Mechanical & Electrical Systems Flashcards
What type of cooling is most effective in hot-arid climates?
Evaporative cooling is most effective in this climate.
What is the abbreviation for thousand circular mil, the unit of measure for large electrical cables?
MCM
What is a backflow preventer used for?
This device is used to prevent sewage or water from reversing flow and backing up into fixtures or water lines set at a lower elevation.
What type of electrical service is most common in new US residences?
120/240V single-phase, three-wire service.
What building shapes are the most energy efficient for external load dominated buildings in a cold climate?
Squares and Cubes
Human comfort is affected by the quality of what environmental factors?
1 - Temperature
2 - Humidity
3 - Air Movement
4 - Temperature radiation to and from surrounding surfaces
5 - Air Quality
6 - Sound
7 - Vibration
8 - Light
What is true of a partition with a high STC rating?
It reduces sound waves that pass though it.
What is transparent insulation?
A type of insulation that consists of a thick polycarbonate or fiberglass inter layer placed within two sheets of glazing material.
Name TWO types of building insulation that contain resource-efficient materials.
1 - Mineral fiber (made from steel mill slag or basalt rock)
2 - Glass fiber (containing post-consumer recycled glass)
What kind of equipment can be operated using direct current?
Low voltage such as elevator motors, signal systems and controls.
What are some cost-effective ways to control noise from mechanical systems?
1 - Mounting equipment on isolators
2 - Creating flexible connections at ducts and pipes.
3 - Lining ducts (not recommended)
4 - locating equipment away from occupied spaces
What THREE basic physical qualities of sound must be considered in the control of noise transmission.
1 - Velocity
2 - Power
3 - Frequency
Which kind of light fixture is more energy efficient, fluorescent or high-pressure sodium?
Fluorescent
Name FOUR properties of copper pipe that make it well suited for use in water supply systems.
1 - Corrosion Resistance
2 - Low Friction loss
3 - Strength
4 - Availability in small diameters
What type of coating can be applied to make a wall or other surface fire resistant?
Intumescent Paint
What kind of lamp has a color temperature of 6500K?
Daylight Lamp
What safety hazards are contained by the use of compartmentation in a building?
The design strategy is used to control the spread of fire and smoke.
What are the FOUR main stages in the life cycle of a product used in a building?
1 - Raw Materials Collection
2 - Manufacturing
3 - Actual Use in a Building
4 - Disposal or Recylcing
Name FIVE criteria for evaluating the sustainability of a product or construction process
1 - Amount of embedded energy
2 - Use of renewable materials
3 - Use of recycled content
4 - Energy Efficency
5 - Use of local materials
What percentage of the wood products used in a building must come from certified forests for that building to receive LEED credit?
50%
Why is Linoleum considered a green product?
It is durable, biodegradable, and made from natural renewable, materials.
What are some advantages of using a runaround coil in non air-handling system?
This type of airflow heat exchanger offers several advantages:
1 - Incoming and exhaust air streams need not be adjacent.
2 - High Efficiency and energy savings.
3 - Effectiveness in high-volume applications
What mechanical equipment cycle introduces fresh air into the indoor air in order to reduce energy costs and improve IAQ.
An economizer cycle.
At what phase of the project does building commissioning start?
This review, which ensures that building systems perform as expected, begins in the design phase.
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1 - Less voltage drop
2 - Use of smaller lines
What type of trees should be planted on the south side of a house in a cool climate?
Deciduous trees are beneficial in this sort of climate because they shade the building in summer, yet allow solar heat gain in winter.
What is a ground fault interrupter (GFI)?
A device that detects a leak in the current and disconnects the hot wore in hype circuit.
What are the THREE primary characteristics of an effective sound barrier?
This type of barrier has: mass, stiffness, and all penetrations and gaps sealed.
What are the TWO most common sources of large water supplies for a city?
The two most common are surface water and ground water.
Name FIVE benefits of a green roof.
1 - Conserves energy
2 - Reduces storm runoff
3 - Absorbs Carbon Dioxide
4 - Filters Air
5 - Protects the roofing membrane from environmental effects such as ultraviolet radiation.
Name THREE water quality problems that can be corrected with filtration.
