by Eingel Joy Pangilinan

BUILDING SERVICE SYSTEMS

- Building function cannot be limited to providing shelter only. Basically “Building Services” is what
makes the building come to life. i.e. what makes the building work
Building Services
- Building should be designed in such a way to provide an environment where people can feel
comfortable, work, live and achieve.
Building Services - They creatively apply scientific principles to design the buildings we need and focus on the three
Engineers aspects of buildings
THREE ASPECTS OF BUILDINGS
1. Daylight and artificial lighting 4. Escalators and lifts
A. Safety
2. Ventilation and refrigeration 5. Security and alarm systems
3. Fire detection and protection
1. Reducing carbon emissions and environmental impact 3. Energy supply and use
B. Efficiency
2. Communications networks 4. Façade engineering
1. Heating and ventilating 3. Air conditioning and refrigeration
C. Comfort
2. Water, drainage and plumbing
Building Services - They are essential provisions for a building, accounting for 20% to 40% of the total construction cost.
Systems Figure shows the cost breakdown of a typical government office building.

CLASSIFICATIONS OF
BUILDING SERVICES

I. Mechanical Services
- This discipline deals with unpredictable situations like fire accidents within the building.
- It follows the process of detection that is done mainly by different sensors, communication that
1. Fire Safety System includes spreading the message to vacate the building and alerting the nearest fire station and
protection that provides for initiating the systems to put off the fire.
- It deals with delivering sensors, alarm systems, fire hydrants, fire tanks and sprinkler systems.
- Also called Lifts
- It is a form of vertical transportation between building floors, levels or decks, commonly used in
2. Elevators offices, public buildings and other types of multi-storey building.
- It can be essential for providing vertical circulation, particularly in tall buildings, for wheelchair and
other non-ambulant building users and for the vertical transportation of goods.
- They are mechanical devices used for transporting people vertically between different levels of
buildings.
3. Escalators
- Typically, they take the form of a moving staircase, consisting of a 'chain' of single-piece aluminum
or stainless steel steps guided by a system of tracks in a continuous loop.
- It refers to the different systems used for transferring air between indoor and outdoor areas, along
4. Heating, Ventilation
with heating and cooling.
and Air-
- It deals with the essential service in a building that determines and controls human comfort by
conditioning(HVAC)
regulating temperature, humidity and air quality.
- Hot water supplied by boilers and pumps via piping
- Heaters are appliances whose purpose is to generate heat (i.e. warmth) for the building. This can be
A. Heating done via central heating. Such a system contains a boiler, furnace, or heat pump to heat water,
steam, or air in a central location such as a furnace room in a home, or a mechanical room in a large
building.
- It is the intentional introduction of outside air into a space.
- It is mainly used to provide oxygen for the people and control indoor air quality by diluting and
B. Ventilation displacing indoor pollutants
- it can also be used for purposes of thermal comfort or dehumidification when the introduction of
outside air will help to achieve desired indoor psychrometric conditions.
 Mechanical - It uses fans to drive the flow of outside air into a building. Many mechanically ventilated buildings use
Ventilation a combination of both, with the ventilation being integrated into the HVAC system.
- It is the intentional passive flow of outside air into a building through planned openings. Natural
 Natural Ventilation ventilation does not require mechanical systems to move outside air, it relies entirely on passive
physical phenomena.
- It is often referred to as AC
- It is the process of controlling certain parameter of air in an enclosed space. Some of the
C. Air Conditioning parameters controlled are Temperature, Humidity, Indoor Air Quality, air velocity etc.
- It can be used in both domestic and commercial environments.
- In common usage, though, it refers to systems which cool air.
 - It is responsible for delivering natural gas or other gases to various appliances within a building.
