Building Maintenance Engineering

What Can I Do With A Major In Building Maintenance Engineering?

Building Maintenance Engineers operate and maintain a variety of buildings. They are knowledgeable in Heating and Air Conditioning, Electrical, Plumbing, and Building Component systems. They operate and work on heat pumps; air conditioners; humidifiers; compressors; cooling towers; thermostats; hot water and steam boilers; ice machines; gas, fuel-oil, and electric furnaces.

Engineers replace heaters, lights, switches, motors, relays, contactors, motor starters, capacitors, ballasts, timers, breakers, transformers, GFCI's, and receptacles. They also repair or replace sinks, bathtubs, showers, toilets, faucets, water heaters, dish washers, valves, piping, meters, fittings, pumps, venting, and traps.

Maintenance personnel repair or replace roofs, floors, drywall, windows, doors, siding, paint, ceilings, paneling, cabinets, insulation, vapor barriers, trim, furniture, concrete, foundations, stairs, and ventilation systems. They maintain lawns, pools, hot tubs, ground covers, trees, shrubs, and have a basic knowledge of water chemistry. They also are familiar with techniques and chemicals used in building cleaning. Personnel are responsible for water and energy conservation, as well as air and water quality. They are extensively involved in preventive maintenance.

Engineers are able to take the Montana State Low Pressure Boiler exam after 40 hours of actually working on a boiler. They also have the option of taking the EPA National Refrigeration Certification exam. This is the only Building Maintenance program in Montana.

A Sample of Related Occupations

Types of Employers

Related Web Links

• The University of Montana - College of Technology
• Montana Department of Labor and Industry
• US Environmental Protection Agency
• Directory of Salary Surveys on the Web

Professional Associations

• Association for Facilities Engineering
• Building Owners and Mangers Association
• International Facilities Management Association
• Society of Maintenance and Reliability Professionals
• Refrigeration Service Engineers Society
• National Center for Construction Education and Research
• National Fire Protection Association
• National Electrical Contractors Association
• Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Institute
• Montana Contractors' Association
• Continental Automated Buildings Association

For additional career information, see the Occupational Outlook Handbook