HVAC in Passenger Areas Course
Online course of 300 hours in HVAC for passenger spaces. 6 modules covering thermal comfort and air quality, load calculation, marine HVAC systems and equipment, distribution, ductwork and safety, and operation, hygiene and efficiency, with an assigned technical tutor.
HVAC in Passenger Areas Course — studying from Malta
Maritime activity is central to Malta's identity, with the Grand Harbour and Freeport at Marsaxlokk handling significant cargo and transhipment. Ship repair, yacht building and marine services form a important part of the sector, supported by a long tradition of shipbuilding and maritime engineering. Offshore and sports nautical activity, including yacht refit and marine leisure, provides further opportunities. Engineers typically work with shipyards, classification societies, port authorities and marine service providers.
Fees for Malta: €797 (Euro), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.
Relevant bodies in Malta
Typical roles
Questions from Malta
Which bodies in Malta regulate naval and offshore engineering, and how does SEIUM fit in?
Malta is a major maritime nation, with the Transport Malta authority overseeing maritime affairs and the Malta Maritime Authority regulating shipping and registration. SEIUM Institute's qualifications are private, not official state degrees, and are not accredited by any national body. Recognition for maritime roles is decided by employers or the relevant regulator, so confirm this before enrolling.
Do employers in Malta's maritime and yachting sectors value this type of training?
Malta's maritime cluster, including shipping services, ship management and yacht-related businesses, employs engineers and technical staff. Hiring in these sectors often prioritises practical experience and relevant certifications. Whether a private online qualification helps depends on the employer, so asking prospective employers in Malta is the best way to judge its value.
Can I study this part-time while working offshore or on rotation, and what is the language requirement?
Programmes are 100% online, so you can study from anywhere with internet access, and no student visa is needed to study from home. Teaching is in English, so you need a good working level of technical English. Hours range from 300 to 1,900 depending on the programme. Fees are payable in instalments and employer sponsorship is possible.
Take the controls.
Run a real engineering trade-off from this field. Move the sliders, watch the model react in real time and beat the challenge.
What you will be able to do
Understand thermal comfort and air quality criteria for passengers.
Calculate thermal loads in passenger spaces according to ISO 7547.
Select HVAC systems and equipment suited to the marine environment.
Design duct networks integrating acoustic and fire protection requirements.
Apply hygiene and health protection protocols to HVAC systems.
Improve the energy efficiency of existing installations.
Develop the HVAC project for a passenger zone.
Who it's for
- Naval HVAC engineers.
- Accommodation building services designers.
- Hotel chief engineers on passenger ships.
- Onboard HVAC technicians.
- Energy efficiency consultants.
- Ship sanitation inspectors.
- Engineering or science graduates seeking to enter cruise and ferry shipbuilding.
What you'll work with
- ISO 7547 (air conditioning and ventilation of ship accommodation)
- MLC 2006 Regulation 3.1 (crew accommodation)
- SOLAS Chapter II-2 (fire protection)
- MARPOL Annex VI Regulation 12 (ozone-depleting substances)
- Regulation (EU) 2024/573 (fluorinated gases)
- ISO 7730 (ergonomics of the thermal environment)
- CDC Vessel Sanitation Program Operations Manual (sanitation on cruise ships)
- ASHRAE 62.1 (ventilation for acceptable indoor air quality)
- Carrier HAP
- IES Virtual Environment
- Autodesk Revit MEP
- Elite Software HVAC
- EnergyPlus
6 modules · 300 h
1.1Heat balance of the human body1.2PMV and PPD indices1.3Temperature and humidity in extreme climates1.4Air change rates and CO21.5Indoor pollutants and odours1.6Particulates and filtration1.7Air quality and infection transmission1.8HVAC noise1.9Cruise passenger expectations1.10Case study: comfort complaints on a cabin deck
2.1Design conditions according to ISO 75472.2Transmission and solar radiation loads2.3Internal loads from people and equipment2.4Latent loads and dehumidification2.5High-occupancy spaces: theatres and restaurants2.6Large-volume atriums2.7Galleys and pantries2.8Dynamic load simulation2.9Margins and diversity2.10Lab: load calculation for a restaurant
3.1Air handling units3.2Dual-duct and variable air volume systems3.3Fan coils in cabins3.4Chilled water plants3.5Heat and energy recovery3.6Refrigerants and the transition away from HFCs3.7Heat pumps and waste heat recovery3.8Humidification on board3.9Controls and BMS3.10Practical exercise: selection of an air handling unit
4.1Duct routing in technical ceilings4.2Velocities and pressure losses4.3Diffusers and air patterns4.4Acoustic attenuation of ducts4.5Fire dampers and penetrations4.6Smoke control in vertical zones4.7Galley exhaust ducts4.8Airflow balancing4.9Maintenance access4.10Workshop: sizing a duct network
5.1Start-up and commissioning5.2Maintenance of filters and coils5.3Legionella prevention5.4Duct cleaning5.5CDC sanitation protocols5.6Managing norovirus and COVID outbreaks5.7Energy efficiency and SEEMP5.8Consumption monitoring5.9Upgrading during refit5.10Case study: energy audit of the HVAC system
6.1Definition of the zone and conditions6.2Load calculation6.3System selection6.4Duct and air diffusion design6.5Air quality strategy6.6Efficiency measures6.7Maintenance and hygiene plan6.8Budget and weights6.9Report and presentation6.10Final project: final review with the tutor
How you'll learn
100% online training on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. There are no fixed timetables: you progress at your own pace within the intake, making it compatible with work.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is Carrier HAP, IES Virtual Environment, Autodesk Revit MEP, Elite Software HVAC and EnergyPlus, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Exercises are based on real procedures: thermal load calculation for a cruise ship restaurant, duct sizing for a cabin deck and the energy audit of an HVAC plant. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final capstone project.
Standards covered: ISO 7547, MLC 2006 Regulation 3.1, SOLAS Chapter II-2, MARPOL Annex VI Regulation 12, Regulation (EU) 2024/573, ISO 7730, CDC Vessel Sanitation Program Operations Manual, ASHRAE 62.1.
Build it end to end
Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.
Where this takes you
Requirements
- No prior qualification is required.
- An internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme software.
- English sufficient to read technical standards.
Ready to start?
Send your application today. Our admissions team replies within 72 hours with your study plan and funding options.
Frequently asked questions
The programme totals 300 hours over 3 months. You set your own pace within each intake, and your tutor helps you plan the workload around your job.
You work with Carrier HAP, IES Virtual Environment, Autodesk Revit MEP, Elite Software HVAC and EnergyPlus, using free, academic or evaluation versions. Your tutor indicates the free alternative wherever one exists.
A SEIUM Institute certificate, awarded on passing the continuous assessment and the final project. It is SEIUM's own qualification, not an official state degree; its recognition depends on the programme completed and the regulations of each country.
Yes. Modules passed are recognised in a higher programme in the same area (postgraduate diploma or master's). Ask about the recognition policy when you enrol.
No prior qualification is required: you need an internet connection, a computer capable of running the programme software and English sufficient to read technical standards.
Start dates are set by SEIUM's faculty for each intake. Our admissions team will confirm the next available date when you apply.
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