MECHANICAL & ELECTRICAL LIST

(August 24, 2004)

BASIC THERMAL PROCESS
Heat loss Calculations
Know the Heat-Transfer Process: Convection, Conduction, Radiation, Evaporation
Latent heat vs. sensible heat
- Latent heat: change in state
- Sensible heat: change in temperature
Understand the basic principles of thermal transfer.
ACOUSTICS
Understand the basic principles
o Reverberation,
o Reflections,
o flanking path, The path that sound takes around.
o Focusing
o Diffusion
o Flutter
o Echo
o Attenuation
o sound dampening Damping means to reduce resonance in the room, by
absorption

Sound Transmission Class (STC) and calculations (ie: sound transmission in a wall
with different materials in different areas)
Def.: a single-number average over several frequency bands of a barriers ability
to reduce sound. The higher the STC rating, the better the barriers ability to control sound
transmission. STC would be crucial for party walls between two apartment units for
example.....or the floor between upper and lower levels. STC, therefore, takes on different
characteristics that affect the rating....such as wall/floor mass, air space etc.
Noise Reduction Coefficient (NRC) Sound absorption
Def.: arithmetic average of the absorption coefficients at 250, 500, 1000, and
2000 Hz. It is useful as a single-number criterion for the midband effectiveness of a porous
absorber. If high or low end frequencies are of interest, NRC is useless. NRC would be
critical in design of an auditorium in attempt to provide optimal acoustics (reverb time,
etc.), NRC, therefore, responds to actual material properties, i.e. abosorptivity, reflectance of
sound.
If you quadruple the intensity of a source how many db would it be
Where is the best location for speaker in a lecture hall? (Front? Side? Top? Dispersed in
the hall?)

COST

Life Cycle definitions and other cost questions.

Do not need to know the retail price of systems, just understand which ones are more
expensive to install, operate, etc.
Power costs for an assortment of appliances...

Estimating questions, ie: what is the most accurate estimating method?

What estimating method would you use during D.D

CODE

ADA dimensions for urinal

Minimum HC elevator dimensions.

ELECTRICAL
Understand the basic principles
Know Electrical Symbols.
Analogy of terms between electric and hydraulic (Ampere is to electric as? is to
hydraulic)
ohms law
Identify a drawing or Images of fuse types.
The formula for energy (power)
What type conduit would be used underground? USE
Where is Romex cabling prohibited? Codes prohibit Romex from use in areas where the cable is exposed to the elements or just
laying out in the open.

Information on weather heads

Be familiar with interior electrical components and know how distinguish wire diagrams
Identify parts to electrical service feed, to three other electrical components
Resistance calculations, one that required figuring resistance with either series or parallel
wiring.

ELEVATORS
What is the average time a person should wait for and elevator? 90fpm
Escalator. Which type would be best in a certain situation? What degree an escalator is.
Costs related to different types of elevators and reasons for choosing one over the
other.
Understand the different types of elevators and the time and cost impacts they have on
construction.
Calculations on Elevator hoist way areas, (simple math)
Electric vs. hydraulic etc. For example, if an apartment building is being constructed,
which type of elevator would be most economical?
What size or type of vent should be used in an elevator shaft?
Why is a sump pump used in a hydraulic elevator?
FIRE PROTECTION
Fire protection systems...and devices. (MEEB)
Know the names of the 4 stages of a fire and what occurs in each.

Incipient This first stage begins when heat, oxygen and a fuel source combine and have a
chemical reaction resulting in fire. This is also known as ignition and is usually
represented by a very small fire which often (and hopefully) goes out on its own, before the
following stages are reached. Recognizing a fire in this stage provides your best chance at
suppression or escape.

Growth The growth stage is where the structures fire load and oxygen are used as fuel for
the fire. There are numerous factors affecting the growth stage including where the fire
started, what combustibles are near it, ceiling height and the potential for thermal
layering. It is during this shortest of the 4 stages when a deadly flashover can occur;
potentially trapping, injuring or killing firefighters.
Fully Developed When the growth stage has reached its max and all combustible
materials have been ignited, a fire is considered fully developed. This is the hottest phase of
a fire and the most dangerous for anybody trapped within.
Decay Usually the longest stage of a fire, the decay stage is characterized a significant
decrease in oxygen or fuel, putting an end to the fire. Two common dangers during this
stage are first the existence of non-flaming combustibles, which can potentially start a
new fire if not fully extinguished. Second, there is the danger of a backdraft when oxygen
is reintroduced to a volatile, confined space.