1 - Odor
2 - Turbidity
3 - Color
Name THREE design strategies that can be used to control smoke.
1 - Containment
2 - Exhaust
3 - Dilution
What is a passive solar energy system?
This is a system that collects, stores and distributes energy without the use of mechanical equipment.
What percentage of the gross building area should be for a mechanical room that uses all-air or air-water system in a large building?
3% - 9%
Name FOUR common strategies for maintaining good indoor air quality.
1 - Elimination or Reduction of Pollution Sources
2 - Ventilation Control
3 - Proper Maintenance
4 - Controlling the activities of occupants
What amount of water pressure is equivalent to one foot (or one meter) of vertical head?
One foot of this is equivalent to 0.434 psi
(One meter of this is equal to 10 kPa)
What feature must be installed in every electrical outlet in addition to the hot and neutral wires?
A Ground Wire
Name THREE types of security that intrusion detection creates.
1 - Object Protection
2 - Room Protection
3 - Area and Perimeter Protection
What are the FOUR levels of LEED Certification?
1 - Certified
2 - Silver
3 - Gold
4 - Platinum
Which of the following would be appropriately designed as a dead space?
A - An Auditorium
B - A Church
C - An Office
D - A Hospital Patient Room
D - A Hospital Patient Room
A dead space is appropriate for a hospital because it would be quiet. The room would contain a large amount of porous materials to absorb sound waves.
Auditoriums and churches are designed as live spaces. These are spaces in which sound waves reverberate due to reflective surfaces. The greater the ratio of reflected sound to directly received sound, the more a space is considered live. Offices need a mixture of live and dead spaces, allowing for some white noise.
What is a direct expansion, or DX, system?
A self-contained unit that passes air over an evaporator and back into a room.
Sabin
A unit of sound absorption.
Named after the American physicist Wallace C. Sabine.
One unit is equal to one square foot of a totally absorptive surface.
The eye is composed of a focusing device, a brightness control and a color sensing surface. Name these parts of the eye.
LENS: Focuses IRIS: Controls Brightness RETINA: Senses color, black and white.
The objective of a fire protection system is to make a building which of the following?
A - Fireproof
B - Fire Retardant
C - Fire Resistant
D - Non-combustible
C - Fire Resistant
The objective of a fire-protection system is to enable structures to resist fire long enough for the safe evacuation of all occupants.
Characteristics of Smoke Detectors
These fire alarm systems contain a photoelectric detector that responds to smoke before the fire breaks out. They may be activated under false conditions, such as kitchen smoke or dust. They are used in offices and apartment buildings.
Decibel
A measure of sound intensity.
(x) IL = 10log I/Io
Where: IL is equal to the intensity level in decibels. I is equal to the intensity of sound heard (watts/sq. cm) Io is equal to the minimum reference intensity, the lowest sound that can be heard with the human ear. Named after Alexander Graham Bell.
Identify this wall type.
Trombe Wall
An indierect-gain solar system where a 10”-16” thick masonry wall is placed between an internal space to be heated and the south-facing glass (Northern Hemisphere). As the sun passes through the glass, it heats the space between the glass and the wall, and the wall itself.
The wall in turn, heats the room (several hours later) through convection or thermal radiation. When vents are provided, natural convection or therosiphoning of the air-space heats the room. It can be used as a bearing wall and provides good acoustical insulation.
Water walls are another alternative.
What are the characteristics of plastic plumbing pipes?
They are durable and non-corrosive, and they create no mineral deposits. They deteriorate when exposed to UV light. Plastic is the least expensive piping material.
The Process of Heat Transfer
The flow of energy from an area of higher temperature to an area of lower temperature. Thermal equilibrium occurs by the transfer of heat between areas of differing temperatures.
Degree Days
The temperature difference between an average 24 hour exterior temperature and an interior temperature of 65 degrees gives the number of degree days for one day. For example, an average outside temperature of 20 degrees Fahrenheit is recorded over a 24-hour period. The number of degree days, then is 65 - 20 = 45 degrees. All degree-day values are added for an entire year to determine the annual degree day total. Used to determine fuel needs and to size mechanical equipment.
What is the best height for a toilet seat in a handicap accessible stall?
Between 17” and 19” is acceptable.
Glare
Extreme contrast between brightness and darkness that interferes with vision.
