ASHRAE and LEED launch accreditation for building operations and management

The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) has inaugurated an Operations and Performance Management (OPMP) Certification for engineers. The certification covers “all the aspects of operations and maintenance that an engineer would need to know to properly perform not only O&M in a building, but also know what to do to be more effective.” ASHRAE is also launching a Commissioning Process Management Professional certification at its annual conference in Louisville, Kentucky in June.

The web-based exams are offered not just in Canada and the U.S., but also in 20 other countries. ASHRAE’s other certifications are in healthcare facility design and high-performance building design.

Meanwhile, the Green Building Certification Institute which administers the LEED Accredited Professional (AP) program has a new credential for building operations and maintenance people. The LEED AP O+M credential is designed to be consistent with the LEED 2009 rating system released last month. It requires candidates to pass a general examination and an operations and maintenance special exam.

The institute has also launched the LEED Green Associate credential for those “in the allied professions and non-technical fields of practice related to green design, construction and operations.” It is also the first step for professionals wishing to become a LEED AP.