Know the various types of heat/smoke detectors

Fire sprinkler systems...
Automatic venting hatch for fire protection.
Fire dampers (Where they go, what material they are made off...)
Sprinkler layout criteria

HISTORY IN MEP
Roman aqueduct
Corbus Notre Dame at Ron champ - Lighting
the Pantheon in Rome - Lighting
The fan window from Gothic architecture
Thermal mass and ventilation in one of Palladio's Villas.
Acoustical problem found in a Greek theater?
sound attenuation and visual disruption caused by the audience.
The Greek Model of the theater was a response to sound attenuation and visual disruption caused by the audience. the test probably won't ask you
about it's flaws - but obviously modern technology has improved on the model.
Consider the absense of acoustical tile - that technology obviously imrpoved theater acoustics. Absorbtion isn;t much of a problem as that
occurs naturally with an audience. Also, many of these ampitheaters are located outdoors. Drapery around the perimeter would have blocked
any escaping sound.
actually it was the material of the theatre seats tha twas the key. the limestone material acted as an acoustic filter for background and high-frequency
noises. the form of the theatre seating acts as a corrugated sound insulator. The Epidaurus theatre is the prime example of this ancient design - because
of the limeston. The greeks actually thought the wind and other factors were the cause of success, however they failed to reproduce the Epidaurus
because they used wood seating, etc......additionally they would often use empty vessels below the seats in an attempt to amplify the sounds.
However the overall problem in the typical theatre is as it usually is.....echo....echo...echo...

LIGHTING
Understand the basic principles
Identify light fixture types
Calculations on opaque wall and windows
Be familiar with lighting and applications.
Study the different methods to calculate lighting needs..Zonal Cavity/Lumen Method
etc. (if you have to calculate the amount of light needed using the zonal cavity method,
remember that the distance used if from the top of work surface)
Formulas are given to you on Lighting Calculations; just understand how to use it.
Lumen calculations from data given, use formula from References
Foot candle, Illumination.
Cost

Light charts, candlepower distribution curves

Review windows and skylights, especially as they relate to fire and smoke venting.
Pay attention to the Electric / Light chapter and the different bulbs and ballast systems.
Know the different Color temperatures for natural vs. bulb lighting (MEEB goes over a
bunch moreand it has a color temperature chart that is good to know)
Which type of light has a green tint? Fluorescent lights
Questions on daylight factors. Be sure to read over Day lighting System (using the
MEEB)
lighting application for different spaces and uses
What type of lighting would you find on a football field?
What lighting is best if the ceiling is black? Direct, indirect..
Know all about direct, semi-direct and indirect lighting and their diagrams
Know electrical infrastructure. (conduit, wiring types, etc.)
Be prepared for very specific light fixture questions, i.e. what types of fixtures do not
require a ballast, what kind of light pattern do types of fixtures make, what color light do
certain fixtures give off etc.
Color temperature

MECHANICAL (HVAC)
Know the various types of HVAC systems
What climate conditions they are best suited for which system, their cost & types of
buildings they lend themselves. Identify them in diagram form & in terms of components
What climates will a heat pump work in and what climates should using a heat pump be
avoided?
VAV, Single Zone vs. Multizone, fan coil system, Hydronic heating system - identify
from diagram,
Why you would choose a two pipe versus a three pipe, etc.
Understand the refrigeration cycle.
Know the various parts of steam heating equipment how it works and identification of
parts.
Cover details of components, systems, diagrams etc. Relief valves, flush valves, main
feeders, flue controls pressure alarms, Pressure relief valve. etc.
Get to know the parts of a chiller and a condenser unit. & boiler diagram
Which system is better in a long linear building, a three pipe system or a fan coil system?
Certainly one type of system fits better into a particular building design. example: singleduct constant volume least expensive vs. Fan coil system expensive installation cost
due to using forced air
Review boilers, Heating systems and furnaces diagrams, too.
heat generation equipment diagrams
AC and distribution systems diagrams. This also includes advantages and disadvantages
to the systems, which is good preparation for making the judgment calls necessary at
exam time.
Ch 15 and 16 (mechanical and electrical) of AGS has tons of diagrams of all sorts of
useful things, including smaller parts, which would be useful to know in this context.