1 - DIRECT GLARE: Brightness in the field of vision
2 - REFLECTED GLARE: Brightness reflected from other surfaces.
Luminaire
A complete lighting unit consisting of a light source, reflector, refractor and all the parts necessary for the fixture, housing and power-supply connections.
Flux
The rate of flow of lumens or watts through a theoretical surface.
If a well-insulated wall has a high degree of sound transmission, what would be the most likely cause?
A - Very loud noises
B - Poor construction
C - A window
D - A keyhole
C - A Window
Wall penetrations, like windows, are called sound leaks and can override all efforts to insulate a building from sound transmission.
What is the most important thing to consider when dealing with sanitary systems?
It is most important to keep the waste water from contaminating the water system. Sanitary waste can be categorized as grey water or black water. Black water contains human waste. Grey water can be recycled with very little treatment and is used for irrigation.
Identify these pipe hanger types.
A - Clevis Hanger
B - Strap Hanger
C - Trapeze Hanger
Pipe hangers often incorporate springs or rollers into their design and are used to remedy problems such as vibration, noise, and expansion. Hangers are required at truns and junctions and spacing is determined by pipe size.
What is the purpose of the glass bulb in a fire sprinkler head?
When the temperature in a space reaches a given point, the contained liquid will expand and cause the bulb to break, allowing the water to pass through it. This component is available in a range of activation sensitivities from 155 degrees to 355 degrees F (68 to 180C)
Fire sprinklers and finishes
Escutcheons and cover plates are cosmetic. They are available in many different finishes or may be painted. The head itself however, may not be painted due to the potential loss of fire-detection sensitivity.
Due to the sun’s path across the sky, which facade receives the most sunlight in winter? In summer?
The south facade receives the the most sun in winter (in the Northern Hemisphere) when the angle of the sun is low. The east facade, the roof (including skylights), and the west facade receive the most amount of sun in the summer, when the angle of the sun is high. Overhangs play an important role, allowing winter sun in and keeping out the summer sun.
Which climate has large diurnal temperature swings?
A hot arid climate has large diurnal (day to night) temperature swings. Houses that are open to an inner courtyard with water elements and/or planting stay cooler in such climates, because evaporating moisture cools the air entering the house. Small, high windows on exterior walls allow hot air to escape while keeping in cool air.
Identify the follwing components.
A - Vent Stack
B - Stack Vent
C - Soil STack
D - Cleanout
E - Cleanout
Relative Humidity
The percentage of water vapor in the air relative to the maximum amount of water the air can hold at a given temperature. With regard to human comfort, in a cold environment humidity is of little importance. In cold conditions heat is lost primarily by conduction, convection, and radiation. However, in hot conditions, where heat is lost primarily by evaporation, humidity is critical. Whereas in cold conditions skin temperature is an important factor, in hot conditions the percentage of skin covered by water is more important. Levels of humidity can also be expressed as the dew point, wet-bulb temperature, and vapor pressure.
Name the appropriate term for each of the following definitions:
1 - the transfer of thermal energy through a fluid medium (liquid or gas) where the cool molecules of water or air, for example, absorb heat from a warm surface. The molecule rise, are carried away, then cool and fall.
2 - The transfer of heat by electromagnetic waves from one surface to a cooler detached surface across an open space. The rate of transfer depends upon the temperature differential, the thermal absorptivity of the surfaces, and the distance separating the energy source and the receiving surface.
3 - Heat transfer through a solid material, from hotter molecules to cooler molecules through direct contact.
1 - Convection
2 - Radiation
3 - Conduction
Less important for building materials than for human comfort, evaporation is a means of transferring heat to a cooler environment. If an object is a different temperature than the environment , heat will flow from the hotter to the colder.
Name THREE systems for heating water.
- WATER HEATER: an insulated storage tank that supplies a fixed quantity of heated water with a predictable recovery time. 2. CONTINUOUS LOOP: a two-pipe, closed loop system requiring a circulator pump to maintain temperature at the fixture. 3. INSTANTANEOUS: a tankless hot water system that heats the water directly at the point of use.
Microbial growth is the leading Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) contaminant what is the main cause of this phenomenon and how can the architect minimize this occurrence?
