Building Operations Part 1 Study Guide Flashcards
What is the primary contribution the owner makes to a construction project?
Financial resources, including obtaining funding.
What are the characteristics of an effective project team?
complementary skill sets, ample experience, passion for the task, strong work ethic, and ability to assess and evaluate a process.
What helps to identify space requirements?
Needs assessment(analysis of space requirements of a specific user): evaluate organizational structure, review operating policies, tabulate all existing space use, develop space use standards, estimate potential staff levels, identify space needs for CAM, utility requirements, operational support requirements, space needs for tech.
Describe the varieties of typical development and renovation projects.
Speculative development: building is built without a commitment from a user. Build to suit development: building is built for a person or specific need. Rehabilitation renovation: restoration of a property. Modernization renovation: bringing the property into conformity with changes in style. Remodeling renovation: changing the property to correct a functional or economic deficiency.
What are two categories of building design codes, and how do they differ?
Zoning codes (control the use, height, density, and mass of a building) and building codes (regulations the promote general safety by regulating design and construction)
Describe the components commonly included in construction contract documents:
working drawings, conditions of the contract, specifications.
What are the different focus areas of physical and economic feasibility studies?
Physical: Site Coverage, floor area ratio, height limitation, On-site parking, Water supply, sewage collection systems, traffic flow, easement. Economic: Local-National-World Economy, supply and demand, projected cash flow, available financing, local development incentives, analysis of alternatives, lifecycle costing, cost-benefit analysis, other analysis methods.
What level of stakeholder participation is needed in the green approach to program development?
greater than traditional program development. Triple bottom line: economics, social equity, environmental impact.
Explain the benefits and limitations of the four primary project delivery methods.
Design-Bid-Build: reasonable speed and cost/project management orgs can complete project quicker and more cost effective. Design Build: combines design and construction; encourages collab/saving money not a priority. CMAR: integrated efforts provide value added expertise/different interests of the owner, designer, and contractor can lead to conflict. Multiple Prime Contracts: project admin manages entire project/unique financial demands and legal challenges.
What goes into selecting the most appropriate project delivery method?
Consider nature of project, capabilities of the owner, and what best serves owners objectives.
What are the standard construction contract types?
Cost-Plus, GMP-CM, Lump SUM, Unit Price
What five acronyms are used in the bidding process?
RFI(Request for Info), RFP(Request for Proposal), RFQ(Request for Quote), RFQ(Request for Qualifications), EOI(Expression of interest)
What are the two biggest causes for project failure, and what can overcome them?
Poor estimating and scheduling. A construction estimator.
What is the single greatest cause of cost escalation and schedule delays on a construction project? What are the categories?
Changes. Actual Change (ordered by owner), constructive change (from errors or omissions in design), disruptive change (when owner changes the work)
What provides the greatest value to the owner, and how is it provided?
Building commissioning. Establishing a technical library, inspecting the building and its systems, testing the performance of equipment and systems, training building staff.
How is heat transferred within buildings?
Conduction, convection, and radiation.
What forms of thermal insulation are used to restrict heat transfer in buildings?
Loose fill, blanket, batts, structural insulation board, slab or block, reflective, foam, sprayed on, corrugated.
Types of masonry used in building construction.
Cement, concrete, mortar, brick, concrete block, stone.
What types of metal products are used in building construction?
Iron(wrought and cast), steel, copper, brass, bronze, aluminum, lead.
What are some features of manufactured construction materials?
Plastics, gypsum, plaster, stucco.
What characteristics of wood are commonly discussed when determining the best material for use in building construction?
Wood seasoning, defects, wood grading, and distinctions between structural and non structural wood.
How do loads on building frames differ, and what types of loads are considered during design?
Dead(permanent) loads and live loads. Occupants, furnishings, machinery, movable partitions, precipitation.
What are the effects of the three stresses on a member of a buildings foundation?
Tensile(stretching), compressive(squeezing), shear(opposing)
Explain the application and benefits of various types of floor systems.
Steel and concrete decks: cellular steel, Composite steel, Open web joist, Concrete slabs, Slabs on-grade. Wood Floors:
How do the applications vary for different types of steel used in buildings?
Loadbearing wall: for single story and economical. Frame construction: most common, loads transferred to foundation by steel beams/columns. Long Span Construction: used for open areas, like atriums, hangers, auditoriums, theaters. Combination steel and concrete: most high rise buildings use, concrete around steel columns.
What are the the advantages and disadvantages for steel?
Advantages: High Strength, uniformity, elasticity, permanence, ductility, additions to existing structures. Disadvantages: Fireproofing costs, maintenance costs.
What are the the advantages and disadvantages for using precast concrete?
Advantages: Less labor per unit because of mechanized production, cheaper factory labor, reduced construction time, better quality control, greater independence of construction from weather. Disadvantages: Greater cost of transporting prefabricated units compared with transporting raw materials, excessive floor to floor heights, additional technical problems and costs of connecting precast elements, high maintenance costs with caulking and anchor inspections, heavier weight, reduced continuity between structural member’s.
