BIM for Commercial Construction: MEP Examples PDF

CGT 460 MEP examples www.aum.edu.kw 1 HVAC Architecture engineering students should learn HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) because it is a critical component of building design that directly impacts the comfort, health, and energy...

CGT 460 MEP examples www.aum.edu.kw 1 HVAC Architecture engineering students should learn HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) because it is a critical component of building design that directly impacts the comfort, health, and energy efficiency of spaces. Here are several reasons why understanding HVAC is essential for architecture students: 1. Human Comfort: HVAC systems regulate indoor climate, providing thermal comfort and air quality. 2. Energy Efficiency: Buildings are major consumers of energy, and HVAC systems contribute significantly to this. 3. Building Codes and Standards: HVAC systems must comply with local building codes, health regulations, and sustainability certifications like LEED. 4. Integration with Building Design: HVAC systems impact the overall design of a building. 5. Indoor Air Quality: Proper ventilation is critical for maintaining good air quality inside buildings, which affects the health and well-being of occupants. 6. Sustainability and Green Building Design: HVAC systems play a key role in sustainable architecture. 2 www.aum.edu.kw HVAC The HVAC system in a building consists of various components that work together to provide heating, cooling, ventilation, and air conditioning. Below are the key HVAC parts commonly found in buildings: Heating Components: Cooling Components: Furnace: Generates heat for the building, typically Air Conditioner (AC Unit): Cools the air in the building by removing heat using natural gas, oil, or electricity. and moisture, typically consists of a condenser, compressor, and evaporator Boiler: Heats water to create steam or hot water for coil. heating the building, often used in radiant heating Chiller: Produces chilled water to cool the building, often used in larger commercial buildings. systems. Cooling Tower: Dissipates excess heat from a chiller system, typically found Heat Pump: A system that provides both heating and in large buildings. cooling by transferring heat between the building and the outside air or ground. Radiators or Baseboard Heaters: Distribute heat to rooms, often connected to a boiler. Heat Exchanger: Transfers heat from the furnace or boiler to the air or water circulating in the building. 3 www.aum.edu.kw HVAC Ventilation Components: Air Handling Unit (AHU): Circulates and conditions air by mixing fresh air from outside with indoor air, and it often houses the filters, fans, and coils. Ductwork: A network of ducts that distributes Control Components: conditioned air throughout the building. Ventilation Fans: Move air through the ducts and Thermostat: Monitors and regulates the temperature in the help exhaust stale air from the building. building by controlling the heating and cooling systems. Dampers: Control airflow through the duct system Zone Dampers and Controllers: Control the airflow to different and regulate air distribution to different areas of the areas (zones) in the building, allowing for temperature regulation in building. individual zones. Exhaust Fans: Remove stale air, odors, and Building Management System (BMS): Automated system that controls and monitors HVAC, lighting, and other systems for energy pollutants from specific areas, such as bathrooms or efficiency and optimal performance. kitchens. Diffusers, Registers, and Grilles: Devices that distribute air into rooms or return air to the system from rooms. 4 www.aum.edu.kw HVAC Filtration and Humidity Control components: Air Filters: Remove dust, pollen, and other particulates from the air before it is circulated in the building. Humidifier/Dehumidifier: Adds or removes moisture from the air to maintain comfortable humidity levels. 5 www.aum.edu.kw DUCTS Ducts are critical components of an HVAC system, responsible for distributing heated, cooled, and ventilated air throughout a building. There are various types of ducts, each with unique characteristics, materials, and applications. Below are the common types of ducts used in buildings: HVAC ducts and pipes must be thermally and acoustically insulated in order to achieve the desired levels of comfort, and to reduce energy consumption in addition to contributing to fire safety. Thermal insulation materials such as glass wool, stone wool, or mineral wool. Metal ducts are constructed from metal sheets (galvanized, stainless steel, copper, or aluminium). The flexible ducts usually consist of two aluminium and polyester concentric tubes. www.aum.edu.kw DUCTS Spiral Ducts (Round Ducts) Material: galvanized steel, aluminum, or stainless steel. Description: round or spiral shape, which helps improve airflow and reduces resistance compared to rectangular ducts. Advantages: More efficient airflow due to reduced friction. Strong and durable. Easier to clean and maintain. Disadvantages: Typically more expensive to install. Applications: Used in both commercial and industrial settings, and sometimes in residential homes, especially where exposed ductwork is desired for aesthetic purposes (e.g., modern or industrial designs). www.aum.edu.kw DUCTS Rectangular Ducts Material: galvanized steel or aluminum. Description: Rectangular ducts are the most common type used in commercial and large-scale residential buildings. Advantages: Fits easily in constrained spaces such as between walls or ceilings. Provides a high volume of air supply. Disadvantages: More air friction due to its shape, which can reduce airflow efficiency. Difficult to clean compared to round ducts. Applications: Common