Building Services Design Technician Standard

A building services design technician provides assistance to engineers and other construction professionals in the development of cost-effective technical and sustainable design solutions involving the production of three dimensional models, calculations, specifications, reports and drawings, taking into account, where appropriate, pre-fabrication techniques.

Their work typically includes systems such as renewable technologies, heating, ventilation, air conditioning, drainage, lighting, power, controls and lifts. Buildings and infrastructure take on many forms from newly built facilities to the refurbishment of premises for every sector of industry. As design technicians they could be working under supervision in a design consultancy, with a contractor or in a manufacturing company.

A design technician’s work could also involve:

• Analysis – using appropriate software and simulation systems to solve technical problems.
• Project delivery – contributing to planning, managing work schedules, budgets and deadlines working as a member of a team.
• Site engineering – operating quality systems and Health, Safety and Risk Management procedures, progress monitoring, seeing that installations generally comply with the design intent, responding to site queries, commissioning and post-occupancy evaluations.

Employers will set their own entry requirements, but apprenticeship candidates will typically have at least five GCSEs at grades A*-C including Maths (grade B), English and Science or their equivalent.

Employers who recruit candidates without English or Maths at grade C or above must ensure that the candidate achieves a Level 2 equivalent standard prior to taking the end-point assessment.

Knowledge

A Building Services Design Technician will know:

1. The different techniques and methods used to design building engineering services projects. This includes an understanding of how technologies, components and requirements are converted into building engineering systems designs, including the use of relevant standards.
2. The appropriate scientific, technical and engineering principles relating to the design of building engineering services projects. This includes an understanding of the mathematical, scientific and engineering techniques required to support the design and construction processes.
3. How to work effectively and contribute to engineering solutions by the correct use of resources and time. This includes an understanding of project management systems, tools and techniques as they are applied to the design and construction process.
4. How to communicate effectively using a range of techniques. This includes an understanding of different communication methods and when to use them; how to write technical reports, technical drawing conventions and engineering terminology; collaboration and effective team working.
5. The code of conduct of relevant professional bodies and institutions including ethics and their application in design and delivery of projects. This includes an understanding of the protection of client confidentiality, the need to adhere to corporate and institutional policies on ethics and diversity, and the professional obligation to make a contribution to society.
6. Safe working practices and how to comply with them. This includes an understanding of regulations such as Construction, Design and Management (CDM), hazard identification, and risk mitigation.
7. Sustainable development and their own contribution to economic, environmental and social wellbeing. This includes an understanding of legislative, company and client sustainability and environmental policies and their effect on the design and construction of buildings.
8. Sources of and approaches to Continuing Professional Development (CPD). This includes an understanding of appraisal schemes, CPD obligations and competency requirements relating to self and others.

Skills

A Building Services Design Technician will be able to:

1. Select and use appropriate scientific, technical and engineering principles, techniques and methods to contribute to the design and delivery of building engineering services projects. This includes the ability to produce and self-check; undertake calculations, models and drawings; use appropriate software systems and other tools for data gathering, CAD, BIM, Revit and project management; and assist with site surveys and inspections.
2. Work with others to contribute to producing integrated engineering solutions by the correct use of resources and time. This includes the ability to contribute to developing and evolving solutions to engineering problems whilst working to programme and within budget.
3. Manage and maintain the quality of their work and that of others. This includes assessing the task to be done; planning/scheduling work and managing time; deciding when to allocate work to other people; maintaining the flow of information; following technical procedures, checking work at an appropriate level and against appropriate standards and specification; and keeping well organised personal records of work undertaken.
4. Communicate effectively and appropriately with others using a range of techniques including verbal communication, written reports, models and drawings.
5. Keep themselves and others safe by adhering to safe working practices. This includes the ability to identify hazards and assess risks, follow safe systems of work and adhere to all company safety policies.
6. Maintain their skills base and learning. This includes the ability to assess their own competence against training objectives and identify development needs and training action plans.

Behaviours

• Take a responsible approach to health and safety
• Be professional, proactive and receptive to constructive advice and guidance
• Be willing to learn new skills and to adapt in the light of experience
• Know one’s limitations and when to ask for help or escalate
• Work independently when appropriate and take responsibility for and pride in their work
• Demonstrate a positive approach to problem solving
• Show an ability to contribute to discussions as part of a team

This course will be delivered in the workplace and on-site.

You will be required to have all PPE in place.

The recommended approach is that the apprentice will demonstrate their progress through a combination of written/online examinations, assignments, documented development reviews with experienced professionals, completion of work-based projects, and the maintenance of a portfolio of evidence. These will be supervised by in-company mentors and tested by external assessors and verifiers.

The recommended qualifications for the achievement of the standard will be a Level 3 Diploma in Construction and the Built Environment (Building Services Engineering) and a Level 3 Diploma for Building Services Engineering Technicians.

The apprentice will be expected to demonstrate, through a presentation setting out their response to a technical project brief and structured interview informed by a written report, that they have acquired the knowledge, skills and behaviours as described by the statements in the standard and can, through their integration, competently undertake the role of a Building Services Design Technician. 

Further Study 

You could progress to a HNC, HND, or Higher Apprenticeship.

Careers 

You can advance your career in a role such as Senior Design Technician.

For more information contact Derby College on 0800 0280289 or enquiries@derby-college.ac.uk