Building services

Page 1

Mechanical Ventilation By Loon Jing Wei

1


1.0 Mechanical ventilation system 1.1 Literature Review 1.1.1 Introduction It is defined as the provision of fresh air into a room or a building, also known as the process of changing air in an enclose space. It usually happened between the internal air and the external air of a building.

1.1.2 Ventilation Natural ventilation Process of supplying and removal air through an indoor space by natural means Users outdoor air flow caused by pressure differences between the building and its surrounding. Mechanical ventilation Process of replacing air by removing internal air and supplying fresh air in a space with the use of mechanical devices. Supply of fresh air is through ductwork or fans

1.1.3 Mechanical ventilation system It’s a type of ventilation system which uses the mechanical devices to keep fresh air circulating in an internal space also one of the services system introduced to help in maintaining a certain level of comfort in an internal space. This system functions incorporating the usage of mechanical devices like the fans and ductwork to circulate the air throughout a building envelop. Mechanical system does the job of heating, cooling and maintaining the humidity level of space. Regular inspection and maintenance is often needed to keep this system operating well.

2


Figure 1.1 diagram above show one of the example of mechanical ventilation system Source (‘’ventilation,home pride contractors’’,2016) 1.1.4 Function of mechanical ventilation system Removal of pollutants It helps to get rib the contaminated stale air while extracting the internal air out from a space. Fresh air supply It constantly draws in external air that is less polluted less water vapor into the internal space when it’s operating Circulation of air It keeps the circulation of air on going throughout the internal space with the pressure difference created create by the devices involved.

3


1.1.5 Comparison of mechanical ventilation system to nature ventilation

Mechanical ventilation

Natural ventilation

-

Provide fresh air into space with Help of mechanical devices

- Through the use of openings like windows, doors

-

Maintenance needed

-

-

Operates on electricity and human

Maintenance not needed

- Happens naturally and uncertain

supervision -

Ventilation can be done all the time

-

Use of mechanical devices

-

Time used can be controlled

-

Ventilation is done periodically based on weather and nature restrictions - Rely on building envelop

- Free and not controllable

4


1.1.6 Advantage and importance of mechanical ventilation system 1. It helps to reduce noise and air pollution when big openings are not encouraged for natural ventilation in a big building located at congested and busy area 2. It’s controllable as it can be switch on or off depend on situation or the user’s need 3. It helps to maintain the internal humidity of space or building regardless of the outdoor weather 4. It helps to preserve the content of fresh air circulating in a building 5. It helps to disperse the concentration of bacteria 1.1.7 Type of mechanical ventilation system Supply ventilation system It is a system which the fresh air is drew in with the use of mechanical inlet and then the internal air is withdrew through the existing openings in a building envelop naturally. It involves the use of fan to bring the air from outside in to the internal space, the air flew out through holes, fan ducts and vents. It’s usually used to supply fresh air into one room or more than that.

Figure 1.2 schematic diagram above shows how the air is drew into house throough the central supply fan

5


The inlet is normally placed or installed at the roof top ton encourage air from the upper level to be drawn in, it should not be located too close to the outlet to prevent the escape of air. The incoming air can be filtered before being directed into the internal rooms. This system can usually be found in use in areas like living spaces, public malls and interior rooms of a building. The advantages of this positive pressure created in the internal space also help to guard upon radon and other problems caused by negative pressure. Fan or a series of ductwork is used to keep the air circulating the internal space of a building. Exhaust ventilation system It is a system which uses the natural inlet, openings in a building envelop to draw in fresh air from the outside and extracting the stale air through mechanical devices. Mechanical devices like the central exhaust fan is installed at the ceiling or rooftop to help removing the stale air from the internal space

Figure 1.3 schematic diagram show the circulation of air in a space with the application of exhaust ventilation system

6


The exhaust fan above creates negative pressure on the internal space causing the internal air to move closer to the fan and at the same time drawing the external air in through the openings on the building envelop like the windows. Single fan is connected to the central exhaust point to help expelling the building internal. Passive vents or the building openings would require a higher pressure in order to draw the air in naturally. This system is usually used at the kitchen, internal toilets and basement. The devices usually used by this system including exhaust fan, surface mounted fan, remote mounted in line fan and ventilator. This system provides continues low level back ground ventilation, the slight negative pressure in the building prevents moisture and condensation which in away resist the growth of mould. Balanced / combined ventilation system It’s a type of ventilation system at which the inlet and outlet are both operating mechanically, which means that the air is supplied in and extracted with the help of mechanical devices. Hence, causing the pressure level in the internal space to remain at neutral.

Figure 1.4 schematic diagram show the operation of the balanced ventilation system

7


The internal space of a building can be ventilated with the use of two different sets of ductwork and also fan system. It’s not affected by the outdoor weather and is known as a more efficient ventilation system. The extract fan used is usually slightly smaller than the inlet fan to create a slight pressurization of the air inside the building to prevent dust, draughts and noises. The ventilation can be done at multiple point at which the house pressure is also balanced. It’s often found in area that is hardly accessible where natural ventilation is not easily promoted and applied. For example, the basement, theatres and crawl spaces. One positive side about this system is it has a controlled air flow rates, inlet air can be filtered before being directed to the interior spaces.

1.1.8 Comparison of supply system, exhausted system and balanced system Ventilation system Supply ventilation system

Advantages - simple and inexpensive to install

Disadvantages - can cause moisture problem in cold area

- Allows better control of the air entering the house

- Does not remove moisture from the incoming air

- Minimize outdoor pollutants in the internal living space Exhaust ventilation System

- Appropriate for cold climates

- not appropriate for hot climates

-Simple system and easily to be installed -Prevent moisture into

- can draw in pollutants into internal space - Cause noises

The internal spaces Balanced ventilation system

- No pressurization in

- Expensive installation

internal space

as it required two sets

- Allows the use of filter

of ductwork and fans

to remove dust and pollen from outside air

8

- Will not temper and remove moisture from


1.2 Mechanical ventilation system case study in IOI Boulevard 1.2.1 Introduction IOI Boulevard is a commercial building of 5 floors which consists of individual shop units that serve different purpose of retailing and private office. Because of its spatial planning of having separated shop unit, each of the unit has their own ventilation system installed. The shop units are all attached to the another hence inlet and outlet for ventilation are not encouraged, at this point mechanical ventilation system plays an important role to keep the interior spaces of the building comfortable and safe for the users. Besides, it has a central mall in between blocks of building that sometimes host event and activities which ventilation is needed to keep the common area ventilated.

Type of the mechanical ventilated system applied in IOI Boulevard consists of below Supply ventilation system - supply air grille/fan -Pressurized stairwell system Exhaust ventilation system - exhausted air grille/fan -utilities room exhausted system

9


1.2.2 Supply ventilation system a. supply air grille/fan It’s is the supply ventilation system applied at which central fans are installed to a building to bring in the external air and then supply the fresh air through air grille into an internal space. In IOI Boulevard, circular air grille can be seen installed at most of the beams surrounding the central mall. Central mall

Figure 1.5 the figure above shows the ground floor plan drawing of IOI Boulevard. The highlighted area in green is where the air grille can be found.

As the accommodate the function of the central mall which sometimes used to host events, this space is also often used by the workers and visitors as waiting zone, supply ventilation system is installed at this area to keep the space ventilated at all time when it’s crowded to maintain the content of fresh air. The fresh air is generated at the central supply fan by drawing in external air and disturbing it to the space needed through a series of cylindrical ductwork and air is passed out through the air grille. The open concept at the central mall allow the dispersal of stale air out of the building to maintain the air quality if the space. 10


Figure 1.6 Shows the central mall IOI Boulevard

When events and activities took place and crowded by people mechanical ventilation is needed to ensure the comfort of the users and to keep the air circulating well within the space.

Figure 1.7 The photo shows a closer view on the circular supply air grille Installed to the ceiling

The fresh air will flow through the connecting ductwork and expel out through the air grille Analysis and observation: This supply ventilation system is not switched on at all times, it’s only functioning when large events are being held at that particular space and the central mall also relies on the natural cross ventilation when the mechanical ventilation system is not operating, maintenance work of once every three months is carried out by services management worker to ensure the workability of the fans and ductwork. 11


b. Pressurized stairwell system Pressurized stairwell system is very commonly found in high rise building, it’s applied for the purpose of providing a route of escape when fire happens. The pressurized space to prevent the smoke from entering hence provide a smoke free escape route for the occupants and users. As IOI Boulevard is a commercial building that often need to accommodate large amount pf workers and also visits, this type of mechanical ventilation is highly needed to ensure the safety of all users when emergency fire occurs.

Figure 1.8 schematic diagram above shows the section of a typical pressurized system stairwell. Source: (building operation webhelp’,2016)

IOI Boulevard’s feature as a commercial building led to the use of many staircases as alternative route and also as fire escape route for the occupants. This system is applied in the stairwell in IOI Boulevard by having the air constantly supplied into the space through a central fan, pressure relief damper is installed at each level to help reducing the pressure. The pressure reduces when the fire rated door is pushed open. According to UBBL Clause 198-202 Ventilation for staircase at each floor or loading with a minimum of 1sqm opening per floor. In building lees than 3 storeys, staircase may not be ventilated if access via ventilated lobbies at all floors except the top most and; if building 18m high or less with top most floor ventilated at top most with 5% of area of enclosure. Building higher than 18m to be mechanically ventilated if not naturally at every floor or landing 12


Figure 1.9 The photo on the top are the fire rated doors at each level of building

The door will affect the pressure and cause It to drop when opened, sufficient air supply is needed to ensure the pressure remains as same to prevent the entry of smoke

Analysis and observations The supply fan is switched on 24 hours to maintain the pressure in the stairwell. From what we have observed, some of the pressure relief dampers are either dusty or not functioning well, this might due to the poor management and cleaning. It will affect the overall performance of pressurized system and even causes completion when fire of emergency.

13


1.2.3 Exhaust ventilation system a. Exhaust air grille/fan In IOI Boulevard, it is a commercial building that host more than 100 of shop units. The shop units are all attached to one another and it doesn’t allow openings and fenestrations to be made at ensure the quality of internal air in each unit. Some of the restaurants use a more complex and advanced exhaust system in order to remove the stale air from the kitchen and public toilets. Location: individual shop unit

Figure 1.10 The figure above is the ground floor plan of IOI Boulevard, the highlighted area in green shows the location of all the ductwork used by each of the shop

14


Figure 1.11 The photo on the left shows the back alley of the building. A series of ductwork can be spotted connecting out from each shop unit.

Due to its function as commercial building, the exhaust system applied is not centralized but is made individually depending on the shop’s usage. Shop with usage as restaurants or cafÊ has more complex exhaust system that helps to remove the heat produced from cooking activities in the kitchen. The exhaust ductwork opening is connecting all the way up to the roof where the exhaust fan would be placed.

Analysis and observations: Most of the ventilation system in this commercial building function mechanically, they rely highly on exhaust grille and fan system in order to expel the stale air from the internal spaces as natural ventilation is not encouraged is such a packed area. The arrangement of ductwork is in order and done systematically to ensure highest efficiency of the dispersal of contaminated air. The exhaust ventilation system applied is more on traditional method which only one or two outlets are involved in withdrawing the stale air.

According to UBBL Clause 99 cooking facilities in residential building Where a common vertical kitchen exhaust riser is provided, the riser shall be continued up to a mechanical floor or roof for discharge to the open, and shall be constructed with fire resisting material of at least 2 hours rating with BS467: Part 3.

15


1.2.4 Components Fan

Ductwork

Damper

- propeller fan

- cylindrical aluminium

- fire damper

- axial fan

- galvanized ductwork

- pressure relief damper

Diffuser

- circulation jet outlet - square air diffuser - single grille air outlet - rainproof louvers air outlet

1.2.5 Fan Fan serves the purpose of removing hot, humid and polluted air to encourage ventilation and cool the internal spaces of a building. It’s one of the important component involved in a mechanical ventilation system in order to complete the air circulation cycle of a system. Besides, fan helps to keep the air circulating within a space a. -

Propeller fan Usually used without Remove large amount of air Low most of installation

Figure 1.12 The photo shows the exhaust fan installed to the wall. 16


This propeller fan is found at the fire protection room, it functions as an exhaust fan for the room where it helps to remove the water vapor escaped from the water pump and reduce the humidity in the room to prevent condensation of bacteria and also the growth of mould in the room. Similar fan is also found at the main water supply room which plays the same role as well.

