SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE, BUILDING & DESIGN

Centre for Modern Architecture Studies in Southeast Asia (MASSA)

Bachelor of Science (Honours) (Architecture)

BUILDING SERVICES (ARC 2423)

Project 1 - Case Study and Documentation of Building Services Systems
30% of the total assessment (20% group work & 10% individual)
Submission date: Week 7 (8 May 2015)
Introduction
This is a group project to perform a case study on the building services systems installed in a building.

Project 2

Group (20%)
Individual (10%)
Peer evaluation

LO
1, 2, 4

30%

A4 bound report with 2

sheets of A2-size
summary attached
together

Hardcopy and digital

copy

Objectives of Project
The objectives of this assignment are as follows:
1. To introduce students to the basic principles, process and equipment of various building services systems
through real life project (experiential learning).
2. To expose students to the integration of various building services systems in a building.
3. To allow students to demonstrate their understanding of building services systems
4. To develop students understanding and familiarity on the drawing conventions and standards for different
building services systems
Learning Outcome of this Project
On completion of this assignment, students will be able to:
1. Identify and understand relevant information related to water and electrical supply, sewerage, mechanical
ventilation and air-conditioning as well as fire protection systems.
2. Understand how each building services functions including the connections and position of different parts
equipment.
3. Understand and explain the principles and systems as well as space implications and regulations related to
different building services.

Tasks - Methodology
Form a group of between 5 to 6 students in the same tutorial group.
Under the tutelage of a lecturer, each group is required to choose a building of at least 4-storey high which can be
either public or commercial buildings (i.e. office blocks, institutional buildings, shopping malls, etc.). Each group is to
perform a thorough study and analysis of the following services systems associated to the building:
i.
ii.
iii.
iv.
v.
vi.

water supply system

electrical supply system
sewerage, sanitary & drainage system
mechanical transportation system
mechanical ventilation and air-conditioning system
fire protection system

Each group will need to document their findings accordingly. It is entirely up to the group members on how they want
to delegate the tasks to each of their members. The purpose of this assignment is to give a clearer picture of what
the students will and have learnt in the classroom and to evaluate their understanding on the systems that they have
observed.
The requirements of the project are as follows:
1. Identify all the required building services components installed in the building
2. Perform a thorough study on all the services systems
i.
ii.
iii.
iv.
v.
vi.

water supply system

electrical supply system
sewerage, sanitary & drainage system
mechanical transportation system
mechanical ventilation and air-conditioning system
fire protection system

3. Obtain estimated dimensions and sizes of the spaces required for all the equipment and plant rooms identified
4. Provide brief explanation on how the building services components function. This explanation shall be in
qualitative form and therefore no calculation is required.
5. Summarize the systems in diagrammatic form.
It is recommended for students to read and research on the building services literature/materials
Submission Requirement
Each group needs to prepare:
1. An A4 bound report together with 2 sheets of A2-size project summary, both in softcopy and hardcopy.
Suggested Format of A4 Report
Cover page- Project title, module name and code, names and student ID numbers should be written clearly,
including a TU logo.

Table of Content

Description
Name and location of the building, brief history and background of the
building, consultants for the building, etc.
of the systems being studied based on textbooks/ handbook/ journals,
etc. Do not research and report about unrelated systems or components.
(maximum two pages per services system)

Introduction to the building

Literature review
Findings & Analysis

Fire Protection System

Air Conditioning System
Electricity Supply
Mechanical Transportation System
Conclusion
References
Attachment

Introduction & Function

Components of System
Operation of System
UBBL requirement or related regulations
Images and diagrams of the system
Analysis and comments based on students observations (i.e.: in
terms of location of plant and machine rooms, design
considerations, etc.)

2 sheets of A2-size project summary

Assessment criteria
The assessment for this assignment will be based on the followings:

Depth of study and richness of content

Clarity in visual and verbal communication and understanding of the project
Quality of drawings and diagrams including appropriate drawing standards and conventions
Ability to work as a team

Marking criteria

Marking Criteria

Marks (%)

Marks shall be distributed as follows:

Acquired
TGC

Depth of study
Study the required building
services systems and its
components including:

i) mechanical ventilation &

air-conditioning system,
ii) electrical supply
iii) fire protection system
iv) mechanical
transportation system

15

2.1, 5.1

FAIL

POOR

SATISFACTORY

GOOD

EXCELLENT

Only 1
services
system
studied
(max. 3)

2 services
systems studied
at moderate
level and 2
services
systems studied
at surface level
or All services
systems studied
at surface level
(max. 6)

All services
systems
studied at
moderate
level
(max. 9)

2 services
systems studied
at in-depth level
and 2 services
systems studied
at surface/
moderate level
(max. 12)

All services
systems
studied at indepth level
(max. 15)

Literature Review
Research conducted on the
systems used in the building
from books, etc.

Project Summary
A2 presentation boards
accompanying and
summarizing the report

Quality of Report
Formatting, organisation,
quality of drawings, images
diagrams, references, etc.

Total

30

1.1, 2.3,
3.2

2.1, 2.3,
5.1

2.1, 2.3,
5.1

No literature
review or
only for one
services
system
(max. 1)

Overall poor
literature or only
moderately
produced for 2
services
systems
(max. 2)

Overall
moderate
literature
review for all
services
systems
(max. 3)

Overall good
literature review
for all services
systems
(max. 4)

Overall
excellent
literature
review for all
services
systems
(max. 5)

No summary
(0)

Summarizes 1
services
systems or
overall poorly
produced
presentation
boards
(max. 2)

Summarizes 2
services
systems or
overall
moderately
produced
presentation
boards
(max. 3)

Summarizes 3
services
systems or
overall nicely
produced
presentation
boards
(max. 4)

Summarizes
all services
systems or
overall
excellently
produced
presentation
boards
(max. 5)

No
formatting,
unorganised,
untidy
drawings and
diagrams
(max. 1)

Poor formatting,
organisation,
drawings and
diagrams and/or
without
references
(max. 2

Acceptable
formatting,
organisation,
drawings and
diagrams with
references
(max. 3)

Good
formatting,
organisation,
drawings and
diagrams with
appropriate
referencing
technique
(max. 4)

Excellent
formatting,
organisation,
drawings and
diagrams with
appropriate
referencing
technique
(max. 5)

Suggested References
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Chudley, Roy. 1988. Building Finishes, Fittings and Domestic Services. 2nd Edition. Longman.
Greeno, R. 2000. Building Services Equipment. 5th Edition. Longman.
Hall, Frederick E. 1997. Building Services and Equipment. Volume 2. 2nd Edition.
Hall, Frederick E. 1999. Building Services, Technology and Design. 3rd Edition. Longman.
Stein, Benjamin & Reynolds, John S. 2000. Mechanical and Electrical Equipment for Buildings. New York,
John Wiley.