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.

1
Q

Define sensible and latent heat. Why is it important to know these two terms as an architect?

A

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.

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2
Q

Unistrut

A

Unistrut is a proprietary name for a metal framing system used to support pipes, conduit, and cable trays.

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3
Q

Enthalpy

A

The total amount of heat in a substance, including both latent and sensible heat.

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4
Q

DX

A

Direct expansion (DX) systems are air-cooling units that use vapor-compression refrigeration cycles to cool the air in a building.

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5
Q

VAV

A

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.

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6
Q

Heat Pump

A

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).

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7
Q

AHU

A

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.

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8
Q

CUH

A

A cabinet unit heater (CUH) is a metal housing enclosing a heating element, with an opening to facilitate airflow (typically on top and bottom).

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9
Q

Rain Leader

A

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.

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10
Q

Secondary Drain

A

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).

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11
Q

Roof Scupper

A

An opening in a parapet or roof that provides an outlet through which excess water can drain; typically have grates to filter any debris.

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12
Q

Fin Tube Radiator

A

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.

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13
Q

Transfer Switch

A

A mechanism designed to switch an electrical conductor from one circuit to another without interrupting the current flow.

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14
Q

Damp Proofing vs. Waterproofing

A

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.

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15
Q

Lamb’s Tongue

A

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.

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16
Q

Design Equivalent Temperature Difference (DETD)

A

Used for calculating heat gain through a building’s envelope, taking into account air temperature differences, sunlight impact, thermal mass, material, color, etc.

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17
Q

Design Cooling Load Factor (DCLF)

A

Used for calculating heat gain through glazing, taking into account type of glazing, shading methods, and outdoor air temperature.

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18
Q

Cooling Load Temperature Difference (CLTD)

A

Cooling load calculation that represents the difference in indoor and outdoor air temperature and helps size HVAC equipment.

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19
Q

Wet pipe, dry pipe, pre-action, and deluge are the four common types for what system?

A

Fire sprinkler system.

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20
Q

A leach field is part of what system?

A

A private septic sewer system.

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21
Q

Economizer Cycle

A

Introduces additional fresh air into the HVAC cycle to improve overall air quality and reduce energy cost.

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22
Q

Where can greywater be used and where does it come from?

A

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.

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23
Q

Cleanout

A

A cleanout is a place in a sewer line where access can be gained to clear out clogs.

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24
Q

Tank Toilets vs. Tankless

A

Tank toilets are gravity-powered. Tankless toilets are powered by water pressure and can be reflushed more quickly than a tank style toilet.

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25
Q

Flushometer

A

Flushometers are a type of flush valve. They can be manual (lever), pushbutton, or touchless, activated by a sensor.

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26
Q

Flush Valve

A

Flush valves control the release of water into a toilet.

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27
Q

One-Line Diagram

A

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.

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28
Q

Ice Storage Cooling

A

Ice is made at night, when temperatures are cool and energy demand is low, and used throughout the day to cool the building.

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29
Q

Oil Interceptor

A

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.

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30
Q

Continuous Loop Hot Water System

A

Keeps hot water hot by recirculating it through a closed loop system.

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31
Q

Specific Heat

A

The thermal storage capacity of a material.

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32
Q

Mean Radiant Temperature (MRT)

A

The angular-size-weighted temperature of the surrounding surfaces.

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33
Q

Reverse Osmosis

A

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.

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34
Q

Radiant Barrier

A

A reflective layer, sometimes attached to sheathing or insulation, that blocks radiant heat.

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35
Q

Thermal Gradient

A

The temperature at any point within a wall is on a gradient from the inside temperature to the outside temperature.

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36
Q

ABS

A

Black plastic pipe used for drain, vent, and waste lines in plumbing.

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37
Q

PVC

A

White plastic pipe, used for cold-water distribution and drain, vent, and waste pipes in plumbing.

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38
Q

CPVC

A

Cream plastic pipe, used for hot and cold supply pipes in plumbing.

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39
Q

Check Valve

A

A valve that allows water to flow in one direction only, preventing backflow that could contaminate the supply.

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40
Q

Gate Valve

A

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.

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41
Q

Globe Valve

A

A common type of valve used in faucets and hose bibs, where a lever operates a stem that can vary the water flow.

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42
Q

Water Hammer

A

Water hammer is the noise that comes from moving water stopping abruptly in pipes that then shake and make a rattling sound.

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43
Q

Vacuum Breaker

A

A device in a plumbing fixture that prevents siphonage; often found on hose bibs.

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44
Q

Shock Arrestor

A

A device in plumbing systems to absorb the shock that causes water hammer.

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45
Q

Backflow Preventer

A

Any device in a plumbing system that prevents sewage from reversing flow.

46
Q

Pressure Regulator

A

Devices on plumbing fixtures to reduce pressure when the supply pressure is too great.

47
Q

DWV

A

Drain, waste, and vent piping (DWV) is usually plastic or cast iron.

48
Q

Fixture Unit (FU)

A

A unit of measure that can be used to determine the required size of plumbing drainage pipes based on average rate of discharge, time of operation, and frequency of use.

