Passive & Active Building Services

Question 1

What is the hierarchy of factors of low carbon design?

Answer 1

• passive/active
• energy types
• heating
• cooling
• building fabric

Question 2

What are the 4 key environmental areas that the UK prioritise on when thinking about the built environment and architecture?

Answer 2

• sustainable consumption and production
• climate change & energy
• natural resources
• sustainable communities

Question 3

What sector is the largest energy consumer?

Answer 3

the built environment

Question 4

In the built environment, how much of the energy is used for space heating?

Answer 4

40% of the energy consumed is used for space heating with most heating systems running on natural gas

Question 5

How much has energy consumption increased by since 1990?

Answer 5

overall energy consumption is on the increase with a 19% rise in the domestic sector and 17% rise in the services sector

Question 6

What is production and consumption driven by?

Answer 6

• demographics
• comfort expectations (average internal temperature have risen 5 degrees since 1970)
• lifestyle (multi-source lighting, laptops, increasing use of electrical appliances e.g iPads)

Question 7

What are the top 3 sources of UK electricity (2016)?

Answer 7

1. gas
2. nuclear
3. wind

Question 8

What is HVAC?

Answer 8

heating, ventilation and air conditioning

Question 9

What comes under efficient building operation?

Answer 9

HVAC and passive/active systems

Question 10

What are some examples of energy efficient or “clean” technologies?

Answer 10

• CHP
• Photovoltaics PV
• Microturbines
• Ducted Wind Turbines
• Fuel Cells
• Heat Pumps - air source and ground source
• Solar thermal/passive solar

Question 11

What comes under sources of energy?

Answer 11

boilers
chillers
electricity supply

Question 12

What comes under distribution of energy?

Answer 12

cables, ducts, fans, pumps, piping etc

Question 13

What comes under delivery of energy?

Answer 13

radiators, underfloor, heating, lights, diffusers, etc.

Question 14

What comes under control of energy?

Answer 14

thermostats, dampers, valves, timers, BMS, PIR, controllers, etc.

Question 15

What are the advantages and disadvantages of active heating and mechanical extraction?

Answer 15

advantages: simple, radiator and mechanical extract
disadvantages: CO2 levels, noise, cost

Question 16

What are the advantages and disadvantages of single side ventilation (passive ventilation using natural ventilation)?

Answer 16

advantages: simple
disadvantages: depended on the presence of wind, limited to deep plan space up to 6-7m, not appropriate for noisy & polluted environment

Question 17

What do we measure when we look at wind/

Answer 17

• direction
• frequency
• speed

Question 18

What is single sided ventilation?

Answer 18

• a system that relies upon openings on one facade of the building
• performance is limited on days when there is little or no wind pressure
• natural ventilation is still possible through stack effect is windows have top and bottom openings

Question 19

What is an example of single sided ventilation?

Answer 19

University Park Hotel, Nottingham

Question 20

What are the design requirements for a building and its environmental systems?

Answer 20

to provide healthy, comfortable environment for the occupants

Question 21

What are the constraints of the operation of environmental systems?

Answer 21

• at a minimum running cost
• with minimum environment impact
• feedback tariff

Question 22

What is the recommended light level for offices?

Answer 22

500 lux

Question 23

What is the recommended light level for supermarkets?

Answer 23

750 lux

Question 24

What is the recommended light level for showrooms?

Answer 24

500 - 750 lux

Question 25

What is the recommended light level for DIY superstores?

Answer 25

1000 lux

Question 26

What are some possible improvements in terms of active systems?

Answer 26

• energy savings controls to maintain comforts
• energy savings gadgets, sophisticated controls
• renewables

Question 27

What are the basic objectives?

Answer 27

• provide adequate ventilation for health and comfort (indoor air quality) according to CIBSE A guide
• fresh air supply (81/sec.person)
• temperature control (18-23 degrees)
• provide adequate acoustic environment (usually related to the operation of ventilation systems)
• provide adequate lighting levels for safety and performance of tasks (150-600 lux)

Question 28

What must be taken account when designing a building strategically?

Answer 28

• site and location (renewables integration)
• energy and other utility supples (dictated by plant type)
• owner requirements (function, cost)
• occupant characteristic and requirements (comfort, health and plant capacity)
• building regulations (minimum requirements)
• all of these factors will affect the design and performance

Question 29

What system requirements are needed for a building?

Answer 29

• heating and cooling
• ventilation
• humidification/air conditioning
• lighting
• special processes

Question 30

Summary

Answer 30

1. for a space or building thinking of the HVAC requirements, passive/active
2. think of energy use over the working day
3. how is energy delivered
4. how environmental and thermal comfort varies across different zones and activities
5. consider, energy. water, waste, natural sources