SBA 512: Understanding Air Handler Sequences for OR’s and Clean Rooms
Release Date: 09/11/2025
SBA 521: Top 5 strategies to improve your facility operations today using building automation systems
The Smart Buildings Academy Podcast | Teaching You Building Automation, Systems Integration, and Information Technology
Facility operations teams face growing pressure to improve performance and reduce costs. But too often, the building automation system is underutilized. In this episode, you'll explore how to turn your BAS into a strategic tool, not just for monitoring, but for elevating your entire operations program. Whether you’re mid-fiscal year and trying to course-correct or you're looking to build stronger maintenance workflows, this episode breaks down real, actionable habits that can shift the trajectory of your facility’s performance. Topics Covered Building a living inventory of your HVAC and...
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SBA 520: How to Line Out Your Electrical Subs
The Smart Buildings Academy Podcast | Teaching You Building Automation, Systems Integration, and Information Technology
Lining Out Electrical Subcontractors: Why It’s Critical for BAS Success Ever had a BAS project go sideways due to wiring issues, unclear expectations, or finger-pointing between trades? Episode 520 of the Smart Buildings Academy Podcast is your guide to avoiding those problems. If you're responsible for delivering successful BAS installs, you'll want to understand the real cost of skipping the subcontractor line-out process. From scheduling and leading effective meetings to practical tools that help avoid miscommunication, this episode provides clarity on a process that often gets overlooked...
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SBA 519: How to Correctly Perform Point to Point Checkouts
The Smart Buildings Academy Podcast | Teaching You Building Automation, Systems Integration, and Information Technology
Performing a point-to-point checkout may seem routine, but it's the difference between a reliable BAS and one that fails under pressure. In this week’s episode of the Smart Buildings Academy Podcast, we dive into the real purpose behind point-to-point checkouts and why rushing through them can derail your entire project. If you're in the field or leading a team, you’ll want to ensure these checkouts are done right, because your commissioning team is counting on you. Topics Covered Preparing the right tools and documentation before you ever touch a point Following a repeatable process for...
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SBA 518: How to Create Career Plans to Grow and Retain Your Employees
The Smart Buildings Academy Podcast | Teaching You Building Automation, Systems Integration, and Information Technology
Struggling to retain your building automation talent? In this episode of the Smart Buildings Academy Podcast, we dive into how building automation companies can create effective career plans to improve retention, grow employee capabilities, and strengthen operational performance. Your people are your most valuable asset, but how often do you give them a clear, structured path forward? Most companies don’t and the best talent leaves. This episode explores how you can change that. Topics Covered Building a career architecture that aligns with...
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SBA-517 Strategies to Design Submittals That Aren’t Rejected
The Smart Buildings Academy Podcast | Teaching You Building Automation, Systems Integration, and Information Technology
Rejected submittals delay projects, damage credibility, and create extra work for every stakeholder involved. This episode of the Smart Buildings Academy Podcast outlines how to build submittals that meet expectations from the start. Learn how to improve your documentation, streamline reviews, and strengthen relationships with engineers and owners. Topics Covered The role of submittals in BAS and HVAC projects Cost and impact of rejected submittals Common causes of rejection and how to avoid them Steps to create clear and compliant submittals Tools and communication strategies that support...
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SBA 516: Creating a PM Schedule For Your Facility
The Smart Buildings Academy Podcast | Teaching You Building Automation, Systems Integration, and Information Technology
PM programs aren't just about checking boxes—they’re the backbone of operational efficiency, cost control, and asset longevity. In this latest episode, we explore the essential steps to building a preventative maintenance schedule that works. Whether you're starting from scratch or refining what you already have, this is your roadmap to reducing downtime and maximizing system performance. Topics Covered How to evaluate your facility’s critical systems and equipment Building a task list aligned with OEM guidance and real-world conditions Choosing the right task frequency and...
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SBA 515: Designing BACnet-IP Networks
The Smart Buildings Academy Podcast | Teaching You Building Automation, Systems Integration, and Information Technology
A strong network design isn't just a technical detail—it’s the foundation for long-term performance, stability, and scalability in your BAS deployments. This week, we're diving deep into how to design BACnet over IP systems that avoid congestion, play well with IT networks, and remain easy to maintain years after installation. If you're tasked with designing or troubleshooting BAS networks, this episode is for you. Topics Covered Key concepts every BAS pro should know about BACnet/IP Structuring networks for performance and future scalability Common pitfalls with addressing,...
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SBA 514: How to Make a Business Case for Training Your People
The Smart Buildings Academy Podcast | Teaching You Building Automation, Systems Integration, and Information Technology
Are you justifying the cost of training or watching it drain from your bottom line? When budgets tighten, training is often the first to go. But for those leading in building automation, that is a costly mistake. Our latest episode explores how to make a compelling business case for training. From direct costs to hidden efficiency losses, you’ll hear how to frame training as an investment with measurable ROI, not an overhead line item. Topics Covered: Why undertrained technicians lead to slippage, burnout, and rework How to calculate the payback period on training investments The true cost...
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SBA 513: Strategies for Dealing with Undersized Chilled Water Plants
The Smart Buildings Academy Podcast | Teaching You Building Automation, Systems Integration, and Information Technology
Undersized chilled water plants aren’t just inconvenient—they’re a daily operational headache for many facilities teams. If you’ve ever battled poor tenant comfort, rising energy bills, or emergency equipment failures, this episode is for you. This week, we’re diving deep into how to recognize and respond to chilled water systems that can’t keep up with building load. Whether you're managing an aging plant, dealing with building expansions, or planning long-term upgrades, this episode lays out a layered strategy roadmap. We explore: What really causes chilled water plants to...
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SBA 512: Understanding Air Handler Sequences for OR’s and Clean Rooms
The Smart Buildings Academy Podcast | Teaching You Building Automation, Systems Integration, and Information Technology
Air handlers in critical spaces are not your everyday systems. When it comes to operating rooms and clean rooms, standard HVAC playbooks don’t cut it. If you're working in these environments—or supporting teams who do—understanding the deeper logic behind sequences of operation is essential. This episode is your go-to resource for elevating your knowledge around critical environment control strategies. Here’s what you’ll explore: How air handlers are adapted for high-stakes applications The role of pressurization and airflow tracking in contamination control Key compliance...
info_outlineAir handlers in critical spaces are not your everyday systems.
When it comes to operating rooms and clean rooms, standard HVAC playbooks don’t cut it. If you're working in these environments—or supporting teams who do—understanding the deeper logic behind sequences of operation is essential.
This episode is your go-to resource for elevating your knowledge around critical environment control strategies.
Here’s what you’ll explore:
- How air handlers are adapted for high-stakes applications
- The role of pressurization and airflow tracking in contamination control
- Key compliance frameworks every tech and operator should know
- Alarm strategies that actually support uptime and safety
- Tactics for troubleshooting issues before they impact operations
Don’t leave critical space performance to chance.