Wednesday, January 7, 2009

Green Buildings Benefits

Dismissed as a fad until some years ago, most mature organizations around the world are now willing to give the Green Building concept a serious thought. Although the journey is far from over, yet the comforting fact is that this issue features prominently among the long-term strategies of many medium and large size companies across the globe.

Thanks to the efforts of the United Nations and other international bodies, decision makers now increasingly realize that we cannot afford to have a myopic vision when it comes to the future of the planet. The simple logic being that our planet's ecology can be in real danger until some genuine efforts are made in the direction of creating energy efficient buildings.

So what exactly is the concept? Put simply, Green Building refers to the concept of reducing its impact upon the environment by making optimum use of the various resources such as power, water and other materials. This can be accomplished by integrating 'green' principles throughout the building life cycle through the steps of site selection, design, construction, operation, maintenance and even dismantling.

The benefits of Green Building are not limited to the environment alone. Organizations that have implemented these principles have experienced various tangible and intangible benefits including:

• Reduced operating costs

• Improved productivity

• Reduced consumption of resources

• Minimal environmental impact

• Enhanced image and goodwill

These are just known benefits, there are many more benefits and those are unseen. This is one of the best technique to save our environment with pollution.

Jack Albert is a dedicated writer, writes for Spectral, which provides green building services and building simulation consultancy. Also provides consultancy for energy efficient building.

Tuesday, December 23, 2008

Spectrual Design and Consultancy

A structural engineer’s ability to enhance the value of buildings for their owners, architects and users is often under-estimated. It is this image that Spectral’s Structural Division is all set to change.

With its deep domain expertise, our structural division works in close coordination with the architect to develop and design the building from concept stage through to the levels of fine detail and construction. A structure, apart from its functions, spatial dimensions and configuration, must be capable of carrying loads imposed on it by the weight of the building, the activities carried inside and external forces. The Support Structure must have the necessary strength and stiffness to resist vertical loads as caused by gravity, and horizontal loads as caused by other external forces such as strong winds or earthquakes. Additionally, stability and serviceability are also essential elements in any structure.


General Design Determinants

The design of buildings evolves out of a complex interactive process, and addresses the following criteria in addition to building the support structure:

* Building context (including legal restrictions)
* Building safety (fire & health)
* The Building as an organization of spaces
* The Building as an activity & functioning system
* The Building as an enclosure & its climate control
* The Building as an architecture
* The Building as a construction process and as an assembly
* The Building as an economy

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Enjoy reading more here about structural consultancy and building simulation.

Resource: Spectralservices.net

Friday, October 24, 2008

Fire Protection System

Fire Hydrant System
Fire Hydrant System of type Class III is generally provided as the same is acceptable in most cases to the AHJ. Internal and external standpipe fire hydrant system is provided with landing valve, hose reel, first aid hose reels, complete with instantaneous pattern short gunmetal pipe. The internal diameter of inlet connection is at least 80 or 100 mm. The outlet is of instant spring lock type gunmetal ferrule coupling of 63 mm diameter for connecting to hose pipe. Provision of flow switch on riser is made if required by the operator for effective zone monitoring. The flow switch is wired to FAP and indicates water flow on hydrant of the identified zone.

Recessed cup board / fire hydrant cabinet are strategically located for fire fighting requirement. Location of cabinets shall be accessed as per compartmentation plan in consultation with the Architect.

External hydrants are located within 2 m to 15 m from the building to be protected such that they are accessible and may not be damaged by vehicle movement. A spacing of about 45-50 m between hydrants for the building is generally adopted.

Fire department connections are also provided on the external wall of the property near the main entrance. These comprise of 4 Nos. 63 mm diameter male outlets capable of directly feeding the ring mains through non return valves or directly filling the static fire reserve tanks.

Sprinkler System
Sprinkler System with pipe schedule piping design or elaborate hydraulically balanced piping design is planned and designed for the project. Sprinkler type along with its bulb rating is selected based on the requirement of the occupancy/ storage hazard. The sprinkler system is provided with control valves, flow and tampers switches at suitable location and connected to control module of the fire alarm system for its monitoring and annunciation in case of activation. Inspector's test valve assembly with sight glass is provided at remote end with discharge piped to drain outlet / pipe.

