Goal
This course teaches the student how to inspect HVAC systems (heating, ventilating, and air conditioning) commonly found at commercial buildings.
Objectives
Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- follow ComSOP inspection procedures for HVAC equipment;
- understand the common reasons that HVAC equipment fails;
- identify commercial HVAC systems and components;
- describe how commercial HVAC systems operate;
- take inventory of HVAC equipment in commercial buildings;
- inspect commercial HVAC systems using checklists; and
- report on HVAC equipment conditions and defects in commercial buildings.
Overview
Inspection Procedure
The first section of the course outlines the approach, scope, and procedures for performing a commercial HVAC inspection. It also provides students with a general understanding of why HVAC equipment fails, and includes an overview of equipment life expectancy and guidance for determining remaining useful life.
This first course component also covers Sections 6.5.5 Heating and Ventilation and 6.5.6 Cooling of the International Standards of Practice for Inspecting Commercial Properties (ComSOP) and the tools used to help complete this portion of a commercial property inspection.
HVAC Systems and Components
The next section of the course describes how various types of commercial HVAC equipment operates and goes over the main components and commonly found defects. Students will learn how to take inventory of HVAC systems in commercial buildings and report on their related condition. A free HVAC inspection checklist template is provided for each piece of equipment. Students will also learn about equipment installation locations and their associated access and safety considerations.
The main topics include gas meters, piping, and distribution, flue and venting systems, forced-air furnaces, rooftop units, hanging gas furnaces, infrared tube heaters, boilers, electric baseboard heaters, waste oil systems, split systems, heat pumps, evaporative coolers, air-handling units, VAV boxes, make-up air units, chillers, and cooling towers, in addition to special ventilation and combustion requirements for commercial buildings.
Details
- Estimated hours: 12 hours
- Format: On-demand, self-paced with readings, images, and videos
- Word count: 38, 546
- Length of video(s): 1 hour
- Quiz questions: 90
- Final Exam questions: 68
- Included materials: study guide, inspection checklists, supplemental readings, and downloadable Certificate of Completion
- Author: Rob Claus; Contributor: Maggie Aey