This book is of interest to owners, architects, structural engineers, mechanical engineers, electrical engineers and other specialized engineers and consultants. The design guide is focused on the efforts of designers of the heating, ventilating and air-conditioning (HVAC) systems, but it also addresses the importance of the design team and their collective efforts and concerns that are the critical elements in determining the ultimate solutions to project needs.

The ASHRAE Technical Committee for Tall Buildings, TC 9.12, has defined a tall building as one whose height is greater than 300 feet (91m).

This Guide addresses HVAC design issues for tall commercial office buildings, but the matters discussed and the recommendations and comments that are developed, with various modifications, can be applied to other project types within the built environment. 122 pp.

HVAC Design Guide for Tall Commercial Buildings - Table of Contents:

• Introduction
  • General Overview
  • The Tall Building Defined
  • Real Estate Considerations
  • Architectural Considerations
  • References
• Stack Effect
  • Theoretical Discussion of Stack Effect
  • Practical Considerations of Stack Effect
  • Means to Minimize Stack Effect
  • References
• The Design Process
  • Project Phases
  • References
• Systems
  • Considerations in System Selection
  • Air-Conditioning System Alternatives
  • Air-Conditioning Supply System Conclusions
  • References
• Central Mechanical Equipment Room vs. Floor-by-Floor Fan Rooms
  • The Alternative Systems
  • Points of Comparison of Alternative Schemes
  • Acoustics
  • References
• Central Heating and Cooling Plants
  • Plant Economic Considerations
  • Central Plant Locations
• vi | HVAC Design Guide for Tall Commercial Buildings
  • Acoustical Considerations of Central Plant Locations
  • Impact of Central Plant Location on the Construction Schedule
  • References
• Water Distribution Systems
  • Hydrostatic Considerations
  • Chilled Water Piping Arrangements
  • Impact of the Refrigeration Machine Location
  • Chilled Water Pressure Reduction
  • Piping, Valves, and Fittings
  • Piping Design Considerations
  • The Economics of Temperature Differentials
  • References
• Plumbing and Electric System Interfaces
  • Plumbing Systems
  • Electrical Systems
  • References
• Vertical Transportation
  • The Basis of the System Configuration
  • Alternative Elevator Configurations
  • Service Elevator
  • HVAC Involvement with the Vertical Transporation System
  • References
• Life Safety Systems
  • The Unique Fire Safety Problem of the Tall Commercial Office Building
  • Codes and Standards
  • Components of a Fire Management System
  • Fire Safety Response Plan
  • References
  • Appendix A Heating, Ventilating, and Air-Conditioning Design Criteria
    and System Description for a Multitenanted Office Building
  • References