Building Services for Engineers
Building Services for Engineers
COURSE OUTCOME: After successful completion of this course the student will be
able to:
1. Design the required services for different types of buildings
2. Design lifts, their locations and sizes
ELEVATORS [LIFTS]
Nowadays, there are many changes has been occurred in the fields like industry, computer as
well as software. They have contributed significant progress in all different sectors. By
pushing the switch or button, you call a metal box that transports you from one floor to another
with safely. In fact, an elevator is mandatory for a building which has more than four to five
floors high. For most of the people, an elevator offer ease as well as convenience, and also
makes life easier for physically handicapped persons. This article discusses what is the
elevator, how does it work and types.
An elevator can be defined as an electric lift which is used as vertical transportation of goods
as well as people among the floors in buildings using bins otherwise silos. As usual, these are
activated with the electrical motors that also to drive counterweight system cables for drive
transaction such as a hoist, otherwise, pump hydraulic fluid for raising a cylindrical piston such
as a jack.
These are used in many areas like agriculture, manufacturing, etc. Elevators are classified into
different types based on our requirement. Elevators are frequently used in the latest multistory
constructions, in particular wherever ramps of wheelchair would be not practical.
How Does a Lift work?
The working principle of an elevator or lift is similar to the pulley system. A pulley
system is used to draw the water from the well. This pulley system can be designed with a
bucket, a rope with a wheel. A bucket is connected to a rope that passes throughout a wheel.
This can make it very easy to draw the water from the well. Similarly, present elevators use the
same concept. But the main difference between these two are; pulley systems are operated
manually whereas an elevator uses sophisticated mechanisms for handling the elevator’s load.
Basically, an elevator is a metal box in different shapes which is connected to a very tough
metal rope. The tough metal rope passes through a sheave on the elevator in the engine room.
Here a sheave is like a wheel in pulley system for clutching the metal rope strongly. This system
can be operated by a motor. When the switch is turned ON, the motor can be activated when
the elevator goes up and down or stops.
The elevator can be constructed with various elevator Components or elevator parts that
mainly include speed controlling system, electric motor, rails, cabin, shaft, doors (manual and
automatic), drive unit, buffers, and safety device.
The different types of lifts or elevators include building lift, capsule lift, hydraulic elevator,
pneumatic elevator, passenger lift, freight elevator, traction elevator/cable
driven, residential elevators, machine room-less elevator, etc.
1) Hydraulic Elevator
A hydraulic elevator is power-driven by a piston that moves within a cylinder. The piston
movement can be done by pumping hydraulic oil to the cylinder. The piston lifts the lift cab
easily, and the oil can be controlled by an electrical valve.
The applications of hydraulic elevators involve in five to six-floor buildings. The operating of
these elevators can be done at speeds up to 200 ft or 61 meters for each minute. All the current
hydraulic pumps are designed with a mechanical Y-delta starter otherwise solid state
contractor. For the power supply of motor as well as building, solid-state starters are superior.
Because the windings stay longer as well as there is no voltage drop across the building power
supply.
Hydraulic Elevator
In Y-delta type starter, the motor can be activated by using two contractors on a decreased
speed, after that continues with full speed. Older hydraulic elevators now started up suddenly,
transmitting mains power at full-blast right into the electric motor. This sets a lot of damage on
the motor, which will make it burn out quicker than motors on Solid-State or Y-Delta
Contactor starters. The hydraulic elevators are classified into four types such as holed, hole
less & roped elevators
2) Pneumatic Elevator
The pneumatic elevator can be designed with an external cylinder, and the cylinder is a crystal
clear self-supporting cylinder. This cylinder includes modular sections to fit effortlessly into
one by one. The top of this tube is designed with steel material that ensures tight air shutting
by suction valves as well as inlets. A lift car runs within the cylinder, & the head unit on the
top cylinder surface consists of valves, controllers, and turbines for controlling the elevator
movements.
Pneumatic Elevator
Pneumatic elevators are very easy to fit, operate as well as maintain when compared with the
traditional elevators. These are used in existing homes because of their solid design. The main
benefits of using these elevators include solid design & smooth, speed and flexibility, energy
efficient and very safe.
3) Cable Driven or Traction Elevator
The traction elevator or cable driven elevators are the most popular elevators. It consists of
steel cables as well as hoisting ropes that run above a pulley which is connected to the motor.
This is geared otherwise gearless-traction type elevator. In this kind of elevator, several wire
and hoisting cables are connected to the surface of an elevator car with covering around it on
sheaves at one end & the other side is connected to a counterweight that travels up & down on
its guide rails.
The counterweight is equivalent to the car’s weight and half of the weight of the passenger in
the car. This means, throughout the lifting process it needs extra power for the additional
passengers in the car; the rest of the load is managed with the weight of the counter. When the
control system is connected to the lift, then it drives the motors in a frontward way, and sheave
turns around to move the car lift upwards and stops in the preferred floor where the car is
controlled by the weight of the counter.
