Setting up a mechanical system is an essential part of any standard MEP engineering service. The mechanical system runs the air conditioning units that aim to regulate the temperature for each housing unit or office while also providing ample ventilation in the process. Air conditioning is of great importance to any building. If you make a mistake with this system, the chance of you running into trouble with your clients is very high. For that reason, you should consider all necessary elements before you start proceeding on with the project. Here are the four most important things to consider when you set up your mechanical system.
The first one you have to take into account before you roll out your MEP engineering project is the type of your building. Is it a mall, an entertainment establishment, or a high-rise residential building? Different types of buildings require different design schemes. For example, entertainment establishments typically require rooftop-based air conditioning and ventilating units that work over a large area. Residential buildings, on the other hand, call for smaller systems for each housing unit. Learning about the type of building will definitely let you know which design suits the project the most.
Natural gas is a great source of heating. If it is available on site, then that’s great better. If your MEP engineering project has access to natural gas, you could opt for a gas heating system or a heat pump system as the primary heating source.
The ductwork is one of the most important elements of your mechanical system installation project as it directly affects the aesthetics of the building. The first thing to consider is whether you will opt for the exposed ductwork or a concealed one. Even if exposed ductwork might severely affect the building’s aesthetics, it is the more efficient choice.
Furthermore, modern housing design actually allows ductwork, especially the spiral type, to be installed in a large living or co-working space without sacrificing the aesthetics as it gives a touch of industrial glamour. The other type of exposed ductwork, the rectangular one, should be used at the back of the house. If you prefer concealed ductwork, do remember to take all factors such as efficiency, maintenance, and routing into account.
The mechanical system of a building may take up a lot of space in tenants’ housing units and they will not like this at all. Owners and architects will often want to maximize the usable space of the system, so you will be the one trying to find the middle ground between the two. Just remember to constrain your project into that perfect spot or you might run into trouble with either party.
MEP engineering is never an easy task, especially with so many things to consider. If you find yourself in need of a functional and efficient mechanical system, why not let us lend you a hand? With several impressive projects in our portfolio, we at New York Engineer take great pride in offering you top-notch MEP engineering services at very competitive prices.
