Services > Building Services M&E Design
Mechanical and Electrical building services have become, most notably in the past five years, complex and multi functional processes. This is due to a number of recurring issues including:
- Fossil fuel prices
- Carbon Footprint Accountability
- Intricate building designs
- Re-emergence of restoration projects on older, less energy efficient buildings
- Larger emphasis put on building and living space aesthetics
- Busier lifestyles resulting in requirements for more automated systems
- Bespoke circuits as each installation exists in different environmental conditions
- Calculation based designs as ‘rules of thumb’ no longer can suffice
- ‘Smart’ control systems with user friendly HMIs and programming code to efficiently run system without intervention from an operator
- A more energy aware approach to building design
The amendments forthcoming to Building Regulations Document F for the Conservation of Fuel and Power are the latest steps taken to combat unnecessary energy use and the high degree of wastage that has unfortunately occurred for many years in Ireland. These amendments will encourage if not force all building and building service designers to pay special attention to the energy performance of the building. Energy efficient systems that integrate well with the aesthetics and function of the building are readily available and should be encouraged to be utilised.
Energy efficiency should now be the determining factor when specifying equipment. An onus lies with consulting engineers to design in and specify and energy saving measures from the building services design starting point. The new building regulations aid in ensuring this is done.Â
Equipment shall be recommended where integration with other components in the system is achieved in the most fully, effective and complementing manner performable. Similarly, the integration of individual components shall yield an effective and energy efficient installation.
Brands and models shall be custom to the installation based on performance required, deduced through calculation and specified thereby. The brands shall be recommended based on performance and capacity to fulfil their function to the highest attainable standard. Ease of acquiring spare parts or components shall also be brought into consideration in order to reduce down time in the eventuality of a component or system failure.
Provision shall be made in sizing equipment to allow for ease of integration of further systems to supplement the individual components without sacrificing efficiency and performance of the combined system. Â
Contact Cuilinn Engineering Ltd to talk further about designing a sustainable mechanical and electrical service strategy based upon your individual needs.
