|
Mechanical engineering encompasses several types of
building systems design including heating, ventilation,
air conditioning, plumbing, specialty piping systems
and fire protection. Mechanical engineering projects
can range from the reuse, retrofit or replacement of
existing systems to the design of new central heating
and cooling plants. The primary design objective for
mechanical systems is to maximize value to the client
with a final designed and installed mechanical system.
Maximization of value involves more than simply selecting
a system with the lowest life cycle cost but needs
to incorporate consideration of factors such as future
flexibility and redundancy.
Electrical engineering systems design involves
medium to low voltage power, emergency generation
and distribution,
lighting and telecommunication systems. In designing
electrical systems, energy efficiency is always
a top priority. Systems are designed with respect
to future
flexibility and growth. Services provided in electrical
engineering include a multitude of projects ranging
from lights and receptacles for an office renovation
to emergency generation.
Energy systems engineering normally begins with
an evaluation of an existing or proposed mechanical
and
electrical systems as a whole, to develop alternative
energy sources best suited for the clients use.
Modeling is often used to evaluate these alternative
sources.
Energy conservation is a priority in design, with
building system components and equipment evaluated
on a life
cycle cost basis. Mechanical and electrical system
alternatives and specific system components are
evaluated together to minimize operating cost,
while considering
alternative energy sources and costs.
Commissioning includes the testing and balancing
of heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems,
the verification and demonstration of automatic
temperature control systems, developing operating
and maintenance
procedures, training of the operating and maintenance
staff and future follow-up to confirm the performance
of the building systems. The final product, in
addition to a complete documentation of the systems
performances,
is the building Owner’s confidence that all of
the system components function to meet the building’s
needs, as designed. Building System Commissioning
is the final quality assurance phase of construction
of
new systems installations.
|
