Environmental Science and Services

Assignment Brief

Learning Outcomes

Knowledge and Understanding

1. Describe building heat transfer mechanisms and carry out calculations for the determination of heat losses from buildings (in part)

   • Compare the provision of natural and artificial lighting within buildings (in part)

2. Explain the influence of the building and its services on the internal acoustic environment and compare calculated noise levels with recognised design criteria (in part)

3. Select, describe and explain the operation and control of the various components which make up particular H.V.A.C. Engineering Systems. Consider the impact of system choice on Sustainability.

4. State the important environmental design criteria that building services systems must achieve and maintain in buildings to ensure occupant thermal comfort whilst achieving good design practice in relation to energy conservation and control within buildings

Transferable/Key Skills and other attributes

On completion the student will have had the opportunity to:

1. Demonstrate competency in numeracy and written communication,

2. Apply a process of system selection and justification in a number of building scenarios

3. Manage  time appropriately and plan work effectively towards given deadlines,

4. Demonstrate an ability to search for and retrieve information via library, internet and electronic facilities,

5. Demonstrate an ability with several ICT facilities including, but not limited to, word processing, using graphics/visual media and technical drawing software.

INTRODUCTION

This assignment has been provided in an attempt to introduce some ‘real world’ activities into your study of Building Services Engineering. It is hoped that by examining various aspects of a ‘semi-real’ building you will become more familiar with the role of the Building Services Engineer and the day to day problems he/she may encounter.

An assignment such as this cannot cover all areas of engineering services provision typically met within a commercial construction project so it will concentrate on:

• Environmental Design Conditions

• Engineering Calculations

• Basic Lighting

• Heating Systems

• Ventilation Systems

• Services Integration

PROBLEM

Examine the multi-storey Office Building drawings attached to this assignment brief (and uploaded to the Blackboard VLE for sketch and drawing submission purposes). The building is to be constructed in Manchester NW England with construction commencing in October 2018. Examine all drawings not just those specifically mentioned later as other drawings will provide useful information.

TASK

Before the Mechanical and Electrical Engineering Services can be selected, sized to meet building loads and then installed, the Services Design Engineer has to determine the internal environmental conditions that have to be achieved regardless of the external environmental conditions. The internal conditions need to be maintained throughout the year despite the bitter cold of winter and the intense heat of summer. Services Designers typically consider the ‘thermal’, ‘visual’ and ‘acoustic’ internal environment together with the requirement for a high standard of ‘indoor air quality (IAQ). Additionally, different types of buildings, and rooms of differing usage within the same building, will require different environmental conditions.

Once the task of selecting suitable environmental conditions has been achieved, the Services Designer can then determine room heat losses and gains, ventilation requirements, lighting requirements and sound level requirements. Using the floor plans as the basis for your analyses and calculations, including drawing 402 for room dimensions via the structural grid, you will carry out the following activities:

Activities

Identify standard services design variables and typical values for 4 rooms and/or spaces of differing usage within the Office Building and present your values in a tabular format. Values should be determined from nationally recognised data sources for the following environmental variables:

• Winter and Summer internal design air temperature values,

• Winter and Summer external design air temperature values,

• Design lighting Illumination levels

Discuss why the above sets of environmental variables are important in regards to the design of engineering systems within the Office Building. List all assumptions used in the determination of these values. Cite and fully reference all sources. (Typically 1 page)

Using a base room heat loss value of 50 W/m² for the building, determine the total heat loss in kilowatts (kW) for all rooms on drawing 404 only, leading to a determination of the approximate total building heat loss by multiplying by 5 (five) to cover all five floors. It is suggested this is best presented in a tabular format. List all assumptions used in the determination of the heat loss room and total values. Cite and fully reference all sources (Typically 1 ½ pages)

Select a suitable heating system or systems for the building and clearly explain why you feel these systems are most appropriate. One system must include a standard Low Temperature Hot Water (LTHW) gas fired boiler installation. Include manufacturer’s literature for major system components and, for each of the systems chosen, provide a description of the control method(s) that might be adopted to achieve comfort conditions regardless of external and internal influences. Use images, photos, diagrams and manufacturers literature to illustrate systems selection and identify your chosen types/models. You must choose at least three (3) different types of heat emitter. Cite and fully reference all sources (Typically 1 ½ to 2 pages plus images, photos, etc., and appropriate manufacturer`s literature, suitably annotated).

Select a suitable ventilation system or systems for all rooms on floor 404 and clearly explain why you feel these systems are most appropriate. You must select at least one central system with zone control. Include manufacturer’s literature for major system components and, for each of the systems chosen, provide a description of the control method(s) that might be adopted to achieve comfort conditions regardless of external and internal influences. Use images, photos, diagrams and appropriate manufacturers literature to illustrate systems selection and identify your chosen types/models. Cite and fully reference all sources (Typically 1 to 1 ½ pages plus images, photos, etc., and appropriate manufacturer`s literature, suitably annotated).

Select an appropriate type of luminaire, or luminaires, suitable for the Retail area on the ground floor and determine by calculation or other means the number of fittings required to illuminate the whole space to an appropriate illuminance ‘Lux value’. Utilise lighting catalogues and design data (provided in Blackboard and/or elsewhere) clearly illustrating the type/model of luminaire selected. List all assumptions used in the determination of luminaire type and numbers. Cite and fully reference all sources (Typically 1 ½ pages plus images, photos, etc., and manufacturer`s literature, suitably annotated).

Show how you expect heat and air to be distributed from the Plant Room to within all rooms where they are needed on the ground floor by using suitably annotated sketches/drawings that clearly illustrate plant location, pipework and ductwork circuits and the location of heat emitters and ventilation terminals. Appropriately position your selected luminaire fittings within the Retail Area giving due consideration to services integration. Cite and fully reference all sources (Minimum of 2 drawings plus typical sections, assuming single storey construction).

Sample Answer

Environmental Design and Building Services Engineering for a Multi-Storey Office Building in Manchester

Introduction

Environmental design plays a crucial role in creating comfortable, efficient, and sustainable indoor spaces. Building Services Engineers are responsible for designing systems that maintain appropriate internal conditions despite external weather changes and internal heat gains. This report focuses on the analysis and design of heating, ventilation, and lighting systems for a proposed multi-storey office building located in Manchester, North West England. The discussion covers environmental design variables, heat loss calculations, heating and ventilation system selection, lighting design for the retail area, and service integration within the building.

Manchester’s temperate maritime climate, characterised by cool winters and mild summers, requires efficient systems capable of providing adequate thermal comfort throughout the year while maintaining energy efficiency and sustainability. Using standard design data and manufacturer specifications, this report provides a technical yet practical overview of system design and implementation.

Environmental Design Variables

Different areas within the office building require distinct environmental conditions depending on usage and occupancy. For this analysis, four representative spaces have been selected: a general office area, a meeting room, a toilet, and a retail area on the ground floor.

Source: CIBSE Guide A (2020); Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers.

These environmental variables are essential for designing HVAC and lighting systems. Internal design temperatures determine the required heat gain or loss, while external conditions define the system’s capacity to counter weather extremes. Lighting levels are guided by CIBSE standards to ensure visual comfort, productivity, and safety. The values also affect energy loads, as excessive illumination or heating increases energy consumption.

Assumptions include standard occupancy densities (1 person per 10 m² in offices), normal ventilation rates (10 L/s per person), and typical building fabric U-values compliant with Part L of the UK Building Regulations.

Continued...