When your company requires engineering consulting services, a key element to success is hiring the right professional for the task. Engineering is an extremely broad field, with multiple areas of specialization, and consultants typically specialize in one area or a set of closely related areas. In other words, you must answer the following question before hiring an engineering consultant: In which specific area of engineering does my company need consulting services?
If your consulting needs span multiple areas or you don't know where to start, consider contacting a consultancy to assess your needs and assemble a multidisciplinary team. In the case of tall buildings, which are common in New York City, consulting services for HVAC systems and electrical installations are often required. Energy efficiency consultancy can also add high value to large commercial installations, allowing the identification of effective measures to reduce gas and electricity bills.
This article will provide an overview of the key characteristics to look for in an engineering consultant, and they apply to companies that need their services directly, as well as engineering companies looking to fill a vacancy on their team.
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Education and Engineering License
Engineering consultancy requires advanced knowledge in a specific area, so you will want to hire a professional with a close academic background. Of course, postgraduate studies are also desirable due to the high degree of specialization they provide.
You should also make sure the engineering consultant you hire is licensed. In New York City, for example, only a licensed engineer or architect can initiate the approval procedure for building modifications – keep in mind that the end result of a consulting service is typically a list of updates and modifications to your building , each with a viability. analysis.
Experience
An effective consultant must be able to analyze existing systems and suggest improvements while detecting performance issues – existing and potential. This task requires not only academic knowledge but also professional experience, so before hiring a consultant, review their experience with fieldwork or design. In other words, an engineer must have become an expert in an area of knowledge before working as a consultant.
Experience as a member of professional associations also adds a lot of value to a consultant's resume. The following are some of the most authoritative engineering associations in the US:
- ASCE – American Society of Civil Engineers
- ASHRAE – American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers
- ASME – American Society of Mechanical Engineers
- IEEE – Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers
Certifications
An engineering professional who has continued learning can often provide better advice than one who has stuck with just a college degree. There is currently a wide range of certifications available, and consultants who hold them can add great value to your company. The following are some of the most valuable certifications in today's engineering consulting landscape:
LEED Green Associate
The US Green Building Council offers Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification for buildings. This certification is based on the accumulation of points and, depending on the total score, a building can be classified as Certified, Silver, Gold or Platinum. A LEED-certified building is, on average, 20% cheaper to own than one without the certification, and this can provide a huge boost to a company's corporate image. It should come as no surprise that certification is highly sought after by companies across all business sectors.
LEED Green Associates are professionals accredited in green building practices and have passed the corresponding exam, so their services are of high value when a company seeks LEED certification for its buildings.
A LEED-certified engineering consultant can be a great addition to an engineering team, especially on projects that address energy efficiency.
CEM – Certified Energy Manager
The CEM program is managed by the Association of Power Engineers, which has more than 17,500 members in 98 countries. The program is recognized by the US Department of Energy and accredited by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). An engineering consultant who is a CEM can add great value to all types of engineering projects, ensuring that energy efficiency is taken into account in all construction systems.
ASHRAE Certification
ASHRAE, the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers, is an industry authority on all things HVAC. The organization offers a series of certifications for engineering professionals:
- Building Energy Assessment Professional (BEAP)
- Building Energy Modeling Professional (BEMP)
- Commissioning Process Management Professional (CPMP)
- High Performance Building Design Professional (HBDP)
These certifications are valuable additions to the skill set of any consulting engineer working with HVAC systems or energy efficiency in general.
PMP – Project Management Professional
Certification in project management is the ideal complement to any engineering course, as it ensures that the holder is also a competent manager of project costs, time and personnel. The PMP certification, offered by the Project Management Institute, is a solid addition to any engineering consultant's skill set.
The PMP certification has global recognition across all industry sectors, with more than 650,000 professionals worldwide. Keep in mind that the PMP certification is very demanding in terms of experience required, and there may be professionals who are younger and highly competent but still several thousand hours away from the threshold – in these cases, the Project Management Institute offers the Certified Associate in Project Management Program (CAPM).
Software knowledge and experience
Software packages play a very important role in engineering design, and mastery of these tools is highly desirable in the consulting skill set. The following are some of the most useful programs in MEP design and consulting.
Revit MEP
Revit is one of the most powerful software packages for Building Information Modeling (BIM). It is a highly intuitive 3D modeling tool for buildings and all their associated systems, and has cloud computing capabilities, where engineering professionals from multiple specializations can work collaboratively on a single building model. Mastery of Revit MEP is highly desirable as part of a consultant's skill set.
DASH 700
Trane Air Conditioning Economics (TRACE) was developed by HVAC manufacturer TRANE, a LEED automation partner. The software meets the requirements of the ASHRAE 90.1 standard and the LEED Green Building Rating System. If an engineering consultant is a LEED Green Associate and has mastered TRACE700, you can be sure they will be a valuable addition to your team.
Energy Modeling Software
Software-based modeling is the only way to perform a detailed energy analysis of a building within a reasonable time frame and can be a very powerful tool for meeting the requirements of the New York Energy Conservation Code. The following modeling tools are approved by the New York City Department of Buildings and are a solid addition to a consultant's skill set:
- REScheck
- WITHcheck
- DOE2.1E
- Visual DOE
- Energy Plus
- eQuest
Final Observations
Evaluating the entire professional profile is important when selecting an engineering consultant. The ideal is to hire someone with a relevant academic background and sufficient experience in their professional skills. Graduate degrees, certifications, and mastery of software tools further enhance your consulting skill set. As with any professional service, previous clients or employers are a solid reference when it comes to an engineering consultant.