49
Q

When the wet bulb temperature equals the dry bulb temperature, what occurs?

A

100% humidity.

50
Q

Heat Recovery Ventilator

A

Uses an air-to-air heat exchanger to use warm exhaust air to preheat incoming fresh air into an HVAC system; heat is recuperated and energy costs are reduced.

51
Q

Energy Recovery Ventilator

A

Same as a heat recovery ventilator, but with the added benefit of a humidity recovery system.

52
Q

Make-Up Air

A

Air added to an HVAC system to replace air lost through ex-filtration.

53
Q

Psychrometry

A

Air, moisture, and heat have complex interactions and psychrometry is the study of these interactions.

54
Q

As air temperature rises, its capacity to hold moisture ______ (rises/falls).

A

Rises.

55
Q

On a psychrometric chart, the saturation line at 100% relative humidity is also called the _______.

A

Dew point.

56
Q

Hygroscopic

A

A material that is hygroscopic absorbs moisture from the environment.

57
Q

Evaporative Cooling

A

Simply means cooling through evaporation. It is based on the idea that water takes heat in order to turn into vapor. Works well in hot, dry climates.

58
Q

Tolerable Humidity

A

Humans can tolerate 20% to 70% humidity, but 30% to 65% is ideal for human comfort.

59
Q

Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE)

A

A measurement of the fuel used yearly by an individual furnace, displayed on all furnaces manufactured in the United States.

60
Q

Lift (for Water, Plumbing Formula)

A

(total feet of height) / (2.31 psi/ft); 1 PSI will raise a column of water 2.31 feet.

61
Q

Reduced Pressure Back-Flow Preventer

A

A valve assembly used to protect the potable water supply from contaminated water. The valve stops used/return water from the building from flowing back into the public water supply.

62
Q

Typical Fixture Required PSI (Toilet, Shower, Bathtub Faucet, Hand-Wash Faucet, Washing Machine, Dishwasher)

A

Toilet: 25 psi, 3 to 5 gallons per flush
Shower: 12 psi, 3 gallons per minute
Bathtub faucet: 5 psi, 4 gallons per minute
Hand-wash faucet: 8 psi, 2.5 gallons per minute
Washing machine: 8 psi, approximately 40 gallons per load
Dishwasher: 8 psi, approximately 15 gallons per load

63
Q

Required CFM per Person Depending on Program Type according to IMC 2015 (Auditoriums, Bars/Clubs, Art Classrooms, Lecture Classrooms, Computer Rooms [Without Printing], Dry Cleaners)

A

Auditoriums (150 people per 1000 sf): 5 CFM/person
Bars/clubs (100 people per 1000 sf): 7.5 CFM/person
Art classrooms (20 people per 1000 sf): 10 CFM/person
Lecture classrooms (65 people per 1000 sf): 7.5 CFM/person
Computer rooms (without printing) (4 people per 1000 sf): 5 CFM/person
Commercial dry cleaner (30 people per 1000 sf): 30 CFM/person

64
Q

CFM

A

Cubic Feet per Hours units of ventilation (volume) x ACH (Air Changes per Hour)/(60 min/1 hr)

65
Q

Cross section area of a duct formula

A

A = CFM/V.

66
Q

Grounding

A

A type of safeguard to protect people from shock and systems from shorting out, grounding allows electrical current to find an easy path to the earth.

67
Q

Three-Phase Transformer

A

Three circuits carry three alternating currents, which reach their peak current at different times. Allows for a greater variety of power output options. Three-phase power is 60 cycles / second (hertz), but in three phases that are staggered, so each phase cycles one-third of the time apart. This provides more constant power.

68
Q

List four types of dampers.

A
  1. Fire Damper: automatically stops air flow when there is an increase in temperature to prevent the spread of fire
  2. Splitter Damper: used to send a certain amount of airflow down a duct
  3. Balancing: balances the flow of air, but does not shut off the air
  4. Motorized Control: a remote system that varies the airflow within an automated system, very efficient
69
Q

List the advantages of insulating ductwork.

A
  1. Reduces heat gain
  2. Reduces heat loss
  3. Reduces noise
  4. Prevents the buildup of condensation
70
Q

What are two ways to reduce the HVAC noise in a building?

A
  1. By using vibration isolators composed of springs or pads between the building foundation and mechanical equipment
  2. By creating a separate foundation for the mechanical equipment
71
Q

What are three types of private on-site waste disposal systems?

A
  1. Sand Filters: collection drains carry effluent to a non-potable watercourse, used in areas with impervious soil; expensive compared to other systems
  2. Leaching Cesspools: naturally occurring bacteria in the cesspool convert the organic matter to liquid, then the effluent flows from the septic tank through porous conduits and is absorbed by the soil; inexpensive compared to other systems
  3. Subsoil Disposal Beds: effluent drains a minimum of 2’ below the water table
72
Q

List the three major components that make up a building’s electrical power system.

A
  1. Loads: the required demand created by appliances, lights, and mechanical systems required for the project’s various programs
  2. Interior-Distribution Equipment: the conductors, raceways, subpanels, and submeters used to distribute the electricity
  3. Service-Entrance Equipment: the transformers, service disconnect, fuses, meters, and circuit breakers
73
Q

How are central heating systems classified?

