The following is an outline of the knowledge and practical skills required at each achievement level in the area of air flow and ventilation.

Achieving a level requires passing the assessment for that level. Assessment can be undertaken for free on the Square One website or at one of many accredited training centres around the world. Each level must be passed consecutively - it is not possible to achieve Level 2 without having first successfully achieved Level 1.

Level 1 (Understanding) - View

At this level users should be able to access an analysis model and extract the basic information they need without having to go through another user. This typically means understanding what metrics are referenced and how to display them in a visual or tabulated form, as well as being able to extract the images and/or tables required for use in other documentation or drawings.

Knowledge

• Understand the difference between ventilation & infiltration.
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• Understand some fundamental principles of air flow around buildings.
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• Know the six fundamental factors that affect human comfort.
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Practical Skills

• Able to overlay prevailing winds within the current model.
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• Able to display air flow values if they exist in the current model.
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• Able to choose between temperature, pressure and flow rate values.
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• Able to adjust the analysis grid to obtain a desired display.
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Level 2 (Capability) - View & Assist

Level 2 users should be able - under supervision - to carry out most of the basic tasks such as creating and editing building models suitable for this kind of analysis, undertaking most of the simpler calculations and formatting results appropriate to the specific needs of each project.

Knowledge

• Know what valid and invalid wind data looks like.
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• Know how to create models suitable for air-flow analysis.
• Understand the basics of computation fluid dynamics (CFD) calculations.
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Practical Skills

• Add apperture and vent objects within an air-flow model.
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• Set up an analysis grid for air-flow analysis around a model.
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• Successfully export a model to FDS and conduct a simple air-flow analysis.
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• Load calculation results and visualise them in SmokeView.
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Level 3 (Proficiency) - View, Assist & Produce

Level 3 users should have basic proficiency, being able to independently build models suitable this type of analysis, undertake those analysis and produce the results and/or other deliverables required for any project.

Knowledge

• Understand what material properties affect air-flow in and around a model.
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• Understand the effects of different grid settings on air-flow in and around a model.
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Practical Skills

• Able to set variable cell sizes in the analysis grid.
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• Able to add full CFD/thermal properties to materials in a model.
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Level 4 (Expertise) - View, Assist, Produce & Manage

Level 4 users require real expertise, able to determine the types of analysis required to solve specific design problems, devise the work flows and schedules required to undertake them and effectively manage and supervise the whole process to ensure the timeliness and quality of all deliverables.

Knowledge

• Understand the stack effect and bouyancy-driven air flow.
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• Be aware of common modelling problems affecting air flow analysis.
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• Know how to diagnose air-flow analysis issues in other peoples models.
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Practical Skills

• Able to set appropriate CFD/thermal properties that affect bouyancy-driven air flow.
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• Generate a reasonable model of a Trombe wall and calculate induced air-flows.
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Level 5 (Innovation) - "Break New Ground"

To reach Level 5, users must demonstrate real innovation in the application of air flow analysis within a design project. There is no direct assessment for this level, instead individuals or firms are required to submit a short article for review by the Natural Frequency editorial board that describes a specific project and details the innovative application of air flow and/or ventilation analysis.