Will the course cover alarms and trends?

Yes. You will learn how alarms and trends are presented and interpreted in BMS interfaces and how they support AHU monitoring, troubleshooting, and operator decision-making.

What will I get if I subscribe to this Specialization?

When you enroll in the course, you get access to all of the courses in the Specialization, and you earn a certificate when you complete the work. Your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile.

Is financial aid available?

Yes. In select learning programs, you can apply for financial aid or a scholarship if you can’t afford the enrollment fee. If fin aid or scholarship is available for your learning program selection, you’ll find a link to apply on the description page.

BMS Interface Design for Air Handling Units

BMS Interface Design for Air Handling Units

This course is part of Understanding Building Management Systems Specialization

Instructor: Taught by Schneider Electric Experts

Included with Learn more

3 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

Beginner level

Recommended experience

1 week to complete

at 10 hours a week

Flexible schedule

Learn at your own pace

3 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

Beginner level

Recommended experience

1 week to complete

at 10 hours a week

Flexible schedule

Learn at your own pace

What you'll learn

Apply BMS interface design principles including clear layouts, navigation, visual hierarchy, and information organization.
Interpret AHU operating data, commands, status, alarms, trends, and schedules presented on BMS dashboards.
Evaluate AHU BMS interfaces using usability principles, operator feedback, and usability testing to identify opportunities for improvement.

Details to know

Shareable certificate

Add to your LinkedIn profile

Assessments

12 assignments

Taught in English

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Build your subject-matter expertise

This course is part of the Understanding Building Management Systems Specialization

When you enroll in this course, you'll also be enrolled in this Specialization.

Learn new concepts from industry experts
Gain a foundational understanding of a subject or tool
Develop job-relevant skills with hands-on projects
Earn a shareable career certificate

There are 3 modules in this course

By the end of this course, learners will be able to interpret, evaluate, and design effective BMS interfaces for Air Handling Units (AHUs) to support efficient monitoring and operation. They will learn how clear layouts, logical navigation, visual hierarchy, consistent symbols, and well-organized information improve operator situational awareness and decision-making.

Through guided walkthroughs, practical activities, and AHU dashboard examples, learners will explore operating parameters, equipment status, commands, alarms, trends, schedules, and navigation commonly used in BMS interfaces. They will also examine how usability principles, operator feedback, and usability testing can be used to identify interface problems and improve dashboard effectiveness. This course builds on BMS and AHU fundamentals and prepares learners to evaluate and design operator-focused interfaces that support faster information retrieval, clearer fault identification, and effective AHU monitoring and operation.

This module introduces the fundamentals of Human-Machine Interface (HMI) design in Building Management Systems (BMS), with a focus on AHU interfaces. You will explore key HMI components, design principles, navigation, visual hierarchy, accessibility, and how control logic is translated into intuitive interface elements. Through videos, interactive activities, and practical examples, you will build the skills to design clear, user-friendly interfaces that support efficient monitoring, decision-making, and control.

What's included

14 videos3 readings4 assignments5 plugins

14 videosTotal 27 minutes

Designing Smart Interfaces: Introduction to HMI in BMS2 minutes
Understanding the Core Components of BMS Interfaces2 minutes
Tool Spotlight: Simulation Interface Walkthrough2 minutes
Enhancing Usability and Accessibility2 minutes
Designing AHU Interfaces: An Introduction2 minutes
Critical AHU Parameters for Effective Monitoring1 minute
Tool Spotlight: Example AHU Dashboard Walkthrough2 minutes
Improving Usability and Safety in AHU HMI Design2 minutes
Getting Started with Advanced Interface Features2 minutes
Exploring Advanced Features in BMS HMI2 minutes
Integrating Advanced Features into AHU Interfaces2 minutes
Tool Spotlight: Advanced Dashboard Walkthrough2 minutes
Usability Testing Fundamentals2 minutes
Conducting and Analyzing Usability Tests2 minutes

3 readingsTotal 30 minutes

Design Principles for Effective Interfaces10 minutes
Design Principles for AHU Interface Layout in BMS10 minutes
Designing for Scalability and Integration10 minutes

4 assignmentsTotal 120 minutes

User Interface (HMI) Design in BMS30 minutes
HMI Design Concepts 30 minutes
AHU Interface Design Concepts 30 minutes
Advanced Features & Usability Testing 30 minutes

5 pluginsTotal 75 minutes

Video_Mapping Control Logic to Interface Elements15 minutes
Hands-on Practice: AHU Interface Layout Exercise15 minutes
Video_Building the Interface Layout15 minutes
Hands-on Practice: AHU Interface Layout Exercise15 minutes
Hands-on Practice: Upgrade the AHU Dashboard15 minutes

This module focuses on designing and developing functional AHU interfaces for Building Management Systems (BMS). You will explore how to structure AHU graphical views, organize navigation, and integrate real-time data, controls, alarms, and schedules using EcoStruxure Building Operation (EBO). Through videos, practical examples, and hands-on activities, you will learn to create intuitive, consistent, and operationally effective AHU HMIs and validate them against real-world requirements.

