Building Services Engineering HNC

You gain the underpinning knowledge of construction technology. The materials and techniques used to achieve the basic principles of construction technology are constantly evolving to enable the construction industry to deliver better quality buildings. Scarcity of resources and the continuing demand of more sophisticated clients, end users and other stakeholder interests, are driving the construction industry to provide buildings which facilitate enhanced environmental and energy performance, and greater flexibility, in response to ever increasing financial, environmental, legal and economic constraints.

You are introduced to different technological concepts used to enable the construction of building elements; from substructure to completion, by understanding the different functional characteristics and design considerations when selecting the most suitable technological solution.

You gain an overview of the industry’s size and operation of construction companies. Health and safety performance is considered and also how BIM has the potential to influence a range of construction processes and operations.

You develop an understanding of construction practice and management processes. You investigate and research the modern construction industry, both from the practical skills embedded within the industry through to its links with development on-site and the connection with construction management; including roles within the industry.

You develop basic knowledge of the properties of materials needed to successfully complete the other core and specialist modules. You analyse, apply, investigate and evaluate scientific principles and the properties and behaviour of materials in construction related situations. It is contextualised for construction, civil engineering or building services engineering and the delivery and assessment is tailored to your particular vocational needs.

You apply the skills and knowledge that you developed in other modules of the course (and where possible experiences from work) within a major piece of work that reflects the type of performance expected of construction technologists. 

You develop your ability to identify, define, plan, develop and execute a successful project by working through a clear process. You develop a project brief, outlining a problem that requires a solution, as well as a project specification, the specific requirements of which the final outcome must meet.

You research the problem, undertaking a feasibility study, and consider a range of potential solutions using critical analysis and evaluation techniques to test, select and contextualise your preferred solution. You also provide a work and time management plan, keeping a diary of all activities, reflecting on their process and their learning throughout the project.

You will acquire the knowledge and skills needed to identify hazards in the workplace, assess the level of risk, make recommendations to control the risk and review the results. This must be considered along with relevant safety legislation.

This module is applicable to all students studying the Higher National courses, although the forms of risk assessment and their technical bases will be different for each course. The module will contribute to health and safety plans within project work and help you to formulate safety policy, the arrangements and carry out risk assessment in the workplace.

This module develops your underpinning mathematical knowledge and techniques relevant to studies in construction and civil engineering. You are introduced to mathematical methods and statistical techniques in order to analyse and solve problems within a construction engineering context. It has been designed to enable you to develop your knowledge of algebra, trigonometry, calculus, statistics and probability, for the analysis and solution of realistic construction problems.

Buildings use about 40% of global energy, 25% of global water and 40% of global resources in their construction and operation. Governments around the world have recognised the importance of tackling energy consumption in the built environment, and have instituted legislation to address these issues. These have often been supported by financial incentives to implement alternative energy systems and processes. They are also governed by rigorous targets and deadlines. 

Technologies that harness solar, wind and hydro energy are now established systems for generating power and heat. Along with other innovations such as heat pumps and bio-fuel, these are often incorporated into the design for new construction projects. You develop knowledge of current and future energy technologies and apply that knowledge in analysis and assessment of its effectiveness. You also apply that knowledge and research to a design activity. 

You gain a broad understanding of electrical machines, distribution of electric energy and lighting design basics, and develop the skills needed to design simple electrical and lighting installations in compliance with relative legislation and standards.

You look at the effective, energy efficient and controllable heating, sympathetic to the form and function of the building that are expected in today’s energy conscious world. You explore the legislation, standards and design guides associated with heating installations and apply these in producing design solutions for industrial, public and commercial buildings. You also produce design drawings and perform calculations necessary to size, select and specify the pipework, plant and equipment associated with these heating installations. This module focuses on the application of the principles, standards and legislation associated with the design, control, testing and commissioning of the boiler plant or other heat sources for low temperature hot water heating.

You develop skills in applying the principles of design and operation of air conditioning equipment and installations, and have an opportunity to experience the process of completing air conditioning designs in complex industrial and commercial applications. You also interpret the air conditioning requirements of buildings, develop practical air conditioning schemes for a range of environments, and evaluate the effectiveness of alternative schemes.