HVAC and Fire Protection in Building Safety

HVAC and Fire Protection 1
HVAC AND FIRE PROTECTION
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HVAC and Fire Protection 2
32. Exhaust fan
There are some considerations that should be taken into account when using an exhaust fan
include:
Exhaust fans that are not necessary to be shut down should be provided with electrical supply
from a clearly labelled devoted main switch.
The opening should be protected with a fire damper together with smoke damper and the exhaust
fan should stop functioning during fire mode (Australia, Australian Board 2009).
The exhaust fan should be installed and used according to the operating and installation
instructions of the manufacturers.
The exhaust fan should be inspected and reviewed by fire authorities and local building to
determine compliance with applicable fire and building codes.
33. Regulations regarding exhaust fans usage
Microbial Control: Under the Air handling and water systems of the building, there is a provision
regarding any room within a building is demanded by the Building Code of Australia to be
ventilated with outside air by the use of the mechanical system. This is to prevent providing a
condition that may favor the growth of microorganisms such as extreme moisture in the room.
Safety regulation: Bathrooms are normally cleaned with chemicals that are very aggressive
which may result in numerous health issues when inhaled. These chemicals can easily be
eliminated through the exhaust fan (Australia, Building Board 2015).
34. Evaporative cooling device
Evaporative cooling device is a device that cools air through water evaporation due to the large
enthalpy of vaporization of water by the use of thermal energy in the air, leading to a lower
temperature of the air. The dry air temperature significantly drops through the transition of phase

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to water vapour from liquid water. This cal, result in cooling of air by use of less energy
compared to refrigeration (Burke 2011).
Limitations
The evaporative cooling device requires frequent maintenance compared to other systems of
cooling such as refrigeration. This is because it builds up mineral and salts deposits which have
to be eliminated especially in areas of hard water. Since this device uses screens, nozzles, blades,
and wet pads for dispersion of water into the air, these surfaces may become a breeding ground
for bacteria, mildew, and mould in case the device is not regularly cleaned. The evaporative
cooling device is also climate dependent since it needs to operate in a dry climate. This device
also requires a constant supply of water and cannot be an effective device in regions where there
is the scarcity of water (Gupton 2012).
35. Pressurisation
Pressurisation is the application of pressure in a given environment or situation. Pressurisation
process is normally applied in cabin pressurization, where conditioned air is pumped into the
cabin of a spacecraft or aircraft so as to enable a comfortable and safe environment for crew and
passengers flying at high altitudes (Burke 2011).
36. Mechanical Ventilation
Comfort zone: Can be defined as a condition of mild that articulates contentment with the
thermal environment and it is evaluated through subjective evaluation. The human body
produces extra heat into the environment for continuity of its operation such that the transfer of
heat is proportional to the difference in temperature (Burke 2011).

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Climate Control: This is the maintenance of working environment through ventilation, cooling,
and heating by use of energy efficiency ways such as using the mechanical ventilation system or
natural ventilation grills (Gupton 2012).
Chiller Unit: This is a system used in generating cold water for air conditioning by removing
unwanted heat from the structure. Air cooled chiller unit uses fans to blow cool ambient air over
the condenser to eliminate heat from the system (Burke 2011).
37. Location of Air-condition plant
The air-conditioning plants are normally positioned on the roof of the building since the roof is
the ideal position for fresh air intake and heat rejection to the atmosphere. The cooling process is
normally noisy, and releases humid and hot exhaust air, hence the best position for the plant is on
the roof (Australia, Australian Board 2009).
38. Building Code of Australia (Air-conditioning)
Air-conditioning is one of the most significant factors for maintaining the quality of healthy
indoor air inside the building and the Building Code of Australia (BCA) demands that any room
occupied within a residence should have proper air-conditioning with outdoor air. A room within
a building is demanded by the Building Code of Australia to be conditioned with air outside by
the use of the fan or other mechanical systems that comply with Australian Standard AS1668.2
in case natural ventilation is not provided (Australia, Building Board 2015).
39. Air conditioning and Mechanical Ventilation
Air conditioning is a system that is made of cooling/warming mechanism and ventilation which
takes the air from the inside. Warms or cools it, and conveys it back to the structure. The