How do you design building systems that are both safe and accessible?

Safety is foremost within any building HVAC design, and from there… providing equipment that is accessible and maintainable, including efficient but simple sequences of operation that can be easily understood by the building owner or maintenance team is paramount. Regardless of how efficient it’s proposed design might be, you must keep it simple, affordable, and understandable if you strive to make it sustainable.

As a building owner, we have set standards that consider both energy efficiency but also safety as well. In the healthcare industry, the safety of our patients is first and foremost before anything else. Working to marry to two together can be challenging sometimes, but we have developed ways to accomplish both and provide the necessary resiliency but also leaving room for flexibility in the design. In this future space, we are being asked to consider not only what a space is, but what it could be in the future. With that comes the need to be flexible in our HVAC designs. Lastly leaning into technology to further benefit design. Understanding how the building interacts with other systems and controls truly changes the outlook for your HVAC.

Not a lot of codes & standards met in London, but I understand you have to work with the space you’re given! So frustrating trying to identify a unit on a busy roof, Bluewater springs to mind… just a sea of unmarked condensers. Next it’s the additional charge info, never there! then No Fgas info, I’ve lost count of the times I’ve had to calculate a charge of a unit that’s been in years. Nothing seems to ever get inspected or checked so over time people & companies lax. I remember a time you would loose your job if you walked away from a unit without leaving a cert in the plastic sleeve inside the condenser or filling in the log book.

Compliance with local regulations and Std set by the ABC & AS 1668 is essential. Factors such as bldg occupancy type, climatic region, and energy efficiency requirements must be considered to ensure that the syst is designed safely & accessibly. Ventilation rates, air distribution patterns, and heating performance should be calculated according to ASHRAE std & NCC to provide a comfortable and healthy indoor environment. Additionally, we consider bldg orientation and solar radiation measurement to optimize energy efficiency and reduce operational costs for the bldg. Proper labeling of equipment, access panels, and comprehensive documentation is necessary to ensure that the operation and maintenance of HVAC syst can be easily carried out.

Access to equipment for repairs and maintenance is essential to safety in any HVAC system. During build-out, whether new construction or remodel, it is important for installers and/or architects to notice unsafe conditions. equipment location can be adjusted to avoid fall hazards or a need for large objects to be moved before accessing. Many times special platforms and access means can be added during the installation. For example, access in and out of cooling towers can require special fixed ladders. Comfort and safety need to be kept separate, but standards are important. Proper filters and air quality metering where needed can not be discounted.

As a Design/Build Engineering team, we put our #1 core value "We Care" at the forefront of our designs. Our safety culture starts with the project design, how can we best develop systems that allow maintenance access without putting the worker in harms way. We always ask "Is there a way to not put the equipment on the roof? Can we install it where ladders won't be required? Why can't that 12" butterfly valve be open/closed from the floor instead of requiring a circus act to get to it?" We incorporate safe pathways and railings in all of our rooftop work. Including safety in design not only improves the safety of the field worker and maintenance staff, but it improves the efficiency of maintenance. We put our We Care culture in front.

Backflow prevention is a major consideration in any plumbing safety program. Most AHJs require compliance testing but if not, this is something that must be incorporated into the maintenance program. Scalding from hot water is also to be considered and is easily managed with continuous inspections. In case of extreme high pressure, a lock out tag out program should be verified.

Access to electrical systems should be limited to qualified persons. In this access, a safety standard should be in place with a required LOTO program being verified. All equipment needs to be maintained by qualified technicians at recommended intervals. Many AHJs require special licenses for performing electrical work. Emergency power is a critical part of any life safety program. Not only does this proved a minimum amount of light for egress, it also provides necessary power for fire alarm devices. Whether battery or generator, emergency power must be verified available and documented when tested.

In my opinion, the first step is to ensure that the fire protection system complies with all applicable building codes and regulations. This will help to ensure that the system is designed and installed to a minimum standard of safety. Furthermore, the type of building occupancy and use will also play a role in the design of the fire protection system. For example, a high-rise residential building will have different fire protection requirements than a commercial office building. In addition, in my experience as a fire engineer, I have noticed that the needs of individuals with disabilities are frequently disregarded or inadequately taken into account by consultants when designing fire protection systems.

Always make sure the implementation of NFPA 13 & 72 standards and work accordingly. Being as an fire Protection Engineer we should make sure the maximum safety of buildings occupants. Building design must be reviewed and renewable in terms of exit ways, assembly points. We should make one ( RRT) Rapid Response Team. Who should take action immediately & we should assign them their responsibilities in case of emergency. For example, in case of fire what will be the growth rate of its fire & how can we escape the building occupants and what measures we should taken In emergency situations in safe ways. Before design of an structure we should make some calculations about stair case and doors of buildings. Use always fire rated doors.

safety in design for a security system should always incorporated two things. Keeping unqualified persons out of critical areas, for example, fire control room, fire pump or valve rooms and all areas containing electrical equipment. Another key is coordination with fire alarm and emergency egress events. Allowing doors to unlock as needed like in stairwells of high-rises or elevator vestibules.