Interior zone HVAC systems diagrams

I.D. an HVAC duct type. (turning vane or splitter damper).
Look through all the charts and figures in MEEB
Understand shading devices, vertical fins, horizontal light shelves, etc.
Equipment part identifications, i.e. wiring trough, temp.
Plan diagrams with location of valves asking what kind of valve?
Air changes in a room.
The sun chart
Heating in Canada (??)
calculations on the R and U assemblies
Questions on the psychometric chart and thermal comfort...
a smoke pencil (used to test for air infiltration)
spread/throw diffuser
Heat pump vs. Boiler
- Heat pump: a device that warms or cools a building by transferring heat from a
relatively low-temperature reservoir to one at a higher temperature. These usually take
hear from the (cooler) earth and bring it into the house or vise-versa for cooling the
house. A fridge is another example, taking heat out of the fridge and putting it into
the room.
- boiler: a tank with a firebox or electric coil that heats a liquid which is then
pumped through the building to heat it.
DX systems & VAV Systems
- DX (direct expansion): an alternative (and more popular choice) to a chilled water
system in HVAC. Is used to cool air containing water vapor. In a DX system, a
refrigerant is used to remove sensible and latent heat from the air and water vapor
mixture. With a chilled water system, a refrigerant is used to chill water. The chilled
water is then used to remove sensible and latent heat from the air and water vapor
mixture.
- VAV (variable air volume): a fan system HVAC. Provides many zones for control
at relatively low cost. Often a single air handler with local boxes for each space. Can be
used with either DX or condenser systems
Splitter Dampers vs. Turning Vanes
- Splitter Damper: Not only directs the flow of air but also controls the volume of
air (can be noisy)

- Turning Vane: directs air around a bend in a duct without adding noise to the
system. Directs the flow of air.

GAS & VALVES

Know your valves! (review Graphic Standards p. 687)
1. Ball Valve
2. Butterfly Valve

A butterfly valve is a valve which can be used for isolating or regulating flow. The closing mechanism takes the form of a disk. Operation is similar to
that of a ball valve, which allows for quick shut off.

3. Check Valve
4. Drain Valve

5. Gate Valve
6. Globe Valve
7. Needle Valve

8. Plug Valve
9. Pressure Relief & Pressure Control Valves
10. Safety & Emergency Shut-off Valves
11. Angle Valve - technical term for hose bib
I.D. a valve that you would use for gas in a doctor's office. ANSWER: ball valve,
classified as a quarter turn valve, is used for medical gas service
Methane and CO2 Gases are released in a room and it is divided in 3 vertical
sections...where does the gas accumulate.
What is the mounting height for detectors? Carbon Monoxide (CO) Mount at breathing
level (4-5 feet above the ground). Heavier than air (propane, LP, refrigerants) one foot
above the floor. Lighter than air (methane, natural gas, hydrogen) one foot below the
ceiling

PLUMBING

Understand the basic principles

Diameter of pipes -- rainfall calculation, roof drain
How do you make water potable?
There was a diagram of a water heater. Where would you put the shut off valve &
Pressure relief in water tank?
Study the difference between Vent Stack and Stack Vent very WELL
Study how to vent plumbing fixtures, Plumbing systems diagrams, & Water supply
distributions systems.
6 rise with 1% slope results in what length of run?
ID a shower drain. Know Various types of floor traps,
Plumbing codes - How many WCs, Urinals etc required based on the code provided by
them. Fixture calculation based on given chart. Know how to determine the minimum
piping diameter (fixture units) from tables (provided on reference section of test).
Be familiar with septic tanks, sanitary waste disposal and cisterns--and other various
sewage waste disposal systems.
What type of sewage system would you use if you have a high water table? (look at
pictures and diagrams in MEEB)
Static Head, Defined as the pressure, measured in inches of water, available to overcome
friction in the entire system.
What size water pipe is needed to push water up x amount of feet.
What valve is used in building trap & before Sewer?
Thrust block
Designation for plastic pipes
Acid Rain
Know difference between gray and black plumbing systems for residential
Know water pressure height for a medium rise structure, know psi/ft for head of water,
rough psi needed for fixtures (calculations)

SOLAR
Trombe wall, overhangs and vertical fins...
solar energy - passive systems and solar charts & solar path of sun
SUGGESTED READING AND WEB SITES
Mechanical & Electrical Equipment for Buildings (MEEB) by Stein and Reynolds
Heating, Cooling and Lighting: Design Methods for Architects, by Norman Lechner
The Architect's Studio Companion : Rules of Thumb for Preliminary Design by Allen,
Edward.; Iano, Joseph.
Publication: New York John Wiley & Sons, Inc. (US), 2002.
(gives good breakdown of cost associated with HVAC systems)
Heating, Cooling, Lighting : Design Methods for Architects by Lechner, Norbert.
Publication: New York John Wiley & Sons, Inc. (US), 2001.
Problem Seeking : An Architectural Programming Primer by Pea, William.; Parshall,
Steven
Publication: New York John Wiley & Sons, Inc. (US), 2001.
Architectural Graphic Standards

