Building Services Design Explained

During the design process of a project, building services engineers focus on ensuring a building is fit for purpose and determine how the mechanical and electrical elements of a building will operate to create a comfortable environment.

High-quality designs are important to enable a building to be constructed in a way that allows for optimum performance when in operation, particularly important for complex projects like hospitals. Building services engineers focus design efforts on creating a building that is safe, comfortable, functional and energy efficient.

Building services design covers a wide range of aspects including:

• Heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC)
• Lighting (natural and artificial)
• Energy supply (gas, electricity and renewable)
• Fire safety (detection and protection)
• Carbon emissions (calculation and reduction)
• Water related issues (plumbing and drainage)

Sustainability is also central to building services design. With buildings currently responsible for 40% of the UK's total carbon emissions and the world's building stock projected to double by 2060, it is now more important than ever for the construction industry to integrate sustainable measures into projects.

Engineers devise innovative solutions to make a building energy efficient in a bid to meet government carbon targets. Whether a building is in the initial stages of its lifespan or an existing building is being renovated, building services engineers can create designs which greatly lower a building's carbon emissions. Associated energy costs are also reduced resultantly.

By considering ways to make a building 'green' during the design process, this minimises the negative impacts of a construction project on the environment.

Not only does a solid design result in an environmentally friendly building being developed, but also allows for a smooth construction process. Any potential issues are identified during the design process and are remedied quickly and easily. This prevents any unexpected delays occurring during the construction stage, thereby reducing associated costs.

Additionally, software such as Computer Aided Design (CAD) and Building Information Modelling (BIM) enables the optimisation of the design process. Engineers can gain highly accurate representations of how a completed project will look and how it will operate.

During the design process, building services engineers convert an artistic vision of a building into tangible technical solutions as to how a building will function. These can be understood by contractors who are later responsible for constructing the project.

Meadowbank House

DARe-me Consulting Engineers provided M & E Design for Register of Scotland's Edinburgh office, Meadowbank House. DARe-me conducted an Electrical Load Assessment to determine the suitability of changing the building's existing gas fired external condensers for more energy efficient electrical units.

Building services engineers seek to minimise the energy consumption of a building by incorporating measures to make a building 'green'. In the design process, engineers are responsible for deciphering how this is achieved in a cost-effective way.

Buffalo Mozzarella

Paisley Housing Association HQ - Assurance House

DARe-me Consulting Engineers were appointed as part of a total refurbishment of Paisley Housing Association's new head office, Assurance House. DARe-me worked with the design team to ensure technical excellence was achieved.

DARe-me provided Mechanical, Electrical and Public Health Design. Our team ensured all elements were coordinated and operated effectively. By remedying any potential complications during the design stage, this allowed for a hassle-free construction process.

Summary

The design process of a building - whether at the start of its lifecycle or during a refurbishment - is highly important. It bridges the gap between an artistic vision and the process of constructing a building. Building services engineers offer mechanical and electrical engineering solutions to enable a building to be constructed and operate at optimum performance. Attention is focused on the comfort, safety, functionality, and efficiency of a building.

At DARe-me Consulting Engineers, with a team of highly experienced Mechanical, Electrical and Sustainable Design Engineers, we pride ourselves on consistently finding the perfect design solutions for all buildings. Contact the team at DARe-me today to find out how we can offer our design expertise for your project.