5. Gas Supply Systems
- (such as for heating and cooking in residential buildings, or oxygen and nitrogen in hospitals)
6. Garbage or Waste - It is crucial for maintaining cleanliness, hygiene, and environmental sustainability.
Management System - These include waste disposal, recycling facilities and waste management policies
II. Electrical Services
1. Power Supply
2. Backup Power - Such as diesel generators
3. Emergency Power - Such as battery-based uninterrupted power supply
4. Lighting and
Acoustics
- It can only be used during the daytime, and artificial lighting is required at night. Also, various tasks
Natural Lighting
require different settings in a lighting system in different spaces for different users.
- It deals with outdoor and indoor sound or noise. It prevents the flow of such unwanted sound into the
building and outside the building.
Acoustics
- It often helps create an isolated space for concentrating sound produced through any activity in a
room.
TWO TYPES OF LIGHTING
- (using windows, skylights, or light shelves) is sometimes used as the main source of light during
daytime in buildings.
A. Day Lighting
- This can save energy in place of using artificial lighting, which represents a major component of
energy consumption in buildings. Proper lighting can enhance task performance, improve the
appearance of an area, or have positive psychological effects on occupants.
- Lighting or illumination is the deliberate use of light to achieve a practical or aesthetic effect.
- Lighting includes the use of both artificial light sources like lamps and light fixtures, as well as natural
B. Artificial Lighting
illumination by capturing daylight. Indoor lighting is usually accomplished using light fixtures, and is a
key part of interior design. Lighting can also be an intrinsic component of landscape projects.
- In a building, it’s vital to protect the equipment, visitors, staff, information and the building itself. To
5. Security and Alarm
achieve security: installation of access control, CCTV, intruder alarms and perimeter security can be
Systems
done in a building.
Security - It provides “a form of protection where a separation is created between the assets and the threat.”
Visual Security - It includes CCTV camera systems, which will not only show and record the live picture of the area
Monitoring Systems that the camera is monitoring but gives an alarm when a intrusion happens to the monitored area.
Alarm Device or - Gives an audible, visual, or other form of alarm signal about a problem or condition. Alarm devices
System of Alarm are often outfitted with a siren.
- It refers to the infrastructure and technologies that support communication within and between
buildings. This includes various systems and networks that enable voice, data, and multimedia
6. Telecommunication communication
- It includes structured cabling, wireless networks, LAN, fiber optic backbones and telecommunication
rooms
III. Plumbing Services
- It is any system that transmits fluids for a wide range of applications.
- Heating and cooling, waste removal, and potable water delivery are among the most common uses
Plumbing
for _____.
- It utilizes pipes, valves, plumbing fixtures, tanks, and other components to transmit fluids.
MAJOR CATEGORIES 1. Cold and hot water supply
OF PLUMBING SYSTEMS 2. Sewer and Wastewater piping system
OR SUBSYSTEMS 3. Fuel gas piping
- It is a sustainable practice that involves collecting and storing rainwater for later use. Integrating
Rainwater Harvesting
rainwater harvesting into building service systems offers various environmental and economic benefits
- It is a crucial component of a building service system designed to manage and control the flow of
rainwater and storm runoff.
Stormwater Drainage
- Effective _____ helps prevent flooding, erosion, and water damage to the building and its
surroundings
FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS IN BUILDINGS
- It would include all expenses associated with the acquisition or construction of the building to ready
Building Costs it for use by the company
- Typically, a building is used by the company and is part of property, plant, and equipment
1. Understanding building costs is essential in the construction industry as it directly impacts the
IMPORTANCE OF
feasibility, profitability, and success of any construction project
UNDERSTANDING
2. Accurate estimation and management of building costs are crucial for developers, contractors,
BUILDING COSTS
architects, and investors to make informed decisions throughout the construction process.
FACTORS INFLUENCING BUILDING COSTS
1. Location - The geographic location of a project can greatly impact costs due to variations in land prices, labor
availability, transportation, and regulatory requirements.
- The size and complexity of the structure directly affect construction costs. Larger buildings with
2. Size and Scope
intricate designs generally require more materials and labor, driving up expenses.
 - The choice of construction materials can significantly impact costs. High-quality, specialized, or
3. Materials
imported materials tend to be more expensive than standard alternatives.