Building Construction Illustrated by Ching (40 page section on Mechanical & Electrical
Systems)
Visual Dictionary of Architecture by Ching
The Black and Decker Complete House Renovation Guide (book found at Home Depot
for only $0.20)
http://ocw.mit.edu/OcwWeb/Architecture/index.htm - look at the different lecture notes
for the courses (could be a good resource for all multiple choice exams)
http://www.nps.gov/dsc/dsgncnstr/gpsd/toc.html (sustainable design)
http://www.aiacolorado.org/SDRG/home.htm (sustainable design)
http://www.arch.hku.hk/research/BEER/passcool/cool.html (passive solar)
http://www.arch.hku.hk/~cmhui/teach/65156-7g.htm (passive solar)

IMPORTANT MEEB CHAPTERS.

Part I Energy Overview
Chapter 1 - read, no in-depth stud
Chapter 2 read, study
Chapter 3 read, no in-depth study
Part II Thermal Control
Chapter 4 read, study
Chapters 5,6 & 7 review diagrams
Part III Water and Waste
Chapters 8, 9 & 10 lightly read, pay attention to drawings, diagrams, ect.
Chapter 11 skip
Chapter 12 lightly skim
Part IV Fire Protection
Chapter 13 must read
Part V Electricity
Chapter 14 read 14.1 through 14.11 and 14.21 (p. 878)
Chapter 15 read 15.3 through 15.7
Chapter 16 read 16.6 through 16.10
Chapter 17 read 17.3
Part VI Illumination
Chapter 18 must read, study in-depth
Chapter 19 read 19.4, 19.8, 19.16-19.21, 19.27-19.30 and 19.36. Also,
be familiar with incandescent, fluorescent, and high-intensity
discharge
Chapter 20 read 20.10-20.15 and 20.33-20.40
Chapter 21 - skip
Part VII Signal Equipment skip, use study guides
Part VIII Transportation skip, use ALS
Part IX Acoustics
Chapters 26 & 27 read lightly and use study guides for in-depth study
MISCELLANEOUS.
Ch. 4 of MEEB p. 116 8th addition; a composite assembly of building materials in place

at the site. Understand drawing.

Security system differences
Moisture Barrier vs. Vapor Barrier - same thing, should be on the warm side of the wall to
prevent condensation on the insulation. Not to be confused with building wraps like
Tyvek which are vapor/wind retarders and will allow wall cavity moisture to exit

ACOUSTICS
Where is the best location for speaker in a lecture hall? (Front? Side? Top? Dispersed in the
hall?)
According to what I read in MEEB, I believe it's front and top see diag on pages 783 & 784,
10th ed.
COST
What is the most accurate estimating method? Parameter Method??
See attachement, you will need to rotate it!!
What estimating method would you use during D.D
I read a question similar to this one on the MEEB quiz go to www.bcs.wiley.com
I think it was on chapter 6
CODE
ADA dimensions for urinal
Go to www. access-board.gov, you should fine the info there, also there is some info on page
956 MEEB, 10th ed
Minimum HC elevator dimensions.
Go to www. access-board.gov, and pages 1385-1388 of MEEB
ELEVATORS
Calculations on Elevator hoist way areas, (simple math)
Their is tables for this, depending on type of elevator and so forth. You need to see the
tables to get an idea as how they work, see pages 1415-1418.
What size or type of vent should be used in an elevator shaft?
Not sure
HISTORY IN MEP
Acoustical problem found in a Greek theater?
See and read thru page 775 and diag. provided in the book.
LIGHTING
What type of lighting would you find on a football field?
IMO, I would use HID lights. Metal Hilade IMO would be the best, since they are mounted far
from the players and people looking at the game. MH lamps tend to explode and emit UV
light, but this can be solved by using lamps that are self estinguishing after they burn out.
IMO in a gym, I would use either color corrected HPS, or White HPS lamps, my resoning for
this is that the HPS lights can have a standby design that would eliminate total darkness in
the gym and they do not send UV light is they fail, before the lights had a time to re-strike.
MECHANICAL (HVAC)
Which system is better in a long linear building, a three pipe system or a fan coil system?
I would say a three pipe system, with the info provided.
PLUMBING
What type of sewage system would you use if you have a high water table?
Mounds with leach beds, see page 1018, fig. 22.39

 What valve is used in building trap & before Sewer?

I'm not aware of valves for discharge of sewer (IMO valves are for water supply), and it's to
be done by gravity.
Thrust block?
Google this one