Clean agent suppression system
Clean agent suppression system is be provided for Server Rooms, EPABX Room and other rooms with sensitive equipments prone to damage by spill of water. The system is designed in accordance to NFPA 2001 and comprises of the FM 200 / NAF S III gas module containing required quantity of gas which is released when the actuator output is enabled by the fire alarm panel. As per the design concentration, release of the gas is within 15 seconds time elapsed from the actuation to put out the fire. The room is ventilated completely after the release of FM 200 gas / NAF S III gas, before personnel can enter and work in the area.

Carbon-di-oxide extinguishing system
Carbon-di-oxide extinguishing system with cylinder, piping and nozzle assembly is designed and provided for LT Panel and other electrical panels as required by the operator or AHJ. However, trolley mounted carbon-di-oxide extinguishing system are anyway always provided in main electrical rooms such as transformer room, LT panel room and other critical areas.

Portable fire extinguishers of water (gas pressure), Carbon-di-oxide and foam type are identified to be provided as first aid fire extinguishing appliances. These extinguishers shall be suitably distributed in the entire project as per the class of fire and as per NFPA Guidelines and AHJ.

Fire Protection System for Helipad
Fire Protection System for Helipad has been designed for various projects in compliance to NFPA 418. Low expansion AFFF (Aqueous Film Forming Foam) Unit/System for fire protection of the helipad is provided. The AFFF is be applied to the heliport-deck from either a hose line at a rate of 89 GPM for duration of 2 minutes or through fixed/ oscillating nozzles at the rate of 0.10 GPM per sq. feet for duration of 5 minutes. Each oscillating monitor/ nozzle has its own foam supply tank with sufficient foam to apply at the above mentioned rates for duration of 10 minutes, twice the minimum specified ion NFPA 418 for Category H-2 Heliport Facility (helicopters with overall lengths between 50 feet and 80 feet). Heliport foam fire protection utilizes the water supply available from the standpipe system.

Kitchen hood fire protection system
Kitchen hood fire protection system is generally specified by the facility planner and included in scope of the kitchen equipment suppler. However, all necessary interface with FAP and fuel shut off annunciation is included in our design scope.


This is the complete information about Fire Protection System, in the next post we will discuss about plumbing consultant and energy efficient building.

Tuesday, October 14, 2008

FIRE FIGHTING & FIRE PROTECTION SYSTEM

Fire fighting and fire protection for the project is planned in accordance to local codes/ standards, AHJ (Authority Having Jurisdiction) and international codes and standards such as NFPA and or FM Global codes/ standards.

Water is stored in underground tank of capacity as per requirement stipulated in local codes. Water is drawn from fire reserve tanks (generally below ground in basement) by electrically driven jockey pumps, fire pumps and sprinkler pump. A standby diesel engine driven pump for both the fire hydrants and sprinkler system is also provided. All pumps shall have separate suction line from the fire suction header. Delivery from the pumps is connected to the respective hydrant and sprinkler system. For Sprinkler system, installation control valve with hydraulic alarm are be provided in the basement. . The sprinkler pump is isolated from the main discharge header by a non return valve so that the hydrant pump can also act as standby for the sprinkler system. The function of pumps shall be to maintain 3.5 Kg/Sq.cm at the farthest hydrant. Diesel engine driven fire pump is of the same capacity and is back up for the electrically operated fire hydrant / sprinkler pump, as per fire regulations. This will be operated in case of total electrical power or electrical pump failure. Independent Jockey pumps for hydrant and sprinkler system operate intermittently in order to take care of hydraulic losses in the system and maintain the minimum pressure respectively in wet risers & sprinkler system. Fire pumps rating / duty is in accordance to AHJ directive and also caters for future expansion requirement.

This is the very basic informatin about Fire protection system, In next post i will discuss about 6-7 more topics like sustainable design, building simulation and structural consultancy.

Resource :- http://www.spectralservices.net

Wednesday, September 24, 2008

INTEGRATED BUILDING MANAGEMENT SYSTEM

Integrated Building Management (IBMS) is a complete information delivery system that monitors and controls a variety of systems and functions at an optimal level of efficiency.

INTEGRATED BUILDING MANAGEMENT SYSTEM design consists:-

Building Automation System

BAS System is a micro processor control system designed to monitor and control of all parameters of HVAC, Electrical, PHE, Fire Protection, Elevators and other building services/utilities. The intent is in conserving energy by executing various energy efficient programs for optimized performance of the various systems and to assist the operation and maintenance of the installation.

