New Hire Fundamental Training Program
Program Purpose: To provide all new hires with minimal electrical knowledge the fundamental skills, safety training, and company-specific knowledge required to begin their career path in Building Automation Systems (BAS).
Prerequisites: None - designed for entry-level employees
Estimated Duration: 3-6 months
Next Role: Installer
Assessment Methods
- Written examinations for theoretical knowledge (80% passing score required)
- Practical demonstrations with supervisor observation and sign-off
- OSHA 40-hour certification completion
- Safety protocol comprehension tests
- Hands-on tool proficiency evaluations
Core Training Modules
1. Electrical Fundamentals for BAS
Topics Covered:
- Basic electrical theory: voltage, current, resistance, power (Ohm’s Law)
- AC vs DC power systems
- Understanding electrical circuits (series, parallel, series-parallel)
- Reading basic electrical schematics and symbols
- Wire gauge, insulation ratings, and conductor types
- Low-voltage vs high-voltage systems
- Grounding and bonding principles
- Basic transformer operation
Practical Components:
- Build simple circuits on a training board
- Use a multimeter to measure voltage, current, and resistance
- Identify wire types and proper applications
2. HVAC Systems Overview
Topics Covered:
- Basic thermodynamics and heat transfer principles
- Major HVAC equipment types and their functions:
- Air Handling Units (AHUs)
- Variable Air Volume (VAV) boxes
- Chillers and cooling towers
- Boilers and hot water systems
- Pumps and piping systems
- Fans and ductwork
- Understanding zones, thermostats, and temperature control
- Heating, cooling, and ventilation sequences (basic level)
- Mechanical drawings and HVAC symbols
Practical Components:
- Tour of actual building mechanical rooms
- Identify major equipment components in the field
- Trace airflow and water flow through systems
3. BAS Industry Introduction
Topics Covered:
- What is Building Automation and why it matters
- Evolution of controls: pneumatic → electric → digital
- Common BAS protocols and communication methods:
- BACnet (BACnet/IP, BACnet MS/TP)
- Modbus (RTU, TCP/IP)
- LonWorks (overview)
- Field devices: sensors, actuators, dampers, valves
- Controllers: DDC (Direct Digital Control) basics
- System architecture: field level → automation level → management level
- Introduction to Human-Machine Interface (HMI) graphics
Practical Components:
- Hands-on with actual sensors and actuators
- View live BAS system graphics
- Observe communication between devices
4. Safety Fundamentals
Topics Covered:
- OSHA 40-Hour Construction Safety Training (Required Certification)
- Hazard recognition and prevention
- Fall protection and ladder safety
- Electrical safety and arc flash awareness
- Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) requirements
- Confined space entry procedures
- Excavation and trenching safety
- Material handling and storage
- Fire prevention and emergency response
- Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) procedures for electrical and mechanical systems
- Job site hazard assessment and daily safety checks
- Incident reporting procedures
- Working at heights and scaffold safety
- Hot work permits and requirements
Practical Components:
- OSHA 40-Hour certification course completion
- Proper PPE donning and inspection
- Lockout/Tagout practice scenarios
- Emergency evacuation drills
5. Company Standards & Culture
Topics Covered:
- Company history, mission, and values
- Organizational structure and reporting relationships
- Quality standards and workmanship expectations
- Communication protocols (internal and with clients)
- Time tracking and payroll procedures
- Tool and vehicle sign-out procedures
- Dress code and professional appearance standards
- Customer service expectations
- Introduction to Service Fusion software system
- Daily reporting requirements
- Career progression pathway overview
Practical Components:
- Shadow experienced technicians
- Complete sample daily field reports
- Practice using Service Fusion for time tracking
6. Hand Tools & Basic Test Equipment
Topics Covered:
- Essential hand tools for BAS installation:
- Screwdrivers (flat, Phillips, precision)
- Wire strippers and cutters
- Crimping tools
- Pliers (needle-nose, linesman, diagonal)
- Wrenches and nut drivers
- Drills and drill bits
- Fish tape and cable pullers
- Measuring tools (tape measure, level, laser)
- Proper tool use, maintenance, and safety
- Digital Multimeter (DMM) operation:
- Measuring AC/DC voltage
- Measuring resistance (continuity testing)
- Measuring current (when safe to do so)
- Diode and capacitance testing (if applicable)
- Basic network testing tools (cable tester, tone and probe)
- Proper test equipment care and calibration awareness
Practical Components:
- Hands-on practice with each tool category
- Multimeter exercises on training circuits
- Wire stripping and termination practice
- Proper tool storage and maintenance procedures
Qualification Checklist
Before advancing to Installer role, the new hire must demonstrate:
- OSHA 40-Hour Construction Safety Certification obtained
- Pass written exam on electrical fundamentals (80% or higher)
- Correctly identify and explain the function of 10 major HVAC equipment types
- Demonstrate proper and safe use of all essential hand tools
- Successfully use a multimeter to measure voltage, current, and resistance on training circuits
- Identify common BAS field devices and explain their basic function
- Complete three supervised field observations with written summaries
- Demonstrate proper PPE usage and LOTO procedures
- Successfully complete time tracking and daily reports in Service Fusion
- Receive supervisor sign-off on readiness for Installer training
Cross-Training Opportunities
- Attend project kick-off meetings as an observer
- Visit the warehouse to understand inventory and logistics
- Shadow the Dispatch Coordinator for one day to see the big picture
Timeline Expectations
Typical Duration: 3-6 months
- First 2-4 weeks: Classroom training and OSHA certification
- Next 8-12 weeks: Hands-on practice, field observations, and skill building
- Final 4-8 weeks: Working under close supervision on actual installation tasks
Note: The timeline can be adjusted based on the individual’s prior experience and learning pace.