ATLANTA – According to the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE), federal legislation signed into law in mid-December will provide training for federal building personnel in the areas of building operations and maintenance, energy management, safety, and design functions.

On Tuesday, Dec. 14, President Obama signed the Federal Buildings Personnel Training Act. The act was introduced in April by Reps. Russ Carnahan (D-Mo.) and Judy Biggert (R-Ill.) and Sens. Tom Carper (D-Del.) and Susan Collins (R-Maine).

It was supported by more than 33 leading organizations involved in the design, construction, operation, and maintenance of buildings, including ASHRAE.

The legislation will help provide federal workers with the necessary training to construct and maintain environmentally sound buildings. Federal workers will be able to be trained in a series of core competencies relating to building operations, maintenance, energy management, safety, and future performance. Workers can take courses and will be able to obtain licenses and certification for their efforts.

“This law is a significant advancement for the design, construction, operation, and maintenance of our nation’s federal buildings,” said Lynn G. Bellenger, ASHRAE president.

“ASHRAE applauds the federal government for demonstrating what can be accomplished in building and maintaining energy efficient buildings with excellent indoor environmental quality.”

Publication date:01/17/2011