The SMA® designation program helps you increase the operating effectiveness of your building and makes you more valuable to your organization. Designed to meet the needs of hands-on technicians and building engineers, the SMA® program offers instruction in technologies and trends in the maintenance field. The courses show you how to manage energy-efficient, environmentally sound, cost-effective building systems. Topics covered include environmental issues, administration, and building design and maintenance. Through this program, you’ll gain career-building skills and knowledge, that will contribute to you being an integral part of your facilities team.
Benefits of an SMA®
There are significant benefits to both the individual and the employer when an employee works to obtain their SMA® designation.
ENERGY SAVINGS
The SMA® understands the inner workings of boilers, burner controls, fittings, valves, pumps, and how they connect and interrelate. SMA® building engineers who can operate and maintain complex building systems are valuable assets who can reduce operating costs, helping to SAVE YOU MONEY.
TENANT RETENTION
The SMA® can operate and maintain reciprocation and absorption refrigeration systems, keeping the office environment comfortable, which is essential for tenant satisfaction! Being able to retain tenants in an energy efficient and environmentally sound building helps to SAVE YOU MONEY.
REDUCED RISK
The SMA® is skilled in air cleaning and water conditioning and treatment devices, fire protection, and alarm systems. An SMA® with this practical knowledge can help to SAVE YOU MONEY.
ILLUMINATION
The SMA® understands the components of electrical systems and can measure the electricity your building consumes. An SMA® who can maintain electric motors and lighting fixtures so that they run efficiently helps to SAVE YOU MONEY.
TECHNOLOGY
The SMA® is well-versed in the components of pneumatic, electric, and electronic control systems. An SMA® with this valuable knowledge can increase the operating effectiveness of the systems in your building, helping to SAVE YOU MONEY.
REGULATIONS
The SMA® is familiar with the EPA and OSHA, government entities that regulate environmental health and safety issues and assign penalties for failing to comply. This familiarity helps to avoid costly litigation for noncompliance, helping to SAVE YOU MONEY.
COST CONTROL
The SMA® is on the cutting edge of creating environmentally friendly buildings with the ability to develop energy management strategies for HVAC, electrical, and lighting systems. Managing energy in an efficient, cost effective, and environmentally safe way can help to SAVE YOU MONEY.
STAFF LEADERSHIP
The SMA® is a leader with people skills who can delegate, plan, and control workflow. Having an SMA® building engineer who can direct and motivate your staff and relate effectively with other managers can help to SAVE YOU MONEY.
VERSATILITY
With an understanding of building design, materials, codes, structural systems, and finishes, an SMA® has working knowledge of structural items such as floors, ceilings, interior walls, windows, maintenance procedures and equipment, grounds maintenance, and preventive maintenance. Putting this knowledge into practice means more dollars to your company’s bottom line and can SAVE YOU MONEY.
THE FUTURE
Maintaining a building is significantly more complicated than pushing a button or turning a valve. Continuing education is essential. Having an experienced, educated SMA® employed in your corporation can help to SAVE YOU MONEY.
Required Courses (8 courses)
In order to achieve your designation, you must achieve a grade of 70% or greater in each of the eight courses.
- Air Handling, Water treatment, and Plumbing Systems
- Boilers, heating Systems, and Applied Mathematics
- Building Design and Maintenance
- Electrical Systems and illumination
- Environmental Health and Safety issues
- Energy Management and Controls
- Managing the Organization
- Refrigeration Systems and Accessories
Note: The course; Administration, has been dropped from the required courses and replaced by Managing the Organization. If you have already taken the Administration course and are enrolled in the designation program, you will not be required to take the Managing the Organization course.
Experience Requirement
To earn the Systems Maintenance Administrator (SMA®) designation, candidates are required to demonstrate three years of verifiable experience as a stationary engineer or equivalent. This policy ensures that people awarded the SMA® are high-caliber, well-trained professionals experienced in systems maintenance.