Education and Training Needs for High-Tech Facility Operators

Exploring Education and Training Needs for High-Tech Facility Operators

Dear high-tech facilities expert,

Thank you for your time to completing the following survey on high-tech facility operations education and training needs. In this survey, we define high-tech facilities as laboratories, data centers, cleanrooms, hospitals, and related facilities. Your input will help us determine the need for and scope of targeted education and training for high-tech facility operators. For this survey, we are using the following definition: a "building operator, engineer, or technician" maintains and operates mechanical building systems (including HVAC, lighting, electrical, and sometimes fire/life/safety, vacuum systems, wetlabs, and others). We recognize that there are variations to this general job description and that there may be different "titles" used by different organizations.

Background: The International Institute for Sustainable Laboratories (I2SL), and Laney College’s National Science Foundation-funded Building Efficiency for a Sustainable Tomorrow (BEST) Center are collaborating to identify education and training needs and strategies for operators of high-tech facilities. Through our interactions with industry stakeholders on multiple occasions, it is apparent that available education and training paths do not adequately address the increasingly complex knowledge and skills needed to operate and maintain high-tech facilities. Compared to commercial facilities, environmental health and safety liabilities and worker risks are much greater, the building energy use intensities are higher, and the building occupant needs are more volatile and complex. With many more high-tech facilities being created and their energy and sustainability performance requirements becoming more stringent, we expect an even greater shortage of qualified building technicians for high-tech facilities.

Through its co-sponsorship of Labs21, I2SL partnered with Laney College, and the R&D Council of the International Facility Managers Association (IFMA) to explore this need within the Labs21 community. Since 2009, Laney College and I2SL have chaired several O&M symposia at the Labs21 Annual Conference, doing so again at the I2SL Annual Conference in 2013. As such, the partners were able to arrive at a set of specific knowledge “gaps” for high-tech facility operators and managers not addressed by any known curriculum or organization.

At the Labs21 2012 Annual Conference, Laney and I2SL conducted a preliminary and informal survey to capture and verify opinions and statements that had been expressed at Labs21. The results clearly supported I2SL’s belief but as the number of participants was limited, a broader sampling was necessary.

This survey expands upon the preliminary survey and is being more widely distributed. I2SL and Laney College welcome the responses of senior facility managers, facility engineers, operators, and maintenance experts to validate the needs.

The survey should take about 15 minutes to complete. A formal report will be presented at the 2013 I2SL Annual Conference (formerly Labs21) being held in Minneapolis, MN, September 24-26 (see http://www.i2sl.org/conference/2013/index.html). A written report is expected to follow in 2014.

Thank you for your expertise and time! Those interested in working with us on this project should write us at info@i2sl.org.

Phil Wirdzek, President/Executive Director, International Institute for Sustainable Laboratories

Barbara Widhalm, PhD, Project Manager, NSF BEST Center, Laney College

Question Title

* 1. Please indicate your employment responsibility. Select one of the following in defining your position in your high technology facility

Owner’s Facility Manager - On-site

Owner’s Facility Manager - Off-site

Building operator / building engineer / HVAC technician - on-site

Building operator / building engineer / HVAC technician - off-site

Building automation technician / building controls technician - on-site

Building automation technician / building controls technician - off-site

Energy manager

Building maintenance personnel

Sustainability officer or director

Other (please specify below)

Other (please specify)

Question Title

* 2. Are you a union member?

yes (please specify union in textbox below)

Provide details

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* 3. Select one or any which best defines your range of responsibility within the facility:

Limited to central plant

Entry to “user/worker” spaces during normal working hours

Entry to “user/worker” spaces only after hours

Are you an emergency "frontline" responder to building system failures in any of these spaces?

Are you asked to repair user equipment?

Question Title

* 4. Do you have access to hazardous spaces (excluding electric closets and central plant equipment)? Please specify which.

solid waste disposal

liquid waste disposal

recycled solids storage

chemical/gas storage

radiologic storage

roofs and air exhaust

acid and hazardous substances neutralization

test, recovery and sick rooms

data storage or secured spaces

sterilized containment spaces

vivaria support spaces

laundering

equipment cleaning/sterilization rooms

other

Other (please specify)

Question Title

* 5. Characteristics of High-Tech Building and Facilities

Please rate the following content areas for a potential education and training program for BUILDING OPERATORS , TECHNICIANS, or ENGINEERS of high-tech facilities (general definition given in introduction). We are asking your expert advice because you are a building operator yourself or are managing or closely working with building operations staff. In regards to the competencies areas listed in the following questions, does a high-tech building operator need:

1. a "detailed understanding" to include an in-depth technical understanding, comprehensive knowledge, and frequent experience with equipment, systems, policies, and terminology;
2. a "basic understanding" to include a casual familiarity with equipment, systems, policies, and terminology, typically not involved in trouble-shooting, repair and replacement;
3. "awareness only" defining a rudimentary appreciation for function and purpose with brief exposures to equipment, systems, polices and terminology; or
4. "knowledge and skills not needed" when recognizing the individual has no exposure or responsibility to equipment, systems, policies or expected to communicate with others on these topics.

	detailed understanding	basic understanding	awareness only	knowledge and skills not needed
Common objectives of high-tech facilities	Common objectives of high-tech facilities detailed understanding	Common objectives of high-tech facilities basic understanding	Common objectives of high-tech facilities awareness only	Common objectives of high-tech facilities knowledge and skills not needed
Complexity of codes, standards and regulations	Complexity of codes, standards and regulations detailed understanding	Complexity of codes, standards and regulations basic understanding	Complexity of codes, standards and regulations awareness only	Complexity of codes, standards and regulations knowledge and skills not needed
Sub-categories of high-tech facilities: labs	Sub-categories of high-tech facilities: labs detailed understanding	Sub-categories of high-tech facilities: labs basic understanding	Sub-categories of high-tech facilities: labs awareness only	Sub-categories of high-tech facilities: labs knowledge and skills not needed
Sub-categories of high-tech facilities: data-centers	Sub-categories of high-tech facilities: data-centers detailed understanding	Sub-categories of high-tech facilities: data-centers basic understanding	Sub-categories of high-tech facilities: data-centers awareness only	Sub-categories of high-tech facilities: data-centers knowledge and skills not needed
Sub-categories of high-tech facilities: cleanrooms	Sub-categories of high-tech facilities: cleanrooms detailed understanding	Sub-categories of high-tech facilities: cleanrooms basic understanding	Sub-categories of high-tech facilities: cleanrooms awareness only	Sub-categories of high-tech facilities: cleanrooms knowledge and skills not needed
Sub-categories of high-tech facilities: hospitals	Sub-categories of high-tech facilities: hospitals detailed understanding	Sub-categories of high-tech facilities: hospitals basic understanding	Sub-categories of high-tech facilities: hospitals awareness only	Sub-categories of high-tech facilities: hospitals knowledge and skills not needed
Use and design layout	Use and design layout detailed understanding	Use and design layout basic understanding	Use and design layout awareness only	Use and design layout knowledge and skills not needed
Purpose of engineered systems	Purpose of engineered systems detailed understanding	Purpose of engineered systems basic understanding	Purpose of engineered systems awareness only	Purpose of engineered systems knowledge and skills not needed
Health and Safety	Health and Safety detailed understanding	Health and Safety basic understanding	Health and Safety awareness only	Health and Safety knowledge and skills not needed
Security	Security detailed understanding	Security basic understanding	Security awareness only	Security knowledge and skills not needed
Other	Other detailed understanding	Other basic understanding	Other awareness only	Other knowledge and skills not needed

Other (please specify)

Question Title

* 6. Environmental Health and Safety (EH&S)

	detailed understanding	basic understanding	awareness only	knowledge and skills not needed
History	History detailed understanding	History basic understanding	History awareness only	History knowledge and skills not needed
Issues and concerns specific to EH&S (such as energy, water, IAQ, etc.)	Issues and concerns specific to EH&S (such as energy, water, IAQ, etc.) detailed understanding	Issues and concerns specific to EH&S (such as energy, water, IAQ, etc.) basic understanding	Issues and concerns specific to EH&S (such as energy, water, IAQ, etc.) awareness only	Issues and concerns specific to EH&S (such as energy, water, IAQ, etc.) knowledge and skills not needed
Organizations (e.g., ASHRAE, AALAS, AIHA, and Authorities Having Jurisdiction)	Organizations (e.g., ASHRAE, AALAS, AIHA, and Authorities Having Jurisdiction) detailed understanding	Organizations (e.g., ASHRAE, AALAS, AIHA, and Authorities Having Jurisdiction) basic understanding	Organizations (e.g., ASHRAE, AALAS, AIHA, and Authorities Having Jurisdiction) awareness only	Organizations (e.g., ASHRAE, AALAS, AIHA, and Authorities Having Jurisdiction) knowledge and skills not needed
Codes and standards review	Codes and standards review detailed understanding	Codes and standards review basic understanding	Codes and standards review awareness only	Codes and standards review knowledge and skills not needed
Log-out/tag-out procedures and policies	Log-out/tag-out procedures and policies detailed understanding	Log-out/tag-out procedures and policies basic understanding	Log-out/tag-out procedures and policies awareness only	Log-out/tag-out procedures and policies knowledge and skills not needed
Other	Other detailed understanding	Other basic understanding	Other awareness only	Other knowledge and skills not needed

