What is the best way to answer questions about building automation systems?

1 Know the basics

Before you tackle any specific questions about BAS, you should review the basic concepts and components of a typical system. A BAS consists of sensors, controllers, actuators, and communication networks that monitor and control various aspects of the facility, such as lighting, heating, ventilation, air conditioning, security, fire alarm, and access control. You should be able to explain the functions and benefits of each component, as well as the common standards and protocols used for BAS communication, such as BACnet, LonWorks, Modbus, or KNX.

2 Understand the goals

When you answer questions about BAS, you should always keep in mind the goals of the system and the facility owner or manager. A BAS is designed to achieve optimal levels of comfort, safety, productivity, and energy efficiency for the occupants and users of the facility. You should be able to demonstrate how your skills and experience can help achieve these goals, as well as identify and address any potential challenges or risks that may affect the system performance or reliability.

3 Provide examples

One of the best ways to showcase your expertise and problem-solving skills in BAS is to provide relevant and specific examples from your previous projects or work experience. You can use the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) method to structure your answers and highlight your achievements and contributions. For example, you can describe a situation where you had to design, install, troubleshoot, or optimize a BAS for a certain facility, the task or objective you had to accomplish, the actions you took to complete the task or solve the problem, and the result or outcome you achieved or measured.

4 Use diagrams and code

Another way to enhance your answers and demonstrate your technical skills in BAS is to use diagrams and code snippets to illustrate your points or solutions. You can use simple sketches or drawings to show the layout and configuration of the BAS components and network, or use flowcharts or pseudocode to explain the logic and sequence of the system operation or control. You can also use the

tag to format your code snippets and make them easier to read and understand.
###### Ask questions
Finally, you should not hesitate to ask questions yourself if you need more information or clarification about the BAS scenario or problem you are given. Asking questions shows that you are curious, proactive, and attentive, and that you want to provide the best possible answer or solution. You can ask questions about the facility type, size, and function, the system requirements and specifications, the existing or desired performance and efficiency levels, or the budget and timeline constraints.
######Here’s what else to consider
This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?