OBJ 1.2 Flashcards
Determine the size of mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems and components to meet project goals (U/A) You must also be aware of related building systems to identify and develop mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems, including calculating the size of some system components, based on system type, system requirements, programmatic requirements, and other factors.
Define sensible and latent heat. Why is it important to know these two terms as an architect?
Sensible heat is the heat energy required to change the temperature of a substance without a phase change. Sensible heat can be “sensed.” Latent heat is the energy absorbed or released when a material changes state, such as from a liquid to a gas. It is useful for architects to know these terms in order to understand heating and cooling systems in buildings.
Unistrut
Unistrut is a proprietary name for a metal framing system used to support pipes, conduit, and cable trays.
Enthalpy
The total amount of heat in a substance, including both latent and sensible heat.
DX
Direct expansion (DX) systems are air-cooling units that use vapor-compression refrigeration cycles to cool the air in a building.
VAV
Variable Air Volume: A type of Heating, Ventilating, and/or Air-Conditioning (HVAC) system that provides a varying rate of airflow through diffusers in each zone under the control of zone thermostats.
Heat Pump
A device that transfers heat energy from a source of heat to a “heat sink,” which absorbs heat from a cold space and releases it to a warmer space (i.e., air conditioner, freezer).
AHU
An air handling unit (AHU) is a machine which manages a building’s climate. As it moves air through a building, it filters and exhausts air, brings in fresh air, and regulates temperature and humidity.
CUH
A cabinet unit heater (CUH) is a metal housing enclosing a heating element, with an opening to facilitate airflow (typically on top and bottom).
Rain Leader
Pipe used to carry rainwater from the roof to the ground and away from the building. Rain leaders can be enclosed within the building thermal envelope and daylight only when discharging from the building or can be surface-mounted on the exterior of the building.
Secondary Drain
Back-up roof drain used to carry excess rainwater off of the roof in the event the primary drain allows buildup for any reason. The inlet and outlet for the drains shall be independent from one another; and the discharge from the secondary drain shall be above grade (daylight).
Roof Scupper
An opening in a parapet or roof that provides an outlet through which excess water can drain; typically have grates to filter any debris.
Fin Tube Radiator
Radiation heating system, typically mounted close to floor with metal tubes carrying hot water or steam. Metal fins are attached perpendicular to the tube to provide additional surface area through which heat can radiate.
Transfer Switch
A mechanism designed to switch an electrical conductor from one circuit to another without interrupting the current flow.
Damp Proofing vs. Waterproofing
Methods of coating sub grade slabs or foundation walls to ensure water/moisture does not penetrate into wall/assembly. Damp proofing is intended to keep out soil moisture, whereas waterproofing keeps out moisture and liquid water. Waterproofing should be considered over damp proofing when there are habitable subgrade spaces and/or when the water table is high and could potentially penetrate into habitable space.
Lamb’s Tongue
A pipe accessory for the end of a concealed roof drain downspout or parapet overflow where rainwater is discharged away from the building; looks like a lamb’s tongue; also called an outlet nozzle.
Design Equivalent Temperature Difference (DETD)
Used for calculating heat gain through a building’s envelope, taking into account air temperature differences, sunlight impact, thermal mass, material, color, etc.
Design Cooling Load Factor (DCLF)
Used for calculating heat gain through glazing, taking into account type of glazing, shading methods, and outdoor air temperature.
Cooling Load Temperature Difference (CLTD)
Cooling load calculation that represents the difference in indoor and outdoor air temperature and helps size HVAC equipment.
Wet pipe, dry pipe, pre-action, and deluge are the four common types for what system?
Fire sprinkler system.
A leach field is part of what system?
A private septic sewer system.
Economizer Cycle
Introduces additional fresh air into the HVAC cycle to improve overall air quality and reduce energy cost.
Where can greywater be used and where does it come from?
Greywater is nonpotable water that may contain traces of dirt, grease, and household cleaning products. Greywater can be used for toilet water, as well as plant irrigation. Sources for greywater include lavatories, roof drains, swales, washing machines, and bath drains; it cannot come from any sources that contain human waste.
Cleanout
A cleanout is a place in a sewer line where access can be gained to clear out clogs.
Tank Toilets vs. Tankless
Tank toilets are gravity-powered. Tankless toilets are powered by water pressure and can be reflushed more quickly than a tank style toilet.
Flushometer
Flushometers are a type of flush valve. They can be manual (lever), pushbutton, or touchless, activated by a sensor.
Flush Valve
Flush valves control the release of water into a toilet.
One-Line Diagram
A map of the electrical power flow between entities of a power system. Includes elements such as circuit breakers, transformers, capacitors, bus bars, and conductors shown as symbols. It is not drawn to scale, and the location and physical size of the elements is not shown.
Ice Storage Cooling
Ice is made at night, when temperatures are cool and energy demand is low, and used throughout the day to cool the building.
Oil Interceptor
Used in drain lines where wastewater may contain oil, the interceptor collects contaminants such as oil and allows for it to be stored and disposed of, instead of entering the sewer system. Used in parking garages, service stations, and manufacturing locations, where oil could find its way into the wastewater. Other types of interceptors, or traps as they are often called, include sand and grease.
Continuous Loop Hot Water System
Keeps hot water hot by recirculating it through a closed loop system.
Specific Heat
The thermal storage capacity of a material.
Mean Radiant Temperature (MRT)
The angular-size-weighted temperature of the surrounding surfaces.
Reverse Osmosis
Water purification technology that forces water through a semipermeable barrier that cleans out contaminants based on size, shape, and charge. Reverse osmosis is used in desalination plants.
Radiant Barrier
A reflective layer, sometimes attached to sheathing or insulation, that blocks radiant heat.
Thermal Gradient
The temperature at any point within a wall is on a gradient from the inside temperature to the outside temperature.
ABS
Black plastic pipe used for drain, vent, and waste lines in plumbing.
PVC
White plastic pipe, used for cold-water distribution and drain, vent, and waste pipes in plumbing.
CPVC
Cream plastic pipe, used for hot and cold supply pipes in plumbing.
Check Valve
A valve that allows water to flow in one direction only, preventing backflow that could contaminate the supply.
Gate Valve
A valve that uses a metal wedge to cut off flow. When it is open, it has lower friction loss than other types of valves because there are no turns.
Globe Valve
A common type of valve used in faucets and hose bibs, where a lever operates a stem that can vary the water flow.
Water Hammer
Water hammer is the noise that comes from moving water stopping abruptly in pipes that then shake and make a rattling sound.
Vacuum Breaker
A device in a plumbing fixture that prevents siphonage; often found on hose bibs.
Shock Arrestor
A device in plumbing systems to absorb the shock that causes water hammer.