M&E

Question 1

Can you name some elements within MEP?

Answer 1

1. Sanitary Installations
2. Services Equipment
3. Disposal Installations
4. Water Installations
5. Heat Source
6. Space Heating & Air Conditioning
7. Ventilation Systems
8. Electrical Installations
9. Fuel Installations
10. Lift & Conveyor Installations / Systems
11. Fire & Lightning Protection
    12 Communication, Security & Control Systems
12. Specialist Installations
13. Builder’s Work in Connection with Services

Question 2

What is a BMS?

Answer 2

A means of controlling centrally:
Lighting.
Heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC).
Fire, smoke detection and alarms.
Motion detectors, CCTV, security and access control.
ICT systems.
Lifts.

Question 3

How was your project heated?

Answer 3

Water tank heated by Low Temp Hot Water
Combined Heat Power
Ground / Air Source heat pump

Question 4

Types of aircon system?

Answer 4

Cooling module in MVHR
Fan Coil Unit (2 pipe or 4 pipe)
Chilled Beams

Question 5

How is your project powered? And how is it distributed throughout the building?

Answer 5

PV Panels

Generator

Energy centre which will be fed by a local substation feeding from the National Grid

Electricity will be distributed via a switchboard

Question 6

What are the different ways of fire detection?

Answer 6

Fire alarms
Centralised panel
Break glass
Smoke detection

Question 7

What are the different ways of fire suppression?

Answer 7

Sprinklers
Gas suppression
Mist system
Wet riser

Question 8

What are the different ways of security?

Answer 8

CCTV
Alarms
Access panel
Magnetic lock (to door)

Question 9

What are the different types of containment?

Answer 9

Cable tray

Cable basket

Question 10

What is a dry / wet riser?

Answer 10

Wet risers are used to supply water within buildings for firefighting purposes

A Dry Riser is a normally empty pipe that can be externally connected to a pressurised water source by firefighters

Question 11

What is the difference between an air source heat pump and ground source heat pump?

Answer 11

ASHP relies on air to provide heat, through a heat exchanger, refrigerant is heated

GSHP uses natural heat from the ground to provide heat, through the heat exchanger

Question 12

What is a air source heat pump?

Answer 12

1. Air drawn in from outside
2. Air passes through heat exchanger
3. Heat transferred to refrigerant from liquid to gas
4. Passes through compressor heating temperature
5. LTHW runs through ASHP which is heated by refrigerant

Question 13

What is a ground source heat pump?

Answer 13

1. Buried pipes beneath ground with anti freeze
2. Absorbed heat transferred to refrigerant
3. Heat transferred to refrigerant from liquid to gas
4. Gas passes through compressor heater temperature
5. LTHW runs through ASHP which is heated by refrigerant

Question 14

How does your building have electric?

Answer 14

Connected to the mains grid
Power to a local substation
Power stepped down via a switchboard
Power provided to specific switchboards within units

Question 15

How does your building have water supply?

Answer 15

It has been distributed by connecting to the TW supply or via a sprinkler tank

Question 16

How can your building be ventilated?

Answer 16

Windows (natural)
MVHR (localised)
Air Handling Unit (centralised)

Question 17

What is an Energy Performance Certificate?

Answer 17

Energy performance certificates (EPCs), set out the energy efficiency rating of buildings.

Buildings are rated from A to G on EPCs, with A representing a very efficient building and G a very inefficient building.

Question 18

What are the pros and cons of a ASHP?

Answer 18

Pros
Less carbon emissions
Savings on gas bills
BREEAM Scoring
Heating & Cooling

Cons
Lower heat than boilers
More insulation generally needed
Can be noisy

Question 19

What are pros and cons of a GSHP?

Answer 19

Pros
Less emissions
BREEAM
Little maintenance required

Cons
Groundworks
May not be suitable in close proximity to buildings

Question 20

Can you name some sustainable construction methods in relation to MEP?

Answer 20

LED Lighting
PV Panels & batteries retaining energy 
Presence detectors
ASHP 
GSHP

Question 21

Can you name some key differences with regards to MEP in Resi vs Commercial Commercial?

Answer 21

Resi
MVHR
Windows
UF Heating
Radiators
Wall plugs

Commercial
AHU 
MVHRs
Chilled Beams
FCU (4 pipe - hot and cold) 
Lineal lighting

Question 22

What is a fan coil unit?

Answer 22

Circulates hot or cold water through a coil in order to condition a space.

The unit gets its hot or cold water from a central plant

Question 23

Why were MVHR units used?

Answer 23

• provide fresh filtered air to units

- efficient method

Question 24

What is compartmentalization of fire?

Answer 24

Sub-division of a building into smaller sections to: withstand and limit damage/growth from a fire situation by preventing the spread of smoke and fire

Question 25

How can you improve compartmentalization of fire

Answer 25

Increased fire ratings to internal walls / doors

Ventilation

Question 26

What are the main lighting systems used on your projects?

Answer 26

LED Lights
Ceiling Lights
Hanging lights
Luminaire lights

Question 27

What type of lifts are you aware of?

Answer 27

Goods
Passenger
FF Lift

Question 28

How is your project powered?

Answer 28

Temporary generator, substation to be relocated at a later phase