A

By the medium they use (steam, air, or water) and by the energy source they use (solar radiation, electricity, or liquid/solid fuels).

74
Q

What is the minimum depth of an accessible lavatory?

A

17”

75
Q

NEC

A

The National Electrical Code (NEC) is written by the NPFA and is used throughout the U.S.

76
Q

Overhead Electrical Service

A

The majority of electrical service is overhead. It is usually less expensive.

77
Q

Underground Electrical Service

A

Advantages include less clutter, high reliability, and long life; usually more expensive.

78
Q

How long has electricity been used in buildings?

A

A little over 100 years. Thomas Edison opened direct current generating stations in London and New York in 1882. The White House got electricity in 1891.

79
Q

Lightning Rod

A

A metal rod or wire on a building that diverts lightning to the ground.

80
Q

The discovery of the relationship between magnetism and electricity allowed for which technologies?

A

Generators, motors, and transformers.

81
Q

Electricity

A

Flow (current) of electrons from negative to positive charges. It is an invisible form of energy that can be transformed into other types of energy, like heat and mechanical energy.

82
Q

True or false? Electric current always generates heat.

A

True.

83
Q

Electrical Resistance

A

The measure of the difficulty of an electric current to pass through a conductor; measured in ohms.

84
Q

Direct Current vs. Alternating Current

A

In direct current (DC), the voltage and current remain constant over time. In alternating current (AC), the voltage and current changes direction periodically. Batteries supply DC power. Electrical outlets in buildings provide AC.

85
Q

Capacitors

A

Electrical devices that can correct the out-of-phase current of an inductor and raise the power factor.

86
Q

Bus Bars

A

Metallic bars where power is concentrated for distribution to many wires. They can be found inside electrical panels.

87
Q

Conductors

A

Any material that allows the flow of electricity: for example, a wire. Copper is a good conductor. The opposite of a conductor is an insulator. Most nonmetallic solids are insulators.

88
Q

Ohm’s Law

A

States the relationship between current, voltage, and resistance. It states that current is directly proportional to voltage and inversely proportional to resistance, or current is equal to volts/resistance.

89
Q

Static Electricity

A

Usually created by friction. It is usually harmless unless it sparks a flammable gas.

90
Q

What is electromotive force and how is it measured?

A

Electromotive force is a difference in potential that gives rise to an electric current. It is measured in volts. It is analogous to intensity or pressure.

91
Q

60 Cycles per Second

A

The frequency of alternating current (AC) in the U.S. It is measured in hertz.

92
Q

Electromagnetic Induction

A

When an electric field is created by a changing magnetic field. This is a foundational concept for the way electric motors work.

93
Q

Power Factor

A

Inductors throw currents out of phase, which reduces the power in the circuit. This effect is called power factor (PF) and is the ratio of real power to apparent power. Real power is the capacity of the circuit, and apparent power is volts x amps. The power factor is a value between -1 and 1. Capacitors can fix this negative effect.

94
Q

Inductors

A

Electrical devices that use magnetic fields, like ballasts and motors.

95
Q

Impedance

A

Inductors create an opposition to the current as well as resistance, and together they are called impedance. Impedance is measured in ohms.

96
Q

Circuit

A

A path through which electricity flows from a source to one or more devices and then returns. Circuits are either in series (older Christmas lights) or parallel (almost all circuits in a building).

97
Q

Amps

A

Unit of electric current.

98
Q

Short Circuit

A

A short circuit is when a current flows through an alternative path of lower resistance than the normal circuit.

99
Q

Power

A

The function of an electrical circuit is to provide power, or energy, for work. Measured in watts. 1 kilowatt = 1,000 watts.

100
Q

Voltage Drop

A

The amount of voltage lost in a circuit due to impedance.

101
Q

Unit of Electrical Energy

A

Measured in kilowatt-hours (kWh).

102
Q

Electromagnetic Field

A

Invisible fields of energy that surround electrically charged objects.

103
Q

What times of day, respectively, are the least and the most power being used in the U.S.?

A

Least: late at night/early morning
Most: hot summer, late afternoon

104
Q

Demand Surcharge

A

When the utility company charges more for power consumed during high demand times.

105
Q

Remote Switching

A

Utility companies can remotely switch the power to their customers’ air conditioner units off during peak times to save energy. In return, the customer gets less expensive electricity.

106
Q

Sources of Electricity

A

Currently, most electricity is produced by large centralized power plants fueled by coal, oil, natural gas, nuclear, or hydroelectric energy. Increasingly, wind and solar farms are contributing to the electric energy supply.

107
Q

Transformer

A

Converts voltage either up or down by electromagnetic induction. Overland electrical voltage is very high and is stepped down by substation transformers and again by transformers in buildings.

108
Q

True or false? The greatest safety threat of electricity in buildings is electric shock.

A

False. It’s fire.

109
Q

Blackout

A

A complete crash of the power grid due to the power demand exceeding the supply. A rolling blackout is one that is planned by the utility company.

110
Q

Brownout

A

A temporary reduction in the available power in a community.