E-RPL

Engineer for design of HVAC systems

for implementation of the process of recognition and validation of previous knowledge and skills acquired in non-formal and informal education

Level 1

I understand the importance of heating and cooling systems

What should I know?
"Minimal knowledge of:
- main types of heating and cooling systems (e.g. central/local systems; all air/air-water/all water systems; low temperature radiant panels);
- selection of system types based on specific requirements (e.g. indoor thermal comfort, building functions, outdoor climate, thermal mass and insulation of building envelope). "

What skill should I have?
Participating in discussions for the feasibility study of heating and cooling systems within a design team.

Level 2

I can apply basic solutions for heating and cooling systems

What should I know?
"Basic knowledge of:
- fundamental principles of energy and heat transfer, thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, psychrometrics;
- main types of heating and cooling systems (e.g. central/local systems; all air/air-water/all water systems; low temperature radiant panels) and their own energy performances;
- selection of system types based on specific requirements (e.g. indoor thermal comfort, building functions, outdoor climate, thermal mass and insulation of building envelope);
- simple calculation methods (rules of thumb, graphic methods, datasheets). "

What skill should I have?
Performing simplified verifications to assess cooling/heating performances of alternative systems, based on input from team members, considering their compliance with energy and indoor comfort requirements.

Level 3

I can propose conceptual solutions for heating and cooling systems

What should I know?
"Medium knowledge of:
- fundamental principles of energy and heat transfer, thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, psychrometrics, sound and vibrations;
- main regulations and technical standards on the design of HVAC systems, energy performances, indoor environmental quality (IEQ);
- main types of heating and cooling systems (e.g. central/local systems; all air/air-water/all water systems; low temperature radiant panels) and their own energy performances;
- selection of system types based on specific requirements (e.g. indoor thermal comfort, building functions, outdoor climate, thermal mass and insulation of building envelope);
- heating/cooling system design for residential buildings; - commercial software for thermal power calculation of system components. "

What skill should I have?
Selecting and proposing alternative solutions for heating and cooling systems in residential buildings, specifically in relation to building architectural design and functions, and considering available energy sources (e.g. gas, electricity, district, soil). Pre-sizing the heating/cooling system and assessing the resulting thermal conditions by means of commercial software for building thermal analysis.

Level 4

I can engineer the concept design for heating and cooling systems

What should I know?
"Advanced knowledge of:
- fundamental principles of energy and heat transfer, thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, psychrometrics, sound and vibrations;
- all regulations and technical standards on the design of HVAC systems, energy performances, indoor environmental quality (IEQ), safety;
- all types of heating and cooling systems and their own energy performances; - selection of system types based on specific requirements (e.g. indoor thermal comfort, building functions, outdoor climate, thermal mass and insulation of building envelope);
- heating/cooling system design for non residential buildings and complex energy systems; - integration with domotic systems, building management systems (BMS);
- operation of heating/cooling systems and how to interact with HVAC companies; - advanced software for HVAC system design, for building thermal analysis and IEQ assessment. "

What skill should I have?
Engineering solutions for heating/cooling systems for non residential buildings and complex installations, performing cost/benefit analysis and fulfilling standard requirements. Performing dynamic energy simulations of the cooling/heating system by means of advanced simulation tools, assessing the energy performance of the system and its impact on indoor thermal comfort.

Level 4

I can specify the design for heating and cooling systems in tender documents

What should I know?
"Advanced knowledge of:
- technical specifications of heating and cooling systems and their own energy performances;
- technical drawing representation;
- terminology and form for contracting purpose;
- cost/benefit analysis. "

What skill should I have?
Selecting components and technical solutions that fit specifications and demands on given quality aspects and economics related to heating and cooling systems, ensuring the contribution to energy saving and IEQ for users. Writing technical documentation for contracting purpose.

Level 4

I can assure the quality of heating and cooling systems

What should I know?
"Advanced knowledge of:
- standards and procedures for quality assurance in HVAC systems;
- methods to evaluate quality of HVAC system installation (e.g. check-list survey, first-run inspection). "

What skill should I have?
Managing, instructing and auditing contractors on site during the realisation of the heating/cooling system, based on information given in tender documents and given by the designer. Giving feedbacks to the design team on design and operation suitability of the installed heating/cooling system.

Level 4

I can commission heating and cooling systems to ensure operation as planned

What should I know?
"Advanced knowledge of:
- standards and procedures for commissioning and quality assurance in HVAC systems;
- support to resolution of disputes, subject to terms of the contract documents;
- methods to evaluate the operativity of installed HVAC systems (e.g. testing and adjusting/balancing of the system, indoor microclimate measurements). "

What skill should I have?
Commissioning the heating/cooling system after realisation, in order to check if the system fullfills all demands and fuctionality. Testing, adjusting and balancing the system under different operating conditions. Measuring indoor thermal comfort conditions for building users.

Level 4

I can ensure optimal operation of heating and cooling systems during life cycle

What should I know?
"Advanced knowledge of:
- standards and procedures for management and maintenace of HVAC systems;
- technical writing for reference and training manuals;
- methods to evaluate the operativity of installed HVAC systems (e.g. testing and adjusting/balancing of the system, indoor microclimate measurements). "

What skill should I have?
Designing the operative manual and the maintenance plan of the installed system, for the facility manager and/or for users. Instructing (the facility manager) on monitoring energy and microclimate parameters, to ensure the system achieves designed energy savings and comfort goals during its life cycle.

Level 5

I can develop new technical solutions and optimising the detailed design for heating and cooling systems

What should I know?
"In-depth knowledge of:
- fundamental principles of energy and heat transfer, thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, psychrometrics, sound and vibrations;
- all regulations and technical standards on the design of HVAC systems, energy performances, indoor environmental quality (IEQ), safety;
- all types of heating and cooling systems and their own energy performances;
- selection of system types based on specific requirements (e.g. indoor thermal comfort, building functions, outdoor climate, thermal mass and insulation of building envelope);
- heating/cooling system design for non residential buildings and NZEB buildings;
- integration with domotic systems, building management systems (BMS);
- optimisation of HVAC systems with heating/cooling passive systems;
- design of monitoring campaigns to optimise heating/cooling system performances;
- advanced software for HVAC system design, for building thermal analysis (winter/summer thermal loads) and IEQ assessment."

What skill should I have?
Developing and experimenting innovative solutions for heating/cooling systems based on emerging components and technologies, interacting with R&D department of HVAC companies. Pursuing the integration of active heating/cooling systems with passive systems and building automation systems. Considering occupant behaviour and the interaction with control systems for cooling/heating. Performing dynamic energy simulations of the building envelope by means of advanced simulation tools. Optimizing heating/cooling systems with respect to thermal comfort, IAQ and acoustic comfort for users.

Disclaimer

This web application are created by the SEEtheSkills project consortium under EC grant agreement 101033743 and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Commission. The European Commission is not liable for any use that may be made of the information contained herein.

All intellectual property rights are owned by SEEtheSkills consortium members and are protected by the applicable laws. Reproduction is not authorized without prior written agreement. The commercial use of any information contained in this document may require a license from the owner of that information.

This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No. 101033743

E-RPL

Engineer for design of HVAC systems

Disclaimer

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