Building Services Engineer - How to become a Building Services Engineer

Building Services Engineers are engineering specialists who are concerned with the internal environment of a building and the impact a building or structure has on its surroundings and the environment. They are also responsible for the design and installation of systems that are necessary for the safe and environment-friendly operation of buildings such as mechanical and electrical systems and sometimes public health systems.

They also operate and monitor the systems once they are installed and to ensure comfort and safety such as IT and communication networks, heating, ventilation and air conditioning, facade engineering, lifts and escalators, sanitation, energy supply systems plumbing and drainage, water supply systems, fire detection systems and lightning protection.

They have to go through the below-mentioned procedure for being successful in this profession.

Building Services Engineer Eligibility

The educational qualification for this profession is a Bachelor’s Degree in Building Services Engineering, Electrical Engineering and Mechanical Engineering.

Building Services Engineer Required Skills

• Building Services Engineers should be familiar with computer-aided design (CAD) software because a huge portion of their work involves the design of different systems and equipment.
• They should have organisational and leadership skills which are important as they take on more responsible roles, ones that involve overseeing contractors and assessing their performance.
• Building Services Engineers should possess good teamwork skills; communication and negotiation skills which are crucial because building services engineers are responsible for negotiating contracts with clients and communicating designs to contractors.
• They also possess skills like monitoring building systems and processes; making decisions about expired systems equipment and the appropriate location of new equipment.

How to become a Building Services Engineer?

One has to follow below-given steps for becoming a Building Services Engineer-

Step 1

Candidates after passing 12^th class in science stream with Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry from a recognised School Board. Generally, they should have a Graduation Degree in Building Services Engineering, Building Environment Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or Plumbing or Public Health Engineering. They have to go through an entrance test conducted by different institutes and all India level tests. They are given admission as per their rank in the entrance test and percentage of the 12^th class. There are many colleges/universities offering courses for this profession.

Bachelor’s Degree Courses-

• B.Tech. (Electrical Engineering)
• B.E. (Mechanical Engineering)
• B.Tech. (Mechanical Engineering)
• B.Tech. Building Services Engineering
• B.Tech. Building Environment Engineering

Courses’ Eligibility-

For these courses, candidates must be passed in 12^th class in science stream.

Step 2

Some of the employers prefer Master’s Degree for providing jobs such as for research work or managerial posts. Therefore, after graduation applicant can go for post graduation degree.

 Institutes offering Courses for Building Services Engineer

• Dynamic Institutes of Aeronautical Engineering & Technology, Hyderabad
• Indian Institute of Technology - IIT Guwahati, Guwahati
• Bhagwan Parshuram College of Engineering, Sonepat
• A.B.S. Institute of Education and Managemen, Mumbai

Building Services Engineer Job Description

They are responsible for ensuring that the electrical, mechanical and telecoms aspects of new buildings perform effectively and efficiently. This job may include tasks like designing and maintaining air conditioning, elevators and other mechanical systems; distributing electricity and water supply; and providing lighting and heating.

Building Services Engineer Career Prospects

Building Services Engineers can find employment in both the public and private sector and work for any government level from national to local, and for any client, from a major international company to an individual homeowner. They usually start their careers in positions with a low level of responsibility and then move up the ladder as they gain work experience and specialized skills.

Building Services Engineer Salary 

Building Services Engineers are given a monthly salary between Rs.25,000 to Rs.30,000 in the beginning but this is not the limit; they can earn more than this with gaining work experience. Salary may vary from place to place and company to company. Mostly they are given more salary packages in higher positions.