Figure 1.13 The photo above is the exhaust fan while the picture below shows the temperature thermostat connected to it.

Exhaust fan found in the elevator control room at the upper of IOI Boulevard, it’s connected to a temperature thermostat, it will be switched on automatically once the detector detected a high temperature in the room. It plays the role of removing the hot air from the control room to prevent overheating of the wire and mechanical components in the room.

Figure 1.14 The fan is installed to the rooftop of the central mall

Propeller fan is installed to the roof top at the central mall, it is part of the exhaust ventilation system where it helps to disperse the stale air accumulated at the public space. It’s switched on all the tome to encourage the flow of fresh air into the internal spaces. 17


b. Axial fan

-

Consist of an impeller with blades of aerofoil section rotating inside a cylindrical casing.

-

Air flows in direction of parallel shaft

Figure 1.15 The photos show the axial fan at the basement car park.

The axial fan is found to be used at the basement car park of IOI Boulevard, its high speed movement of the blades serves the active cooling purpose. It removes the heated air away in the basement and draw cooler air over. Its used at the basement carpark in IOI Boulevard as the air movement underground is usually slower and not well circulated, with the high speed rotation of inner blades, hot air can be removed faster hence maintaining the temperature of the underground space.

18


1.2.6 Ductwork It serves the function of channelling air into a room or out from a room, ductwork comes in different shapes and sizes which will also affect the efficiency and stability. They are usually made from aluminium, copper, and galvanized materials. It’s often connected to the central supply fan or central exhaust fan of the mechanical ventilation system. a. Cylindrical aluminium dusting

ddde

Figure 1.16 Cylindrical ductwork found near to the entrance and exit of the basement carpark.

Cylindrical aluminium ducting is seen at the basement carpark, it functions to remove hot air out from the underground space and disperse them to the upper level. Its cylindrical shape works more efficiently as less frictional force is created within the circular shape. b.

Rectangular galvanized ducting

Figure 1.17 A series of ductwork can be seen at the back alley of IOI Boulevard, each shop unit has their one mechanical ventilation system installed separately 19


Rectangular dusting made from galvanized material can be seen installed at the back alley of the building. They serve the purpose of channelling air out from the internal space of each unit.

Figure 1.18 The figure above is the ground floor plan of IOI Boulevard, the highlighted area in green shows the location of all the ductwork used by each of the shop units.

20


1.2.7 Damper Damper is the value that serves the purpose of regulating the air flow inside a dusting or other air handing equipment. It also helps the internal temperature of a room. The operation time can be controlled with the use of thermostat system. a. Fire damper

Figure 1.19 Fire damper is seen installed at one of the higher ceiling outside of the elevator control room at level 3A

Fire damper can be seen installed at a higher level on the external walls in the stairwell and also each unit of the shops. It is to prevent the fire from spreading out to the building next to it. b. Pressure relief damper

Figure 1.20 Pressure relief damper photo taken at level 1 next to unit staircase 21


This type of damper is found used at the stairwell besides every shop unit in IOI Boulevard. It acts as a pressure relief damper which helps to reduce the pressure created by the supply ventilation pressured staircases system. 1.2.8 Diffuser It’s the mechanical devices that usually located at the end of a ductwork system which air is been released. It’s a typical outlet used for air to release from the connecting ductwork. They cone in different sizes and shapes which serve different function as well.

a. Circular jet outlet

Figure 1.21 The photo of circular jet outlet taken at the central mall of IOI Boulevard

It’s the mechanical components at the end of a ducting, these can be found at the central mall of IOI Boulevard at which they are used to diffuse the air supply coming from the internal ducting that connect to the central supply fan.

22


Figure 1.22 The photo taken of the square air diffuser installed on the ceiling in a meeting room of an office

This particular square air diffuser functions as a medium to supply chilled air into the rooms. It is found in the meeting room of one of the office in IOI Boulevard.

c. Single grille air outlet

Figure 1.23 This photo is taken outside of the sprinkler room at underground, it’s connected to the exhaust fan inside.

This serves as an outlet for the hot air drew by the exhaust fan in the utility rooms like the telekom room, elevator control room, and electrical supply room in IOI Boulevard to prevent overheating from damaging the mechanical devices in these rooms. It also acts as outlet for humid air drew out from the water supply room as well.

23


d. Rainproof louvers air outlet

Figure 1.24 The louvers in the first photo are used to draw in external air naturally to provide ventilation into the stairwell of the building while in the second photo, the louvers encourage more wind flow down along the escalator to the basement parking.

As the stairwells are all located in between the shop units, not many openings can be made where louvers allow the wind flow through the stairwell while providing a more aesthetic exterior faรงade of the stairwell. The louvers used above the escalator at the central mall allows more ventilation down to the underground to maintain the air quality and comfort level beneath. 1.3 Conclusion Based on our observation, personal experiences and analysis, the mechanical ventilation system used at IOI Boulevard is at satisfactory. The systems used are more on basic and traditional, the system planning is not sufficient enough to maintain the temperature at a comfortable level for the users. The air at the underground is rather stuffy and humid, we believe this is caused by the lack of use of a better and more innovated ventilation system. The type and number of axial fan used were not enough to accommodate the large space of the basement parking. On the other side at the upper floor of the building, the supply air grille/fan ventilation system plays a good role in keeping the central mall ventilated throughout the day. The exhaust system installed to each unit are also working well and in good condition, the ductworks are also arranged in neat and systematic manner along the back alley, the ventilation inside the shop units is much better compared to the other spaces in the building like the carpark and management office. In conclusion, well planned ventilation system with better technology and efficiency can be proposed to be installed in the building for example a balanced ventilation system could be done at the basement to provide better quality of incoming air by filtering them through the system applied.

24


Air-Conditioning System By Brandon Liaw Jun Quan

25


2.0 Air Conditioning System 2.1 Literature Review 2.1.1 Introduction There has been an increasing concern on thermal comfort and indoor air quality of buildings in the recent decades. Likewise, thermal comfort is mainly related to the condition of occupants with the thermal environment, as well as the indoor air quality to keep contaminants gaseous below certain level. In the current study, the review of the available services which is used in Malaysia tropical climate to enhance the thermal comfort was conducted. Based on the finding, it concluded that thermal comfort range is higher than the international standards due to the hot-humid climate in Malaysia. ( Daghigh, 2015 ) It makes a building essential to use the application of air conditioning system so that it could improve the thermal comfort and indoor air quality for occupants. Differ from mechanical ventilation system which withdraw air from an enclosed space, air- conditioning is considered as an active system which extract heat from interior and transfer it outside, with the aid of electrical supply and sometimes hate supply in a large scale building. Air conditioning system is a device to provide the heating cooling and ventilation requirements of a building over a range of ambient conditions specific to the building location. It is designed ti cite with the maximum value of each of these requirements: ( Billy 2000 )

- To maintain the human thermal comfort level by controlling temperature and humidity in air

- To remove internal heat gain produced by building services and occupants - To provide cool environment control for equipment and processes - To prevent smoke, dost and haze from outdoors to protect human health By manipulating the air temperature, humidity level, air movement and air purity in a building, human comfort level could be easily achieved. There are three types of air-conditioning system that’s commonly used to accommodate with users need.

-

Window Air Conditioning System Spit Air Conditioning System Centralised Air Conditioning System Packaged Air Conditioning System

The Centralized Air Conditioning system is the most effective method to ensure thermal comfort level to the occupants in the medium to large scale building. However, Split Air Conditioning System is also found in the individual shop units to enable individual climate control settings of each zone to provide thermal comfort to the commercial building. Like others, centralised air conditioning systems are made up of two major cycles, refrigerant cycle and air cycle. 26


2.1.2 Major Cycles in Air Conditioning System Refrigerant cycle Refrigerant cycle is a process to remove heat through the evaporator to the condenser outside. ( ASHRAE, 2008 ) The air conditioner uses the principles of simple physics which is known as phrase conversion of liquid into has which absorbs heat. The principles of Refrigeration are as follows: ( Hoffman, 2006 )

- Liquid absorb heat when changed from liquid to has - Gases gives off heat when changed from has to liquid The refrigerant is applied to air cooling cycle whereas compressed gas would liquefy at a given point and release a large amount of latent heat from within the gas, When pressure on liquid is lowered, it vaporises back to gas, large amount of latent heat will then absorbed and turn has into liquid. ( Wang, 2000) For an air conditioning system to operate with economy, the refrigerant must be used repeatedly. Hence, al air conditioners use the same cycle of compression, condensation, expansion and evaporation in a closed circuit. The same refrigerant is used to move the heat to cool and to expel the heat in another area.

Figure 2.1 Schematic diagram shows the process of refrigerant cycle and its components.

27


There’s a chemical compound found in the air conditioning system which could easily changes its states from liquid to vapour and vice versa. In addition to it, there are mainly four components used in an air conditioning system, the compressor, condenser, expansion valve and evaporator. Process of Refrigerant cycle

- Refrigerant flows through the compressor, which raises the pressure of the refrigerant

- Next the refrigerant flows through the condenser, where it condenses from vapour form to liquid form, giving off heat in the process. The heat given off is what makes the condenser “hot to the touch. �

- After the condenser, the refrigerant goes through the expansion valve, where it experiences a pressure drop.

- Finally, the refrigerant goes to the evaporator. The refrigerant draws hear from the evaporator which causes the refrigerant to vaporize. The evaporator draws heat from the region that is to be cooled. The vaporised refrigerant goes back to the compressor to restart the cycle.

The average air conditioning system is comprised of these components. a. Compressor Compress the refrigerant vapour from evaporator and pumps the refrigerant throughout the system

b. Condenser Rejects heat absorbed by evaporators. The refrigerant changes from a vapour to liquid state in the condenser and it will reject great amount of heat

c. Expansion valve A valve which regulates liquid refrigerant into the evaporator.

28


d Evaporator

Provide heat absorbing surface

2.1.3 Air cycle

Figure 2.2 Schematic diagram shows the air cycle between room and air handling unit ( AHU ) Air cycle is a process to distribute treated air into the room that needs to be conditioned. Treated air means the air supply to the room is typically filtered through air cleaners to remove dust and pollen particles. This is done by first absorbing the latent heat inside the room and transferred it to the chilled water at the Air Handling Unit ( AHU ). The air is then mixed with fresh air from outside and blow through the cooling coil to provide a lower temperature and cooler air supply to the indoor. Distribution of air can be either through ductwork or chilled water pipes. ( ASHRAE, 2008) There are mainly four components required to run the system, such as air handing unit ( AHU ) , air filter, blower fan, ductwork.

29


2.1.4 Window Air Conditioning System

Figure 2.3 The photo above shows windows air conditioner. Window unit air conditioner is an expensive alternative to central system, which is only suitable for small room as they operate less efficient to the space. It is usually installed at the window opening or wall. There are two compartments used to run the window air conditioner, one unit in the room side and outside. In between them there’s an insulated partition barrier used to enclose the gap between two units. (Wang, 1999)

Figure 2.4 Schematic diagram shows the components in window AC unit It is basically divided into three various parts:

- Refrigeration components - Air circulation and ventilation components 30


- Control system components 2.1.5 Split unit Air Conditioning System

Figure 2.5 The photo above shows indoor outdoor unit of split unit air conditioning system and its control component. In every split unit air conditioning system, it consists of two units, an outdoor unit which function is condenser, together with one or several indoor units which serves as an evaporator. These units are connected by copper tubing. Figure 2.6 Schematic diagram shows the operation of spit unit system and the components.

