The Smart Buildings Academy Podcast | Teaching You Building Automation, Systems Integration, and Information Technology

Struggling with airside systems? Whether it's fan coil units, rooftop units, or handling building pressurization, this episode dives into the essential airside control sequences every BAS professional must master. Understand the foundations of air movement and control to elevate your expertise and efficiency in the field.

🔍 This episode focuses on practical concepts for navigating real-world challenges in airside systems, ensuring you're equipped to tackle them with confidence.

Key Topics Covered:

• Fan Coil Units: What makes them unique and where they shine in specific applications.
• Rooftop Units: Explore their role in airside control and how economizers enhance energy efficiency.
• Pressurization Basics: Why building pressurization is critical and how to maintain it effectively.
• Airflow Management: Insights into supply, exhaust, and volumetric offsets for optimal performance.
• Key Safety Features: How condensate alarms, dampers, and other safeguards protect your systems.

Are HVAC control sequences leaving you puzzled? Whether you’re a technician, programmer, or designer in the building automation industry, this episode is your starting point for mastering the critical systems that shape modern smart buildings. Join us for Part 1 of our eight-part deep dive into HVAC control sequences, focusing on one of the most common systems you'll encounter: VAV boxes. This is the knowledge you need to solve issues faster, design smarter, and build your confidence with one of the most misunderstood aspects of BAS.

Key Topics Covered:

• VAV Boxes Demystified: Discover the core principles behind variable air volume (VAV) boxes and their essential role in zone temperature control.
• Troubleshooting Made Clear: Learn why most BAS issues occur at the box level and how mastering this can maximize efficiency across systems.
• Control Loops Simplified: Unpack the unique “loop within a loop” concept for VAV box control, essential for effective programming and operation.
• Transition to Reheat: Explore the differences between cooling-only boxes and those with reheat, including key considerations for setpoints and sensor placement.
• Fan-Powered Box Insights: Understand the contrasting roles of series and parallel fan-powered boxes and when to use each for optimal performance.

This episode is packed with practical insights and concepts that will change the way you approach HVAC systems. If you're looking to deepen your expertise and stay ahead in the field, this series is for you.

🔔 Catch it live: Thursday, November 28th at 8 AM EST / 5 AM PST. Don’t miss the start of this must-listen series for building automation professionals.

Are you trying to break into the building automation field or help someone who is? Episode 470 of SBA offers a roadmap for landing your first job in this dynamic industry. This episode is all about actionable advice for anyone seeking to understand how building automation careers work, what skills you actually need, and how to connect with hiring managers – even if you’re just starting out.

Discover the fundamentals of a career in building automation and understand the steps needed to make yourself stand out. Whether you’re an entry-level candidate or transitioning from a different role, this episode reveals the secrets to positioning yourself as the candidate companies want.

Here’s what you’ll learn:

• Why building automation is a promising career path with rapid growth opportunities
• How to navigate and understand job descriptions in this field
• Ways to gain hands-on experience before you even apply
• Unconventional yet effective strategies for getting noticed by hiring managers
• The essential skills you need to focus on to increase your value and hit the ground running

Listen in for the insights and inspiration to get hired and start your journey in building automation.

Ready to elevate your service business and tap into new revenue streams? In this episode of the Smart Buildings Academy podcast, we dive into key strategies to expand your building automation service business, specifically focusing on owner-direct work. If you're in the BAS industry, this episode is packed with insights on how to stand out, grow your client base, and create a reliable income stream with service offerings. Phil brings his experience from the field and trade show conversations to highlight why and how service businesses can be a game-changer for automation professionals.

Tune in on Thursday, November 7th at 8 AM EST (6 AM MST) and discover practical approaches that could transform your business.

Key Topics:

• Understanding the advantages of owner-direct work
• A step-by-step process for launching or scaling a service business
• The power of customer retention in a rapidly changing market
• Tips to build a playbook that keeps your team efficient and aligned
• Strategies to double your service business in just six months

Find out how you can streamline and grow your BAS service business!

Episode Description:

Episode 468 explores advanced airside HVAC sequences, offering building automation professionals an in-depth look at ASHRAE's Guideline 36. This episode unpacks strategies for optimizing energy efficiency through standardized control sequences, helping listeners understand how to achieve predictable and repeatable system performance. You'll gain insights into best practices and considerations for implementing these strategies across different building scenarios, with a focus on practical, real-world applications.

