Facilities Control Systems Course

Lesson 1 • System Architecture and Components

Explains controllers, sensors, actuators, and network layers that form a control system. Provides the hardware context needed for later programming and troubleshooting chapters.

Lesson 2 • Introduction to Building Automation

Defines building automation and its role in modern facilities management. Establishes the vocabulary and conceptual framework used throughout the course.

Lesson 3 • Regulatory and Safety Frameworks

Introduces safety standards, energy codes, and occupational health requirements governing control systems. Grounds students in compliance obligations before hands-on work begins.

Lesson 1 • Sensor Installation and Placement

Addresses mounting locations, environmental protection, and wiring best practices for sensors. Correct placement prevents measurement errors that undermine control performance.

Lesson 2 • Sensor Types and Selection Criteria

Compares sensor technologies including RTDs, thermocouples, and pressure transducers. Students match sensor specifications to application requirements.

Lesson 3 • Calibration and Verification Procedures

Teaches field calibration, span adjustment, and verification against reference instruments. Directly supports accurate system commissioning covered in later chapters.

Lesson 4 • Principles of Physical Measurement

Covers the physics behind temperature, pressure, humidity, and flow measurement. Establishes accuracy, resolution, and calibration concepts applied in later sections.

Lesson 1 • Advanced Control Strategies

Introduces cascade, feedforward, and reset control strategies for complex systems. Builds on PID fundamentals to address multi-variable and disturbance-rejection scenarios.

Lesson 2 • Control Loop Documentation and Analysis

Covers loop diagrams, P&ID notation, and trend log interpretation for control analysis. Accurate documentation supports troubleshooting and commissioning tasks in later chapters.

Lesson 3 • PID Tuning Methods

Applies manual and systematic tuning methods to achieve target response criteria. Connects tuning decisions to energy efficiency and occupant comfort outcomes.

Lesson 4 • Proportional, Integral, and Derivative Actions

Explains P, I, and D control actions individually and in combination. Students predict loop behavior based on gain and time constant settings.

Lesson 1 • Modbus and Legacy Protocols

Covers Modbus RTU and TCP register mapping, function codes, and integration with modern systems. Prepares students to interface legacy equipment with current control platforms.

Lesson 2 • LonWorks, KNX, and Emerging Protocols

Surveys LonWorks, KNX, and MQTT as alternatives and complements to BACnet and Modbus. Broadens protocol awareness for multi-vendor and IoT-integrated facilities.

Lesson 3 • Network Testing and Troubleshooting

Applies packet capture, ping, and protocol analyzer tools to diagnose communication faults. Reinforces protocol knowledge through structured fault-finding exercises.

Lesson 4 • Networking Fundamentals for Controls

Reviews OSI model layers, IP addressing, and Ethernet basics as applied to control networks. Provides the IT foundation required before studying protocol-specific configurations.

Lesson 1 • Graphical Programming Environments

Teaches block-based and function diagram programming used in major DDC platforms. Students build sequences by connecting logic blocks representing control functions.

Lesson 2 • Scheduling and Time-Based Control

Configures occupancy schedules, holiday calendars, and time-of-day overrides in controllers. Scheduling directly affects energy consumption and occupant comfort outcomes.

Lesson 3 • DDC Controller Hardware Overview

Identifies controller types, I/O point configurations, and power requirements for DDC hardware. Grounds programming work in the physical constraints of real controllers.

Lesson 4 • Structured Text and Script Programming

Introduces structured text syntax for writing conditional logic, loops, and calculations. Enables students to implement complex sequences not achievable with graphical tools alone.

Lesson 1 • Alarm Management Configuration

Configures alarm categories, priorities, acknowledgment workflows, and notification routing. Effective alarm management reduces nuisance alarms and improves operator response.

Lesson 2 • User Roles and Access Control

Defines operator, technician, and administrator roles with appropriate permission levels. Role-based access protects system integrity and supports audit trail requirements.

Lesson 3 • Graphic Display Development

Teaches creation of floor plan graphics, system schematics, and dynamic data displays. Well-designed graphics reduce operator response time during abnormal conditions.

Lesson 4 • Operator Interface Architecture

Explains the relationship between field controllers, servers, and operator workstations in a BAS. Establishes the data flow model that underpins all interface configuration tasks.

Lesson 1 • Commissioning Documentation and Handover

Compiles as-built drawings, test reports, and O&M manuals for owner handover. Complete documentation enables effective ongoing operation and future troubleshooting.

Lesson 2 • Pre-Functional and Point-to-Point Verification

Performs wiring checks, I/O point verification, and device addressing before functional tests. Catching installation errors early prevents costly rework during functional testing.

Lesson 3 • Functional Performance Testing

Executes test scripts to verify sequences of operation, setpoint response, and alarm behavior. Test results are compared against design intent to confirm system performance.

Lesson 4 • Balancing and Optimization

Integrates air and water balancing results with control system setpoints for optimized performance. Proper balancing ensures control loops operate within their designed range.

Lesson 1 • Preventive Maintenance and Reliability

Establishes maintenance schedules, calibration intervals, and reliability metrics for control systems. Proactive maintenance reduces unplanned downtime and extends equipment life.

Lesson 2 • Diagnostic Methodology and Tools

Introduces structured fault-finding frameworks and the diagnostic instruments used in the field. A systematic approach reduces diagnostic time and prevents misdiagnosis.

Lesson 3 • Fault Detection and Diagnostics Tools

Applies automated FDD software to detect equipment faults and inefficiencies from trend data. FDD tools extend manual diagnostic capability to large, complex facilities.

Lesson 4 • Energy Optimization Strategies

Implements demand control ventilation, supply air reset, and economizer optimization sequences. Each strategy is evaluated against measured energy and comfort baselines.