Apr 24, 2024  
2021-2022 Graduate Academic Catalog 
    
2021-2022 Graduate Academic Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

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AE 5402 - Building Mechanical System Design

3 lecture hours 0 lab hours 3 credits
Course Description
This course covers fundamentals of building mechanical systems including HVAC, plumbing, and fire protection applications. Topics include psychrometric relationships; basic heating load and cooling load calculations; fundamentals of Air-Water, All-Air, All-Water systems; constant air volume and variable air volume systems; ASHRAE Standards; fire science; fire safety design; fire detection and fire alarm systems; fire suppression systems; automatic sprinkler systems and smoke control principles; and emerging trends in plumbing and water and wastewater system design. (prereq: AE 3622 or equivalent)
Course Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:
  • Calculate building heating and cooling loads using standard hand calculation methods, including the CLTD method of cooling load determination
  • Explain the purpose and operating principles associated with various hardware components within an HVAC system, and perform basic sizing of components and designs of systems
  • Understand various strategies for energy recovery within HVAC systems
  • Construct virtual building models and perform energy simulations on simple buildings, using the TRACE energy simulation program
  • Explain why and how various unit treatment processes such as water softening, ion exchange, and reverse osmosis are used within modern plumbing systems to pre-treat potable water prior to consumption or for post-treatment purposes
  • Explain current trends and recent advances in fire protection systems

Prerequisites by Topic
  • Introductory course in building mechanical systems

Course Topics
  • Review of psychrometrics and human comfort
  • Review of heating load calculations                   
  • Cooling load calculations                                                                                         
  • HVAC system types (all air and hydronic; heating and cooling)            
  • HVAC equipment                                                                                                          
  • Midterm exam                                                                                                                
  • Energy conservation strategies                                                                                              
  • Introduction to energy simulation and modelling w/trane TRACE
  • Topics in fire protection system design                                                                            
  • Water pre- and post-treatment for plumbing systems

Coordinator
Dr. Deborah Jackman



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