31


2.1.6 Components in split unit system a Outdoor unit

Figure 2.7 Schematic diagram shows the outdoor unit and its operation The outdoor unit contains important components such as compressor, condenser and expansion valve. The aluminium fins covered on the condenser would increase the rate for heat to diffuse from the refrigerant. Propeller fan would draws in the surrounding air over the compressor and condenser to cool down the system. b Indoor unit

Figure 2.8 Schematic diagram shows the indoor ceiling unit of the system Indoor unit can be wall or floor mounted or accommodated within a suspended ceiling, A fan is used to draw room air across the evaporator to provide necessary cooling. Chilled air is then output kai directional slots. These slots are adjusted to keep the cold airstream away from the room occupants so that cold draughts are avoided. The chilled air mixes with the room air outside the occupied zone. The 32


mixed air eventually diffuses throughout the room to create the cooling effect. 9 Charles,2012) c Copper Tubing

Copper tubing is used to connect the indoor and outdoor unit while covering in insulated protection layer. There are basically two pipes, one pipe to supply the refrigerant to the cooling coil and the return pipe from refrigerant to the compressor. 2.1.7 Types of Split Unit Air Conditioning System

- Split unit without outside air ( ductless ) - Split unit with outside air ( ducted ) - Variable refrigerant flow ( VRF ) a. Split unit without outside air ( ductless )

Figure 2.9 Schematic diagram shows ductless split system in a building. 33


Ductless split system provides no supply of renew fresh air to the interior, the existing indoor air is then recycled and recirculated. b. Split unit with outside air ( ducted )

Figure 2.10 Schematic diagram shows ducted split system. Ducted split system has an outdoor unit and a concealed indoor unit, deliver air through ducting pipes ( usually concealed in ceiling ) into each room via vents on the floor, wall or ceiling. It has larger capacity as compared to ductless system. c. Variable refrigerant flow ( VRF )

Figure 2.11 Schematic diagram shows the variable refrigerant flows system It is also known as multiple split unit system, connected to several indoor units at once it uses refrigerant as the cooling medium rather than chilled water.

34


Types of VRF system:

- Master and slave system - Zoned control units - Variable refrigerant volume system Master and slave system One outdoor unit is connected to several indoor units. Difference between master and slave is that master unit control all the units sat once while slave unit only control to itself. Zoned control units One outdoor unit connected to several indoor units. However each of the indoor unit can function separately to adjust the temperature Variable refrigerant volume system Similar to master and slave system , one outdoor unit is connected to several indoor units. However it has the ability to provide total versatility to each indoor unit to cool each other. 2.1.8 Centralised Air Conditioning System Central Hydronic air conditioning systems are also called central air conditioning systems. In a central hydronic air conditioning system, air is cooled or heated b coils filled wth chilled or hot water distributed from a central cooling or heating plant. TI is mostly applied to large-area buildings with many zones of conditioned space or to separate buildings. ( Shang,2000) A centralised air conditioning system of building, is illustrated in Figure 4.2.13

35


Figure 2.12 Schematic diagram shows the centralised air conditioning system in a building

2.1.9 Air System

Figure 2.13 Schematic diagram shows the AHU bringing outside air into the building. An air system is sometimes called the air-handling system . The function of an air system is to condition, to transport, to distribute the conditioned, recirculating, outdoor, and exhaust air and to control the indoor environment according to requirement.s. The major components of an air system are the air-handling units, supply/return ductwork, fan-powered boxes, space diffusion devices, and exhaust system. ( Wang, 2000) a. Air Handling unit

In the Air Handling Unit, the air is filtered, heated or cooled, and the humidity is regulated to the required level. 36


An air-handling unit (AHU) usually consists of supply fan(s), filter(s), a mixing box, and cooling coil. It is the primary equipment of the air system.

Components in Air Handling Unit: Blower Fan

To proper air for distribution.

Cooling coil

Cooling Coil is used to cool and dehumidify the air.

Filter Filters are to remove particles ad contaminants of various sizes from the air. The type of air filter being used will very much depend on the application of the system. Been classified to Panel filter, Fibergalss filter and HEPA 37


Humidifier During winder, the humidity level of the air can be low hence causing discomfort the occupants. The humidity of the air is increased by using the humidifiers.

Mixing box

This box has air inlets that is attached to the dampers. This is the place where the outside air and the return air are mixed to provide the correct proportion of air to be distributed to the space that is to be conditioned.

b. Fan Power Box Fan Power VRV Terminals are for heating and cooling perimeter zones

c. Ductwork Passes the air from AHU to the room that needed to be air conditioned. There are mainly two kind of ductwork equipped to the air handling unit: 38


Return Air Duct ( from rooms ) : A duct caring air from a conditioned space to the mixing air duct or plenum unit Air Supply Duct ( to rooms ) : A duct that carries conditioned air from air supply units to room diffusers or grilles.

Figure 2.14 shows HVAC diagram and its component. An AHU conditions the outdoor/recirculating air, supplies the conditioned air to the conditioned space, and extracts the returned air from the space through ductwork and space diffusion devices. A fan-powered variable- air- volume ( VAC ) box, often abbreviated as fan- powered box, employs a small fan with or without a heating coil. It draws the return air from the ceiling plenum, mixes it with the conditioned air from the air handing unit, and supplies the mixture to the conditioned space. Space diffusion devices include slot diffusers mounted in the suspended ceiling: their purpose is to distribute the conditioned air evenly over the entire space according to requirements. The return air enters the ceiling plenum through many scattered return slots. Exhaust systems have exhaust fan(s) and ductwork to exhaust air from the lavatories, mechanical rooms, and electrical rooms. (Wang,2000) 2.1.10 Water System The water system includes chilled and hot water systems, chilled and hot water pumps, condenser water system, and condenser water pumps.

39


Figure 2.15 shows schematic diagram on how the cooling tower function in a water system. The purpose of the water system is

- To transport chilled water and hot water from the central plant to the air-handling units, fan-coil units, and fan powered boxes

- To transport the condenser water from the cooling tower, well water, or other sources to the condenser inside the central plant.

In figure 2.15, the chilled water is cooled in chillers and then is distributed to the cooling coils of various air-handling units. The temperature of the chilled water leaving the coil increases after absorbing heat from airstream flowing over the coil. Chilled water is then returned to the chillers for recooling through the chilled water pumps. After the condenser water has been cooled in the cooling tower, it flows back to the condenser of the chillers. The temperature of the condenser water again rises owing to the absorption of the condensing heat from the refrigerant in the condenser. After that, the condenser water is pumped to the cooling towers by the condenser water pumps. a Cooling Tower A cooling tower is a heat rejection device, which extracts waste heat to the atmosphere though the cooling of a water stream to a lower temperature

b Air Handling Unit The AHU takes in outside air, reconditions ( filtered and either heated or cooled ) it and supplies it as fresh air to the air conditioned room

40


c Condenser Water Pump Its function is to supply heating, ventilation and air conditioning system to the area where it is installed. These system control the temperature of the surrounding area by heating and cooling water

d Chiller A chiller is a machine that removes heat from a liquid via a vapour-compression or absorption refrigeration cycle

2.1.11 Packaged Air Conditioning System A packaged unit (PU) is a unitary, self-contained air conditioner which enclosed all the important in a casing. It has similar size with the room air-conditioner, however in a larger size with fixed capacities. Packaged units can be classified according to their place of installation as rooftop packaged units, indoor packaged units, and split packaged units. Among these units, the rooftop packaged units are most widely used in commercial buildings (Wang,2000)

41


Rooftop Packaged Units A rooftop packaged unit is mounted on the roof of the conditioned space, as shown in Fig 4.2.17. It is usually enclosed in a weather proof outer casing. The mixture of outdoor air and recirculating air is often conditioned in the rooftop packaged unit and supplied to the conditioned space on the floors below ( Wang,2000) 2.12 Indoor Packaged Units

Figure 2.16 Schematic diagram of typical indoor packaged units. Indoor Packaged Unit is usually installed indoors inside a fan room or machinery room, as shown in Figure 4.2.18 on above. A small or medium-size indoor packaged unit may sometimes be floor-mounted directly inside the conditioned space with or without connected ductwork, such as indoor packaged unit in computer rooms. (Wang,2000)

42


2.13 Split Packaged Unit

Figure 2.17 Schematic diagram of split packaged unit. It is sometimes called a split system, which divide packaged unit into an indoor air handler and an outdoor condensing unit. The outdoor unit is usually placed on the rooftop, on a podium, or some other adjacent place. Indoor air handler and outdoor condensing unit is connected by refrigerant pipes.

Comparison between Packaged air conditioning system and Split Air Conditioning System Packaged Air Conditioning

Split Air Conditioning System

Lower energy efficiency which typically have SEER rating from 10 to 18

Energy Efficiency

Greater energy efficiency possibilities which have SEER ratings from 13 to 23

It has all the components in one box

Space Efficiency

Outdoor and indoor units are installed in different location

Cheaper installation as it is only installed outside

Price

43

Labor cost more.


2.2 Air conditioning System ( case study in IOI Boulevard ) Introduction IOI Boulevard are separated into three compartment, which are The Palette, retails and office suites. It consists of 5 storey of retails and office suites and 2 storey of basement car parks. The building is air conditioned by Chilled Water Air Conditioning System and Air Cooled Split Unit System, Chilled Water Air Conditioning System employs Water Chillers, which uses water as its refrigerant, remove heat from the water which is circulated through components to absorb heat from the space. Normally chilled water air conditioning system is commonly used in application that need large cooling capacity such as shopping mall, commercial and industrial buildings Reasons that IOI Boulevard chose this system are because it replace gas refrigerant with water to avoid pollution to the air, so that its environment friendly. It is energy saving as the chiles will not be activated until the temperature of the water reservoir reaches above a certain temperature. Low maintenance required compared to other system as it only requires to rep;ace the filters and during pipe leakage water lost instead of refrigerant that is harmful to the environment. Visually pleasant because of the absent of the large indoor and outdoor units, replace by diffusers that are mounted to the ceiling. Air cooled multi split units provides no supply of renew fresh air to the interior, the existing indoor air is recycled and recirculated. In every split unit air conditioning system, it consists of an outdoor unit which function as condenser and several indoor units which serves as a evaporator. The outdoor compressor unit pumps and cools the system’s refrigerant through the copper lines to the indoor unit. The fan inside the unit turns and distributes the cool air throughout the air. Cool air is heavier than warm air, therefore the cooled air drops, while the warmer air rises. The warm air is retrieved through the indoor unit and removed along with condensation that may have collected inside the unit back out to the compressor through the copper lines. IOI Boulevard adopted split units for the retails because it provide individual control of room temperature settings. It is also energy and cost savings, with individual control it can achieve greater efficiency at lower costs. Aesthetic wise, it has a broad indoor unit that would allow matching of style with any interior space the also allows flexible installation where retails space are limited.

44


2.2.1 HVAC Building Automation System (BAS) The chilled water air conditioning system adopted in IOI Boulevard office blocks is designed to operate by BAS. This is to allow the building owners to have more control over the heating or cooling units. The building owner can monitor the system and respond to alarms generated by the system from local or remote locations. The system can be scheduled for occupancy or the configuration can be changed from the BAS. Sometimes the Bas is directly controlling the HVAC components. Depending on the BAS different interfaces can be used. A Building Automation System distributes cooling capacity in the form of chilled water using the computer networking of electronic devices designed to monitor and control the mechanical to multiple building which is necessary for IOI Boulevard that have different blocks of office suite units through a network of pipes for use in process cooling. BAS can read the room temperature, chilled water supply and return temperature, pressure and flow rates. It collects data, perform analysis schedules equipments’ operations and provides interfacing to other services like fire alarm monitoring. The BAS system is adopted because efficient operation of building systems, and reduction in energy consumption and operating costs, and improve life cycle of utilities as compared tp traditional air cooled air conditioning system. The BAS controls the A.H.U., chiller plant and distribution network via interfacing wiring connected to the equipment respectively. 2.2.2 Chilled Water Air Conditioning System Chilled Water Air Conditioning System are serving the office suites units.