Mold, bacteria, viruses, algae, etc. are often caused by excessive indoor relative humidity.
This is a problem particularly for hot-humid climates where condensation can occur on surfaces within the building envelope. The use of fiberglass or mineral wool for internal-ductwork insulation is to be avoided. If exposed to moisture it can harbor microbial growth, which, along with the fibers themselves,can get loose in the air stream and spread contamination. Carpet, acoustic tiles, textiles, vinyl wall covering and paint are also prone to contamination. To minimize the occur acme, the architect should eliminate the use of in tank duct liners, specify products with anti-microbial additives, or use anti-microbial agents as a treatment. Use correct placement of vapor barriers on the building envelope. On the outside is hot-humid climates; on the inside in cool climates. Provide easy access to all HVAC systems for maintenance.
Which type of mechanical system has a high initial cost but a low life cycle cost?
The Fan Coil System Initially expensive because it requires a significant amount of piping (3 or 4 pipe system), but it is very efficient and can either heat, cool or ventilate.
What is the difference between an electrical emergency system and a standby system?
ELECTRICAL EMERGENCY SYSTEM: required by law to provide emergency power and lighting for human safety and the protection or property. STANDBY SYSTEM: supplies back-up power in case of disrupted service and is solely for the protection of property and equipment.
Effluent
Liquified sewage that flows from a building’s disposal system into the public sewer system or to a private, on-site system (septic tank or leach field)
Wet Standpipe System
An emergency fire-fighting system connected to a constant, pressurized water supply. Used in areas where there is no danger of freezing. Equipped with Siamese fittings for fire department hoses or for immediate use by the occupants. It is fast acting and the most reliable automatic fire-sprinkler system.
Ionization Detector
A device that senses the products of combustion emitted into the air during the incipient stages if a fire. Very sensitive, and may cause false alarms. Good for detecting electrical overloads. Used for spaces with high combustion hazards. An expensive system. The best method of fire prevention is regular inspection do the surroundings as well as the system itself.
What building components are affected, in length, by expansion and contraction but not affected in diameter?
Pipes. They undergo significant changes in length due to thermal expansion. Pipes for long runs must be held in place with flexible supports and hangers.
No. 0000 or 4/0 is what type of electrical wire?
A - Telephone
B - Major Appliance
C - Main Feed
D - None of the Above
C - Main Feed Under the American Wire Gauge (AWG) system, 0000 or 4/0 (pronounced “four ought”) is the largest wire at nearly 1/2” in diameter.
Name TWO methods for controlling HVAC noise in a building.
1 - Create a separate foundation for the equipment
2 - Use vibration isolator a (either springs or neoprene pads) between the equipment and the building foundation.
The use of fleecy internal duct liners for both thermal and sound insulation should be avoided. An inherent problem is the absorption of contaminants by the insulation. This can lead to a reduction in the Indoor Air Quality (IAQ).
Comfort Zone
The area located on the psychrometric chart where combinations of temperatures and humidities are considered comfortable by more than 50% of adults. Subjective tests are used to determine these effective temperature ranges.
Identify this equipment
Centrifugal Fan
A type of fan in an HVAC system that is capable of moving large amounts of air.
Also called a squirrel cage blower.
Inverse Square law
Applies to sound and light intensity, which is inversely proportional to the square of the distance between the source and receiver.
I1/I2 = r22/r12
Where: I1 and I2 are the intensities at distances r1 and r2 from a point source.
In simple terms, doubling the distance cuts the intensity of light and sound to 25%.
Note: Do not confuse the intensity of sound (I) which is measured in watts/cm2, with the more common Intensity Level (IL), which is measured in decibels (dB). The _IL is NOT proportional to the inverse square of the distance. _
Type K, L or M
Designations of pipe wall thicknesses, from the thickest, Type K, to the thinnest, Type M. Type L pipe is the most commonly used.
PSI
Pounds per square inch.
A measure of water and air pressure.
Which of the following lamps is the least energy efficient?
A - Fluorescent
B - Mecury
C - Sodium
D - Incandescent
D - Incandescent
DISADVANTAGES: high life-cycle cost, excessive heat waste, short life and high voltage sensitivity.
ADVANTAGES: low initial cost, good color rendition and ability to focus the light beam.