in commercial buildings, where space constraints and large air volume distribution are important. www.aum.edu.kw DUCTS RETURN DUCT General Sizing Rule: A common rule of thumb for the size of a return duct is that it should be sized to handle about 200 CFM for each ton of air conditioning. This means that for a typical home system of about 1 ton (which is roughly capable of cooling 400 to 600 square feet), the return duct should be capable of handling around 200 CFM. Duct Diameter and CFM: The diameter of the duct impacts the amount of air that can pass through. For example, a 6-inch (15.24 cm) diameter round duct can handle about 100 CFF, while a 14-inch (35.56 cm) diameter round duct can handle about 800 CFM. The exact CFM capacity can vary based on the duct material and layout. www.aum.edu.kw Main duct Secondary duct AIR TERMINALS Air terminals in HVAC systems, also known as terminal units or air outlets, are components that control the delivery and removal of air in heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems. These devices are crucial for regulating airflow within the spaces they serve, ensuring both comfort and efficiency. Diffusers Registers: Similar to diffusers, registers also distribute air but are typically equipped with dampers Grilles: serves both intake and exhaust functions. Variable Air Volume (VAV) Boxes Fan-Powered Boxes www.aum.edu.kw DIFFUSERS In HVAC systems, diffusers are components used to distribute air throughout the desired spaces. They play a key role in ensuring efficient airflow and comfort in buildings. Function of Diffusers: Air Distribution: Diffusers spread conditioned air (heated or cooled) from the HVAC system into a room. They are designed to mix the supplied air with the existing room air efficiently. Enhance Comfort: Properly designed diffusers distribute air evenly across the room, eliminating hot or cold spots, and contribute to overall thermal comfort. Control Airflow: Diffusers can control the direction and volume of airflow and can affect the air velocity and noise levels in a room. www.aum.edu.kw Ceiling diffusers DIFFUSERS SUPPLY DIFFUSERS !! The size and type of diffuser depend on the desired spread pattern (e.g., 1-way, 2-way, 3-way, 4- way). !! Choosing diffusers that each deliver 100 CFM, you would typically need one diffuser for every 10 square meters of room space, if the ceiling height and other conditions are typical. !!! A common rule of thumb is that diffusers should be spaced at a distance of about 1.5 times the height of the ceiling. For example, if the ceiling is 3 meters high, diffusers might be spaced approximately 4.5 meters apart. This helps to ensure adequate air mixing and coverage. www.aum.edu.kw HVAC www.aum.edu.kw DIFFUSERS SUPPLY DIFFUSERS The best placement for a supply diffuser in a room largely depends on several factors including the room’s layout, ceiling height, and the specific heating, cooling, and ventilation needs. Here are some general guidelines to consider for optimal placement: Ceiling Placement Away from Windows and Exterior Walls Central Location for Even Coverage Avoid Direct Airflow on Occupants Consider Room Function and Furniture Layout Consult HVAC Design Guidelines www.aum.edu.kw 14 DIFFUSERS RETURN DIFFUSERS The placement and spacing of return diffusers in an HVAC system should be carefully calculated to ensure efficient air circulation and comfort within the space. !!! A common rule of thumb is to place return diffusers at least as far apart as the maximum room dimension (e.g., in a 20-foot-long room, diffusers might be spaced about 20 feet apart, depending on the total airflow requirements and the layout). ***1 foot is equal to 30.48 centimeters www.aum.edu.kw 15 DIFFUSERS RETURN DIFFUSERS The best placement for a return diffuser in a room is crucial for achieving efficient air circulation and maintaining comfort. Here are several guidelines to consider: Opposite Supply Vents: To maximize air circulation, Away from Draft Areas: Avoid placing return diffusers in areas where drafts might interfere with their function. High on Walls or in Ceilings: Return air tends to be warmer as it rises after being heated by the room’s occupants, electronics, and lighting. Central Locations for Larger Spaces Avoid Short-Circuiting www.aum.edu.kw DIFFUSERS EXHAUST DIFFUSERS The placement and spacing of exhaust diffusers, also known as exhaust grilles or vents, are important for effective ventilation, especially in spaces where air quality is a concern (such as kitchens, bathrooms, and industrial areas). Exhaust diffusers should be placed to ensure complete coverage of the area, meaning no part of the room should be too far from an exhaust point. This is particularly crucial in areas where pollutants or moisture are generated, such as cooking areas or shower rooms. !!! Placement should also consider the avoidance of dead zones, where air might stagnate. This can be addressed by strategic placement that considers the natural air flow within the space. www.aum.edu.kw 17 HVAC www.aum.edu.kw HVAC The selected space is an open office area in a multi-storey building. Open areas are a favorable solution in office buildings and represent an easy start for a new application. The building height is approximately 15m, and the investigated space is about 265m2. The southern and eastern sides of the space are fully glazed, and the remaining sides are solid walls. The maximum depth of the space is11.80m from the southern façade and 18.40m from the eastern façade (Figure 3). The height of the space is 3.40m and a false ceiling was installed leaving 2.70m clear height. The open office areas are centrally air conditioned. www.aum.edu.kw HVAC www.aum.edu.kw HVAC Light guides routed in between the AC ducts www.aum.edu.kw 22