Figure 2.18 Shows the air diffusers found in the office suites to distribute air from A.H.U

45


Figure 2.19 The photo shows the square air diffusers mounted to the ceiling

2.2.3 Refrigerant cycle It begins with the evaporator where a water as a refrigerant flows over the tube bundle of the evaporator and evaporates. Absorbing heat from the chilled water circulating through the bundle.The water is then drawn out and flow through the compressor, which raises the pressure of the refrigerant. The refrigerant flows through the condenser where it condenses the vapour to liquid form, giving up its heat to the cooling water. The high pressure refrigerant passes through the expansion device that reduces its pressure and temperature as it enters the evaporator. The refrigerant flows over the chilled water coils absorbing more heat and complete the cycle.The evaporator draws hear from the region that is to be cooled. The capsized refrigerant goes back to the compressor to restart the cycle. Figure 2.20 Schematic diagram shows the refrigerant cycle

2.2.4 Air Cycle The air cycle of air conditioning system also involves, A.H.Us. The AHUs are located at the A.H.U room at its respective floors. Conditioned air from the AHU is supplied to the space via a ductwork system, the duct is constructed of rectangular metal sheet. The treated air is distributed and discharged to the space by square ceiling mounted diffusers after flowing through the duct.Air is returned after passing through the ceiling, then it is mixed up with fresh air around the space before entering the cooling coil.Fresh air is drawn into the AHU through an air grille that connects the AHU room to the external building. This fresh air grille can be adjusted manually with a volume control damper which control the amount of fresh air entering the AHU roomMixture of air is filtered through the air cleaners to remove dust and pollen 46


particlesThen further absorbs the latent heat inside the space and transferred to the chilled water at the Handling UnitThe airs cooled before passing through the diffuser into the supply air duct system. BAS used will monitor the condition of the filter. Once the condition of the filter reaches a certain level it will activate the alarm in the system to indicate the need of cleaning filters

Figure 2.21 Schematic diagram shows the air cycle in a building 2.2.5 COMPONENTS Cooling Tower

47


Figure 2.22 The figure shows the elevation of the building with the indication of cooling tower location. Source: IOI Boulevard Cooling towers are heat rejection device used to transfer heat to the atmosphere. Cooling towers in IOI Boulevard used to evaporation of water to reject the process heat and the working water is cooled to be pumped to the refrigeration machine where it cools the condenser coil. TX-S series cooling towers are employed in IOI Boulevard located at the rooftop. It is an induced draft cross-flow, film filled, FRP multi-cell rectangular cooling tower designed for the equipment cooling. Its design saves space, light weight, blends easily with architectural designs and offers low operating costs. ( “TX Series S Class� 2016 ) Figure 6.6: The photo shows the cooling Figure 6.7: Shows the view into the cooling tower tower. 2.2.6 Fan assembly and Air inlet louvers The fan assembly is used to draw or force the air through the tower. The draft of air generated cools down the water inside the tower. The air inlet louvers and screen used for this type of cooling tower is to contain the recirculating water effectively and reduces the formation of algae inside the cooling tower. With the two pass louder system, the water droplets are captured on the inward sloping pass, eliminating splash out problems. The louver design also block the water away from sunlight to eliminate the risk of algae formation and evaporation of water. Eventually, the maintenance and treatment cost are substantially reduced. Figure 2.23 Shows the view of fan assembly inside the cooling tower

Figure 2.24 Air inlet louvers outside the cooling tower

48


2.2.7 Condenser Water Pump Unit

Figure 2.25 The figure shows the elevation of the building with the indication of condenser water pump unit location. Source: IOI Boulevard A set of device by using mechanical forces to move the condenser water. The condenser water pump unit connects the chiller to the cooling tower by supply and return piping. Water cooled in the tower is transfer to the chiller, which add heat to the water and send back to the tower to repeat the process again.

Figure 2.26 This photo shows the condenser water pump unit.

49


2.2.8 Water Tanks

Figure 2.27 The figure shows the elevation of the building with the indication of water tanks location. Source: IOI Boulevard Water make up tank is located beside the cooling tower at the rooftop. This is to adopt condenser water system if there are any water loss due to cooling tower operation and others. The water supplied from the tank is being supplied to the cooling tower basin, And for the expansion tank, it is utilise in the close piping system that adopted in the IOI Boulevard, it is to allow water expansion and contraction due to the changes in temperature therefore, density changes. It is made up of Fiberglass Reinforced Polyester ( FRP ), and a PVC tubing for level indication and pipe connecting to the chilled water return pipe.

Figure 2.28 Photo shows the water tank located on the rooftop. 50


2.2.9 Chillers

Figure 2.29 The plan shows basement plan with the indication of the plant room Source: IOI Boulevard. Device that removes absorption consists of evaporator, condenser, it cooled through pipes in cooling down the 19XR single stage in IOI Boulevard, it is hermetic centrifugal chose based on its consumption during operation and low They are located inn at the basement, the switched on during would be cut off

heat from a liquid via refrigeration cycle, it compressor and down the water flow buildings, as well as building. Aqua edge series chillers are used a high-efficiency semi chiller, and it was low energy part load and full load maintenance cost. the chiller plant room chiller units are the day as the AC during the night, it is Figure 2.30 Photo shows Chiller located in the plant room also to reduce energy consumption because there will be no heat flow of human and sunlight during the night as the office blocks are closed at night, unlike the split units used in the retails that would switched on at different timing (America, 2016)

51


2.2.10 Chilled Water Pump Unit

Figure 2.31 The plan shows basement plan with the indication of the chilled water plant unit. Source: IOI Boulevard

52


The System used in IOI Boulevard include normal pumps and valves located beside the chiller. It functions to return warm water to the chiller and also pumps the chilled water to every A.H.U room. The pressure gauge enables visual verification of the state of the water refrigerant in the water line, upstream of the thermostatic expansion valve. It also enables the detection of humidity in the circuit.

2.2.11 Control Unit

Figure 2.33 Pressure gauge and temperature sensor is placed at the pump unit.

Figure 2.32 Condenser and chilled water supply/return collects the water from A.H.U and sent to cooling tower

53


Chilled water system is determined by a series of controls. It is located beside the chiller plant room, a small room accommodating all the control units. The chilled water system is controlled by BAS system. The control for the chiller is automated which monitor and control the operation system of the condenser water pump, chilled water pump and cooling tower. In order to start up the system, first of all, start the chiller. Once the chiller are signalled, the motorised valve of the cooling tower will be switched on, then the contact is activated. After the activation, the condenser water pump will start. Once the chiller detects a flow in the chilled water system, it will start automatically. Then the fan assembly for the cooling tower will start. After the water system is in operation, it will regulate the compressor to full or partially load based on total cooling load required based on the demand.

2.2.12 Air Handling Unit ( A.H.U )

Figure 2.34 The photo shows the Control unit for Building Automation System

Figure 2.35 The photo shows the Individual control panel.

An Air Handling unit is a packaged component that is found in both all-air and airwater HVAC systems. The basic function of it is to take in outside air, re-condition it and supply it as fresh air to a building. When all the exhaust air are removed, it creates an acceptable indoor air quality. Although AHUs are typically selected from a manufacturer’s catalogue and delivered to the site as a unit, a large HVAC systems may use built up AHUs that are custom designed and assembled for a given project . 54


Figure 2.36 The photo shows the air handling unit in the mechanical room.

The A.H.U in IOI Boulevard is situated in the mechanical room, where supply duct, return duct and chilled water ducts can be found. There is also a control box ( fig 6.17 ) installed with pumps, which controls and monitors the operation of A.H.U, which detects the air flow rate using the common control components including temperature sensors, humidity sensors, sail switched, motors and controllers. When the air flow rate is enough to maintain the temperature, it will signal the building management system, thus reduce the air flow to conserve energy.

Figure 2.37 The photo shows the control panel in mechanical room.

The size of Air Handling Unit is normally designed based on the building scale. In our case study building, a medium size AHU unit is used due to the open air building layout which doesn't require much active cooling system

55


Figure 2.38

Figure 2.39

Figure above shows the Ground and first floor plan of IOI Boulevard and the location of the mechanical room. Source: IOI Boulevard An A.H.U is normally placed at each floor to ensure sufficient air supply to the shop lots around the place. It is kept inside the mechanical room together with ductwork and diffusers. There are different types of configuration of an A.H.U such as inclined double deck, side by side, U-shaped and L-shaped. In our case study, the A.H.U is an Inclined-supply mixed air.

Depending upon project needs, an ai handling unit will normally include a fan, a filter and a cooling coil ( when cooling is required ) , as basic requirement. Air handling unit (AHU) comprises of: 56


Air Filter An air filter is used to clean the incoming air by filtering out the pollen particles, dust and air pollutants before releasing to the air in order to protect the fan and coil in the A.H.U unit. The filters in IOI Boulevard is replaced regularly to ensure proper function of the system. Keeping the system clean can improve the efficiency of the entire system. In our case study, fibreglass material is used due to its lower in cost. These disposable fibreglass consists of a once-inch0thick sheet of spun fibreglass providing maximum airflow while catching lint dust and large debris. However, these filters do not improve air cleanliness. Layered finer glasses are reinforced with metal grating that supports the finer glass to precent failure and collapse. ( Winterland,2009)

Figure 2.40 shows the A.H.U section of inclined-supply mixed air. Source: IOI Boulevard

57


2.2.13 Ductwork and Diffusers Ductwork is the collective name for the air distribution conduits used in HVAC system. It contain supply air from an air handling unit to the terminal through diffusers ( delivery devices within the zones ); return air ( being recycled from a zone back to the AHU ); outdoor air ( being brought into a building to assist with IAQ); exhaust air( being channelled out of the building for IAQ or pressure-balance purposes ); and relief air ( return air that is not currently needed for system balance and is being conducted to the outdoors ). (MnEEB,2015) The ducts are series of sectioned conduits, or tubes, manufactured from tin, or sheet metal, fibreglass or flexible plastics. In our case study, tin air duct is used.

Figure 2.41

Figure 2.42

The photos shows the supply ductwork which brings in the fish air from outside to the A.H.U, and return ductwork which recycle air from a shopping lots back to A.H.U

The blower fans are used to circulate the air in the system. A blower is in an Air Handling unit, placed at the beginning and end of the AHU and the ductwork. It is often augmented by fans in returning air duct, pushing the air into A.H.U to cool down again. A thermometer is found inside to control the blower fan so that it will turn on when the temperature is increasing

Figure 2.43 The photo shows diffusers located on the ceiling of delivery zone

58


Figure 2.45

Figure 2.44

Silhouette diffusers are commonly seen in the interior of IOI Boulevard. This rectangular diffusers are the most common one installed around the perimeter of a room. The blades are fixed and the trim sits below the ceiling line. Units for interior installation ( in a mechanical room ) is chosen for this building because it provides adequate access for regular maintenance refurbishment, and ultimate replacement for unit in each floor. Other than that, placing an AHU indoor could also get to the safest reasonable solution that will still allow building to be effectively utilise in ways that are both efficient and safe as the wall has been well treated with fire-resistant rated barrier.

According to UBBL section 41(2) Mechanical ventilation and air-conditioning. Any application for the waiver of the relevant by-laws shall only be considered if in addition to the permanent air-conditioning system there is provided alternative approved means of ventilating the air-conditioned system failing, not less than the stipulated volume of fresh air specified hereinafter shall be introduced into the enclosure during the period when the air-conditioning system is not functioning

59


2.2.14 AIR COOLED MULTI SPLIT UNIT SYSTEM The multi split unit system consists of an outdoor unit which can connects up 5 indoor units. It forces heated and cooled air through ducts that then deliver it to various parts of the space via registers.

- Ductless multi split system don't use ducts at all. - One or more outdoor units are mounted outside the home, and one or more indoor blower units are installed inside it.

- Suction lines , refrigerant lines and power cables run between the indoor and outdoor components

- Small holes must be drilled into walls to make these connections - Indoor units maybe mounted high up on walls, on ceiling or on floors. - Multi split systems may be controlled by remote temperature controls for added convenience.

- Optimizes comfort and saves on running costs by only heating or cooling rooms as required

Used area Retails stores, management office, security rooms and some services room are airconditioned by Air Cooled Multi Split Unit system

Figure 2.46 Split unit located in the Telekom room.

Figure 2.47 Air cooled multi split units in retails in IOI Boulevard

Figure 2.48 Air cooled multi split units in management office of IOI Boulevard. 60


2.2.15 Outdoor unit Usually located in the rear or side the retails in IOI boulevard, Most of the outdoor units were secured buy cages to prevent from stealing. The outdoor unit is where the heat from inside the shop lots is dispersed. It contains the compressor, condenser coil and a fan.

- The heat is absorbed from the rooms air is transferred to the refrigerant and then pumped to the outdoor unit.

- As this heat is absorbed and moved by the refrigerant to the outdoor coil, it passes -

through the compressor. The compressor in the air conditioning system has the primary job of moving the refrigerant throughout the system.

- Important as the refrigerant can be reuse to cool the space. - The refrigerant is compressed to a higher pressure, and moved through the outdoor coil known as the condenser.

- As the refrigerant passes through the condenser, a fan delivers ambient air across the condenser coil casting it to cool.

- The heat from the inside is dispersed to the air outside, rear alley of the retails’ blocks.

- The refrigerant is then pumped back indoors and the whole process repeats

Figure 6.38: The photo shows the Outdoor unit outside the retails were secured by railing and cages.

