Definition and Importance of Building Services Engineering
– Building services engineering is a professional engineering discipline focused on achieving a safe and comfortable indoor environment while minimizing the environmental impact of buildings.
– It is also known as mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) engineering, technical building services, or facilities and services planning engineering.
– BSE is widely used in Commonwealth countries, while MEP engineers are known as services planners in the United States, Asian countries, Saudi Arabia, and Pakistan.
– Building services engineers are responsible for the design, installation, operation, and monitoring of technical services in buildings to ensure safety, comfort, and environmental friendliness.
– They work closely with other professionals such as architects, structural engineers, and quantity surveyors and play a crucial role in designing energy-efficient and low-carbon buildings.
Roles and Specializations in Building Services Engineering
– Building services engineers can specialize in renewable energy, sustainability, low-carbon technologies, energy management, building automation, and building information modeling (BIM).
– They seek accreditation as LEED, BREEAM, or CIBSE Low Carbon Consultants (LCC) and Energy Assessors (LCEA) auditors.
– Their roles may include consultant civil engineer, designing layouts and requirements for building services in residential or commercial developments.
– They may also work as contractors, supervising the installation and commissioning of building services.
– Facilities managers are responsible for the operation, servicing, and continuous commissioning of existing buildings and plant.
Professional Bodies in Building Services Engineering
– The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) was founded in 1894.
– The British Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE) was founded in 1976 and received a Royal Charter in the United Kingdom, recognizing building services engineering as a profession.
– These professional bodies provide support, guidance, and standards for building services engineers.
– They promote professional development and accreditation programs.
– ASHRAE and CIBSE play a significant role in advancing the field of building services engineering.
Education in Building Services Engineering
– Building services engineers typically possess an academic degree in civil engineering, architectural engineering, building services engineering, mechanical engineering, or electrical engineering.
– The length of study for a Bachelor of Engineering (BEng) or Bachelor of Science (BSc) degree is usually 3-4 years, while a Master of Engineering (MEng) degree takes 4-5 years.
– In the United Kingdom, the Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE) accredits university degrees in Building Services Engineering.
– In the United States, ABET accredits degrees in this field.
– A solid educational foundation is essential for building services engineers to acquire the necessary technical knowledge and skills.
Building Services Engineering Software
– Building services engineering often involves the use of engineering software for design, modeling, and drawing solutions.
– Common types of tools include whole building energy simulation, CAD (2D), and Building Information Modeling (BIM) (3D).
– 3D BIM software integrates tools for building services calculations, such as sizing ventilation ducts or estimating noise levels.
– BIM enables better coordination between different disciplines and informed decision making.
– Building services engineers rely on software to enhance efficiency, accuracy, and collaboration in their work. Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Building_services_engineering
Building services engineering (BSE) is a professional engineering discipline that strives to achieve a safe and comfortable indoor environment whilst minimizing the environmental impact of a building.
Alternative titles are "mechanical, electrical and plumbing" (MEP) engineering, "technical building services", "building engineering" or "facilities and services planning engineering". The term BSE is widely used in Commonwealth countries (including the United Kingdom, Ireland, Canada and Australia), but in the United States of America, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan, the MEP engineers are known as "services planners".
In some countries, a "building services engineer" is a Senior MEP engineer with experience in the installation of equipment in Buildings Construction, Building Maintenance, Management, integration of electrical, mechanical, fire, hydraulic, security and communications building services, who manages and delivers the integrated detailed design of multiple disciplines so as to ensure that the building is delivered in a "least cost technically acceptable" manner, with emphasis on both the construction costs and the operational costs.
