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Mechanical Systems

Sustainable Design and Operation of Mechanical Systems in Buildings

Next Class: January 18–21, 2027
4 days · 22 CPD Hours
Skill Level: Beginner
22
Formal PEO CPD Hours · Counts toward PEAK

Overview

Sustainable design requires engineers, architects, owners, and facility managers to work as a team to provide high-quality, productive environments for people while considering the impact of their design on the environment. The LEED™ (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design) rating system is an excellent framework for quantifying the sustainability of buildings.

This course focuses on sustainable design and operation of four major systems used in buildings: plumbing, fire protection, illumination, and noise and vibration control. It covers the science by which each system operates, descriptions of the many system and equipment options available, guidelines for appropriate selection in given applications, and exercises and case studies to reinforce the material.

Topics are introduced to individuals who have little background on the subject while also providing a valuable resource for personnel with experience in mechanical and electrical systems in buildings.

Course Outline

1
Plumbing Equipment and Systems — Water Supply and Treatment
2
Domestic Water Distribution Systems and Plumbing Fixtures
3
Workshop I — Sizing a Plumbing System
4
Fire Protection Equipment and Systems — Classification and Planning
5
Fire Detection, Alarm, and Suppression Systems — Automatic Sprinklers
6
Workshop II — Sizing and Selection of a Fire Protection System
7
Light and Lighting — Physics, Equipment, Electrical Sources, and Systems
8
Lighting Design — Calculations, Daylighting, and Exterior Design
9
Workshop III — Sizing and Selection of a Lighting System
10
Noise and Vibration in Mechanical and Electrical Systems
11
Acoustical Design in HVAC Systems — Ducts, Silencers, and Room Correction
12
Vibration Isolation and Seismic Vibration Control

What You'll Learn

Fundamentals of plumbing system design, water supply, and fixture selection for buildings
Fire protection system design — detection, alarm, suppression, and sprinkler sizing
Lighting system design and calculations — quantity, quality, and energy efficiency
Noise and vibration control in mechanical systems — acoustics, isolation, and seismic design
Systematic procedures for selection of systems and equipment appropriate for given applications
Sustainable design principles applied to major mechanical systems in buildings (LEED framework)

Who Should Attend

Architects Design & Project Engineers Facility Managers Consultants Mechanical Engineers & Technologists Maintenance & Operations Personnel Technical Personnel

What Attendees Say

"The instructor presented content at a good pace with many exercises to ensure we understood. Very interactive with the class."

Course Attendee

"Very good — illustrative — industrial examples supported by detailed calculations."

Course Attendee

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. CANETCO offers custom delivery for organizations that want to train multiple staff members together. Contact us to discuss scheduling and group pricing.

Yes. If your organization has particular equipment, systems, or applications you want the course to focus on, we can tailor the content to address your specific requirements. Custom delivery is priced based on the scope of customization and the number of participants. Contact us to discuss your needs and we will develop a proposal that works for you.

What mechanical systems in buildings does this course cover?

The course covers four major systems: plumbing (water supply, distribution, fixtures), fire protection (detection, alarm, suppression), illumination (lighting equipment and design), and noise and vibration control (acoustics and vibration isolation).

Is this course suitable for architects and facility managers, not just engineers?

Yes. The course is designed for a broad audience including architects, facility managers, and technical personnel with little background on the subject. It does not assume prior engineering training in these systems.

Does this course count toward PEO PEAK CPD requirements?

Yes. This course is PEO PEAK compliant and provides 22 formal CPD hours (2.2 CEUs), all qualifying as core engineering learning.

How does this course relate to the HVAC courses?

This course is complementary to the HVAC courses but covers different building systems — plumbing, fire protection, lighting, and acoustics rather than heating, ventilation, and air conditioning. Engineers who take both gain a comprehensive understanding of all major mechanical systems in buildings.

Dr. Mohamed Hamed

Course Instructor

Over 40 years of engineering practice and teaching. Dr. Mohamed Hamed's approach centers on bridging theory with real-world practical experience.

Ph.D. Mechanical Engineering P.Eng. Ontario FEC

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