Figure 6.39: Outdoor unit at the back of the retails

61


The outdoor units located behind the alley was to maintain the aesthetic of the retails blocks themselves because it would not be appealing to have large amount of outdoor unit to be located at the front where people approach to the units. For thermal wise, the heat discharged by the outdoor units creates an uncomfortable environment as the temperature of the surroundings rise and obstruct the comfort of the users of the retails. According to UBBL Third schedule, section 41(2) Mechanical ventilation and airconditioning. The air inlet should be at high level with extraction points at low level. Recirculation arrangements should not be provided. The incoming air should be filtered and air conditioned ( the temperature being capable of adjustment with mechanical requirement within the range 20-24 degree Celsius ). Control over humidity of the air in the rooms should be provided to ensure that it will be within the range of 55% to 65%

6.5.2 Indoor unit It is the indoor unit that produces the cooling effect inside the room or the office. There is a great variety of choice of indoor unit being launched in the market nowadays. The indoor unit houses the evaporator coil or the cooling coil, a long blower and the filter. After passing from the expansion coil, the chilled Freon fluid enters the cooling coil. The blower sucks the hot, humid and filtered air from the room and it blows it over the cooling coil. As the air passes over cooling coil its temperature reduces drastically and also loses the excess moisture. The cool and dry air enters the room and maintains comfortable conditions of around 25-27 degree Celsius as per the requirements. There are a lot of choice of indoor units launched in the market nowadays, based on different location and needs the specific units can have their own choice of design for the specific space. For example in one of the organic shop visited, it uses three different types of indoor units which are wall mounted unit, ceiling cassette unit and ceiling suspended unit. The retail based on the space requirement to select the units, while for the cafe shown in figure 6.40, it used only ceiling cassette unit in the retail itself which shows that the large range of options of indoor units fulfil the requirement for different space usage. 62


Conclusion The air conditioning system planned in IOI Boulevard are well designed, because it uses chilled water air conditioning system for the office blocks and multi split unit system for the retails’ blocks according to respective needs. The market of multi split air conditioning system is rapidly increasing, it provides a lot of advantages.

- Cost Effectiveness. Split air conditioning system works well in situations where rooms only need to be cooled at certain times. It complied the needs of the individual unit that only required in the space where it’s needed and when it’s needed.

- Cost on it own. The individual retails will take care of their own electric bills -

based on their usage instead of sharing the maintenance and electric bills with other retails which might cause a problem for retails that use for different duration Easy installation. No ductwork is required, easy to set up. The indoor unit can be away from the outdoor condenser , yet the only space required is a small hole in a wall for the copper tubing and control wiring.

- Easy maintenance because have washable filters and require only routine cleaning

periodically. Outdoor units are designed for easy access for maintenance and repair.

- Simple control. Comes with a remote control and temperature control. - Visual aesthetic. Brought out by different types of indoor units that blend we;; into indoor decor.

- Quiet operation. The indoor units of these systems are typically quiet enough for individual businesses.

Several disadvantages

- Costs of maintenance and application will alter by time because certain series of

spare parts would not be available due to replacement of new technologies. It is estimated that purchasing and installing these air conditioners is twice as expensive as installing a window or wall air conditioner and 30% higher than installing central air conditioning.

- Installation had to be installed by HVAC professional otherwise it may cause wastage of more energy and improper temperature control.

Chilled water air conditioning system adopted for office blocks also provide quite an amount of benefits to the office blocks.

- Cost Effectiveness, chilled water cooling system can save energy costs by utilising the latest high-efficiency equipment. Water is better at absorbing heat than air plus it is plentiful and cheap; eliminating the need to use costly refrigerants can contribute greatly to the overall cost savings.

- Safety, uses of non toxic chemically-stable water as the refrigerant. 63


Several disadvantages.

- Cost for installation and maintenance. Chillers utilise external cooling tower to

transfer heat to the atmosphere, and these structure can be costly to build. They don't need to be located immediately adjacent to the building that holds the operation machinery, but they do utilise valuable real estate which adds to the cost.

- Leaks are likely to be a problem for chilled water system compared to the multi split unit system used in retails because it used a refrigerant based system compared to split unit that required a relatively small amount of refrigerant compared to the centralised system.

In conclusion, the HVAC Building Automation System and Air Cooled Multi Split Unit System of IOI Boulevard has complied with the By Laws stated in UBBL section 41 which are the guild lines for mechanical ventilation and air conditioning set by the government to be followed by blocks. With sufficient facilities and regular maintenance planned and designed for the retails and office blocks, this ensure the thermal comfort of the environment in IOI Boulevard.

64


Fire Protection System By Tan Wei Zhen

65


3.0 Fire Protective System 3.1 Literature Review 3.1.1 Introduction Fire protection is the study and practice of mitigating the unwanted effects of potentially destructive fires. It involves the study of the behaviour, compartmentalisation, suppression and investigation of fire and its related emergencies, as well as the research and development, production, testing and application of mitigating systems. In structures, be they land-based, offshore or even ships, the owners and operators are responsible to maintain their facilities in accordance with a design-basis that is rooted in laws, including the local building code and fire code, which are enforced by the Authority Having Jurisdiction. Buildings must be constructed in accordance with the version of the building code that is in effect when an application for a building permit is made. Building inspectors check on compliance of a building under construction with the building code. Once construction is complete, a building must be maintained in accordance with the current fire code, which is enforced by the fire prevention officers of a local fire department. In the event of fire emergencies, Firefighters, fire investigators, and other fire prevention personnel called to mitigate, investigate and learn from the damage of a fire. Lessons learned from fires are applied to the authoring of both building codes and fire codes. Fire protective system can be categorized into two different classifications: Active Fire Protection System and Passive Fire Protection System. Active Fire Protection is a group of systems that require some amount of action or motion in order to work efficiently in the event of a fire. Actions may be manually operated, like a fire extinguisher or automatic, like a sprinkler, but either way they require some amount of action. AFP includes fire/smoke alarm systems, sprinkler systems, and fire extinguishers as well as firefighters. Fire/smoke alarm systems are used to detect whether there is fire and/or smoke in a building. Sprinkler systems are used to help slow the growth of the fire. Fire extinguishers and firefighters are used to help put out the fire altogether. Passive Fire Protection is a group of systems that compartmentalize a building through the use of fire-resistance rated walls/floors. Compartmentalizing your building into smaller sections helps to slow or prevent the spread of fire/smoke from one room to the next. PFP helps to limit the amount of damage done to a building and provides its occupants more time for evacuation. PFP includes fire/smoke dampers, fire doors, and fire walls/floors. Dampers are used to prevent the spread of fire/smoke throughout the building through its ductwork. Fire doors help to compartmentalize a building. Firestopping helps to separate the building into compartments. Photoluminescent egress path markers help light the way to safety.

66


3.1.2 Active Fire Protection Overview Sprinkler System

Sprinkler system is a water supply system that runs along the ceiling of a building. It consists of a main pipe and distribution pipes to individual valves known as sprinkler. Sprinkler heads are activated by heat when fire burns the rubber on the sprinkler head and release the pressurized water.

Wet Riser System

Wet riser system can be found in buildings that are more than 30 floors. It is a vertical pipe installed in a building for fire fighting purposes. A wet riser is permanently charged with water from a pressurized supply to ensure that it is always filled with water.

Hose Reel System

The hose reel was installed and was intended to be used by the occupants and firemen during the early stages of fire. It is connected to the wet riser which is fully pressurized at all times. The trigger of the pump was caused by the pressure of the pipe that drops below the field adjustment setting of the pressure switch and it came into automatic operation to provide sufficient supply of water.

Fire Suppression System

It is a series of cylinders with carbon dioxide which suppressed fire in a confined room. It is suitable for areas which is highly sensitive to water such as electrical room and computer room.

Fire Extinguisher System

It is portable and effective against small fires. There are 2 types of fire extinguisher, stored-pressure and cartridgeoperated. In stored pressure units, the expellant is stored in the same chamber as firefighting agent itself.

67


Fire Alarm System

Fire alarm system serves to alert the occupants of a fire emergency. It will be the first to respond in the firefighting process compared to any other fire protection systems. A fire alarm system is an integration of fire detection, alarm/bells to detect and alert the occupants through glaring visuals of red lights. These alarms can be activated by smoke detectors, heat detectors and manual activation.

Smoke Detector

A smoke detector is a device that senses smoke, typically as an indicator of fire. Commercial security devices issue a signal to a fire alarm control panel as part of a fire alarm system, while household smoke detectors, also known as smoke alarms, generally issue a local audible or visual alarm from the detector itself.

68


3.1.3 Passive Fire Protection Overview Fire Staircase

Fire staircase serves as an emergency exit for the occupants, usually at the back of the building, protected by fire resistance walls. According to the by law, it stated that there should be no inhibition objects along the way of fire staircase. It provides a pattern of escape during the fire and any other emergency events.

Emergency Light

Emergency lights are all battery-backed lighting device that switches on automatically when a building experiences power outage.

Emergency Exit Sign

It is a fire escape sign that indicates the direction of emergency exits in a building for the occupants. It is usually installed with emergency light with bright neon green color to provide clear visual guide for the occupants.

Emergency Floor plan

It is a floor plan that indicates the possible evacuation routes in a building. Rooms containing hazardous materials are indicated by a flame symbol. The emergency floor plan usually can be found near emergency staircases and any other exits.

Fire Roller Shutter

During any fire events, the fire roller shutters in a building will automatically shut by a thermally actuated thermal link mechanism. It activates to rapidly close the roller shutters when the temperature of the fusible link approaches a predetermined temperature. Fire resistant shutter is the most effective way to resist the intense heat applied to one side of a large area door to the other, without excessive distorting 69


and affecting the fire integrity of the doors.

Fire Rated Door

A fire-resistance rating door as part of protection system to reduce the rate of spread of fire between separated compartments of a structure. All fire doors are installed with appropriate fire resistance fittings. Fire doors are usually built along the escape routes and the corridor of the fire escape staircase to ensure safety during escape.

Fire Rated Wall

A fire rated wall is a fire resistant barrier serves to preclude the spread of fire for a certain rated period of time. Fire rated walls can be used as a separation of building and fire areas and are constructed in accordance with the locally applicable building codes. Fire walls are usually made of drywall/gypsum board partitions with wood/metal frame studs. They are typically continuous from a floor below to a floor/roof above, having a fire resistance rating equal or greater than the required rating for the application.

Compartmentation

According to UBBL, all the fire risk area should be allocated evenly and separately for the building to reduce fire spreading from one point to another. Boiler rooms, laundries, repair shops containing hazardous materials, large storage areas, liquefied petroleum gas storage, linen room, transformer rooms, and flammable liquid store shall be separated from other area of occupancy in which they are located by fire resisting construction of elements of structure of FRP to be determined by local authorities based on the degree of hazard.

70


3.2 IOI Boulevard Fire Protection System Overview

Figure 3.1 Front entrance of IOI Boulevard

IOI Boulevard in Puchong is a commercial area with buildings occupied by large amount of offices. It houses mostly restaurants and merchants on the ground floor. IOI Boulevard has no record or history of fire due to its well maintenance. Fire hydrants within the area are often obstructed by illegal parking during the lunch or peak hours, causing the potential of delay of fire rescue. The nearest fire department station is 1.2km away, which takes around 3 minutes of the reaction time. Being a huge building, IOI Boulevard has quite a complete array of active and passive fire protection system in order to protect and allow the occupants to leave the building safely and systematically during fire events.

71


3.3 Active Fire Protection

Figure 3.2 Fire Protection Procedure of IOI Boulevard

Active fire protection is a system that protects and allows the occupants in the building to escape safely and systematically with the help of methods that optimize the usage moving parts. These systems can be operated in automatic order or manual order, but they do require actions in order to work. The diagram above shows the procedure of how IOI boulevard deals with active fire protection.

72


3.3.1 Sprinkler

Figure 3.3 Upright sprinkler

According to UBBL 1984 Section 226: Automatic system for hazardous occupancy. Where hazardous processes, storage or occupancy are of such character as to require automatic sprinkler or other automatic extinguishing system, it shall be of a type and standard appropriate to extinguish fires in the hazardous materials should stored or handle for the safety of the occupants There are 2 types of sprinkler used in IOI Boulevard, upright sprinkler and recessed pendant sprinkler. The wet pipe sprinkler systems installed in the basement car park,where water is supplied by sprinkler tank located in the water pump room. The upright sprinkler projected water upwards and has a built in detector. The Other type of sprinkler used is recessed pendant sprinkler shoots water downwards with circular motion. They are installed at public corridors and interior of the shop lot units.

