# 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:** [[training-structure/roles/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. ## Recommended Videos - [Basic Electrical Theory](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b0S9f49j6kM) - [Fundamentals of HVAC - Basics of HVAC](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F_f42G-K7K8) - [Building Automation System (BAS) Training - BAS 101](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x_uL1xP5c0M)