So, what do we do? My name is Denis O’Neill and I am a Building Services Engineer specialising in mechanical, electrical and plumbing (MEP). I have worked in this industry for nearly 30 years and own my own business, Building Services Engineering Limited. I am a chartered engineer and a member of the Chartered Institute of Building Services Engineers (MCIBSE), Engineers Ireland (MIEI) and ASHRAE.
As building services engineers, we are responsible for the design, installation, operation, maintenance of a whole range of services from mechanical, electrical and plumbing (MEP) to provide a safe, comfortable, environmentally friendly place to live and work in. Not an easy task and not without its challenges. We work closely with building owners, architects, surveyors and specialist contractors. We use the latest software to help us design, simulate, manage and understand how our building is going to perform even before a contractor arrives on site. We advise building owners and architects on the best orientation of the building to reduce heating and cooling loads (HVAC), maximise air quality, maximise the use of renewable technologies, acoustics, and design to maximise daylight. All with the aim of reducing build cost, energy running cost, CO2 emissions and to have a minimal environmental impact. We breathe life into the architect’s creations which would otherwise remain just another inanimate architectural work of art.
So, if you are thinking of a career as a Building Services Engineer you will need to be able to work as part of a team, have an analytical mind, good problem-solving abilities, strong communications skills, and just as important, imagination.
So how does that sound? Not easy but I promise you a very rewarding career choice.
You can contact me at doneill@bse.ie or call me on 01 6016434 if you have any questions about becoming a building services engineer and would like my advice. I’ll be happy to help you with your first step in a very rewarding career.