73


Figure 3.4 Location of upright sprinkler at lower ground floor

74


3.3.2 Smoke Detector

Figure 3.5 Smoke detector

According to UBBL 1984 Section 153: Smoke detectors for lift lobbies (1) All lift lobbies shall be provided with smoke detectors (2) Lift not opening into a smoke lobby shall not use door reopening devices controlled by light beam or photo-detectors unless incorporated with a force close feature with after thirty seconds of any interruption of the beam causes the door to close within a present time. The Authority requires every big building to provide smoke detector for fire protection. They are mostly placed on the ceiling beneath the basement area. They are uutomatically triggered when detectors sense smoke in particular area. In ionization smoke detector, it consists of ionization chamber with 2 plates. The battery will send voltage to the plates and disrupts the ionization process between the 2 plates. 3.3.3 Fire Intercom System

Figure 3.6 Fire Intercom

Fire intercom system in each emergency escape of IOI Boulevard. It connects the line to the fire control room. The alert lamp will flash at master control room and audible signal when receives calls and then the fire station will contact fire control room to notify management office. 75


3.3.4 Main Fire Control Panel

Figure 3.7 Main fire control panel

The main fire control panels control and receive information and data from all the sensors designed to identify changes related to fire. It monitors functioning, integrity and provides automatic control of equipment and transmission of data. Besides, they can also supply electricity to activate any connected sensor, transmitter, control. 3.3.5 Fire Alarm

Figure 3.8 Fire Alarm

According to UBBL 1984 Section 237: Fire alarms. (1) Fire alarms shall be provided in accordance with the Tenth Schedule to these By-laws. (2) All Premises and buildings with gross floor area excluding car park and storage areas exceeding 9290 square meters or exceeding 30.5 meters in height shall be provided with a stage two alarm system with evacuation (continuous signal) to be given immediately in the affected section of the premises while an alert (intermittent signal) be given in adjoining section. (3) Provision shall be made for general evacuation of the premises by action of a master control. 76


The fire alarm will creates loud alert sound to alert the occupants in a particular building or area. An electromagnet, consisting coils of insulated wire wound iron rods and current will flow through coils once electric is applied. The rods became magnetic and attract a piece of iron attached to the clapper to create sound to alert occupants. 3.3.6 Fire Hydrant

Figure 3.9 Section of a fire hydrant

According to UBBL 1984 Section 225: Detecting and extinguishing fire. (1) Every building shall be provided with means of detecting and extinguishing fire and with fire alarms together with illuminated exit signs in accordance with the requirements as specified in the Tenth Schedule to the By-laws. (2) Every building shall be served by at least one fire hydrant located not more than 91.5 meters from the nearest point of fire brigade access. (3) Depending on the size and location of the building and the provision of access for fire appliances, additional fire hydrant shall be provided as may be required by the Fire Authority. The usage of fire hyrant is to allow firefighters to gain water supply easily and efficiently. They are usually installed at open space area due to convenient purposes. Connect the hose to the hydrant and the valve will open to release highly pressured water. Firefighters connects the hose to a fire truck which the pump will boost the water pressure and causing it to shoot out from the attached fire truck.

77


Figure 3.10 Location of fire hydrants at the ground floor.

78


3.3.7 Water Tank

Figure 3.11 Water tank for fire fighting

According to UBBL 1984 Section 247: Water storage. (1) Water storage capacity and water flow ratefor fire fighting systems and installations shall be provided in accordance with the scale as set out in the Tenth Schedule to these By-laws. (2) Main water storage tanks within the building, other than for hose reel systems, shall be located at ground, first or second basement levels, with fire brigade pumping inlet connections accessible to fire appliances. (3) Storage tanks for automatic sprinkler installations where full capacity is provided without need for replenishment shall be exempted from the restrictions in their installations The water tank stores water that is provided by government SYABAS for all the existing sprinklers and wet risers in the building. The water level indicate the level of water in the water tank to ensure there is enough capacity of water. Water will be transferred from suction tank to the pumps and will be pressurized to all the sprinklers during emergency. Water will flow to the pumps and pressurized upwards to the wet risers when they are turned on.

79


3.3.8 Fire Sprinkler Control Valve

Figure 3.12 Sprinkler alarm

According to UBBL 1984 Section 228: Sprinkler Valves. (1) Sprinkler valves shall be located in a safe n denclosed position on the exterior walls and shall be readily accessible to the Fire Authority. (2) All sprinkler systems shall be electricity connected to the nearest fire station to provide immediate and automatic relay of the alarm when activated. The water pressure in the fire system will increase during emergency. Once the pressure reaches a point, the alarm gong that is connected to the system will send an alert to the nearest fire station. It is attached to the suction tank and sprinkler pipes that exist in the building.

80


3.3.9 Hose Reel and Wet Riser System

Figure 3.13 Hose reel

According to UBBL 1984 Section 231: Installation and testing of wet rising system. (1) Wet rising systems shall be provided in every building in which the topmost floor is more than 30.5 meters above fire appliances access level. (2) A hose connection shall be provided in each fire fighting access lobby. (3) Wet risers shall be minimum 152.4 millimeters diameter and shall be hydrostatically tested at a pressure 50% above the working system required and not less than 14 bars for at least twenty-four hours. (4) Each wet riser outlet shall comprise standard 63.5 millimeters instantaneous coupling filled with a hose not less than 38.1 millimeters diameter equipped with an approved type cradle and variable for nozzle. (5) A wet riser shall be provided in every staircase which extends from the ground floor level to the roof and shall be equipped with a three-way 63.5 millimeter outlets above the roof line. (6) Each stage of the wet riser shall not exceed 61 meters, unless expressly permitted by D.G.F.S but in no case exceeding 70.15 meters. According to UBBL 1984 Section 248: Marking on wet riser, etc. (1) Wet risers, dry risers, sprinkler and other fire installation pipes and fittings shall be painted red. (2) All cabinets and areas recessed in walls for location of fire installations and extinguishers shall be clearly identified to the satisfaction of the Fire Authority or otherwise clearly identified. 81


A hose reel is to allow the occupants in the building can use it for firefighting at the early stages of fire. They are usually connected to the wet riser which is pressurized at all times.

82


3.4 Passive Fire Protection Passive fire protection falls under planning of the design of a building. The passive fire protection is the use of fire barrier systems that are integrated into the structure of a building. The purpose is to contain fire and slow the rate at which they spread. Below are the components that founds through this case study project. Fire escape:

1. Command and control center 2. Emergency exit sign 3. Emergency light 4. Emergency floor plan 5. Fire evacuation route 6. Fire rescue access 7. Fire staircase 8. Fire door 9. Fire Roller Shutter

Fire Barrier:

1. Fire barrier gate 2. Fire rated doors 3. Fire rated walls 4. Smoke curtain 5. Compartmentation

Fire Control: 1. Natural smoke and heat ventilation

83


3.4.1 Command and Control Center

Figure 3.14 Command and control screen

According to UBBL 1984 Section 238: Command and Control Center Energy large premises or building exceeding 30.5 meters in height shall be provided with a command and control center located on the designated floor and shall contain a panel to monitor the public address, fire brigade communication, sprinkler, water flow detectors, fire detection and alarm system with a direct telephone connection to appropriate fire station by-passing the switch board. The command and control center in IOI Boulevard was found at the ground of a back alley. It is integrated with security alarm and some mechanical transport control.

84


3.4.2 Emergency Exit Sign

Figure 3.15 Emergency exit sign

According to UBBL 1984 Section 172: Emergency Exit Signs. (1) Storey exits and access to such exits shall be marked by readily visible signs and shall not be obscured by any decorations, furnishings or other equipments. (2) A sign reading “KELUAR” with an arrow indicating the direction shall be placed in every location where the direction of travel to reach the nearest exit is not immediately apparent. (3) Every exit sign shall have the word “KELUAR” in plainly legible letters not less that 150 millimeters high with the principal strokes of the letter not less than 18 millimeters wide. The lettering shall be in red against the black background. (4) All exit signs shall be illuminated continuously during periods of occupancy. (5) Illuminated signs shall be provided with two electric lamps of not less than fifteen watts each. The emergency exit signage is found above every fire rated door at the back of each shops. The sign serves the purpose to direct the occupants to the back alley where firemen access for search and rescue.

85


3.4.3 Emergency Light

Figure 3.16 Emergency light

The emergency lights in IOI Boulevard function as an individual battery based component. This is because it could still function automatically during power failure. They are usually installed in exits, stairs, corridors, ramps, and at the exit discharge pathways that lead to a public way. Emergency light is an important component in IOI Boulevard, maintenance would be commenced frequently.

Figure 3.17 Emergency lights position 86


3.4.4 Emergency Floor plan

Figure 3.18 Emergency floor plan

The emergency floor plans in IOI Boulevard are found beside the fire escape door at every floor. The emergency floor plan indicated the mechanical transport that are prohibited during fire event due to risk of power failure. Yellow area indicates escape area and exit staircases for the red.

87


3.4.5 Fire Evacuation Route

Figure 3.19 Fire evacuation route of IOI Boulevard

According to UBBL 1984 Section 178: Exits for institutional and other places of assembly In buildings classified as institutional or places of assembly, exits to a street or large open space, together with staircases, corridors and passengers leading to such exits shall be located, seperated or protected as to avoid any undue danger to the occupants of the place of assembly from fire originating in the other occupancy or smoke therefrom. According to UBBL 1984 Section 169: Exit Routes No exit route may reduce in width along its path of travel from storey exit to final exit. The outer ring with front facing escape route for occupants to escape during fire events. The fire staircases are located at the back of the building. Occupants can choose the fastest and safest exit to the main road during the fire event. 88


3.4.6 Fire Rescue Access

There are two main entrances into the building, one from the front and another entrance is through the back. The nearest fire station is 1.2km away.

89


3.4.7 Fire Staircase

Figure 3.20 Fire staircase position and dimensions

According to UBBL 1984 Section 165: Exits to be accessible at all times/ (1) Except as permitted by-law 167 not less than two separated exits shall be provided from each storey together such additional exits as may be necessary. According to UBBL 1984 Section 168: Staircase. (1) Except as provided for in by-laws 194 every upper floor shall have means of egress via at least two separate staircases. (2) Staircases shall be of such width that I the event of any one staircase not being for escape purpose the remaining staircase shall accommodate the highest occupancy load of any one floor discharging into calculated in accordance with provisions in the seventh schedule to these by-laws. 90


(3) The required width of staircase shall be the clear width between walls but handrails may permitted to encroach on this width to a maximum of 75 millimeters. (4) The required width for staircase shall be maintained throughout its length incldng at landings. (5) Doors giving access to staircases shall be so positioned that their swing shall at no point encroach on the required width of the staircase or landing. Fire staircases are vertical escape component of evacuation route, easily accessible from the inside and outside of the building. It is specially designed for emergency escape while also allowing firemen to enter the building. In IOI Boulevard, two fire staircases were found in a single unit of shop lot, which allows user to choose the safest escape route during the case of emergency. 3.4.8 Fire Door

Figure 3.21 Fire resistant door

According to UBBL 1984 Section 162: Fire doors in compartment walls and separating walls (1) Fire doors of appropriate FRP shall be provided (2) Openings in compartment walls and separating walls shall be protected by a fire door having a FRP in accordance with the requirement for that wall specified in the ninth schedule to these by-laws. (3) Openings in protecting structures shall be protected by fire doors having FRP not less than half the requirement for the surrounding wall specified in the ninth schedule to these by-laws but in no case less than half hour. (4) Openings in partitions enclosing a protected corridor or lobby shall be protected by fire doors having FRP of half-hour. 91


(5) Fire doors including frames shall be constucted to a specification which can be shown to meet the requirements for the relevant FRP when tested in accordance with section 3 of BS 476:1951. Fire resistant doors are used to separate compartments in building to stop the spreading of fire. It suppresses the fire by restricting the flow of oxygen and spread of flames. In IOI Boulevard, the doors are placed at the entrance of the fire staircase, protecting the evacuating occupants during emergency. 3.5 Conclusion In conclusion, we have concluded that the fire protection system in IOI Boulevard is complete and fully active in operation. The architect abide by UBBL Law (Part VII - Fire Requirements) in terms of designing efficient passive fire protection systems. The management team also done their parts by maintaining the active protection system components. Our analysis affirms that the fire protection system in IOI Boulevard is up to par with requirements for the authorities.

