05 Module 4 Bldg. Service Systems
05 Module 4 Bldg. Service Systems
SYSTEMS
Definition of Terms
Page 1 of 17
Discussion
A. LIGHTING
Lighting has a tremendous effect on the manner in which a space will be
experienced and perceived. Architects often work closely with lighting designers,
who provide expertise on the technical aspects and effects of lighting and how
they can best serve the design and function of a space. Lighting designers
provide lighting specifications for the project and coordinate much of their design
information with the electrical drawings and reflected ceiling plans.
Page 2 of 17
6. Use lighter finishes on ceilings, walls, floors, and furnishings.
7. Use Efficient Incandescent Lamps
8. Turn Off lights When Not Needed
9. Control Window Brightness
10. Utilize Day lighting as Practicable
11. Keep Lighting Equipment Clean and In Good Working Order.
12. Post Instructions Covering Operation and Maintenance
1. ARTIFICIAL LIGHTING
Characteristics of Artificial Lighting
•Lamp is a device that generates light. A bulb is the glass portion of a
lamp that encloses and protects the working parts of the light source,
whereas a lamp is a source of light.
•Luminaire is a complete lighting unit, which consists of a lamp (or
lamps), lamp socket(s), any lenses, refractors, or louvers, any ballast (or
ballasts), and the housing. Luminaires include fluorescent troffers,
downlights, spot or accent lighting, task lighting, and outdoor area and
flood lighting.
•Light fixture is the luminaire less the lamp(s). It includes the structural
parts of a luminaire including any lenses, mounting supports, wiring, and
ballasts, but does not include the lamps
Types of Artificial Light Sources
Page 4 of 17
Daylighting Strategies
Daylighting systems must be designed to provide illumination in areas where it is most
needed (e.g., northern spaces, internal spaces, and ground levels of tall buildings) and
to do so without adversely
affecting occupant comfort (e.g.,
limiting glare and excessively
spotty lighting). A basic
daylighting strategy is to increase
the number and size of glazed
areas in the walls or ceilings of a
building, but simply using large
glazed openings does not ensure
good daylighting.
The following are common
daylighting strategies:
1. Windows
2. Skylights
3. Light Pipes
B. ELECTRICAL
Page 5 of 17
Branch Circuit Requirements
•Branch Circuiting
A branch circuit is that portion of a building wiring system that extends beyond the
final overcurrent protection device that is protecting a circuit. It provides power from a
circuit breaker or fuse in the panelboard to single or multiple points of use called outlets.
An outlet is a point in a wiring system where current is taken to supply an appliance,
piece of equipment, or lighting installation. A branch circuit is composed of an
overcurrent protection device (fuse or circuit breaker), wiring, and one or more outlets.
•Individual Circuits
These circuits provide power to a single outlet such as a receptacle serving a range,
clothes dryer, or copy machine. Although there are no size limitations for an individual
circuit rating, appliances and equipment rated at above 25 A must be placed on a
separate individual circuit because of the 50% maximum single load limitation in general
purpose circuiting. Usually connected loads above 20 A are placed on an individual
circuit. It is good practice to provide individual circuits for loads above 1500 W. Motors
above 1⁄8 hp should also be placed on an individual circuit. Generally, individual circuits
are required for the following appliances and equipment:
• Kitchen range (both stand-alone and counter-mounted units)
• Oven
• Microwave (built-in)
• Waste disposal
• Dishwasher
• Clothes washer
• Clothes dryer
• Electric water heater
• Furnace
• Boiler circulating pump motor (large commercial and industrial)
• HVAC air-handling unit
• Large machinery (e.g., table saw, lathe, milling machine, machining center, elevator)
• Large equipment (e.g., large copy machines, compressors, HVAC blowers)
The voltage rating of a fuse or circuit breaker must be equal to or greater than the
voltage of the circuit in which the fuse is applied.
C. COMMUNICATION
These may include telephone, paging, and intercom systems. Telephone systems
in large buildings generally have telephone service to a computerized business exchange
(CBX), or switch, that controls the telephone system functions. It can offer numerous
desirable features such as direct inward dialing, voice mail, speed dialing, system
forward, conference, forward, message waiting, queuing, and transfer.
