MEP Quantification and HVAC Fundamentals

MEP Quantification (Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing)

• Introduction to MEP Services: Key considerations include technical specifications, cost and schedule constraints, space requirements for different MEP services, and clash detection during design.
• Procurement & Contracts: Important codes and standards for MEP services like NBC, ASHRAE, ISHRAE, NEC, and NFPA must be followed.
• Workflow for Quantity Take-off: Quantities can be categorized as countable, measurable, or assumed. Types of quantities are discussed.
• HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning): HVAC is essential for improving air quality, circulating fresh air, filtering pollutants, regulating temperature, and controlling humidity.

HVAC Details

• Fundamentals of HVAC: Purpose is to heat, cool, and ventilate to create a healthy and comfortable indoor environment. HVAC components include thermostats, furnaces or heat pumps, air conditioners, ducts, air filters, blowers, and vents.
• Working process: Air is drawn into the system, heated or cooled, circulated through the building, and regulated to achieve desired conditions relating to temperature, humidity, and other parameters of air quality.
• COP (Coefficient of Performance): Measures efficiency of heating or cooling systems. A high COP indicates better efficiency.
• TR (Ton of Refrigeration): Measures cooling capacity; 1 TR = 12000 BTU/hr = 3.517 kW = 3024 kcal/hr Indicates system's cooling capacity.
• EER/COP: measures efficiency of performance for HVAC systems.
• SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) and ISEER (Indian Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio): Measures system efficiency and energy consumption over a whole season.

HVAC System Types

• Centralized HVAC: Larger capacity systems for multiple zones within a building.
• Unitary HVAC: Smaller systems for single zones.
• VRV/VRF (Variable Refrigerant Flow/Variable Refrigerant Volume): Systems with variable refrigerant flow that allows efficiency and flexibility for multiple zones.
• Other types: Other system types (splits, window ACs, ductal split) for various types of buildings are covered briefly.

Fire Fighting Systems

• Fire suppression systems: Portable fire extinguishers, sprinklers systems, foam systems, and standpipe/hose systems are described.
• Classes of fire: Different types of fire - classes A (ordinary combustibles), B (flammables), C (energized electrical equipment), D (combustible metals). Each is best handled with different types of fire suppression methods.
• Hazards: The types and characteristics of different hazard levels (low, ordinary, extreme) are defined and different sprinkler / fire systems are recommended accordingly.

Electrical Systems

• Components: Basic components of electrical systems within buildings, including transformers, switchgear, LT-panels, distribution panels.
• Other system elements: Automatic transfer switches (ATS), DG Sets, motor control centers (MCC), power distribution units (PDU).
• Earthing: Importance of grounding and related elements is emphasized.
• Cable tray: Different types of cable trays and their sizing are described.

Plumbing Systems

• Element types: Plumbing includes potable (clean) water and sewage drainage/wastewater systems.
• Plumbing Elements: Different trap types and their locations, water closet types and other elements (pipe sizes and lengths) are detailed.
• System Types: Direct supply, gravity, pressurized, combined are mentioned.
• Sewerage System: Different types of sewerage and other components are described.

Ductwork

• Duct dimensions: Duct sizes (mm), length, area of sections are detailed.
• Duct Gauge: Uses gauge numbers (G) to classify duct material thickness and strength.

General Calculations

• Methodologies and formulas for calculating total cost of systems are given.
• Examples included to illustrate cost calculations for various components of systems. Calculations and examples of quantities (sheets, area, volume etc.) are provided.