92


Mechanical Transport System By Jack Chung Da Jie

93


4.0 Mechanical Transport System

4.1.1 Introduction

The Mechanical Transportation of people & goods is an energy- using service which needs the designer’s attention at the earliest stages of building design. Standards of service rise with expectations of quality by the final user and with the provision of access for disabled people. The principles of transportation systems are outlined & reference is made of movement between buildings. The common types of transportation system are the integrate in modern buildings are elevators, escalators & travelators.

Figure 4.4.0 ELEVATOR Source: (Kaplanlawyers, 2015)

Figure 4.4.1 ESCALATOR

Source: (Dentolawfirm, 2015)

Figure 4.4.2 TRAVELATOR
 Source: (Gulfelevators, 2012)

Literature Review based on

ELEVATOR
 - an elevator or lift is a type of vertical transportation that raising or lowering people or goods between floors (levels, decks) of a building, vessel, or other structure. 
 
 ESCALATOR
 - an escalator is a type of vertical transportation in the form of moving staircase - a conveyor transport device for carrying people between floors of a building
 
 TRAVELATOR
 - a travelator is slow moving conveyor mechanism that transports people across a horizontal or inclined plane over a short to medium distance

94


4.1.2 ELEVATOR

Elevator is an example of vertical transportation system, which use for raising and lowering people or goods to different floors of building. Vertical transportation is requirement of any building which exceed 4 storeys to overcome the concentrated of human flows within certain periods of working day. According to the By-Law 124 of UBBL 1984, an elevator is needed to provide in a non-residential building which exceeds 4 storeys if access of the elderly & disabled is required. 
 By-Law 124 of UBBL 1984 -Lift
 For all non-residential buildings exceeding 4 storeys above or below the main access level at least one lift shall be provided Elevators can be classified into 4 main types of hoist mechanism which are: Traction Elevator

Hydraulic Elevator

Climbing Elevator

Pneumatic Elevator

Various types of elevators can be classified from the main hoist mechanism of Traction Elevator Traction Elevator

Machine room (MR) Traction Elevator

Machine room-less (MRL) Traction Elevator

Gear-less Traction

Geared Traction

Various types of elevators can be classified from the main hoist mechanism of Hydraulic Elevator

Hydraulic Elevator

Machine room-less (MRL) Hydraulic Elevator

Holed Hydraulic

Holeless Hydraulic

95

Roped Hydraulic


4.1.3 TRACTION ELEVATOR Traction Elevator are lifted by ropes, which pass over wheel attached to an electric motor above the elevator shaft. They are used for mid & high-rise applications & have much higher travel speeds than hydraulic elevators. A counter weight makes the elevators more efficient by offsetting the weight of the car & occupants so that the motor doesn't have to move as much weight.

Traction Elevator Machine room (MR) Traction

Machine room-less (MRL)

Elevator

Traction Elevator

Gear-less Traction

Geared Traction

GEAR-LESS TRACTION ELEVATOR

Gearless traction machines are low-speed (low-RPM), high-torque electric motors powered either by AC or DC. The traction sheave is connected directly to the shaft of the traction motor & the motor rotation (speed) is transmitted directly to the traction sheave without any intermediate gearing. Fearless traction elevators can reach speeds of up to 20m/s (4,000 ft/ min)

Figure 4.4.3 gear-less machine
 Soruce: (mitsubishielectric, 2015)

Figure 4.4.4 schematic diagram of gear-less traction elevator
 Source: (usf, 2013)

96


Traction Elevator

Machine room (MR) Traction Elevator

Machine room-less (MRL) Traction Elevator

Gear-less Traction

Geared Traction

GEARED TRACTION ELEVATOR

Geared traction machine are driven by AC or DC electric motors. Geared machines use worm gears to control mechanical movement of elevator cars by “rolling” steel hoist ropes over a drive sheave which is attached to a gearbox driven by a high-speed motor. These machines are generally the best option for basement or overhead traction use for speeds up to 3m/s (500 ft/min)

Figure 4.4.5 geared machine

Soruce: (mitsubishielectric, 2015)

Figure 4.4.6 section diagram of geared traction elevator
 Source: (Xinda, 2014)

97


Traction Elevator

Machine room-less (MRL) Traction Elevator

Machine room (MR) Traction Elevator

Gear-less Traction

Geared Traction

MACHINE ROOM-LESS (MRL) TRACTION ELEVATOR

Machine room-less elevators are traction elevators that do not have a dedicated machine room above the elevator shaft. The machine sits in the override space and is accessed from the top of the elevator cab when maintenance or repairs are required. The control boxes are located in a control room that is adjacent to the elevator shaft on the highest landing and within around

Figure 4.4.8 schematic diagram of MRL traction elevator
 Soruce: (arhtoolbox, 2015)

Figure 4.4.7 differences of MR & MRL elevator
 Soruce: (kone, 2015)

Machine room-less (MRL) traction elevator becoming the most popular choice for mid-rise building
 
 - creates more usable space
 - uses no oil (assuming it is traction elevator)
 - all components are above ground similar to roped hydraulic type elevators
 - operate at faster speeds than hydraulics but not normal traction units 
 - use less energy (70-80% less than the standard of hydraulic elevators) 
 - slightly lower cost than the other elevators; significantly so for the hydraulic MRL elevator

98


4.1.4 HYDRAULIC ELEVATOR

Hydraulic elevators are supported by a piston at the bottom of the elevator that pushes the elevator up as an electric motor forces oil or another hydraulic fluid into the piston. The elevator descends as a valve release the fluid from the piston. They are used for low-rise application of 2-8 stories and travel at a maximum speed of 200 feet per minute. The machine room for hydraulic elevators is located at the lowest level adjacent to the elevator shaft. Hydraulic Elevator

Machine room-less (MRL) Hydraulic Elevator

Holed Hydraulic

Holeless Hydraulic

Roped Hydraulic

Holed hydraulic system’s effects, the elevator car is mounted on a piston that travels inside a cylinder. The cylinder extends into ground to a depth equal to the height the elevator will rise. As hydraulic fluid is pumped into the cylinder through a valve, the car rises. As the fluid returns to the reservoir, the car descends. This system is often called Inground Hydraulic. Holed Hydraulic Elevator Advantages 
 - out of all the application types, it is the easiest to install 
 - accommodates front and rear openings in any configuration 
 - lowest material cost for application
 - no extensive pit or overhead is required 
 - available for both low and high capacity cars

Disadvantages
 - the jack must go down into the ground roughly the same distance as the desired travel 
 - areas with frequent seismic activity will have the greatest risk of oil contamination 
 - expensive to drill a jack hole and may be nearly impossible in certain structural or geologic conditions

99

Figure 4.4.9 Holed Hydraulic Elevator 
 Soruce: (electricalknowhow, 2013)


Hydraulic Elevator

Machine room-less (MRL) Hydraulic Elevator

Holed Hydraulic

Holeless Hydraulic

Roped Hydraulic

Holeless hydraulic consists of pistons mounted inside the hoist way in order to rise and lower the car. A solution for building built in bedrock, a high water table or unstable soil condition locations that can make digging the hole required for a conventional hydraulic elevator impractical. Homeless hydraulic systems use a direct- acting piston to raise the car. Holeless Hydraulic Elevator Advantages 
 - accommodates front and rear openings in any configuration 
 - available for both low and high capacity cars 
 - jack hole is not required. This eliminates the cost of drilling and the risk of oil contamination

Disadvantages
 - a wider hoist way for the jack is required 
 - material cost is typically higher than the inground package 
 - usually requires more overhead than an inground project. The greater travel, the greater the overhead must be Figure 4.4.10 Holeless Hydraulic Elevator 
 Soruce: (schumacherelevator, 2014)

100


Hydraulic Elevator

Machine room-less (MRL) Hydraulic Elevator

Holed Hydraulic

Roped Hydraulic

Holeless Hydraulic

Roped hydraulic elevator extends the rise of the homeless elevator to 18 meters (60ft), without the need of a below ground cylinder. Roped hydraulic elevator systems have the piston attached to a sheave which has a rope passing through it. One end is attached to the car while the other is secured at the bottom of the hoist way. This system requires a governor because the rope is holding the car up.

Roped Hydraulic Elevator

Advantages 
 - accommodates front and rear openings in any configuration. Available for both low and high capacity cars
 - no extensive pit or overhead is required. Large platform design and high capacity projects can be accommodated
 - jack hole are not required even though the travel can be as great as 100 feet

Disadvantages
 - installation time is greater than the inground application 
 - wider hoist way for the jacks and roped equipment are required

Figure 4.4.11 Roped Hydraulic Elevator 
 Soruce: (electricalknowhow, 2013)

101


Traction Elevator

Hydraulic Elevator

Pneumatic Elevator

Climbing Elevator

4.1.5 CLIMBING ELEVATOR Climbing elevator is a self-ascending elevator with its own propulsion. The propulsion can be done by an electric or a combustion engine. Climbing elevators are used in guys masts or towers, in order to make easy access to parts of these constructions, such as flight safety lamps for maintenance. These elevators are often used in working and construction site.

Figure 4.4.12 Climbing Elevator
 Soruce: (electricalknowhow, 2013)

Traction Elevator

Hydraulic Elevator

Climbing Elevator

4.1.6 PNEUMATIC ELEVATOR Pneumatic elevators are raised and lowered by controlling air pressure in a chamber in which the elevator sits. By simple principles of physics; the difference in air pressure above and beneath the vacuum elevator cab literally transports cab by air. It is the vacuum pumps or turbines that pull cab up to the next Floor and the slow release of air pressure that floats cab down. They are especially ideal for existing homes due to their compact design because excavating a pit and hoist way are not required.

Figure 4.4.13 Pneumatic Elevator
 Soruce: (pveelevators, 2013)

102

Pneumatic Elevator


4.1.7 ESCALATOR

An escalator is a type of vertical transportation in the form of moving staircase - a conveyor transport device for carrying people between floors of a building. The device consists of a motordriven chain of individually linked steps that move up or down on tracks, allowing the step treads to remain horizontally. Escalator also provide an immediate means of transportation which mean it is able to continuously conveys to move large number of people. Unlike elevator, no waiting time needed during peak hours. An escalator can function as a normal staircase when its power down. The speed of the escalator is varies between 0.45m/s to 0.7m/s and the width of the tread is varies between 600mm - 1200mm. Single continuous (one-way traffic)

This arrangement used mainly in smaller departments stores to link three sales levels. It requires more space than the interrupted arrangement. 
 Single non-continuous (one-way traffic)

This arrangement is somehow inconvenient for users, the spatial separation between up and down travel is ideal for leading customers past strategically placed advertising displays

103


Double non-continuous (two-way traffic)

This arrangement is used mainly in department stores and public transport building with a heavy traffic volume. This arrangement is economical, since no inner lateral claddings are required.

Criss-cross continuous (two-way traffic)

This arrangement is used mainly in big department stores, office buildings and public transport objects where efficient travel of persons between floors is of high importance.

Figure 4.4.14 escalator arrangment 
 Soruce: (gmv-eu, 2013)

104


ESCALATOR PART DIAGRAM

Figure 4.4.15 escalator components 
 Soruce: (robsonferensic, 2011)

105


4.1.8 TRAVELATOR

Travelator is a slow moving conveyor mechanism that transport people across a horizontal or inclined plane over a short to medium distance. Moving walkways can be used by standing or walking on them. They are often installed in pairs, one for each direction. The moving surface normally are cover with reinforced rubber belt or series of linked steel plate running on the roller.