Key takeaways you’ll get:

• The Principles of Trim and Response: Understand how this control strategy minimizes energy use while maintaining optimal HVAC performance.
• Handling Zone Requests and Zone Groups: Learn about managing cooling and heating demands across multiple zones for better system efficiency.
• Implementing Economizer Control: Discover how to leverage outdoor air conditions for free cooling to reduce energy consumption.
• Effective Reheat Control Techniques: Explore how reheat strategies can improve comfort, especially in colder climates.
• Key Factors for New Builds and Retrofits: Get guidance on sensor calibration, system integration, and adapting strategies for project success.

Tune in to SBA 468 to enhance your understanding of Guideline 36 and elevate the performance of your building automation systems.

In episode 467 of the Smart Buildings Academy Podcast, you’ll dive deep into BACnet Testing Laboratories (BTL) and how understanding BTL listings can significantly impact your work in building automation. Whether you’re a contractor taking over a building or a facility manager looking to specify BACnet systems, this episode offers essential insights into device capabilities, interoperability, and conformance. By the end of the episode, you’ll be equipped to make smarter decisions regarding BACnet device selection and deployment.

• Understanding BTL Listings: Learn how to interpret protocol implementation conformance sheets and what they reveal about device capabilities.
• Device Profiles and Interoperability: Explore the different BACnet profiles (such as AAC, B-BC) and how they apply to your systems.
• Functional Groups and Building Blocks: A breakdown of BACnet interoperability blocks, like data sharing, alarming, and trending.
• Network Capabilities: Discover how network compatibility impacts system integration and device communication.
• The Role of BACnet Testing Laboratories: Why BTL certification matters and how it ensures system functionality and compliance.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to enhance their knowledge of BACnet standards and BTL listings. Listen now to stay ahead in your building automation projects.

Episode 466: How to Find, Develop, and Retain Your Building Operators addresses one of the most pressing challenges in the building automation industry today: the growing shortage of skilled building operators. In this episode, you’ll gain insights into how to effectively attract, train, and retain talent in an increasingly competitive market. While contractors are pulling operators away, there are key strategies facilities can use to combat this trend and keep their teams strong.

In this episode, you'll explore:

• Why finding skilled operators is getting harder and how to tap into overlooked talent pools.
• Proven methods for developing operators through hands-on training and systematic onboarding processes.
• The unique benefits facilities can leverage to retain operators, beyond just salary.
• How creating a culture of continuous learning and growth can boost employee loyalty.
• The long-term value of development plans and creative employee recognition programs.

If you’re looking to keep your facility running smoothly by building a loyal and skilled team, this episode is for you! Tune in to learn more about the steps you can take to future-proof your operations.

Episode 465 dives into the emerging presence of robots and collaborative robots (Cobots) in the construction industry and their potential impact on building automation professionals. With labor shortages and advancements in automation technology, the trades are ripe for transformation, and understanding how robots might complement or replace certain tasks is crucial.

In this episode, you'll explore:

• The rise of Cobots and their potential role alongside humans on job sites.
• The impact of robots on repetitive, highly predictable tasks in the skilled trades.
• How advances in AI and machine learning could change project management and task automation.
• The future of skilled trades in the age of robots—what jobs are safe for now, and which might be at risk?
• The emotional and existential implications of automation on the workforce.

Don’t miss out on how these changes may affect your role in building automation and where to focus your efforts to remain indispensable. Tune in to gain insights on the future of the industry and your place in it!

In episode 464 of the Smart Buildings Academy Podcast, you'll explore the game-changing ways ChatGPT can enhance your work as a building automation professional. From troubleshooting and system design to programming and sales strategies, this episode is packed with practical examples of how AI can streamline your daily tasks and drive innovation in your projects.

Key topics you’ll dive into:

►Leveraging AI to simplify sales pitches and proposals ►Enhancing troubleshooting techniques with AI-generated insights ►Using ChatGPT to assist in creating sequences of operations ►Automating programming tasks for BAS systems ►Unlocking AI’s potential in facility design and optimization

If you're ready to see how AI can transform your approach to building automation, this episode is a must-listen!

In episode 463 of the Smart Buildings Academy Podcast, you'll discover how to transform your facility's operations using actionable strategies designed to improve efficiency, extend equipment life, and reduce downtime. This episode focuses on practical steps that facility managers and operators can take today to optimize their building systems. Whether you’re looking to cut costs, streamline your processes, or simply stay ahead of potential issues, this episode offers guidance that’s easy to understand and implement.

Key topics you'll explore in this episode: - How to simplify and organize your facility's critical documentation - The role of preventative practices in minimizing unexpected breakdowns - Tools for managing maintenance and tracking performance - Proactive monitoring techniques to detect and address issues before they escalate - Training tips for building a versatile and knowledgeable team

If you're ready to take control of your facility’s operations and avoid costly disruptions, this episode is a must-listen!