What's included

12 videos3 readings4 assignments6 plugins

12 videosTotal 25 minutes

Introduction to AHU Interface Design3 minutes
Identifying a Reference Site2 minutes
Tool Spotlight: Example AHU Navigation Walkthrough2 minutes
Enhancing Usability and Safety2 minutes
Introduction to Graphical Views2 minutes
Integrating an Existing Graphical View2 minutes
Tool Spotlight: AHU Graphical View Walkthrough2 minutes
Testing and Validation2 minutes
Introduction to the Exercise2 minutes
Setting Up the Workspace2 minutes
Tool Spotlight: Example Functional HMI Walkthrough2 minutes
Testing and Validation2 minutes

3 readingsTotal 30 minutes

Setting Up the Tree Structure10 minutes
Connecting Data to Components10 minutes
Binding Data to Components10 minutes

4 assignmentsTotal 120 minutes

Designing an AHU Interface for Efficient Control30 minutes
AHU Interface Design Steps 30 minutes
Graphical View Design Steps 30 minutes
Functional HMI Design Steps 30 minutes

6 pluginsTotal 90 minutes

Video_Developing the Site Structure15 minutes
Hands-on Practice: AHU Navigation Case Study15 minutes
Video_Implementing Existing Data on EBO15 minutes
Hands-on Practice: Troubleshooting AHU15 minutes
Video_Adding Alarms and Schedules15 minutes
Hands-on Practice: Build Your Own AHU Dashboard15 minutes

This module explores advanced features and usability principles for designing effective AHU interfaces in BMS systems. Learners will examine how real-time data monitoring, alarms, trend visualization, and predictive alerts can improve operator awareness and system reliability. The module also introduces usability testing methods for evaluating interface clarity, navigation, responsiveness, and error prevention. Through hands-on activities, learners will analyze AHU dashboards, identify usability issues, and refine interface layouts based on feedback and established design principles.

What's included

13 videos3 readings4 assignments1 plugin

13 videosTotal 30 minutes

Introduction to Advanced Interface Features3 minutes
Tool Spotlight: Example Advanced AHU Dashboard Walkthrough3 minutes
Enhancing Usability and Safety3 minutes
Introduction to Usability Testing for AHU Interfaces3 minutes
Running a Usability Test — Step-by-Step2 minutes
Tool Spotlight: Usability Testing Dashboard Walkthrough2 minutes
Running a Usability Test — Step-by-Step3 minutes
Tool Spotlight: Usability Testing Dashboard Walkthrough3 minutes
Refining the Interface Based on Usability Test Results2 minutes
Understanding Usability Feedback & Its Impact2 minutes
Iterative Testing – Refining the Interface Again2 minutes
Tool Spotlight: Before/After Visual Comparison Tools2 minutes
Validating the Enhanced Interface2 minutes

3 readingsTotal 30 minutes

Deep Dive: RealTime Data Monitoring & Alarm Management in AHU Interfaces10 minutes
Methods & Principles of Effective Usability Testing10 minutes
Translating Usability Insights into Design Improvements10 minutes

4 assignmentsTotal 120 minutes

Advanced Features (Real-Time Data & Alarms)30 minutes
Real‑Time Monitoring & Alarm 30 minutes
Usability Testing Concepts 30 minutes
Refinement & Iteration Concepts 30 minutes

1 pluginTotal 15 minutes

Video_Mapping Real‑Time Data & Alarms to Interface Elements15 minutes

Earn a career certificate

Add this credential to your LinkedIn profile, resume, or CV. Share it on social media and in your performance review.

Instructor

Taught by Schneider Electric Experts

Schneider Electric

4 Courses1,330 learners

Offered by

Schneider Electric

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Frequently asked questions

You will learn how to organize AHU operating data, equipment status, controls, alarms, trends, schedules, and navigation into a clear and operator-friendly BMS interface.

No. Prior interface or HMI design experience is not required. Basic familiarity with BMS concepts and AHU operation is helpful.

Yes. You will work with practical AHU interface examples and activities covering equipment status, operating values, commands, alarms, trends, schedules, navigation, and usability.

To access course materials, assignments, and earn a Certificate, you'll need to purchase the Certificate experience when you enroll in a course. Eligible learners may also have the option to start with a Free Trial. Some courses may also offer a Full Course, No Certificate option. This lets you access course materials, submit required assessments, and receive a final grade, but you won't be able to earn or purchase a Certificate.