HVAC Control Sequences for Air Handlers, Terminal Units, and Hydronics

This course equips technicians with the technical expertise required to interpret, program, and maintain automated control sequences across central air and hydronic systems. Students examine supply air temperature resets, economizer operation, dynamic static pressure control, and safety freeze-protection routines within air handling units. The curriculum then explores variable air volume (VAV) terminal boxes, balancing pressure-independent airflow measurement with multi-stage reheat control and occupancy schedules. Finally, students investigate chilled water plant operations, focusing on chiller sequencing, differential pressure bypass management, and variable primary pump modulation governed by hydronic load requirements such as $Q = 500 \times \text{GPM} \times \Delta T$. Emphasis is placed on evaluating sequence documentation, input/output point mapping, alarm thresholds, and systematic diagnostic routines. By navigating complex sequences of operation, technicians develop the critical skills needed to ensure proper comfort conditioning, operational resilience, and energy conservation across commercial facility mechanical systems.

InstructorJacob Calhoun

Prerequisites

BMS 101

Course outline

Lectures, virtual labs, and graded assignments — completed in your browser.

01Lesson 1: Fundamental Sequence Logic and Control Schematic Interpretationlecture

02Lesson 2: AHU Safety Interlocks, Mixed Air Dampers, and Economizer Cycleslecture

03Lesson 3: Supply Fan Static Pressure and Discharge Air Temperature Resetslecture

04Hands-on Lab: Hands-On Lab: AHU Sequence Verification and Safety Interlock Testinglab

05Lesson 5: Single-Duct VAV Terminal Unit Control and Airflow Sensor Calibrationlecture

06Lesson 6: Fan-Powered VAV Terminals and Electric/Hydronic Reheat Sequencinglecture

07Lesson 7: Demand-Based Static Pressure and Ventilation Optimization Strategieslecture

08Hands-on Lab: Hands-On Lab: VAV Airflow Tracking and Multi-Stage Reheat Tuninglab

09Lesson 9: Central Chiller Plant Enable Logic and Staging Strategieslecture

10Lesson 10: Variable Primary and Secondary Chilled Water Pumping with Loop Controllecture

11Hands-on Lab: Hands-On Lab: Hydronic Loop Sequencing and Modulating Valve Responselab

12Lesson 12: Cooling Tower Fan Control and Condenser Water Temperature Resetslecture

13Lesson 13: Cross-System Fault Detection and Emergency Operational Modeslecture

14Capstone Service Project: Comprehensive Plant Sequence Commissioning and Diagnosticsassignment

Syllabus

["Week 1: Lesson 1: Fundamental Sequence Logic and Control Schematic Interpretation", "Week 2: Lesson 2: AHU Safety Interlocks, Mixed Air Dampers, and Economizer Cycles", "Week 3: Lesson 3: Supply Fan Static Pressure and Discharge Air Temperature Resets", "Week 4: Hands-on Lab: Hands-On Lab: AHU Sequence Verification and Safety Interlock Testing", "Week 5: Lesson 5: Single-Duct VAV Terminal Unit Control and Airflow Sensor Calibration", "Week 6: Lesson 6: Fan-Powered VAV Terminals and Electric/Hydronic Reheat Sequencing", "Week 7: Lesson 7: Demand-Based Static Pressure and Ventilation Optimization Strategies", "Week 8: Hands-on Lab: Hands-On Lab: VAV Airflow Tracking and Multi-Stage Reheat Tuning", "Week 9: Lesson 9: Central Chiller Plant Enable Logic and Staging Strategies", "Week 10: Lesson 10: Variable Primary and Secondary Chilled Water Pumping with Loop Control", "Week 11: Hands-on Lab: Hands-On Lab: Hydronic Loop Sequencing and Modulating Valve Response", "Week 12: Lesson 12: Cooling Tower Fan Control and Condenser Water Temperature Resets", "Week 13: Lesson 13: Cross-System Fault Detection and Emergency Operational Modes", "Week 14: Capstone Service Project: Comprehensive Plant Sequence Commissioning and Diagnostics"]