What is the main reason to use task lighting?
A - to add direct light to task areas
B - To conserve energy
C - To increase flexibility
D - To reduce electrical costs
B - To conserve energy
Task lighting avoids the unnecessary lighting of an entire space and reduces energy demands.
Vent Stack
A vertical vent pipe that provides air circulation to and from all plumbing fixtures and extends above the roof line to the open air.
Specific Heat (Cp)
The ability of a material to store heat in relationship to the material’s weight.
Different materials are capable of storing different amounts of heat, even when they are at the same temperature.
Specific Heat is multiplied by a material’s weight to determine thermal capacity.
What is the minimum required width for an exit passage?
No part of any exit passage can be less than 44” wide.
Leach Field
A waste-water treatment system that uses a grid of perforated pipe, laid in shallow trenches with loose gravel. Waste water seeps from the pipes into the soil, where it is oxidized and decomposed by aerobic bacteria.
Name some architectural concerns that may arise from using a refrigeration system.
Noise, Vibration and Heat
If possible the system should be located outside of the building to prevent the transmission of vibration to the structure. Otherwise, a vibration isolator made with springs or neoprene pads should be placed under the equipment.
Name TWO main functions of an automatic thermal control system.
1 - It automatically adjusts heating or cooling output.
2 - it distributes the air between various zones as required.
Tankless System
A water-heating system that services different demand levels.
Operates with variable-speed pumps that continually turn on and off or operate at different speeds to provide service. This system requires little space and no additional structural support. The main disadvantage is that the pumps have a short life.
Identify what is occuring at the following locations:
A - Absorption
B - Transmission
C - Source
D - Angle of Incidence
E - Angle fo Reflection
F - Reflection
What is the principal purpose of am electrical-service disconnect?
It enables all electrical circuits in an entire building to be disconnected from a single switch.
What system moves air from the Air Handling Unit (AHU) to individually conditioned spaces?
Duct System The duct system moves air from the AHU to conditioned spaces at high, medium or low velocities.
What is the minimum clear space for a handicap accessible toilet stall?
Ideally, a handicap accessible toilet stall should have a 60” diameter clear space up to a height of 10” from the floor.
629
The rate of heat flow through a solid material. Since each material conducts heat differently, it is useful to know the rate of heat flow for the standard thickness of common building materials. It is defined as the number of Btu per hour that glow through one square foot of material of a given thickness when the temperature drop is 1 degree F. The units are Btu/h-ft2-*F. The rate at which heat transfers is directly proportional to the temperature differential. It is the reciprocal of resistance (R) that represents the insulating quality of a material.
A new restaurant requires that a sewer system be installed before construction. What type of sewer connections will be required?
A new restaurant requires a sanitary sewer connection as well as a separate storm sewer.
Doppler Effect
The change in frequency of a sound wave due to a change in distance from the source, the receiver or both.
Central Heating System Classifications
1 - Classified by heat carrying medium: steam air or water.
2 - Classified by energy source: electricity, liquid and/or solid fuels or solar radiation.
Supply System
The pipes, fitting and valves that supply potable water under pressure.
Name a requirement for ductwork in a fire-rated wall.
Fire Dampers
A damper with a fusible link that closes the duct and prevents flames and smoke from moving throughout the building through the ductwork.
Electrical HVAC
The simplest HVAC system to install and operate. No space is needed for pipes or ductwork and temperature can be controlled with a separate thermostat in each room. Unfortunately, electricity is the most expensive heat source.
How do septic tanks convert waste material?
As part of a private waste disposal system, it is used in conjunction with a leaching field. Sewage is collected in the tank where the solid waste is treated primarily through settling and bacteriological activity. The resultant liquid waste, effluent, is then directed to the leaching field where it seeps into the ground via a buried manifold of perforated pipe and is treated by bacteria in the soil. A percolation test determines the soil’s ability to absorb effluent.
Hydronic Systems
A water mechanical system used only for heating. Many of these systems are also radiant systems. Some systems circulate hot water or steam through registers, pipes in the floor, etc. and radiate heat into the space. These systems are sometimes combined with forced air systems.
What determines roof gutter size?
The size of the roof area to be drained and the maximum recorded local rainfall.