Seneca Polytechnic will be closed from the end of business day on Friday, Dec. 20, 2024, to the reopening on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025. Part-time classes for the Winter 2025 Term will begin on Friday, Jan. 10. During the holiday closure, you will still be able to access The Service Hub virtually through the online portal and chatbot.
Learn more about the academic programs we are delivering in Winter 2025. If you have any questions about part-time studies, please contact us.
Building Environmental Systems Facility Manager
Seneca College Certificate
More Information
Overview
This program is for entry-level managers or current managers of building systems and building operations staff. It covers the essential elements of building operations administration, staffing, communications, as well as an introduction to the legal and financial considerations.
This program will be of interest to:
- Graduates of Class I and II Operator levels of the Building Environmental Systems Program.
- Newly appointed Facility Managers.
- Industry personnel wishing to upgrade their skills and knowledge in facility management.
- Those with an engineering or business background seeking a career change.
Three certificates are offered:
- Building Environmental Systems Operator Class II is the entry level credential for a career in Commercial, Office, and residential buildings.
- Building Environmental Systems Operator Class I equips graduates to operate larger institutional buildings.
- Building Environmental Systems Facility Manager prepares graduates to become supervisors of building operations staff.
Information Session
Students are invited to attend an information session.
Career Opportunities
Facility Managers have a wide range of duties, including: ensuring that operations are run efficiently, keeping workers safe, complying with building codes and government regulations, saving money, increasing systems productivity and maintaining an environment that is pleasing to building occupations. They must draw upon multiple disciplines such as Communication, Emergency Preparedness, Business Continuity, Leadership, Strategy Development, Project Management, Operations and Maintenance. They are responsible for integrating people, places, processes and technology.
Facility Managers must oversee the daily operations and maintenance of the Buildings by allocating space in facility layouts, ensuring compliance with government regulations, developing plans for recovery in the case of fire or systems failures, preparing annual budgets for renovations, maintenance or commissioning of new capital equipment purchases, scheduling safety inspections, overseeing tenders for service contracts, scheduling and supervising operators and other staff. Frequently they utilize Facility Management Software or Building Automation Systems (BAS) to co-ordinate these tasks.
Facility Managers are employed in a wide range of establishments, including commercial, transportation, sport and recreational facilities, airports, shopping centres, convention centres, warehouses, schools and universities.
Sample job titles:
- Building Manager
- Facilities Manager
- Facility Operations Manager
- Building Maintenance Manager
- Technical Operations Manager
- Building Supervisor
- Facility Co-ordinator
- Building Services Manager
Entry Requirements
None
Prerequisites
It is your responsibility to ensure that program requirements and course prerequisites as outlined are met. Prerequisites are included for your academic protection. Knowledge of the prerequisite material is assumed by your instructor and instruction will proceed accordingly. Students lacking prerequisites not only jeopardize their own ability to succeed but present unnecessary interruption. If you lack appropriate prerequisites (or Transfer Credit for the prerequisite course) you may be asked to withdraw or transfer to a more appropriate course with the risk of academic/financial penalty.
Part-time Studies courses are being offered in either of the following four formats: Online, Flexible, In-person, Hybrid. Click Availability below to see current offerings.
Curriculum
ESL934 (or equivalent) or permission of the coordinator
This course teaches important skills for effective written and oral communications of technical information. It distinguishes between academic and technical (job-related) writing and guides the students through proven steps to enhance the effectiveness of their various written technical communications. The course also provides a practical approach for planning and structuring technical oral presentations. Students get to use this approach and to practise these techniques.
This course introduces students to the role of a Facility Manager within various types of buildings and organizations. The jurisdictions and regulatory agencies and their relation to the Facility Manager, insurance issues, and essential services affecting the Facility Manager are also covered. Property managers who are also responsible for the facility and physical plant management will find this course a useful complement to their overall responsibilities.
This course deals with the building envelope, its maintenance, and its relationship to indoor environmental conditions and energy efficiency concerns. Issues related to barrier free access, parking, and landscaping are examined. Environmental measures such as waste management, recycling and hazardous waste handling are discussed. Various health and safety issues, including security and emergency planning, are also included.
This course provides an overview of today's strategic and financial planning techniques for facility management. Budgeting, materials procurement and management, work order systems, work planning and scheduling, cost control concepts and techniques, and use of computers in facility management are some of the topics that are covered. A prime focus of this course is to raise the awareness of efficient energy and environmental management and to control such costs through effective planning and budgeting, and other financial techniques.
This course provides an overview of human relations and personnel management for facility managers. Employee hiring and selection, training and development, performance review and evaluation, employee delegation and empowerment, disciplining and discharge, effective interpersonal skills, crisis and time management are some of the topics covered. Students also learn how to develop and implement a training and development program as well as a performance review/appraisal system.
Preferably postsecondary diploma but not mandatory or mature student status (19 years of age or older)
This practical course is designed to offer an overview of building systems, enabling students to relate to the operation of a building in a safe, energy efficient and environmentally conscious manner.
Students learn to analyze all aspects of large building operations and from these analysis suggest changes complete with realistic capital expenditure proposals that include payback periods. These changes are designed to improve utility consumption within that building.
Current employment in the fire safety industry/ related field is strongly recommended.