Other (please specify)

Question Title

* 7. Chemical/Biological/Radiological issues

	detailed understanding	basic understanding	awareness only	knowledge and skills not needed
What are they	What are they detailed understanding	What are they basic understanding	What are they awareness only	What are they knowledge and skills not needed
Importance to each facility type	Importance to each facility type detailed understanding	Importance to each facility type basic understanding	Importance to each facility type awareness only	Importance to each facility type knowledge and skills not needed
Understanding the components of risk	Understanding the components of risk detailed understanding	Understanding the components of risk basic understanding	Understanding the components of risk awareness only	Understanding the components of risk knowledge and skills not needed
Storage and storage types	Storage and storage types detailed understanding	Storage and storage types basic understanding	Storage and storage types awareness only	Storage and storage types knowledge and skills not needed
Areas of increased risk	Areas of increased risk detailed understanding	Areas of increased risk basic understanding	Areas of increased risk awareness only	Areas of increased risk knowledge and skills not needed
Personal protection	Personal protection detailed understanding	Personal protection basic understanding	Personal protection awareness only	Personal protection knowledge and skills not needed
Other	Other detailed understanding	Other basic understanding	Other awareness only	Other knowledge and skills not needed

Other (please specify)

Question Title

* 8. Risk Management through Engineered Systems: Operation of Air SUPPLY Management

	detailed understanding	basic understanding	awareness only	knowledge and skills not needed
Fans, ducts, dampers, filters, room discharge	Fans, ducts, dampers, filters, room discharge detailed understanding	Fans, ducts, dampers, filters, room discharge basic understanding	Fans, ducts, dampers, filters, room discharge awareness only	Fans, ducts, dampers, filters, room discharge knowledge and skills not needed
Differential pressure	Differential pressure detailed understanding	Differential pressure basic understanding	Differential pressure awareness only	Differential pressure knowledge and skills not needed
Access to and servicing of roof equipment (e.g., exhaust and intake systems)	Access to and servicing of roof equipment (e.g., exhaust and intake systems) detailed understanding	Access to and servicing of roof equipment (e.g., exhaust and intake systems) basic understanding	Access to and servicing of roof equipment (e.g., exhaust and intake systems) awareness only	Access to and servicing of roof equipment (e.g., exhaust and intake systems) knowledge and skills not needed
Design features for risk minimization (service corridors, chases and interstitial)	Design features for risk minimization (service corridors, chases and interstitial) detailed understanding	Design features for risk minimization (service corridors, chases and interstitial) basic understanding	Design features for risk minimization (service corridors, chases and interstitial) awareness only	Design features for risk minimization (service corridors, chases and interstitial) knowledge and skills not needed
CFD modeling	CFD modeling detailed understanding	CFD modeling basic understanding	CFD modeling awareness only	CFD modeling knowledge and skills not needed
Energy implications	Energy implications detailed understanding	Energy implications basic understanding	Energy implications awareness only	Energy implications knowledge and skills not needed
O&M and PM (preventative maintenance) responsibilities	O&M and PM (preventative maintenance) responsibilities detailed understanding	O&M and PM (preventative maintenance) responsibilities basic understanding	O&M and PM (preventative maintenance) responsibilities awareness only	O&M and PM (preventative maintenance) responsibilities knowledge and skills not needed
Other	Other detailed understanding	Other basic understanding	Other awareness only	Other knowledge and skills not needed

Other (please specify)

Question Title

* 9. Risk Management through Engineered Systems: Operation of Air EXHAUST Management Systems

