BOC Course Series: Three Options to Meet Your Needs

BOC training doesn’t just improve facility efficiency – it improves your career outlook as well. Earning BOC credentials says you’re serious about your work. All BOC courses consist of lecture, discussion, small group exercises. Find the course and/or credential that best meets your needs from the list below. BOC Level I and II also include facility tours where possible. BOC Level I provides building operators with knowledge and skill enhancement in the key activities associated with energy efficient building operations. BOC Level II prepares building operators to evaluate the operational performance of their buildings with a focus on improving energy efficiency. Fundamentals of Energy Efficient Building Operations provides the basic principles of energy efficiency awareness and practices in commercial buildings.

Level I Course Series: Building Systems Maintenance

To earn a Level I Training Certificate of Completion, participants must attend seven classes, complete class tests and assigned projects for a total of 74 hours, or 7.4 CEU’s.

Level I classes support the BOC operator skill standard by devoting significant content to the topics of HVAC controls, common opportunities for operational improvements, and building scoping for energy efficiency. The Level I course series provides building operators with knowledge and skill enhancement in the key activities associated with energy efficient building operations. 1001-1006 are core classes, complemented by one of the supplemental classes which are selected by area program administrators to enhance the BOC training experience to specific regions throughout the country.

Facility projects in Level I require participants to demonstrate competence in locating building equipment, distribution pathways, and control points; calculating facility energy consumption; critiquing HVAC systems operation; and, sketching the facility’s electrical distribution system.

The Green Building Certification Institute (GBCI) has approved the core BOC Level I curriculum for continuing education hours toward the LEED Credential Maintenance Program. 1001 is approved for 16 GBCI continuing education hours, while 1002-1006 are each approved to earn a LEED credential holder 8 continuing education hours. For more information visit our Recognition and Accreditation page.

Core

• BOC 1001 Energy Efficient Operation of Building HVAC Systems

  Provides an overview of the Building Operator Certification program and fundamentals of building systems. Focuses on operation and maintenance of envelope, central heating, cooling, air and ventilating systems in buildings. Emphasis is placed on group problem-solving and exercises with respect to preventive maintenance. Two-day class.

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• BOC 1002 Measuring and Benchmarking Energy Performance

  Operators learn how energy is used in commercial buildings and how to identify and prioritize conservation opportunities. Includes basic principles of energy accounting, evaluation of fuel options, operation and maintenance strategies to improve efficiency, and energy management planning techniques. Participants will learn how to perform quantifiable evaluations of their facilities’ energy use in order to be able to target prospects for energy conservation. One-day class.

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• BOC 1003 Efficient Lighting Fundamentals

  Covers lighting fundamentals and types of lighting for economical and energy efficient lighting systems. Participants learn principles of efficient lighting including evaluation of lighting levels, quality and maintenance. Other topics include lighting fixture and control technologies, common upgrades, retrofit and redesign options, and management strategies as they apply to space use and function. One-day class.

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• BOC 1004  HVAC Controls Fundamentals

  Provides an introduction to automatic control systems and equipment, particularly for central air systems. Participants will learn to target possible inefficiencies in their HVAC systems and to evaluate potential problems as part of an enhanced operation and maintenance program. One-day class.

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• BOC 1005 Indoor Environmental Quality

  Introduces the basic causes of indoor environmental quality problems and begins to develop a method of diagnosis and solution. Students will gain an understanding of the dynamic components of indoor environmental quality in relation to source control, occupant sensitivity and ventilation. Emphasis will be placed on communications with building occupants for reliable investigations without aggravating existing issues. One-day class.

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• BOC 1006 Common Opportunities for Low-Cost Operational Improvement

  This class introduces common opportunities that offer the greatest energy savings potential. This module examines typical areas and problems associated with different system types and equipment as well as tools and techniques for identifying opportunities. One-day class.

