course Specialist building automation from VDI Wissensforum supports planners and technical executives to convey an interdisciplinary understanding of technical building equipment and the interfaces to building construction. It shows the participant how planning and installation of hardware, software and data transmission technologies work together.

The technical building equipment has to be planned individually for each building. The complex system affects the areas of heat, air, sanitation, air conditioning and electricity. In addition, the Technical Building Services on all other trades. The future developments can be implemented with the know-how of the following topics:

Legal situation of energy efficiency through building automation

Germany must transpose the EU building directive into national law by March 2020. The directive requires that from 2021 only so-called low-energy buildings will be erected, which mostly cover their very low energy requirements themselves. For this purpose, the Confederation summarizes the Energy Saving Act, Energy Saving Ordinance and Renewable Energy Heat Act in the Building Energy Act (GEG).

The federal cabinet approved the draft for the GEG on October 23, 2019. It provides for the current EnEV standard for new buildings as almost zero-energy buildings. Since sustainable and energy-efficient building can make a decisive contribution to reducing energy consumption, the economy is calling for the GEG to be tightened. With conscious use and holistic planning, automation can open up potential savings of 14 to 62% for thermal energy and 4 to 21% for electrical energy. In times of the "Fridays for Future" movement, this should gain in importance, so that buildings should develop towards the passive house standard.

Digitization trend in building automation

The potential and requirements of building technology can be realized using digitalization. The processes and planning methods that will be in demand in the future also follow this path. Building Information Modeling (BIM) wants to enable lean, data-based and transparent project management. For this purpose, all those involved work from the start in a coordinated manner on a central, digital 3D model, also called a twin building.

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Each specialist planner is responsible for contributing to the architect's BIM model. The components are recorded graphically and with information on material, dimensions and properties. Corresponding verification documents such as the energy certificate can be generated from this.

People strive for comfort through building automation

The data generated via BIM can be used in facility management. Technical building systems can be maintained and controlled via intelligent networking. It is important that a house provides service when it is needed and that the space is optimally used. Users are placing increasing value on such convenience.

The technical requirements for this are in place: The IoT (Internet of Things) and modern sensors create smart buildings. The technology should be compatible with all manufacturers so that they can interact with each other. At the same time, adequate measures on the building envelope and the corresponding system technology must be in place. That is why the coordination in the overall system counts for success.

Requirements for participation in the modular Certificate course for building automation specialists of the VDI Wissensforum are a technical or scientific university degree and at least three years of professional experience. And these are the compulsory and elective modules for the participants in the building automation specialist course:

Compulsory modules - basic knowledge of building automation

• TGA integration planning
• Components and functions 
• IT and protocols 
• Energy Efficiency
• Individual in-depth topics in the elective modules

Basic knowledge of electrical engineering for career changers

• Control and hydraulics in ventilation and air conditioning technology
• Control and hydraulics of heating and energy systems 
• Fire control matrix - functions and interactions
• Room automation functions for energy-efficient buildings •
• VOB: Supplement and defect management

This is followed by a preparation workshop and the VDI certificate examination for the engineers themselves. Engineers can start their training at any time and visit them flexibly in terms of time and location.