	detailed understanding	basic understanding	awareness only	knowledge and skills not needed
Fume Hoods/cabinets	Fume Hoods/cabinets detailed understanding	Fume Hoods/cabinets basic understanding	Fume Hoods/cabinets awareness only	Fume Hoods/cabinets knowledge and skills not needed
Storage cabinets	Storage cabinets detailed understanding	Storage cabinets basic understanding	Storage cabinets awareness only	Storage cabinets knowledge and skills not needed
Snorkels and table exhaust	Snorkels and table exhaust detailed understanding	Snorkels and table exhaust basic understanding	Snorkels and table exhaust awareness only	Snorkels and table exhaust knowledge and skills not needed
VAV vs constant volume systems	VAV vs constant volume systems detailed understanding	VAV vs constant volume systems basic understanding	VAV vs constant volume systems awareness only	VAV vs constant volume systems knowledge and skills not needed
Manifolded vs single fan exhaust	Manifolded vs single fan exhaust detailed understanding	Manifolded vs single fan exhaust basic understanding	Manifolded vs single fan exhaust awareness only	Manifolded vs single fan exhaust knowledge and skills not needed
Exhaust stacks and discharge plumes	Exhaust stacks and discharge plumes detailed understanding	Exhaust stacks and discharge plumes basic understanding	Exhaust stacks and discharge plumes awareness only	Exhaust stacks and discharge plumes knowledge and skills not needed
CFD modeling	CFD modeling detailed understanding	CFD modeling basic understanding	CFD modeling awareness only	CFD modeling knowledge and skills not needed
Energy and resource implications	Energy and resource implications detailed understanding	Energy and resource implications basic understanding	Energy and resource implications awareness only	Energy and resource implications knowledge and skills not needed
O&M and PM responsibilities	O&M and PM responsibilities detailed understanding	O&M and PM responsibilities basic understanding	O&M and PM responsibilities awareness only	O&M and PM responsibilities knowledge and skills not needed
Other	Other detailed understanding	Other basic understanding	Other awareness only	Other knowledge and skills not needed

Other (please specify)

Question Title

* 10. Operation of Building Management Systems

	detailed understanding	basic understanding	awareness only	knowledge and skills not needed
EMCS, DDC, BACnet, Lonworks, etc.	EMCS, DDC, BACnet, Lonworks, etc. detailed understanding	EMCS, DDC, BACnet, Lonworks, etc. basic understanding	EMCS, DDC, BACnet, Lonworks, etc. awareness only	EMCS, DDC, BACnet, Lonworks, etc. knowledge and skills not needed
Central plan vs distributed capability/responsibility via dashboards	Central plan vs distributed capability/responsibility via dashboards detailed understanding	Central plan vs distributed capability/responsibility via dashboards basic understanding	Central plan vs distributed capability/responsibility via dashboards awareness only	Central plan vs distributed capability/responsibility via dashboards knowledge and skills not needed
Purpose and limitations of BMS	Purpose and limitations of BMS detailed understanding	Purpose and limitations of BMS basic understanding	Purpose and limitations of BMS awareness only	Purpose and limitations of BMS knowledge and skills not needed
O&M and PM responsibilities	O&M and PM responsibilities detailed understanding	O&M and PM responsibilities basic understanding	O&M and PM responsibilities awareness only	O&M and PM responsibilities knowledge and skills not needed
Other	Other detailed understanding	Other basic understanding	Other awareness only	Other knowledge and skills not needed

Other (please specify)

Question Title

* 11. Energy Management in High-Tech Facilities

	detailed understanding	basic understanding	awareness only	knowledge and skills not needed
Why a concern for energy	Why a concern for energy detailed understanding	Why a concern for energy basic understanding	Why a concern for energy awareness only	Why a concern for energy knowledge and skills not needed
Metering and billing considerations (steam, gas, electric, water, sewage,etc)	Metering and billing considerations (steam, gas, electric, water, sewage,etc) detailed understanding	Metering and billing considerations (steam, gas, electric, water, sewage,etc) basic understanding	Metering and billing considerations (steam, gas, electric, water, sewage,etc) awareness only	Metering and billing considerations (steam, gas, electric, water, sewage,etc) knowledge and skills not needed
Energy profiles (labs, data-centers, cleanrooms, hospitals)	Energy profiles (labs, data-centers, cleanrooms, hospitals) detailed understanding	Energy profiles (labs, data-centers, cleanrooms, hospitals) basic understanding	Energy profiles (labs, data-centers, cleanrooms, hospitals) awareness only	Energy profiles (labs, data-centers, cleanrooms, hospitals) knowledge and skills not needed
Energy intensity and user equipment, plug loads	Energy intensity and user equipment, plug loads detailed understanding	Energy intensity and user equipment, plug loads basic understanding	Energy intensity and user equipment, plug loads awareness only	Energy intensity and user equipment, plug loads knowledge and skills not needed
Transformers and breakers	Transformers and breakers detailed understanding	Transformers and breakers basic understanding	Transformers and breakers awareness only	Transformers and breakers knowledge and skills not needed
Specialized systems	Specialized systems detailed understanding	Specialized systems basic understanding	Specialized systems awareness only	Specialized systems knowledge and skills not needed
EH&S trade-offs	EH&S trade-offs detailed understanding	EH&S trade-offs basic understanding	EH&S trade-offs awareness only	EH&S trade-offs knowledge and skills not needed
Efficiency strategies (planned vs existing facilities)	Efficiency strategies (planned vs existing facilities) detailed understanding	Efficiency strategies (planned vs existing facilities) basic understanding	Efficiency strategies (planned vs existing facilities) awareness only	Efficiency strategies (planned vs existing facilities) knowledge and skills not needed
O&M and PM responsibilities with utility suppliers and systems	O&M and PM responsibilities with utility suppliers and systems detailed understanding	O&M and PM responsibilities with utility suppliers and systems basic understanding	O&M and PM responsibilities with utility suppliers and systems awareness only	O&M and PM responsibilities with utility suppliers and systems knowledge and skills not needed
Other	Other detailed understanding	Other basic understanding	Other awareness only	Other knowledge and skills not needed

