This article covers the following aspects.
1. Unique Characteristics of a Robust Basement Ventilation Design Works
2. Common design aspects of Robust Basement Ventilation works
3. Listing of critical specifications-BOQ Materials wise, that contribute to making Basement Ventilation designs robust
4. Listing of installation activities in Basement Ventilation works wherein need to incorporate good design practices
5. Listing of 8 stages for designing Basement Ventilation works
5, Listing of activities (including unethical) that can adversely impact business during each design stage of basement ventilation
This Design can be relevant for buildings used for residential, commercial, shopping malls, education institutes, hotels, hospitals, offices, etc.
1. Characteristics of a Robust Basement Ventilation Works
Ability to extract and push out polluted air and introduce the same volume of fresh air at an hourly rate
·Ability to condition the air to an acceptable usage level of quality that is comfortable
·Meeting the statutory levels in terms of air quality levels (e.g. carbon monoxide) within statutory levels.
·Preferably meeting ASHRAE (American society of heating, refrigeration & air-conditioning) standards for the exchange of air in terms of cfm-cubic feet per hour with new or clean air.
·Eliminating potential bacteria, microbes that cause respiratory issues or sinus problems
2 Aspects that are common with other HVAC and MEP design packages like air- conditioning system, etc
Design schemes that enable the installation & commissioning of equipment with optimized capacity
·Design arrangements that will allow easy maintainability
·Incorporate flexibility in the design to meet challenges towards potential changes in technology or energy savings or costs
·Coming up with design solutions that are scalable /expandable
·Approving specifications/brands of BOQ that enable minimum downtime
Approving designs that lay focus on the total cost of ownership, including running costs
Delivering specifications and drawings that are easy to understand and incorporate international standards
·Proposing the right choice of BOQ materials in specifications.
· Optimizing costs
3 Listing of critical specifications-BOQ Materials wise, that contribute to making Basement Ventilation design robust
Types of materials for use | Key specifications of building materials (as required by customers and National/international Quality standards) |
Centrifugal fans | Make, brand, Fan Model, Size/diameter, CFM, Static Pressure (SP), and Loudness Limit |
Jet fans | Make, brand, Model, Size/diameter, Thrust in Newton, no of speed steps |
MS Conduits | Make, brand, Model, Gauge of the sheet, diameter |
Diffusers- Aluminum, steel plastic | Make, brand, Model Size, throw pattern (2,3,4 way or 360 degrees), etc |
Grill | Make, brand, Model Size, Nominal sizes, Volume flow rate as Cubic feet /hour |
Panels, motors, Instrumentation, and remote controls | Make, brand, sizes, tolerance limits |
and so on |
4. Listing of installation activities in Basement Ventilation works wherein designers need to incorporate good design practices
Fabrication of ducting & its installation
Installation of MS conduits, pressurization system, grills, diffusers, etc
Installation of fresh air fans, exhaust fans, propeller fans, air washers, pressure fans,
Installation of cable layouts and terminations, distribution panels
Installation, testing, and commissioning of the completed Basement Ventilation system
Providing inputs to the building architects, Interior designers, and all other MEP-package designers for integration of all designs across the project
Building quality in the basement ventilation design process using designing software:
Essential technical steps/activities include performing the following for evolving
Design calculations for determining capacity for the Basement Ventilation works for the project include:
CFM and sizing calculations
·Pressure loss calculations
·Duct and diffuser layouts
·Duct construction standards
·Including detailed 3D BIM Modelling Services with Basement Ventilation works with BOQ depicted,
·Develop Basement Ventilation works related to shop drawings
·Designs supporting all applicable quality standards
Software like Revit MEP, AutoCAD HVAC, Quick Allot, or similar ones having 3D MEP BIM modeling features can be considered for designing air-conditioning works.
5. Listing of Eight stages for developing the design of Basement Ventilation works
Design activities vary considerably from company to company, but generally, there are eight stages to designing the Basement Ventilation for buildings, as below. Whatever designing processes and software are used, designing must result in developing Robust designs by accomplishing the following:
·Build designs that are comprehensive, accurate
· Contributes to building quality in construction by incorporating national and international quality standards in BOQ/material specifications and construction processes
·Integrates statutory and safety requirements (if applicable) in the designs and drawings
· Optimise project costs
·Enables efficient delivery of designs & drawings
·Incorporates maker-checker step in each design stage through the implementation of segregation of duties concept
My book gives More design stage details as per the link below.