Fire Detection & Alarm System

Addressable fire detection & alarm system is designed as per NFPA 72 in accordance to the project requirement and to meet the operator's design guidelines and also to meet the AHJ requirements. Main/ repeater fire alarm control panel, smoke / heat detectors, visual/ audible strobes, manual call points are integral components of the system and are well coordinated with the code design requirement and to meet the architectural/ interior requirements.

Public Address System

Public Address System is used for emergency voice evacuation and announcement and is customized for the project as per the requirement of the installation. The system comprise of head end equipment, distribution equipment, reception equipment.

Security System

We design low profile, user-friendly, integrated security system with camouflaged hardware using state-of-art technology with a near optimum blend of human resources, and a cost effective system which is evolved to provide basic protection and security cover for the assets within the premises. The system is designed to be discreet enough to blend with the ambience and yet be effective enough to achieve its basic goal of protection. The Security System for the complex comprises of perimeter protection for intruder detection; access control system and electronic surveillance.

Please visit our site for various services like :- Integrated building management system, Electrical system and Plumbing consultant.
Resource :- www.spectralservices.net

Wednesday, September 10, 2008

Salient Features of Green Building

Minimum Air Conditioning Load
Each tonne of refrigeration (TR) caters to more than 300 Sqft (Normal buildings in India require 150-200 Sqft / TR) of air conditioned area, despite higher fresh air intake. This is achieved through specially selected double glazing for each orientation, and by ensuring that all external walls and exposed roofs are well insulated, thus minimizing the air conditioning load.

Lighting Power Density
Energy efficient general lighting power density is less than 10 W / Sq.mt ( Normal is 20 W/Sqmt), as per LEED requirements.

Power Consumption
Annual power consumption for Green Office building is generally less than 250 KWH / Sq.mt for normal 12 hours / day operation (Normal buildings are 400 KWH / Sq.mt.).

Excellent Indoor Air Quality
Fresh air requirement is 3% higher than ASHRAE 62.1 - 2004, to improve the indoor air quality (IAQ). Therefore personnel working indoor are always subject to generous quantity of treated fresh air, which keeps them fresh and energetic even after extended working hours, thereby improving productivity. Fresh air is generally supplied on-demand basis monitored thru CO2 level in return air.

Treated Fresh Air
Treated fresh air AHU is provided with heat recovery wheel (HRW) to minimize the air conditioning load by reducing the ambient air temperature before it passes through the cooling coil of the space AHUs.

Visible Light Transmittance
Glass for windows is specified for superior visible light transmittance allowing maximum harnessing of day-light (without adding glare on computer screen) thus reducing energy consumption through electrical light fixtures throughout the day.

Water Conservation
Water conservation is achieved through Zero Discharge, that is, entire effluent is treated in Sewerage Treatment Plant (STP), and treated water is recycled as makeup for air conditioning and DG sets cooling towers, for flushing in WCs and urinals, and for gardening.

Rain Water Harvesting System
Rain Water Harvesting System: Rain water harvesting system with filteration is provided. This water can be used for cars / car parking washing and for general washing.

Recourse :- www.spectralservices.ne

We provide consultancy services in India and wirlwide. we provide Fire protection system and expert consultant and also plumbing consultant.

Advantage of green buildings

Financial - Building green, if pursued early in the building design process has better life cycle cost than conventional building due to reduced utility, maintenance and replacement costs.

Social - Improved indoor air quality, natural day-lighting and user comfort combine to boost productivity and reduce absenteeism in green buildings. Local economies benefit by the greater emphasis placed on purchasing locally produced goods and services in order to minimize embodied energy - the amount of energy needed to bring goods and services from greater distances.

Environmental - Less site disturbance, more durable products that harmlessly decompose, and structures that actually produce their own usable energy through solar photovoltaic or other renewable sources are all examples of environmentally friendly design and construction. These and other environmentally benign features and approaches combine to reduce the amount of resource extraction from and adverse impacts upon the natural world. Green building means learning to build with nature.

Resourse :- www.spectralservices.net

We provides consultancy services in all areas related to engineering and green building. We have expert HVAC consultant and electrical system consultant.