- Labor availability and prevailing wages in the construction industry of a particular region influence
4. Labor Costs
the overall cost. Skilled labor shortages can lead to increased wages, impacting the budget.
- Unique architectural features, complex layouts, and customization can raise costs due to the need
5. Design Complexity
for specialized construction methods and attention to detail.
- Challenging site conditions such as difficult terrain, soil quality, and accessibility issues can
6. Site Conditions
necessitate additional resources and drive up costs.
7. Regulations and - Compliance with building codes, permits, and regulations often requires extra time and resources,
Permits affecting both timeframes and costs.
- Fluctuations in the economy, such as inflation and interest rates, can influence material prices, labor
8. Economic Factors
costs, and financing expenses.
- Supply and demand dynamics in the construction industry can impact costs. During periods of high
9. Market Conditions
demand, costs may rise due to increased competition for resources.
10. Utilities and - Availability and costs of utilities like water, electricity, and sewage infrastructure can affect overall
Infrastructure project expenses.
1. Capital Cost
FUNDAMENTALS OF
2. Building Operating Costs
BUILDING COSTS
3. Life Cycle Costs
- It refers to the total expenditure incurred during the establishment of a construction project,
Capital Cost
encompassing all expenses related to its physical creation.
COMPONENTS OF CAPITAL COST
A. Land Acquisition
- The cost of acquiring the land on which the construction will take place.
B. Site Preparation - Expenses related to clearing, grading, and preparing the construction site for building.
- The cost of all materials required for construction, such as concrete, steel, wood, and finishing
C. Materials
materials.
D. Labor - The expenses associated with the workforce required for various construction activities.
E. Equipment - Costs for the use or rental of machinery and tools needed for construction tasks.
F. Fees and Permits - Charges for obtaining necessary permits, approvals, and compliance with regulations.
G. Design and
- Expenses related to architectural and engineering services during the planning and design stages.
Engineering
H. Overhead Costs - Indirect expenses such as project management, administrative expenses, and utilities.
I. Contingency - A reserved amount to cover unforeseen events or changes in the project scope.
COMPONENTS OF BUILDING OPERATING COST
A. Maintenance and - _____ costs are ongoing expenses incurred to ensure the proper functioning, safety, and longevity of
Repairs a building. Regular maintenance activities, such as cleaning, painting, and servicing mechanical
systems, help prevent deterioration and address minor issues before they become major problems
- _____ costs encompass expenses associated with energy consumption, water usage, and other
B. Utilities (Energy,
essential services required to operate a building. Energy costs include electricity and gas used for
Water, etc.)
lighting, heating, cooling, and powering various equipment.
- Property taxes are imposed by local governments based on the assessed value of a building. These
C. Property Taxes and taxes contribute to public services and infrastructure maintenance within the area.
Insurance - Property insurance, on the other hand, provides protection against risks such as fire, theft, natural
disasters, and liability.
COMPONENTS OF LIFE CYCLE COST
A. Initial Construction - It includes all expenses incurred during the creation of a building or infrastructure, encompassing
Costs material and labor costs, equipment expenses, and other direct expenditures. These costs set the
foundation for the project and significantly influence its feasibility, budgeting, and financial planning.
- It covers the ongoing expenses required to ensure the functionality, safety, and longevity of a
B. Maintenance and
structure throughout its operational lifespan. Regular maintenance and timely repairs help prevent
Repair Costs
deterioration and minimize the need for major replacements, contributing to long-term cost savings.
- It encompasses the expenses incurred during the day-to-day operation of a building or facility. This
C. Operational Costs includes utility costs, employee salaries, maintenance, insurance, and other expenses directly tied to
the building's functionality.
- It refers to the expenses associated with decommissioning, demolishing, or disposing of a building or
D. End-of-life disposal structure once it reaches the end of its useful life. Proper planning for end-of-life costs involves
costs considering the environmental impact and potential recycling or repurposing options, ensuring
responsible and cost-effective disposal.