Building Services Engineer

Building services engineers are specialists in such matters as the design of energy efficient buildings, renewable energy, green architecture, ventilation and air-conditioning, heating, lighting, plumbing and sanitation, lifts and fire escapes, acoustics, electricity and control, many or all of which are necessary in modern buildings.They may specialise in one function, such as estimating, designing or project management, or in an area such as safety features or computer installation. The work includes discussing what is required with the client and architect, preparing a design and detailed drawings on computer, choosing systems and equipment, estimating the cost of materials and labour involved, supervising installation, and overseeing the final testing.

Building services engineers may be qualified to chartered, incorporated or technician level. Chartered engineers have senior management roles, such as negotiating with clients, preparing overall designs and specifications or overseeing projects. Incorporated engineers are usually involved on the ground, perhaps overseeing and managing installation work as site engineer. Engineering technicians may design straightforward systems, buy materials and equipment or supervise craft workers.

Entry level
The usual qualification for a chartered or incorporated building services engineer is a degree in a relevant subject, such as building services engineering, accredited by the Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE). For this, you would need at least two A levels/three H grades and three GCSEs/S grades (A-C/1-3). Maths and physics are essential, preferably at A level/H grade. Equivalent qualifications may be accepted.

At many universities, students without science and maths qualifications can take a one-year foundation course. Students with A levels applying for courses in Scotland may be able to start in the second year of the course, depending on their grades.

Technicians may study full time before starting work, for BTEC National Diplomas in Building Services Engineering or SQA National Certificate in Plumbing and Engineering Services. However, they usually start through an apprenticeship.

There are no set entry requirements, but many employers ask for at least four GCSEs/S grades (A-C/1-3), including English, maths and science, or alternative qualifications.

Making the grade
To qualify as an incorporated building services engineer, you should have an accredited three-year degree or equivalent qualification. You would then complete a period of initial professional development, including practical training and professional engineering experience, and pass a professional review. This would give you corporate membership of the Institution of Incorporated Engineers.

To qualify as a chartered building services engineer, you must have an accredited MEng degree or equivalent qualification in a relevant engineering subject. You would then complete a period of initial professional development, including formal and informal training and professional engineering experience, and pass a professional review with an interview. This would give you corporate membership of CIBSE.

Most technicians are trained by their employer and study for a national diploma/certificate or NVQ/SVQ Level 3 by day or block release. Courses last two years. After three years' training and experience they can usually register as an engineering technician.

Modern Apprentices are also trained by their employers and study at college for a National Certificate in Building Services Engineering and NVQ/SVQ Level 3 in Building Services Engineering: Supervision. They then progress to HNC Building Services Engineering and NVQ/SVQ Level 4 in Building Services Engineering: Design.

Chartered building services engineers usually progress by taking on more management responsibility. They may become a team leader, project leader, project manager or department manager, and can progress further to general management and company director. Some experienced chartered engineers form their own companies or consultancies, especially in design. Others move into training or research and development.

Incorporated engineers may study to become chartered engineers. Similarly, engineering technicians may gain more responsibility and study to work towards incorporated and chartered status.

Personal qualities
As a building services engineer, you should be good at maths, physics and design, and should enjoy working with computers and computer-aided design. You must have the ability to analyse and solve problems, often creatively, and you would need good communication skills to liaise with clients and colleagues in construction.

You would need to be physically fit, with a head for heights.

Looking ahead
Building services engineering is recognised as an important discipline and for many years demand for graduates in this area has outstripped supply. There is, in fact, a nationwide shortage of building services engineers, which means that you would be in an extremely good position to find a job. Organisations that might offer you work include large building contractors, architectural or design practices or equipment manufacturers. Large companies with a buildings portfolio also need building services engineers and there are jobs in companies that are responsible for the maintenance and servicing of buildings. There are also opportunities to work overseas.

Alternative suggestions
Other possibilities might include architect, architectural technologist, building surveyor, civil engineer, electrical/electronics engineer, mechanical engineer, quantity surveyor structural engineer or town planner.

Take-home pay
The current shortage of building services engineers means good salaries, secure employment and good promotion prospects. You could expect to start earning around £20,000 when you first graduate and should be able to increase your earnings fairly rapidly, to around £36,000, within a few years. The average annual earnings for experienced chartered engineers are around £50,000 and for incorporated engineers around £40,000. Some senior managers earn over £70,000.

Effects
Office-based engineers usually work normal office hours, occasionally longer to meet deadlines. On site, they may work evenings and weekends. Most jobs are office-based but involve site visits. Outdoor work can be cold and wet, and sites can be dusty and dirty.

Sources of information
Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers: www.cibse.org
Building Services Engineering Training: www.best-ltd.co.uk
SummitSkills: www.summitskills.org.uk
Institution of Engineering and Technology: www.theiet.org

CRCI: BB
DP Group: 3