Other (please specify)

Question Title

* 12. Water Management

	detailed understanding	basic understanding	awareness only	knowledge and skills not needed
Why concern for water supply	Why concern for water supply detailed understanding	Why concern for water supply basic understanding	Why concern for water supply awareness only	Why concern for water supply knowledge and skills not needed
Energy and water nexus	Energy and water nexus detailed understanding	Energy and water nexus basic understanding	Energy and water nexus awareness only	Energy and water nexus knowledge and skills not needed
Metered supply, metered use, and building considerations	Metered supply, metered use, and building considerations detailed understanding	Metered supply, metered use, and building considerations basic understanding	Metered supply, metered use, and building considerations awareness only	Metered supply, metered use, and building considerations knowledge and skills not needed
Water for process operations	Water for process operations detailed understanding	Water for process operations basic understanding	Water for process operations awareness only	Water for process operations knowledge and skills not needed
Water quality - why, where and when	Water quality - why, where and when detailed understanding	Water quality - why, where and when basic understanding	Water quality - why, where and when awareness only	Water quality - why, where and when knowledge and skills not needed
City treatment and distribution systems	City treatment and distribution systems detailed understanding	City treatment and distribution systems basic understanding	City treatment and distribution systems awareness only	City treatment and distribution systems knowledge and skills not needed
Waste water storage and on-site treatment systems	Waste water storage and on-site treatment systems detailed understanding	Waste water storage and on-site treatment systems basic understanding	Waste water storage and on-site treatment systems awareness only	Waste water storage and on-site treatment systems knowledge and skills not needed
O&M and PM responsibilities	O&M and PM responsibilities detailed understanding	O&M and PM responsibilities basic understanding	O&M and PM responsibilities awareness only	O&M and PM responsibilities knowledge and skills not needed
Other	Other detailed understanding	Other basic understanding	Other awareness only	Other knowledge and skills not needed

Other (please specify)

Question Title

* 13. Lighting Systems Operations

	detailed understanding	basic understanding	awareness only	knowledge and skills not needed
Task and ambient	Task and ambient detailed understanding	Task and ambient basic understanding	Task and ambient awareness only	Task and ambient knowledge and skills not needed
Luminence and its measurement	Luminence and its measurement detailed understanding	Luminence and its measurement basic understanding	Luminence and its measurement awareness only	Luminence and its measurement knowledge and skills not needed
Shading systems and daylighting	Shading systems and daylighting detailed understanding	Shading systems and daylighting basic understanding	Shading systems and daylighting awareness only	Shading systems and daylighting knowledge and skills not needed
Control strategies	Control strategies detailed understanding	Control strategies basic understanding	Control strategies awareness only	Control strategies knowledge and skills not needed
O&M and PM responsibilities	O&M and PM responsibilities detailed understanding	O&M and PM responsibilities basic understanding	O&M and PM responsibilities awareness only	O&M and PM responsibilities knowledge and skills not needed
Other	Other detailed understanding	Other basic understanding	Other awareness only	Other knowledge and skills not needed

Other (please specify)