This course provides a general understanding of fire alarm protection systems. It discusses the purpose and specific application of the different codes and standards that regulate the industry. It introduces the student to architectural considerations regarding fire containment. Information about testing laboratories, their procedures, testing methods and how listed/approved materials achieve greater degrees of life safety are covered. Other topics include: the nature of fire, extinguishing methods, fire alarm testing methods, interpretation of drawings, specifications and other contract documents.
This course covers the basics of fire science based on its chemical and physical properties. Topics include introduction to fire codes and standards, properties of and protection from hazardous and combustible materials, life safety, containment and compartmentation as related to building construction and extinguishing methods, limitations and effects on various combustibles.
Note: EAC 625 is equivalent to PRC625. If you completed EAC 625, you do not need to complete PRC625.
Note: As of Winter 2019 the BES courses that were formerly offered via correspondence are now delivered online. As a result, course materials will no longer be shipped. Instead students must purchase the required textbook(s) directly from the Seneca bookstore, and the accompanying course material is available online via OntarioLearn Blackboard.
Blackboard is an online Learning Management System, through which facilitators and students are connected to allow communication, submission of assignments and keeping of grade records throughout the term.
Login information for Blackboard is sent to registered students via email in time for the start date of each course. Any questions about the online BES courses can be sent to online@senecapolytechnic.ca
Program Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this program, students are able to:
- Identify and describe building classifications and occupancies
- Define the Facility Manager's role in various types of building ownership
- Apply government regulations related to property and building administration
- Manage energy efficiency, barrier-free access, procurement, health and safety, waste and recycling
- Prepare and use budgets to control costs
- Participate in long range planning
- Interpret and use financial reports
- Apply controls to the work of a facility department
- Perform recruitment, selection, hiring, training and monitoring staff in accordance with accepted principles and legislative requirements
- Use effective oral and written communication of technical information
- Explore one additional aspect of building management (alternative forms of energy, fire safety, technological solutions) as it relates to the facility manager's role
Credit for Prior Learning
Prior Learning Assessment
Earn college credits for what you already know.
Prior Learning Assessment is a method of assessing and recognizing learning that is equal to
college level learning, but has been gained outside a traditional classroom (through work
experience, volunteering, outside study, etc.). If you can prove that the knowledge you have gained
meets the outcomes of a Seneca course, then credit will be awarded.
How does the PLA process work?
Prior Learning is demonstrated through a "challenge" process. The process measures learning
through a variety of methods which may include tests, portfolio assessment, interviews,
demonstrations, essays, and work samples. The method used will be determined in consultation with a
Program Coordinator.
For more information and to determine if you are eligible for PLA, please call the Program
Coordinator.
The process may take from 6 to 8 weeks.
Note: Not all courses can be challenged. For more information go to PLA website or contact your Program Coordinator.
Transfer Credit
Many students who enter Seneca Polytechnic will have earned academic credits in postsecondary educational institutions which they may be able to apply toward completion of a Seneca Polytechnic program.
Requests for Transfer Credit must be for a specific course and must be accompanied by an official transcript and course outline. A minimum grade of "C" (60 percent) is generally required for a course to be considered for Transfer Credit.
Download a Transfer Credit Request form. An official copy of your transcript and applicable detailed course outlines should be attached and submitted. Please note it may take 4 to 6 weeks for a Transfer Credit decision.
More Information
Please visit the Office of the Registrar.
Graduation/Convocation
When you meet all program requirements and become eligible for a certificate, diploma, or degree, you must inform the Registrar by completing a Graduation Application form and paying the graduation and alumni fee. Certificates, diplomas, and applied degrees are issued twice a year in the Fall (October), Spring (June) and Winter (February).
For further information including deadlines and fees, please visit the Convocation website or contact the Convocation Office at theservicehub@senecapolytechnic.ca.
Minimum Performance for Graduation
A student will be eligible to graduate from a certificate, diploma, advanced diploma or graduate certificate program if they have achieved a minimum graduating GPA of 2.0.
A student will be eligible to graduate from a degree program if they have achieved a minimum graduating GPA of 2.5, which includes a minimum GPA of 2.5 in the courses in their main field of study and a minimum GPA of 2.0 in breadth courses.
Residency Requirements
A faculty of Seneca Polytechnic may recommend a student for a certificate, diploma or degree only after the student has earned a minimum of twenty-five percent of the credit for that program at Seneca.
Methods of Delivery
Traditional Classroom Delivery:
Classroom instruction includes both theory and practice in a multi-skills approach. Delivery
methods include use of up-to-date results-oriented print materials and case studies. This
comprehensive energy efficiency training program for building operators and technicians is
available for individual registration or institutional partnering.
Online:
This course involves delivery through the internet. This includes the use of online
materials, group discussions and consultation with your instructor via Blackboard and email.
Students will be responsible for completing all online activities as well as working through
textbook content, as required. The textbook must be purchased by the student.
Program Contacts
Andrew Hoang
Program Assistant
Andrew.Hoang@senecapolytechnic.ca
437.312.0344
Desmond Duke
Part-time Program Coordinator
Desmond.Duke@senecapolytechnic.ca
437.312.0341
For more information about this program, fill out the following form.
Information Session
Students are invited to attend an information session.