· Amazon link: India-
Amazon link-Global-
8 Stages and are:
Stage 1) Develop a preliminary design brief and drawings -Performing the below activities
Developing Strategic plans for design aligned with visions
·Developing comprehensive design brief vis-a-vis air circulation requirements,
· Develop all preliminary designs
Stage 2) Detailed design /drawings /specifications and scheme- Performing the below activities
Making comprehensive designs for Basement Ventilation works on essential aspects such as those below. i)Design features vis a vis centrifugal pumps, jet pumps for the ventilation system, pipes, fumes & exhaust gases extraction system, etc ii) National and international standards for quality iii) Specifications of BOQ material iv) Tolerances on quality of artistry vis a vis installation and commissioning
Incorporating comprehensive Quality requirements
·Considering comprehensive Design-related construction processes for Basement Ventilation.
·Design by considering standardization leads to lower costs
Inaccurate Bill of quantities for each design area /no off of Basement Ventilation works package items
Factoring appropriate acceptance criteria for Basement Ventilation works- design work in process and completed area
Using licensed software while developing Basement Ventilation designs. *
· Issuing of design and drawings to contractor at the project site with version control
Stage 3) Develop schematic drawings for statutory approvals and Incorporating all requirements vis a vis Statutory approval and design/drawings*
Stage 4) Develop tender with BOQ and specifications- Performing the below activities
Making tenders that are comprehensive vis-à-vis technical specifications
Tenders include options for multiple brands of various BOQ materials
·Tender drawings incorporating applicable quality standards for all works.
·Incorporating comprehensive Inspection requirements w.r.t. Basement Ventilation works.
Tender drawings incorporate applicable Statutory requirements vis-à-vis applicable National/International codes. *
Stage 5)
Making construction drawings duly coordinated (GFC)-Design and drawings for Basement Ventilation works & performing the below activities.
·Making construction drawings accurate by obtaining and incorporating inputs from other design functions into various design elements for Basement Ventilation works.
·Preparing coordinated drawings for each relevant Basement Ventilation work by factoring inputs from the Architect team, Interior design team
Stage 6)
Perform final Design calculations -Performing the below activities
·Validating designs after proper incorporation of all proposed air circulation requirements at different progressive loads or vehicular traffic at peak hours and pro-rata over some timelines
Considering appropriate factors of safety & proposed statutory approvals *
Vetting of design efficacy and drawings developed vis-à-vis specification of BOQ materials and installation requirements.
Stage 7)
Making Cost estimates -For the entire project, including in Rs and Cost/Sft. of the saleable area or built-up area - performing the below activities
Estimating costs based on detailed working vis a vis each essential BOQ item (such as below) and their quantities
·Centrifugal fans,
jet fans
·Electrical Panels and BOQ
·Ventilation fabrication material
Motors
·Ducting
·Distribution pipelines
·Fittings, etc
Stage 8) Issue “As-built drawing”-post-work completion and approval- Performing the below activities
· Using appropriate software and making “As-built drawings” designs and drawings after verification of actual supply and installation of each BOQ material for Basement Ventilation work *
Listing of activities (including unethical) that can adversely impact business
Strategic plans for design not aligned with vision.
·Developing a non-comprehensive design brief
·In the tenders, the designer or consultant Insists on names of specific brands /vendors of BOQ, such as Centrifugal fans, Jet fans, electrical panels, fabrication materials, motors, ducting, distribution pipelines, fittings, etc., in collusion with vendors' return for commission/kickback from such vendors./contractors *
·Assigning the same MEP designer to develop designs, drawings schematic designs & drawings, who initially developed concept design, thus not implementing the segregation of duties concept*
Compromising specifications for developing basement ventilation-related BOQ materials samples in collusion with vendor/contractor. *
Using unlicensed software while developing Basement ventilation-related designs. *
Issuing of design and drawings to Basement Ventilation -contractor at project site without any version control
·Not shredding waste designs/drawings or not deleting obsolete /old soft drawings*
·Bribing mandatory Agencies that approve the safety-related specifications (Human beings & environments) of Basement Ventilation design works relevant for safety, e.g., Choice of Jet pumps, centrifugal fans, etc.*
·Contractors influence certifying agencies to compromise statutory certification in return for favors. *
Making tenders where technical specifications are inadequate or are deliberately stated vaguely for subsequent manipulations amongst the designer and contractor with ulterior motives. * * indicates activity having statutory or unethical implications
You can read more about the activities that can adversely impact business in Chapter 3 of my handbook ETHICS in the real estate and hospitality industry, Volume 1- Architectural, Interior Design, and MEP services. “
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