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Supplemental Classes (1 offered per course series)

• BOC 1007 Facility Electrical Systems

  Participants will learn basic electrical, electrical safety procedures, power distribution, and operation and maintenance practices for facility electric systems. Participants will learn basic electrical troubleshooting in order to effectively work with licensed staff and/or contractors with ongoing electrical problems and maintenance support.

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• BOC 1008 Operation & Maintenance Practices for Sustainable Buildings

  Participants will learn O&M best practices for green or high performance buildings including exterior site issues, water efficiency, cleaning products, material and supply purchasing, energy, and indoor environmental quality to improve the performance of both existing buildings and newly-designed green buildings. One-day class.

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• BOC 1010 Energy Efficient Ventilation Strategies and High Performance Heating and Cooling Equipment

  Covers the theory, design, and operational practices for displacement ventilation strategies, under-floor air distribution systems, and naturally ventilated and mixed mode strategies in buildings. Participants learn about new HVAC equipment technologies being installed in high performance buildings. The course covers the financial, energy, operations, maintenance and indoor environmental quality considerations related to high performance HVAC equipment. Examples of high performance HVAC equipment are also presented in the course. One-day class.

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• BOC 1011 Energy Efficient Ventilation Strategies and Energy Savings through Energy Recovery

  Covers the theory, design, and operational practices for displacement ventilation strategies, under-floor air distribution systems, and naturally ventilated and mixed mode strategies in buildings. Participants learn about methods for capturing heating and cooling energy before it is vented or wasted, and about related technologies currently available in the market. The course covers the theory, design and operational practices for energy recovery from air and water source systems. Examples of energy recovery equipment are also presented in the course. One-day class.

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• BOC 1012 High Performance Heating and Cooling Equipment and Energy Savings through Energy Recovery

  Participants will learn the theory, design, and operational practices for new HVAC equipment technologies being installed in high performance buildings and calculate total cost of ownership to help building owners comply with energy codes and meet building energy management goals. Participants will learn the theory, design and operational practices for energy recovery from air and water source systems to determine applicable methods for capturing heating and cooling energy before it is vented or wasted in their building.

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• BOC 1013 Smart Buildings Fundamentals

  As buildings continue to get smarter and evolve, it is becoming ever more challenging to keep up with the technology changes. This class provides an overview of what makes a building smart. Learn about interconnections that can tie together different standalone systems such as HVAC, lighting, power monitoring, and even furnishings and other components. These connections enhance the operational and occupant user experience, saving energy and providing greater comfort. Concepts discussed include networking, security, systems integration, analytics, and operational strategies.

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Level II Course Series: Improving Building Operational Performance

COURSE STRUCTURE: Core and Electives

To earn a Level II Training Certificate of Completion, participants must attend five core classes and one supplemental class, complete class tests and assigned projects for a total of 61 hours, or 6.1 CEU’s. The projects include a culminating short presentation to classmates and the instructor on a scoping report for their building (BOC 2005).

Enhanced BOC Level II coursework prepares building operators to evaluate the operational performance of their buildings with a focus on improving energy efficiency. Through their project assignments, operators learn how to collect and analyze building data in order to prepare a building walk-through plan to identify opportunities to improve performance. Optimizing HVAC control systems for energy efficiency is highlighted with an emphasis on equipment sequence of operation and functional testing. Students apply the data collection and analysis steps to their own building through a 5-part set of project assignments completed between class sessions.

Specific building information is REQUIRED in order to complete project assignments. Please see Level II Project Requirements FAQ for details.

The city of Seattle has a building tune up ordinance. BOC Level II training can assist with compliance.  Learn more.

Core

• BOC 2001 Building Scoping for Operational Improvements

  In this two-day class, participants will learn about the Building Operator Certification Level II training program and the requirements for earning the Level II Certificate. Participants will also learn how to gather building data and create a building walkthrough plan to find opportunities for improving their building’s efficiency and operational performance. Topics include the characteristics of high performance buildings, data gathering tools such as a building operations map and occupant interview guide, four common opportunities for operational improvement, and the steps for completing a building walkthrough. Class is two days, scheduled several weeks apart.

