Building systems engineering involves designing ventilation, electrical, plumbing, and communication systems for buildings. Engineers use computer-aided design software to incorporate utility connections into the building design. Heating, ventilation, electrical, plumbing, and communication systems are all important aspects of building systems engineering. Elevators and communication networks are also included in larger buildings.
Building systems engineering is the science and discipline of designing ventilation, electrical, and communications systems for buildings. When architects design buildings, they may employ their own engineers or hire outside experts to design the various elements that make buildings function. Heating and ventilation, plumbing, electrical and communications are all part of a building project often hidden from building owners and users.
Once a building or residence has been structurally designed, with all structures and foundations defined and documented, building systems engineering can begin. The system engineers will use the existing structure design to incorporate all utility connections for the bathroom, food court and office or living areas. Since the 20th century, many of these designs are done using computer-aided design (CAD) software that will insert utility connections directly into the building design.
Heating and ventilation are a key part of any engineering project, both for the comfort of the occupants but also for the cost and weight of the ventilation equipment. Adding air conditioning or heating equipment to the top of a building can cause the necessary design changes in the structure to support the additional weight. Ductwork to carry ventilation air throughout the building must fit within the limits of the existing walls or ceiling, otherwise design changes will be required to accommodate them.
Building electrical systems engineering will include all electrical outlets and lighting, and address communications and computer networking needs. Many buildings designed since the late 20th century include computer networks throughout the building. These networks allow a business to quickly establish computer systems when the building is occupied and minimize the need to put up walls or run networks later at an additional cost. The electrical design may also include safety nets, fire alarms, and controls for outdoor landscape irrigation.
Plumbing is a necessary part of building systems engineering and includes both fresh water supply and sewage removal. Architects will specify where kitchens, bathrooms and other service areas are located, and system engineers will design the plumbing networks to connect them. Wastewater plumbing also requires vents at key locations, which must be included in the building design and hidden in existing walls.
In larger buildings, moving people efficiently is a key part of the building systems engineering design. Elevators, escalators or moving walks can be incorporated into the building design and all require electrical and control connections to function properly. Some systems, such as elevator controls, may also need to be linked to other devices such as fire alarms to prevent elevator operation when an alarm occurs.
Communications may include telephone, fax and intercom networks, but an important part of communications in larger buildings is portable radio reception. Building security personnel and outside emergency services must communicate in an emergency, and large buildings can block radio signals. The engineering design may need to incorporate signal boosters called repeaters at specific points in a building to allow for routine and emergency communications.
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