Explain the soil related issues facing existing building and new construction projects.
Moisture: higher the moisture, the lower the load bearing potential. Frost: Frost-heave increases soil volume causing distress to foundation. Shifting: settlement, upheaval, sliding, liquefaction.
Describe how climate and weather zones may impact a building envelope.
Cold Climates: lack of heat or underheating. Temperate climates: seasonal variations between underheating and overheating. Hot-Dry or arid climates: typically leads to overheating and dry air. Warm-Humid Climates: typically leads to overheating and humid air.
What are the two types of building foundation systems and their applications?
Deep Systems: used when soil does not posses loadbearing capacity. Types are concrete piles, steel piles, and wood piles. Shallow systems: used when soil has load bearing capacity. Spread footing systems and mat-raft systems.
What are the five steps of maintenance required for preventing building deterioration, and what types of deterioration should be considered for each structural type?
Locate deterioration, determine the cause and its neutralization or elimination, evaluate the strength of the existing structure, evaluate the need of repair, select and implement a repair procedure. Steel: corrosion, abrasion, loosening, fatigue, impact. Concrete: cracking, spalling, disintegration. Wood: decay, incest attack, distortion, deflection, checking, splitting, deterioration of the hardware, damage from the heat and sun.
What elements must be taken into account when designing and effective building envelope, how can they be controlled?
Water infiltration: pressure-equalization chamber, rain-screen wall, waterproofing barrier, weep system. Air infiltration: testing and proper sealing. Loads: designed to withstand wind and seismic loads. Thermal expansion and contraction: adequate joint tolerances and flexible sealing methods. Heat transfer: U-value and thermal breaks. Moisture migration: vapor retarder, insulation, venting, weep system. Sound Attenuation: insulating glass, storm windows, hollow frames. Building Maintenance and building codes.
Identify the five categories of curtain wall construction and explain their applications.
Metal curtain wall: most widely used, consists of entirely or mostly metal, accommodates thermal expansion and contraction, retain and air penetration, and deformations. Masonry veneer: movement is accommodated and does not accumulate to produce large vertical displacement. Exterior insulation finish system: attractive and easy to install. used to renovate older buildings. Stucco: low weight and flexible. Wall Panels: functioning as a complete wall assembly, supporting their own weight, resisting lateral loads, transferring lateral loads to the structural frames.
What are the basic types of windows available, and how are they used?
Aluminum: used in all types of construction. Vinyl: similar to aluminum but is softer. Steel: very strong, thermal expansion low, present little shadow or depth. Wood: Used in residential and light commercial applications.
Describe function and characteristics of window joints.
Where two points of a structure meet and must be held together. Movement may occur at this point so joint must be strong enough to withstand it.
What are the benefits of performing a building simulation in reference to building envelope retrofit projects?
inexpensive means to explore many different design options and HVAC systems. Supports the decision making process for building heat/cool lad calculation, alternative systems selection, energy performance analysis, energy management and control design, compliance checking, cost analysis, quality assurance. can make sure a retrofit project is done correctly the first time.
What approaches can a property or facility manager take when it comes to building envelope retrofits?
Window replacement, Brick façade rehabilitation, Metal curtain wall reseal.
Best practices that should be used to create an effective building envelope maintenance program.
Follow PM suggested be the manufacturer. Schedule regular inspection, cleaning, and prompt repair. Maintain written records of maintenance.
What are two common types of roofs?
Flat roofs and sloping roofs.
Briefly describe each of the two common types of roofing construction types.
Built-Up Membrane Roofing: commonly used on flat roof installations, made of felts, bitumen, and protective caps. Fluid-Applied Membrane Roofs: can be used on any shaped roof. Singly-Ply Membrane Roofs: used of elastomeric material. Metal sheet and metal panel roofs: strong protection and positive drainage. Preferable for industrial facilities. Shingles, shakes, and tiles: used for residential.
What roofing project concerns are associated with new roofing or reroofing projects?
weather and ecological.
What considerations are influential in the selection of a roofing system?
Roofing design considerations, building location, building use, building aesthetics, owners preferences.
What are the six types of roofing reinforcement for a built-up roofing system.
Dry felt, ply sheets, base sheets, cap sheets, venting base sheets, flashing felts.
What qualities are found in modified bituminous roofing systems?
Elastomeric modifiers and thermoplastic modifiers.
Describe benefits and drawbacks of single-ply roofing systems.
Benefits: prefabricated, applied cold, flexible, low temperature properties. Drawbacks: waterproofing redundancy impossible, workmanship must be perfect, less resilient to abuse.
What common roofing details are regularly included in roofing systems?
Flashing is essential to complete most waterproofing applications but it does mean cutting into the roofing membrane. Coping metal. Roofing Edges.
Why should roof components be isolated?
Minimize the chance of the forces of expansion causing a break in the waterproof membrane.
What should be considered when installing roof-mounted mechanical equipment?
Roofing equipment curbs, stands and other mounting.