Question Title

* 14. Gases

	detailed understanding	basic understanding	awareness only	knowledge and skills not needed
Tanks, storage and distribution systems, and security	Tanks, storage and distribution systems, and security detailed understanding	Tanks, storage and distribution systems, and security basic understanding	Tanks, storage and distribution systems, and security awareness only	Tanks, storage and distribution systems, and security knowledge and skills not needed
Suppliers and access	Suppliers and access detailed understanding	Suppliers and access basic understanding	Suppliers and access awareness only	Suppliers and access knowledge and skills not needed
Maintenance and management	Maintenance and management detailed understanding	Maintenance and management basic understanding	Maintenance and management awareness only	Maintenance and management knowledge and skills not needed
Authorities having jurisdiction	Authorities having jurisdiction detailed understanding	Authorities having jurisdiction basic understanding	Authorities having jurisdiction awareness only	Authorities having jurisdiction knowledge and skills not needed
O&M and PM responsibilities	O&M and PM responsibilities detailed understanding	O&M and PM responsibilities basic understanding	O&M and PM responsibilities awareness only	O&M and PM responsibilities knowledge and skills not needed
Other	Other detailed understanding	Other basic understanding	Other awareness only	Other knowledge and skills not needed

Other (please specify)

Question Title

* 15. Operation of Vacuum Systems

	detailed understanding	basic understanding	awareness only	knowledge and skills not needed
Pumps and motors	Pumps and motors detailed understanding	Pumps and motors basic understanding	Pumps and motors awareness only	Pumps and motors knowledge and skills not needed
Distribution	Distribution detailed understanding	Distribution basic understanding	Distribution awareness only	Distribution knowledge and skills not needed
O&M and PM responsibilities	O&M and PM responsibilities detailed understanding	O&M and PM responsibilities basic understanding	O&M and PM responsibilities awareness only	O&M and PM responsibilities knowledge and skills not needed
Other	Other detailed understanding	Other basic understanding	Other awareness only	Other knowledge and skills not needed

Other (please specify)

Question Title

* 16. Refrigeration maintenance

	detailed understanding	basic understanding	awareness only	knowledge and skills not needed
Centralized systems and walk-in	Centralized systems and walk-in detailed understanding	Centralized systems and walk-in basic understanding	Centralized systems and walk-in awareness only	Centralized systems and walk-in knowledge and skills not needed
Shared refrigeration units and management strategies	Shared refrigeration units and management strategies detailed understanding	Shared refrigeration units and management strategies basic understanding	Shared refrigeration units and management strategies awareness only	Shared refrigeration units and management strategies knowledge and skills not needed
Control, monitoring and access	Control, monitoring and access detailed understanding	Control, monitoring and access basic understanding	Control, monitoring and access awareness only	Control, monitoring and access knowledge and skills not needed
ENERGY STAR and lab refrigerators	ENERGY STAR and lab refrigerators detailed understanding	ENERGY STAR and lab refrigerators basic understanding	ENERGY STAR and lab refrigerators awareness only	ENERGY STAR and lab refrigerators knowledge and skills not needed
O&M and PM responsibilities	O&M and PM responsibilities detailed understanding	O&M and PM responsibilities basic understanding	O&M and PM responsibilities awareness only	O&M and PM responsibilities knowledge and skills not needed
Other	Other detailed understanding	Other basic understanding	Other awareness only	Other knowledge and skills not needed

Other (please specify)

Question Title

* 17. Storage and types

	detailed understanding	basic understanding	awareness only	Knowledge and skills not needed
Biological (types and sizes)	Biological (types and sizes) detailed understanding	Biological (types and sizes) basic understanding	Biological (types and sizes) awareness only	Biological (types and sizes) Knowledge and skills not needed
Chemical (types and volume)	Chemical (types and volume) detailed understanding	Chemical (types and volume) basic understanding	Chemical (types and volume) awareness only	Chemical (types and volume) Knowledge and skills not needed
Radiological (types and strength)	Radiological (types and strength) detailed understanding	Radiological (types and strength) basic understanding	Radiological (types and strength) awareness only	Radiological (types and strength) Knowledge and skills not needed
Access and security	Access and security detailed understanding	Access and security basic understanding	Access and security awareness only	Access and security Knowledge and skills not needed
O&M and PM for each	O&M and PM for each detailed understanding	O&M and PM for each basic understanding	O&M and PM for each awareness only	O&M and PM for each Knowledge and skills not needed
Other	Other detailed understanding	Other basic understanding	Other awareness only	Other Knowledge and skills not needed

Other (please specify)