The switch is located in a telephone service closet and requires power (preferably
conditioned power) and air conditioning.
D. SECURITY
A building security system can be thought of as a lifesafety system. It can assist in
the safety of building occupant and business personnel because it minimizes prohibited
entry by unauthorized persons such as disgruntled former employees, terrorists, or
common criminals. It also prevents damage that can result in building occupant injuries.
Building security must be approached in building design, selection of materials used in
the building, occupant control, and surveillance and alarm systems.
Page 7 of 17
view from other surrounding areas and be well lit (as should elevators and stairways).
Ledges and exterior ornamentation that might allow people to climb up the side of the
building should be avoided.
Doors, windows, and their hardware should be carefully selected to be certain that they
will discourage intrusion. Windows should be designed so that the glass cannot be
removed from the outside, and the hardware should be such that the window cannot be
opened from the outside with a plastic card or wire.
1. CCTV Systems
Closed-circuit television (CCTV)
cameras may be provided to
allow security persons to
continuously watch for intruders
at any of many locations from
one point. Since several cameras
may be required, video
sequencers are provided that
display the images from each of
the cameras in turn on one or
more monitors.
Page 8 of 17
Lesson 2: MECHANICAL SYSTEMS IN
BUILDINGS INCLUDING VERTICAL
TRANSPORTATION
A. HVAC SYSTEMS
The systems for accomplishing heating, ventilation, and air conditioning of
indoor spaces vary considerably, based on factors including building type and
program, cost, climate, and building size. The basic principles and components
of heating, cooling, and circulating are similar across all systems.
B. DISTRIBUTION SYSTEMS
1. Fan Coil units
Fan coil units (FCUs) contain cooling or heating coils and a fan. Typically,
hot or chilled water is piped to the unit from a central boiler and chiller.
Air from the room is drawn into the unit (return air) and blown over the
coil by a fan. The air is then heated or cooled and discharged (supply air)
to the room. FCUs may be vertical or horizontal, mounted on walls,
ceilings, or freestanding.
Page 9 of 17
2. Forced Air Duct System
A duct system distributes heated, cooled, and fresh air throughout the
building, while also filtering and dehumidifying the air.
3. Hydronic Systems
Hydronic systems provide heating, but typically not cooling. Hot water is
circulated through tubing, from the central heat source to radiators
throughout the space to be heated. The radiators may be wall-mounted or
floor-mounted. Tubes may also be designed into floor systems, providing
consistent radiant heat. Heat sources may include boilers, water heaters,
and solar power.
C. VERTICAL TRANSPORTATIONS
Circulation, as usually applied in architecture, is the movement of people and
goods between interior spaces in buildings and to entrances and exits. Safe,
convenient, rapid circulation is essential for all buildings under both normal and
emergency conditions. Such circulation may be channelled through any of
several different types of passageways, such as lobbies, corridors, ramps,
stairways, and elevator hoistways.
1. Escalators
Escalators, or powered stairs, are used when it is necessary to move large
numbers of people from floor to floor. They provide continuous movement
of persons and can thus
remedy traffic conditions that
are not readily addressed by
elevators. Escalators should
be viewed as preferred
transportation systems
whenever heavy traffic
volumes are expected
between relatively few floors.
Escalators are used to
connect airport terminals,
parking garages, sports facilities, shopping malls, and numerous mixed-
use facilities.
Page 10 of 17
2. Elevators
An elevator is a conveying device used to move people or freight
vertically, usually between floors of a building.
Types of elevators:
a. Hydraulic Elevators-use a fluid-driven
hydraulic jack to lift the elevator car. It consists
of a hydraulic jack (cylinder and plunger); a
pump, powered by an electric motor, that
increases the pressure in the hydraulic fluid; a
control valve between the cylinder and reservoir
controls the pressure in the jack; and a fluid
reservoir (tank).
b. Traction elevators-
have a drive machine with an electric motor and
pulley-like (grooved) drive sheave that holds
cables that move the elevator car up or down.
Steel cables, called hoisting ropes, support the
elevator and counterweight during normal
operation.