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• BOC 2002 Optimizing HVAC Controls for Energy Efficiency

  In this one-day class, participants will learn about strategies for controlling the operation of HVAC systems to improve building comfort and energy efficiency. Topics include optimization strategies, reviewing and writing sequences of operation (SoO) for HVAC system components, procedures for functionally testing the control system, and future trends in building controls. A combination of lecture, class discussion, and small group activities will prepare operators to write a SoO for an HVAC system in their building and to develop a procedure for testing the control system. One day.

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• BOC 2003 Introduction to Building Commissioning

  Introduces the building commissioning process for new and existing buildings with an emphasis on existing building commissioning and the building operator’s role. Topics include an overview of commissioning types, the elements of a successful project, working with a commissioning service provider, and the building operator’s role in a commissioning project. At the completion of this class, students will understand the range of commissioning; when, where and what type of commissioning may be appropriate for their building or project; how building operators can reduce commissioning costs through active participation in the process; establish a list of expected work products (deliverables) from a third party commissioning service provider; and access the available resources. One day.

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• BOC 2004 Water Efficiency for Building Operators

  Students will identify water savings measures in their building through detection and repair of leaks, operational changes, and low-cost equipment improvements. The class will start with an examination of water/sewer bills for savings opportunities. Other subjects will include deduct meters, leaks, faucets, showerheads, toilets, urinals, cooling towers, garbage disposals, and landscapes. One day.

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• BOC 2005 Project Peer Exchange: Present Your Final Report

  Project Peer Exchange: Present Your Final Report

  Present your final report In this half-day class, students will make short presentations to classmates and the instructor on a scoping report for their building. The report documents building operating conditions and provides a set of recommendations for improving performance with a focus on energy efficiency. Presentations offer students the opportunity to practice communication skills and to share feedback with their peers. Following presentations, the class will wrap up with a discussion of effective strategies for presenting their reports to management and winning support for their recommendations. Students attending this class will understand how to prepare and deliver an informative and coherent presentation on their building’s performance.

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Supplemental Classes (1 offered per course series)

• BOC 2010 Preventive Maintenance & Troubleshooting Principles

  Covers the step-by-step process for starting and operating a preventive maintenance program that produces energy savings and equipment reliability. The primary focus is using the system that is set up to manage and implement preventive maintenance. A system review will be conducted from the work orders that are generated to the tools selected by maintenance staff. Emphasis on effective troubleshooting methods for problem identification, testing procedures, problem solving and operational analysis. Included are the procedures for developing troubleshooting service records. One day.

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• BOC 2011 Motors in Facilities

  Participants will learn how motors work, how to identify their uses and applications in facilities, how to identify the steps involved in a quality motor repair and how to make effective repair/ replacement decisions when motors fail. One day.

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• BOC 2012 Advanced Electrical Systems Diagnostics

  Students will learn to locate and repair electrical opens, shorts, overloads, and high resistance. The use of digital electric meters is taught along with maintenance and operational procedures to prevent electrical problems and evaluate power quality issues for the facility. One day.

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• BOC 2013 Mastering Electric Control Circuits

  Covers planning, retrofitting and/or troubleshooting basic electrical control systems. Topics include basic electric control concepts, wiring schematic fundamentals, and blueprint to panel-board recognition. Hands-on activities provide an understanding of ladder logic diagram symbols and their equivalent component counterparts. Upon completion, students will be able to identify and modify electric control diagrams, recognize diagram symbols and equivalent components, and comprehend basic electric control system strategies. One day.

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• BOC 2014 Enhanced Automation and Demand Reduction

  This class introduces technologies to help building personnel better manage their energy use, reduce electrical demand, and maintain or even improve the comfort of building occupants. Topics covered include how to screen buildings to assess enhanced automation (EA) potential, lighting and HVAC technologies and control strategies, energy management and information systems, as well as EA implementation strategies. Upon completion, students will understand the complexities of enhanced automation and the role of the building operator in making EA really work in facilities. One day.

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