Question Title

* 18. Information Technologies and Systems

	detailed understanding	basic understanding	awareness only	knowledge and skills not needed
User and usage patterns onsite and offsite	User and usage patterns onsite and offsite detailed understanding	User and usage patterns onsite and offsite basic understanding	User and usage patterns onsite and offsite awareness only	User and usage patterns onsite and offsite knowledge and skills not needed
Computational science and medicine	Computational science and medicine detailed understanding	Computational science and medicine basic understanding	Computational science and medicine awareness only	Computational science and medicine knowledge and skills not needed
Links and connectivity with others	Links and connectivity with others detailed understanding	Links and connectivity with others basic understanding	Links and connectivity with others awareness only	Links and connectivity with others knowledge and skills not needed
Trends in IT technologies	Trends in IT technologies detailed understanding	Trends in IT technologies basic understanding	Trends in IT technologies awareness only	Trends in IT technologies knowledge and skills not needed
Closets, rooms and buildings as data-centers	Closets, rooms and buildings as data-centers detailed understanding	Closets, rooms and buildings as data-centers basic understanding	Closets, rooms and buildings as data-centers awareness only	Closets, rooms and buildings as data-centers knowledge and skills not needed
Networks and equipment	Networks and equipment detailed understanding	Networks and equipment basic understanding	Networks and equipment awareness only	Networks and equipment knowledge and skills not needed
Terminology	Terminology detailed understanding	Terminology basic understanding	Terminology awareness only	Terminology knowledge and skills not needed
Integrating user activities with building management systems	Integrating user activities with building management systems detailed understanding	Integrating user activities with building management systems basic understanding	Integrating user activities with building management systems awareness only	Integrating user activities with building management systems knowledge and skills not needed
Energy and management	Energy and management detailed understanding	Energy and management basic understanding	Energy and management awareness only	Energy and management knowledge and skills not needed
O&M and PM responsibilities	O&M and PM responsibilities detailed understanding	O&M and PM responsibilities basic understanding	O&M and PM responsibilities awareness only	O&M and PM responsibilities knowledge and skills not needed
Other	Other detailed understanding	Other basic understanding	Other awareness only	Other knowledge and skills not needed

Other (please specify)

Question Title

* 19. Building Information Modeling (BIM)

	detailed understanding	basic understanding	awareness only	knowledge and skills not needed
Overview of BIM	Overview of BIM detailed understanding	Overview of BIM basic understanding	Overview of BIM awareness only	Overview of BIM knowledge and skills not needed
Terminology	Terminology detailed understanding	Terminology basic understanding	Terminology awareness only	Terminology knowledge and skills not needed
Value of information, knowing what you need to know	Value of information, knowing what you need to know detailed understanding	Value of information, knowing what you need to know basic understanding	Value of information, knowing what you need to know awareness only	Value of information, knowing what you need to know knowledge and skills not needed
Managing and maintaining information	Managing and maintaining information detailed understanding	Managing and maintaining information basic understanding	Managing and maintaining information awareness only	Managing and maintaining information knowledge and skills not needed
Modules that support O&M and PM	Modules that support O&M and PM detailed understanding	Modules that support O&M and PM basic understanding	Modules that support O&M and PM awareness only	Modules that support O&M and PM knowledge and skills not needed
O&M and PM responsibilities	O&M and PM responsibilities detailed understanding	O&M and PM responsibilities basic understanding	O&M and PM responsibilities awareness only	O&M and PM responsibilities knowledge and skills not needed
Other	Other detailed understanding	Other basic understanding	Other awareness only	Other knowledge and skills not needed

Other (please specify)

Question Title

* 20. Metering and sub-metering

	detailed understanding	basic understanding	awareness only	knowledge and skills not needed
Trends and systems	Trends and systems detailed understanding	Trends and systems basic understanding	Trends and systems awareness only	Trends and systems knowledge and skills not needed
Dashboards, controls, and security	Dashboards, controls, and security detailed understanding	Dashboards, controls, and security basic understanding	Dashboards, controls, and security awareness only	Dashboards, controls, and security knowledge and skills not needed
Range of meters (energy to IAQ)	Range of meters (energy to IAQ) detailed understanding	Range of meters (energy to IAQ) basic understanding	Range of meters (energy to IAQ) awareness only	Range of meters (energy to IAQ) knowledge and skills not needed
Benefits to owners/users, other stakeholders	Benefits to owners/users, other stakeholders detailed understanding	Benefits to owners/users, other stakeholders basic understanding	Benefits to owners/users, other stakeholders awareness only	Benefits to owners/users, other stakeholders knowledge and skills not needed
O&M and PM responsibilities	O&M and PM responsibilities detailed understanding	O&M and PM responsibilities basic understanding	O&M and PM responsibilities awareness only	O&M and PM responsibilities knowledge and skills not needed
Other	Other detailed understanding	Other basic understanding	Other awareness only	Other knowledge and skills not needed

Other (please specify)