Pallet Type Travelator

Figure 4.4.16 pallet type travelator
 Soruce: (electricknowhow, 2013)

A continuous series of flat metal plates join together to form a walkway - and are effectively identical to escalators in their construction. Most have a metal surface, though some models have a rubber surface for extra traction. Moving Belt Type Travelator

Figure 4.4.17 moving belt type travelator
 Soruce: (electricknowhow, 2013)

These are generally built with mesh metal belts or rubber walking surfaces over metal rollers. The walking surface may have a solid feel or a “bouncy” feel. 106


4.2 Mechanical Transportation case study in IOI Boulevard 4.2.1 Introduction

After completed the literature review, which provides the general understanding of the mechanical transportation system. The report will further research on the mechanical transportation by conducting the case study of the real-life building, which is the IOI Boulevard. The case study will identify the type of components and the operation systems which used in the building along with supporting information such as UBBL requirement & schematic diagram of the system for the further elaboration. Self-analysis will be included based on the observation on the mechanical transportation of the IOI Boulevard. 4.2.2 Mechanical Transportation System Supplier

Figure 8.0 potensi terus offical webbsite
 Soruce: (pti-elevator, 2006)

All the mechanical transpiration systems in that used in IOI Boulevard building are supplied by the same company, which is the POTENSI TERUS INDUSTRIES SDN. BHD. Potensi Terus is an authorised distributor of all kind of mechanical transportation, like Elevator, Escalator & Travelator. Beside it also provide one- stop total service for the lift & escalator installation, maintenance & servicing, repair. There is two types of mechanical transportation that Potensi Terus supplied for the IOI Boulevard, which is the elevator & escalator. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 107





4.2.3 ELEVATOR

IOI Boulevard is an office building which considered of 6 different blocks, which is Block A, B, C, D, E & F. With the total of 7 floors, elevator is a requirement to install in the building to carry people or goods to different levels. There are total 60 geared traction elevators installed in the IOI Boulevard & all the elevator are the passenger lift. Amount of the elevator installed is depend on the size of the building block. The operating hour for the elevator will start from 0800 until 2200. 2 elevators are grouped together at one entrance. BY-LAW 124 OF UBBL 1984, it stated that for all non-residential buildings which exceeded 4 stores above or below the main access level should provide at least one lift

Figure 8.2 ground floor plan with the position of elevator


Analysis: There is no service lift can be found in the IOI Boulevard. The IOI Boulevard use the normal passenger lift to function as a service lift to carry goods. The reason is because IOI Boulevard is an office building which mean no heavy goods & items will be transfer through different level frequently. So, passenger lift are the only type used.

108





4.2.4 Lift Entrance

Figure 8.3 view in to the entrance of elevator

The 2 passenger lifts from the same entrance are separated. Due to the reason of privacy for different company office & reduce the congestion of one lift. Both lift transfer people to every floor but enter to different office units.

Figure 8.4 cut out plan with indication of the staircase

Figure 8.5 exit logo linked with emergency staircase

Staircase was installed opposite the lift which allow the occupants easier to access to different floors if the lift is power down or after the operating hour. 


109


4.2.5 Emergency Signal Panel

Figure 8.6 location of control center

Figure 8.7 emergency panel in control center

The command & control centre in IOI Boulevard is located at the ground floor level. The emergency signal panel was installed in the control room, each of the red LED bulbs represents each of the elevator. The LED bulb light up when emergency happened & it allow the technician to take action immediately. 
 8.3.3 CCTV




CCTV is installed in every shaft and operated 24/7. The CCTVs are integrate with the command and control center for security purpose.

Figure 8.8 cctv in lift

Figure 8.9 monitors which link to the cctv (command center)

110


4.2.6 Ventilated Holes

BY-LAW 151 OF UBBL 1984 - Ventilation to lift shaft 
 Lift shaft shall be provided with vents of not less than 0.09 square meter per lift located at the top of the shaft. Where the vent does not discharge directly to the open air, the lift shafts shall be vented to the exterior through a duct of the required FRP as for the lift shafts.

Figure 8.10 ventilated holes inside the lift

Ventilated holes allow air flow through into the lift car from the lift shaft. It prevents passenger inside suffocate when inside the enclosed lift car or when lit power down.

4.2.7 Emergency Alarm and Intercom System

Figure 8.11 alarm

and intercom button

Figure 8.12 interphone at lobby

Emergency alarm button is provided inside the lift shaft which allow the passenger alert the alarm & transfer emergency signal to the command & control center. Besides, an intercom button is also provided inside the lift shaft which connected to the interphone located at the ground floor entrance. The intercom system allow the rescuer to communicate with passenger who trapped inside the lift.

111


4.2.8 Emergency Power Control Panel BY-LAW 154 OF UBBL 1984 - 
 Emergency mode of operation in the event of main power failure 
 On failure of main power of lift shall return in sequence directly to the designated floor, commencing with the fire lifts, without answering any car or landing calls & park with doors open. The emergency power control panel will be switch on when there is a cut-off in electricity or main control system panel is not function. The genes will be generated immediately as backup power supply, the car will be land at the ground floor & door is opened to allow user to leave the car.

4.2.9 Fire Door

Figure 8.13 emergency control panel installed beside main panel

8.3.8 Air Vent

Figure 8.14 fire door which access to fire staircase

Figure 8.15 air vent at lobby

Air vent is installed to provide ventilation to the lift lobbies and in case of fire

Fire door is located beside the lift, help for people to escape from the fire easily when the elevator power down

112


4.2.10 Passenger life capacity

Figure 8.16 capacity load marked in lift panel

All of the passenger lift in the IOI Boulevard have the same capacity which able to carry the load of 750kg (11 persons)

Figure 8.17 floor indicator outside lift landing

Floor level indicator are located besides the lift opening of every floor

113


4.2.12 Lift Motor Room

Figure 8.18 door of the lift motor room

Figure 8.19 location of the lift motor room

The two geared traction machine which grouped together are installed into the same lift motor room. Every lift motor room are located at the highest floor of each blocks of the building. 4.2.13 Lift System Control Panel

Figure 8.20 lift control panel which connected to geared machine

Each of lift consisted of one control system panel which control the operation of the elevator. The control panel indicate the movement, speed and position of the car.

4.2.14 Geared Traction Elevator

Figure 8.21 geared machine

Geared traction elevators are used in the IOI Boulevard. This design utilizes a mechanical speed reduction gear set to reduce the rpm of the drive motor (input speed) to suit the required speed of the drive sheave and elevator (output speed)

114


4.2.15 Geared Machine Component

Figure 8.22 Drive motor

Figure 8.25 Manual Wheel

Figure 8.23 Gear Box

Figure 8.26 Deflector Sheave

Figure 8.24 Overspeed Governor

Figure 8.27 Drive Sheave

115


8.4.4 I-Beam

8.4.5 Mechanical Fan

Figure 8.28 I-beam found on ceiling

Figure 8.29 mechanical fan found inside the lift motor room

An I-beam is installed on the top of the traction machine which allow the technician to hang on it. It is easier to shift the machine or repairing

The mechanical fan is installed in the motor room. It help to radiate the heat from the motor room to outside when the traction machine overheat

4.2.17 Ventilation Opening

4.2.18 Safety Cover and Sign

Figure 8.30 opening found are also found inside the lift motor room

Figure 8.31 wire cover found on the floor

The mechanical fan is installed in the motor room. It help to radiate the heat from the motor room to outside when the traction machine overheat

All the wires connect to the traction machines are fully covered and protected to prevent damage of wires

116





4.2.19 Schematic Diagram of Elevator

Figure 8.32 Front view of passenger lift with indicating components & dimension

Figure 8.33 Schematic diagram of the dimension & position of the MMR elevator




117


4.2.20 ESCALATOR There is total of 8 escalators can be found in the IOI Boulevard, which located at the ground floor level and connected to the basement B1 and basement B2. Due to the reason of upper floor levels are office used purpose, therefore the escalators are only use in the public area such as ground floor and car park basements. The escalator are able to withstand of 4800 person per hour at the speed of 0.5 minute per second with a travel height range until 6 meters.

Figure 8.34 location of the escalator at ground floor

Figure 8.35 location of the escalator

4.2.21 Escalator Arrangement

Figure 8.36 parallel layout with interrupted in two way direction

This arrangement is economical and at the same time reduce the space wastage, since no inner lateral claddings are required

118


4.2.22 Escalator Components 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Figure 8.37 Direction Indicator

Figure 8.40 Safety Sign

Figure 8.38 Truss

Figure 8.41 Control Panel

Assembly of structural steel that supports the weight and load of an escalator

Figure 8.39 Step Thread

Controls stop or starts operation and also supplies electric power to the Drive Unit

Riser

Figure 8.42 Sensor

The escalator will start moving when the sensor senses the human movement

119


4.2.23 Escalator Components

Figure 8.43 Comb 


A section or steel plate with teeth that mesh with the step cheat at the boarding and landing areas, to prevent fingers, feet or foreign objects from getting caught between the moving steps and floor plate

Figure 8.44 Landing Plate

120


Figure 8.45 Skirt Guard 


The lowest panel within the Balustrade, located immediately below the inner deck and adjacent to the steps at a slight gap from the steps

Figure 8.46 Moving Handrail 


A handhold that moves along the top of the Balustrade in synchronization with the steps

121


5.0 Conclusion In conclusion, we have done the research and acquired basic understanding about the functions of each and every system studied. From what we have analyzed about the service systems in IOI Boulevard is that personal experiences and analysis, the mechanical ventilation system used at IOI Boulevard is at satisfactory. The systems used are more on basic and traditional, the system planning is not sufficient enough to maintain the temperature at a comfortable level for the users. The air at the underground is rather stuffy and humid, we believe this is caused by the lack of use of a better and more innovated ventilation system. The type and number of axial fan used were not enough to accommodate the large space of the basement parking. On the other side at the upper floor of the building, the supply air grille/fan ventilation system plays a good role in keeping the central mall ventilated throughout the day. The exhaust system installed to each unit are also working well and in good condition, the ductworks are also arranged in neat and systematic manner along the back alley, the ventilation inside the shop units is much better compared to the other spaces in the building like the carpark and management office. Well planned ventilation system with better technology and efficiency can be proposed to be installed in the building for example a balanced ventilation system could be done at the basement to provide better quality of incoming air by filtering them through the system applied. The air conditioning system planned in IOI Boulevard are well designed, because it uses chilled water air conditioning system for the office blocks and multi split unit system for the retails’ blocks according to respective needs. The market of multi split air conditioning system is rapidly increasing, it provides a lot of advantages. The HVAC Building Automation System and Air Cooled Multi Split Unit System of IOI Boulevard has complied with the By Laws stated in UBBL section 41 which are the guild lines for mechanical ventilation and air conditioning set by the government to be followed by blocks. With sufficient facilities and regular maintenance planned and designed for the retails and office blocks, this ensure the thermal comfort of the environment in IOI Boulevard. Besides, we have also concluded that the fire protection system in IOI Boulevard is complete and fully active in operation. The architect abide by UBBL Law (Part VII - Fire Requirements) in terms of designing efficient passive fire protection systems. The management team also done their parts by maintaining the active protection system components. Our analysis affirms that the fire protection system in IOI Boulevard is up to par with requirements for the authorities.

122


Reference Densing.J, & Harkins, J. (n.d.). Retrieved Oct 5, from http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-active-fire-proteciton.htm Fire Control Centers. (n.d.) Retrieved Oct 5, from http://www.firewize.com/book/technical-data/fire-control-centres Life Safety Services. (2015). Passive Fire Protection vs. Active Fire Protection. Retrieved Oct 5, from http://news.lifesafetyservices.com/blog/activevs-passive-fire-protection-2 Thermotech. (2017). What is Active Fire Protection? Retrieved Oct 5, from http://www.thermotechsolutions.co.uk/thermotech-news/active-fire-protection/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HVAC https://www.wbdg.org/design-disciplines/hvac-refrigerating-engineering http://www.birdsall.co.uk/air-conditioning-maintenance-p122.aspx http://navyaviation.tpub.com/14020/css/Air-Cycle-Air-Conditioning-Systems-89.htm https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Air_cycle_machine https://www.swtc.edu/Ag_Power/air_conditioning/lecture/basic_cycle.htm http://home.howstuffworks.com/ac4.htm https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chilled_water https://highperformancehvac.com/chilled-water-system-basics/ http://www.seedengr.com/Variable%20Refrigerant%20Flow%20Systems.pdf http://www.robsonforensic.com/articles/escalator-anatomy-expert-diagram-toassist-in-forensicdiscussions
 
 https://www.archtoolbox.com/materials-systems/verticalcirculation/elevatortypes.html
 
 http://www.electrical-knowhow.com
 
 http://www.gmv-eu.com/moving-walks.html
 
 http://www.bydrupal.com/node/164
 
 http://www.electrical-knowhow.com/2012/04/electrical-control-system-andmoving.html

123


Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.