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Unit 1
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Site Work - The site or plot plan usually will include the location of the building
on the property as well as the outside utilities which will serve the building.
Electrical - The electrical drawings will cover the complete design and layout of
electrical wiring systems for light, power, and
communication.
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Although consulting firms vary in both size and types of services offered, most have an
electrical, a plumbing, and a heating, ventilating, and air-conditioning design department.
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Mechanical Systems
Electrical Systems
Electrical power Normal, standby, and emergency power supply and distribution
Lighting Interior, exterior, and emergency lighting
Auxiliary Telephone, signal, data, audio/video, sound, fire alarm, security systems,
etc.
Special systems
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Floor Area
Prior to the development of reliable and affordable M/E systems, buildings designed tor
human occupancy followed a simple rule: every room must have exterior operable
windows for the introduction of daylight and for natural ventilation. Accordingly, most
buildings are L-, U-, or H-shaped, having either single- or double-loaded corridors. It is not
difficult to conclude that buildings of the designs shown in the figure have more exterior
wall surface area than the deep block-type design and thus have more heat gain or loss, as
well as a higher construction cost.
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Theoretically, a building is most efficient if 100 percent of the interior space can be utilized
tor occupancy. This is possible tor a small, single-story building with all major M/E
equipment located on the roof or at the exteriors. Multistory buildings gradually lose space
utilization efficiency, owing to their need tor stairways, elevators, and M/E equipment
space.
Floor-to-Ceiling Height
It can be shown that any building with height greater than half its base dimension is less
energy-efficient and more costly to build than one with height less than or equal to half its
base dimension. High-rise buildings arc in this category, and the taller the building, the less
the energy efficiency. While no building will be built simply to achieve a better Volume to
Surface Ratio, this criterion should not be overlooked in considering alternative designs of
a comparable-size building.
1. Walls and columns
2. Lighting
3. Ventilation
4. Cable Trays
5. Fire Protection
6. Power and data
7. Suspended Ceiling
Architectural Style
The major influence of M/E systems on
modern architecture has been not only in
building height, but in architectural style,
facade, form, and expression.
Architectural and structural system
interfacing has long been established in
the history of architecture. In the past a
buildings structure and mechanical
systems were hidden. But with more
current designs the structural members and
mechanicals systems are exposed and part
of the architectural design.
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Construction Costs
The impact of M/E systems on construction cost varies greatly, depending on the type of
building, standard of living of the country, architectural design, and M/E systems selected.
The range of M/E systems costs tor fully air-conditioned and high-quality buildings can be
as little as 10% to as high as 60%. These values may serve as a general reference from
which to modify and to refine the costs throughout the design process.
Operating Costs
The operating cost of a building includes the cost of routine maintenance, repairs,
replacements, and utilities. Most architectural and structural components or a building
(except the roof) are normally long-lasting, without the need for frequent replacement. This
is not the case, however, tor most M/E systems, which not only consume energy but also
require ongoing maintenance and repair. Indeed, over a life cycle, the cost of owning and
operating M/E systems may outweigh the initial capital investment of the entire building!
Naturally, the importance of efficient M/E systems and management cannot be
overemphasized.
Energy Conscious
The American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Engineers, Inc.
(ASHRAE), and the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America (IESNA) have
jointly developed energy-efficient design standards known as Standard 90, published in
1975, revised in 1980, and again revised in 1996. These standards have been widely
adopted as part of the building codes in the United States as well as in a number of other
countries. The standards provide three alternative methods of achieving compliance: a
prescriptive method, a system performance method, and a building energy cost budget
method. The standards are available to design professionals and building owners as a guide
to energy-efficient design in new and existing buildings. Building owners and designers
should strive to meet or exceed these standards.
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