BFC 3153

MECHANICAL &
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION

THE IMPORTANCE OF
MECHANICAL & ELECTRICAL
SYSTEM for BUILDING
Modern Building Function:
shelters from rain
shelter from wind
shelter from snow
shelter from sun
shelter from other harsh conditions of nature.

Modern Building System function:

Built to create better, more consistent, more
productive environments in which to work and to
live.

University Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia

Faculty of Civil & Environmental Engineering
Department of Construction & Architecture
Semester II 12/13

M&E
SYSTEM

THE IMPORTANCE OF
MECHANICAL & ELECTRICAL
SYSTEM IN BUILDING
Building System Features:
lighting

e.g:
i. Block-type Buildings Without Windows
(such as department stores),
> totally dependent on electrical lighting (light
source), ventilation, and space conditioning.

comfortable space
temperature
humidity
air quality
convenient power and
communication capability
high quality sanitation

ii. High Rise Building

reliable systems for the

protection of life and
property.

> High rise building rely on high-speed

vertical transportation and high pressure
water for drinking and cleaning purposes and
for protection against fire.

M&E

TYPES AND FEATURES OF BUILDING M&E SYSTEMS

Consists of various
complex systems

Varies according to;

living standards of the
society, climatic
conditions,
occupancy & quality of
the building, etc

Example;
House in a mild climate
does not need heating or
cooling,
Bulk storage does not
need heating in winter.
Hospital need a supply
of medical gas,
Office building need
simple cooling device
High-rise building needs
central cooling systems.

M&E

BUILDING M&E SYSTEMS CLASSIFICATION

Mechanical Systems

Electrical Systems

HVAC; (Heating,
Ventilating and Air
Conditioning)
Site utilities; (Water
supply, storm water
drainage, sanitary
disposal, gas supply)
Plumbing; (Water
distribution, water
treatment, sanitary
facilities)
Fire protection;
(Water supply, stand
pipe, fire and smoke
detection, automatic
sprinklers,
annunciation)
Special systems

Electrical power;
(Normal, standby,
emergency power
supply and
distribution)
Lighting; (Interior,
exterior, emergency
lighting)
Auxiliary or support
system; (Telephone,
signal, data, audio
video, fire alarm,
security systems)

Building Operation
Systems
Transportation;
(Elevators,
escalators,
walkways)
Processing;
(Production, food
service)
Automation;
(Environmental
controls,
managements,)
Special systems

M&E

IMPACT OF BUILDING M&E SYSTEMS

Major impact

Space Planning
Architectural Design
Construction Cost
Global Environment
s

Highest

Priority During
Design/Construction

Contribution to
impact level

Minor impact

Lowest

M&E

Impact on Space Planning

The M&E affects; the gross floor
area, footprint (size & shape of
ground floor), floor to floor height,
geometry, architectural expression
Allocations are made during the
space programming phase to allow
appropriate size and strategic
location
Example;
(1) Large office buildings: Central
cooling/heating equipment needs
extra floor to floor height (22ft~),

(2) Commercial Building: Complex ductwork, HVAC

and plumbing needs ceiling cavity (2~3 ft)

M&E

Impact on Space Planning- Cont

* Buildings other than those used for classrooms follow the space
required for specialty buildings such as laboratories, computer centers
and residences.

M&E

Impact on Architectural Design

Early building design; one room, one window for ventilation and lighting
Modern buildings develops according to the modernization of building M&E systems
(common building geometry figures)
Building Height vs Space utilization; 7 storey (75ft ~) buildings are considered high-rise
(determined by the reach of firefighters ladder), limit the ability for human to walk up and
down stairs > transportation is needed
Height increases = Less usable space on the floor more floor for stairs, elevators,
structural elements, M/E shafts, etc

M&E

Impact on Architectural Design

Building Height Classification:

Low Rise Building: less than 7 storey or lower than 75 feet from street level
High Rise Building: 7 storey 29 storey
Super High Rise Building: 30 storey 50 storey
Skyscrapers: 51 storey and above.
Basic Building Shapes

M&E

Impact on Construction Cost

Building Height on Construction Cost
Taller buildings needs more time, hoisting equipment and complicated scheduling to raise
M/E materials to upper floors
Buildings more than 10 stories increases 5-15% of cost for the next 5 stories per floor area,
15~ stories increases 10~15%
M&E Systems Vs. Construction Cost
Depends on; the type of building, standard of living, architectural design, the systems selected
Table 1-2: Range of M&E systems costs of buildings

Impact on Operating Cost

Includes; energy consumption, routine maintenance,
repairs, replacements and utilities
Building Structural components (except roof) are
usually long lasting
M&E vs initial capital investment

* Buildings other than those used for classrooms follow

the space required for specialty buildings such as
laboratories, computer centers and residences.

M&E

Impact on Global Environment

M&E

Impact on Global Environment

Thermal Heat Island effect at urban
area
Image of Atlanta, Georgia, showing
temperature distribution, with blue
showing cool temperatures, red
warm, and hot areas appear white.

Light Pollution

SYSTEM INTEGRATION &

MANAGEMENT
Integrated Building Management System (IBMS) a complete information delivery system
that monitors and controls a variety of systems and functions at an optimal level of efficiency.
IBMS is an intelligent/smart building system and the system design consists of the following
components :
i. Building automation System
ii. Fire Detection and Alarm System
iii. Public Address System
iv. Security System

M&E

SYSTEM INTEGRATION & MANAGEMENT

An Integrated Building Management
System (IBMS) is a computer-based
integrated control system.
It is installed in areas like large Residential
compounds, Office buildings, Institution
Campuses,
IBMS mainly consists of the most
crucial systems for the safe and
smooth running of a business area or
building.
Those are, Power systems, Lighting system, Electric power control system,
Ventilation and Air-conditioning System, Security system, Magnetic card and
access system, Fire alarm system, Lifts/ Elevators, Plumbing system, Burglar
alarms, CCTV, Home Automation System, etc.

M&E

SYSTEM BENEFITS

M&E

End Of Chapter 1

M&E