Classifications of Elevators:
a. Passenger elevators- are designed to carry people and small packages. They
typically have capacities from 1500 to 5000 lb (680 to 2300 kg), in 500 lb (230
kg) increments. Passenger elevators are operated by the passenger and have
attractive interior finishes.
b. Freight elevators- are used to carry material, goods, equipment, and vehicles,
rather than people. Freight elevators are typically capable of carrying heavier
loads than a passenger elevator, generally from 5000 to 10 000 lb (2300 to
4500 kg), but can be up to 13 tons/26 000 lb (11 700 kg) weight capacity.
Page 11 of 17
Lesson 3: PLUMBING SYSTEMS IN BUILDINGS
A. WATER SUPPLY
Enough water to meet the needs of occupants must be available for all buildings.
Further water needs for fire protection, heating, air conditioning, and possibly
process use must also be met.
Sources of water for buildings include public water supplies, groundwater, and
surface water. Each source requires careful study to determine if a sufficient
quantity of safe water is available for the building being designed.
Potable is clean water that is suitable for human drinking. It must be
available for drinking, cooking, and cleaning. Non-potable water may be
used for flushing water closets (toilets), irrigating grass and gardens,
washing cars, and for any use other than drinking, cooking, or cleaning.
D. PLUMBING FIXTURES
A plumbing fixture is an approved receptacle, device, or appliance that uses
water and discharges wastewater such as a water closet, urinal, faucet, shower,
dishwasher, drinking fountain, hose connection, hose bibb, water heater, water
softener, underground sprinkler, hot tub, spa, and clothes washer.
These are the only part of the plumbing system that the owners or occupants of
the building will see regularly, because most of the plumbing piping is concealed
in walls and floors.
The designer of the plumbing system, the architect, the engineer, the plumber,
and/or the owner may select plumbing fixtures. It is important that the designer
of the plumbing system know what fixtures will be used (and even the
manufacturer and model number, if possible) in order to do an accurate job in
designing the system. All fixtures should be carefully selected as they will be in
use for years, perhaps for the life of the building.
Page 13 of 17
1. Water Closet- is a plumbing fixture that serves as
an indoor receptacle and removal system for human
waste.
A fire protection system is probably the most important and often the mandatory
building service aimed to protect human life and property, strictly in that order. It
consists of three basic parts:
• A large store of water (Tank)
• A specialized pumping system
• A large network of pipes connected to hydrants and/or sprinklers
Codes specify circumstances when and where a given type of protection is required.
Codes are minimum requirements; they can and are encouraged to be exceeded.
Examples of Codes:
• NFPA 30 Flammable and Combustible Liquids Code
• NFPA 54 National Fuel Gas Code
• NFPA 70 National Electrical Code
• NFPA 101 Life Safety Code
• NFPA 5000 Building Construction and Safety Code
• IBC International Building Codes
Page 15 of 17
Standards detail how the protection required by the code is to be achieved.
Examples of Standards:
• NFPA 10 Standard for Portable Fire Extinguishers
• NFPA 13 Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems
• NFPA 14 Standard for the Installation of Standpipes and Hose Systems
• NFPA 20 Standard for the Installation of Stationary Pumps for Fire Protection
• NFPA 72 National Fire Alarm Code (This is actually a standard even though it is called a
code)
Standpipe Systems
A standpipe system is an internal piping network connected to fire-hose stations that
are used to rapidly suppress a fire. Firefighters can use fire hoses connected to the
standpipe system or connect their hoses to valve outlets near the fire.
Smoke control systems are designed to limit the spread of smoke to maintain
passable occupant egress routes for a given period of time and to aid firefighters in
fighting the fire.
devices are called sprinkler heads. Figure 4.4.1 Types of Sprinkler Heads
Page 16 of 17
Types of sprinkler Systems:
1. Wet Piping Sprinkler
System: Automatic
sprinklers are attached to a
piping system containing
water that discharges
immediately from sprinklers
opened by a fire. This is the
type commonly used in the
Philippines due to its
relatively simple design and
rapid response, 98%
reliable.
Page 17 of 17