Question Title

* 21. Communication, Relationships and Negotiations

	detailed understanding	basic understanding	awareness only	knowledge and skills not needed
Communicating with executives	Communicating with executives detailed understanding	Communicating with executives basic understanding	Communicating with executives awareness only	Communicating with executives knowledge and skills not needed
Working with users	Working with users detailed understanding	Working with users basic understanding	Working with users awareness only	Working with users knowledge and skills not needed
Working with neighbors and communities	Working with neighbors and communities detailed understanding	Working with neighbors and communities basic understanding	Working with neighbors and communities awareness only	Working with neighbors and communities knowledge and skills not needed
Working with authorities having jurisdiction	Working with authorities having jurisdiction detailed understanding	Working with authorities having jurisdiction basic understanding	Working with authorities having jurisdiction awareness only	Working with authorities having jurisdiction knowledge and skills not needed
Increasing awareness of responsibilities	Increasing awareness of responsibilities detailed understanding	Increasing awareness of responsibilities basic understanding	Increasing awareness of responsibilities awareness only	Increasing awareness of responsibilities knowledge and skills not needed
Other	Other detailed understanding	Other basic understanding	Other awareness only	Other knowledge and skills not needed

Other (please specify)

Question Title

* 22. Sustainability

	detailed understanding	basic understanding	awareness only	knowledge and skills not needed
Setting goals and objectives	Setting goals and objectives detailed understanding	Setting goals and objectives basic understanding	Setting goals and objectives awareness only	Setting goals and objectives knowledge and skills not needed
Supporting organizations and networking	Supporting organizations and networking detailed understanding	Supporting organizations and networking basic understanding	Supporting organizations and networking awareness only	Supporting organizations and networking knowledge and skills not needed
Finding a champion and forming collaboration	Finding a champion and forming collaboration detailed understanding	Finding a champion and forming collaboration basic understanding	Finding a champion and forming collaboration awareness only	Finding a champion and forming collaboration knowledge and skills not needed
Environmental management systems	Environmental management systems detailed understanding	Environmental management systems basic understanding	Environmental management systems awareness only	Environmental management systems knowledge and skills not needed
International Standards of Operation (ISO), Six Sigma, etc.	International Standards of Operation (ISO), Six Sigma, etc. detailed understanding	International Standards of Operation (ISO), Six Sigma, etc. basic understanding	International Standards of Operation (ISO), Six Sigma, etc. awareness only	International Standards of Operation (ISO), Six Sigma, etc. knowledge and skills not needed
Other	Other detailed understanding	Other basic understanding	Other awareness only	Other knowledge and skills not needed

Other (please specify)

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* 23. Having reviewed the topic areas above, are there other topic areas related to the operation of high-tech facilities that you would recommend be included in an education/training pathway for high-tech building operators (briefly describe in box provided)?

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* 24. If these topic areas were assembled into coursework leading to a certificate (e.g. at a community college), would you be interested in seeking the certificate (if you are an operator) or would you encourage your operations staff to seek the certificate (if you are a building manager)?

no opinion

yes

Comments

Question Title

* 25. If these topic areas were assembled into coursework that leads to an industry certification exam, would you seek certification (if you are the operator) or would you encourage your operations staff to seek certification (if you are the building manager)

no opinion

yes

Comments

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* 26. Have you taken, been required, or required staff to take any professional development specifically oriented toward the operations, management or maintenance of high technology facilities?

yes

Comments

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* 27. If yes, please specify in what role.

Owner’s Facility Manager

Building operator/engineer, HVAC technician

Building automation technician/building controls technician

Energy manager

Maintenance personnel

Other

Other (please specify)

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* 28. Please specify the training institution, length, and cost of previous professional training in high-tech facilities. What was addressed? Was it adequate? What was missing?

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* 29. Would your employer or union encourage you to seek industry certification for high-tech facilities?

not known

yes

Comments

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* 30. Would your employer or union encourage you to take professional development coursework in high-tech facility operations at a community college?

not known

yes

Comments

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* 31. If an industry certification for high-tech building operators were to be created, should it build upon any specific existing certification? If yes, briefly describe and explain below.

no opinion

yes

Comments

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* 32. If certified, what increase would you expect in your earnings?

no increase

less than 5%

less than 10%

more than 10%

Briefly explain

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* 33. Please describe in the box provided what types of incentives would encourage building staff to attend training and certification in high-tech facilities?

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* 34. Please provide the country for which your responses above are applicable.

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* 35. Would you like to stay informed of our efforts in education and training for high-tech facility operators? Is so, please provide your contact information below.

Name

Title

Affiliation

Phone

Address

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* 36. Would you be interested in serving on an advisory group for this effort? (If yes, please be sure you leave your contact info above.

yes

What are your specific interest in this area?