Building Services Engineer

Also known as:

Engineer, Building Services
Environmental Engineer

Introduction

Building services engineers design building services such as lighting, heating, water supply, sound and security systems in buildings. They may also supervise the installation and operation of the services they have designed.

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Work Activities

Building services engineers design building services systems. They may also work on-site, supervising their installation and operation.

The systems include:
• heating, lighting and power
• lifts
• ventilation and air conditioning
• refrigeration
• acoustics
• plumbing and water supplies
• phones and IT networks
• security and alarm systems
• fire control.

Some buildings need special building services:
• computer rooms need precise controls of temperature and humidity
• hospital operating theatres must be completely sterile
• factories must not allow harmful fumes to enter the atmosphere
• swimming pools, cold stores, museums and leisure centres also have particular needs.

Building services engineers must meet all of these requirements.

Some building services engineers specialise in design work and work mainly in offices. They work closely with the architect, the customer and other members of the design team to prepare a design for a building project. This includes all drawings and detailed specifications for use by the contractor on-site. They usually use computers to do this.

Designs must meet environmental needs, use energy efficiently, reduce emissions of carbon dioxide and be within the budget set by the customer.

Engineers usually specialise in either mechanical services or lighting/electrical services, but they need an overall knowledge of the full range of building services.

Building services engineers work closely with professional staff such as construction managers and surveyors to decide how many employees are needed and to work out costs.

Most building services engineers supervise the installation of building services and inspect the quality of the work. They deal with any problems that arise.

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Personal Qualities and Skills

As a building services engineer you will work closely with various construction professionals, so you should be a good teamworker. You must be able to respect the views of other professional staff.

You should be a good communicator as you have to explain ideas and designs to other members of the team.

You need a creative and enquiring mind and an ability to solve problems.

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Pay and Opportunities

The pay rates given below are approximate.

Building services engineers earn in the range of £23,000 - £29,000 a year, rising to £32,000 - £42,000. Higher earners can make around £50,000 a year, and higher rates are possible.

Building services engineers work a basic 40-hour week, with occasional evening and weekend work according to the demands of the project.

There are a various employment options in building services engineering. The main employers are large building services contractors.

There are also opportunities with central and local government departments, with small building firms, design consultancies and building suppliers. Some engineers go into research and development work.

There are many opportunities to work on projects abroad.

Demand for building services engineers far exceeds the supply. So promotion prospects and the chances of receiving pay increases are very good for those going into this career.

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Adult Opportunities

It is illegal for any organisation to set age limits for entry to employment, education or training, unless they can show there is a real need to have these limits.

Adult entrants are usually qualified or experienced in a related field of engineering or construction.

The Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers offers alternative routes to membership for suitably experienced adults.

If you don't have the qualifications needed to enter your chosen degree course, a college or university Access course could be the way in.

These courses are designed for people who have not followed the usual routes into higher education. No formal qualifications are usually needed, but you should check this with individual colleges.

Sponsorship for study at higher education level is available through the larger building/construction companies.

• 24% of Building Services Engineers have flexible hours.

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New Developments

Some people working in this occupation may be involved in the green jobs sector in areas such as renewable energy, waste management, conservation or countryside management.