Why is it valuable to establish a roofing maintenance program?
It is important to protect the investment in the building and its contents.
What are the main functions of interior walls in a building?
Separating and defining spaces, controlling sound, containing heat, resisting fire, bearing loads.
What are the advantages of metal framing?
lightweight, uniform dimensions, noncombustible, resistant to moisture and rot, easy to construct, does not twist, has pre-punched holes for ease of running electrical conduit, pre-engineered system.
What are the six types of gypsum board and how do they differ?
Predecorated wallboard (standard), insulating wallboard (has aluminum foil bonded to back for vapor barrier and insulator), fire-resistant (Type X) wallboard, water-resistant (Type W/R) wallboard or green board, gypsum sheathing (used as base for exterior finishes), gypsum lath (intended as a base for plaster).
How is glass-fiber-reinforced gypsum used in modern buildings?
GFRG is used for superior fire-retardant properties, variety of shapes similar to those previously available, installation with minimal field labor, light weight.
What are the three elements of paints and coatings, and what are their purposes?
Pigment: provides color. Solvent: thins the paint by dissolving or dispersing the binder. Binder: The glue that combines the pigment and solvents.
What is the most important phase in the painting process and why?
Surface preparation because correct preparation produces a smooth, clean, hard, and dry surface.
What is the purpose of coating steel?
Protects steel from corrosion.
What is autoignition, and how does it occur?
is when the solvent dries and gives off heat. if it cannot escape, the temperature rises and ignition occurs.
How is lead-based paint harmful?
it is carcinogenic and can cause permanent health damage.
What types of wall coverings are used in buildings for decorative finishes, and which is the most durable and easy to maintain?
Wall paper, vinyl wall covering, fabric and textured wall covering, wall panels. Wall panels are the best.
Identify the types of ceiling panels.
Lay-in ceiling panels can be ceiling tiles or ceiling boards.
Describe the nine varieties of ceiling systems.
Exposed Grid: low cost usually found in standard commercial offices. Concealed Grid: used in public areas of older commercail offices when a monolithic appearance is desired. Access Tile: similar to the concealed grid system. Snap-in Metal Pan: Public areas, expensive and difficult to maintain. Special Linear Ceiling System: made of a variety of materials, used in public areas. Integrated Modular System: efficient used in individual offices. Plaster or drywall ceiling system: Monolithic appearance but expensive. Fire Rated Ceiling System: can be constructed from metal framing and gypsum board. Open Ceiling System: used for adding height. Can cause air balance challenges.
Explain the best practices that should be used when installing flooring?
All flooring requires preparation of the subfloor.
What are the four types of flooring, and their characteristics?
Resilient: material that springs back or will rebound. Wood: comes in strip, plank, and block configurations. Made out of both hard and soft wood. Hard: the most durable finished floors. Textile: made of materials that can be woven, like carpets and rugs.
Define the types of vinyl tile, and explain their differences.
Backed: a vinyl layer that is bonded to a backing material. Homogenous does not.
What are the benefits of installing terrazzo flooring?
Combines the durability of marble with the strength and economy of concrete.
Describe a loop-pile carpet and its advantage over cut-pile carpets.
Loop-pile is more uniform.
Explain the various types of carpet fibers and their attributes.
Natural: cotton, wool. Synthetic: Acrylic, nylon, olefin, polyester, rayon.
What methods are used to install carpet?
loose-laid, stretched and tacked, or glued down.
Summarize the direct glue-down carpet installation approach.
Adhesive applied to the floor, carpet adhered directly to the subfloor and rolled with a weighted roller.
Define the terms used for measuring heat and humidity.
Btu: measures the quantity of heat. Dry Bulb temperature: temperature of the air indicated by a normal thermometer. Wet bulb temperature: temp indicated by a thermometer with its bulb covered by a water-wetted wick exposed to the stream of air. Relative humidity: measure of water vapor in the air as percentage saturation. Dew point: is the temp in which a given sample of air has an RH of 100%.
What is MRT, and how does it relate to radiation?
Mean radiant temperature. Heat is gained or lost by radiation, depending on the difference of of temp between the skin and clothing and air.
How does load impact HVAC design?
when a system is designed, the total heat load for a space is calculated and designed accordingly. The load is the resistance that a system must overcome to accomplish the job it was designed to meet.
What must be considered for the design of HVAC control systems?
RH should be between 30% and 60%. Air temp and MRT should be programmed together. Tempered air is introduced near outside walls and windows to reduce the cold wall effect. Air velocity isn’t important as long as it is below 50ft a minute. Short cycles of temp a humidity changes are sources of discomfort.
Describe the optimum indoor design conditions for temperature and humidity.
Range should be between 71F at 50% RH in winter to 76F at 50% in summer.
Explain benefits of zoning a building’s air distribution system.
Allows for better control and varying settings between different areas of the building.
What are the types of internal heat loads on a building?
People load, lighting load, equipment load, system load.
What are the types of external heat loads on a building?
Solar loads, ventilation and infiltration loads.