For the car downstairs movement, overturn occurs during a rotating motor through a control
method. For conserving the energy, some types of lift use electric motors with four quadrant
operation in the regenerative method. Because of the high rise as well as high-speed capacities,
these are applicable in several escalators, lifts, etc.
4) Capsule Lift
Capsule lift or Elevators are used in prestigious buildings, which can be called as decoration
of a building because they improve the building’s beauty as well as carries life into it.
Capsule Lift
The main features of this elevators mainly include design, and travel comfort is best. The
interior design of these lifts is attractive with a large glass panel for viewing. The ultramodern
design of these lifts offers a cosmic zone travel experience for the passengers. These lifts are
consistent and inexpensive with the least maintenance.
5) Building Lift
A building lift is a vertical transportation among the floors of the building. These are frequently
used in public buildings, complexes, offices, and multistory building. These lifts are important
in providing vertical movement, mostly in high buildings, for a wheelchair as well as other
non-ambulant building customers. Some type of lifts also is applicable for emigration &
firefighting purposes.
Building Lift
6) Passenger Lift
This type of lift has entirely included a lift car that moves vertically in a specially equipped lift
shaft. Passengers are travelled between the floors in the building at quick speed. The control
systems in the lift frequently designed to offer the most economical sharing of passengers all
over the building. These lifts are very space efficient which are used in existing buildings where
space is at a best.
Passenger Lift
The main advantages of using passenger lift give a very comfort traveling among different
floors, particularly space efficient, fully fixed shaft, small construction works, and no level
loadings on the building.
7) Freight Elevator
In the world of elevators, these lifts are workhorses. These are very useful for transporting
materials, goods in warehouses, manufacturing industries, shopping malls, seaports, etc. This
type of elevator is separated into classes, to describe their load capacity as well as application.
These lifts are strong in nature, and they are specially manufactured by engineers.
Freight
Elevator
The features of this elevator include: the range of loading capacity is from 2500 lbs to 10000
lbs, height of the travel up to 50fts. The benefits of these elevators include; these elevators are
designed for commercial as well as industrial applications. The flexible design to hold the
application, door designs can be changed, eco-friendly, etc.
8) Residential Elevators
Residential elevators provide stylish options to the platform as well as stair lifts. These lifts can
be effortlessly incorporated in any available home, otherwise incorporated in edifice plans for
latest homes. These types of elevators are available in different styles, and these can be
installed in your home walls, otherwise included effortlessly to improve your home’s
decoration. The main benefits of residential elevators are; they can move you securely among
floors even during a power failure. Quick installation and offers you an effortless life.
Residential Elevators
Thus, this is all about an overview of elevators or types of lifts. These have been
around for 100’s of years; however, they work on a very fundamental principle. Even though
the fundamentals of the elevator has not altered over the decades, but small twists have been
made for the smooth ride as well as by using computer-controlled systems, efficiency has been
improved for quicker transport. Here is a question for you, who invented the elevator?
Escalator
An escalator is a moving staircase which carries people between floors of a building or
structure. It consists of a motor-driven chain of individually linked steps on a track which cycle
on a pair of tracks which keep the step tread horizontal.
Escalators are often used around the world in places where lifts would be impractical, or they
can be used in conjunction with them. Principal areas of usage include department
stores, shopping malls, airports, transit systems (railway/railroad stations), convention
centres, hotels, arenas, stadiums and public buildings.
Escalators have the capacity to move large numbers of people. They have no waiting interval
(except during very heavy traffic). They can be used to guide people toward main exits or
special exhibits and may be weatherproofed for outdoor use. A non-functional escalator can
function as a normal staircase, whereas many other methods of transport become useless when
they break down or lose power.
Design and layout considerations
Design factors include innovative technology, physical requirements, location, traffic patterns,
safety considerations, and aesthetics. Physical factors such as the distance to be spanned
determine the length and pitch of the escalator, while factors such as the infrastructure's ability
to provide support and power must be considered. How upward and downward traffic is
separated and load/unload areas are other important considerations.
Temporal traffic patterns must be anticipated. Some escalators need only to move people from
one floor to another, but others may have specific requirements, such as funnelling visitors
towards exits or exhibits. The visibility and accessibility of the escalator to traffic is relevant.
Designers need to account for the projected traffic volumes. For example, a single-width
escalator traveling at about 0.5 metres per second can move about 2000 people per hour,
assuming that passengers ride single file. The carrying capacity of an escalator system is
typically matched to the expected peak traffic demand. For example, escalators at transit
stations must be designed to cater for the peak traffic flow discharged from a train, without
excessive bunching at the escalator entrance.
In this regard, escalators help manage the flow of people. For example, at many airports an
unpaired escalator delivers passengers to an exit, with no means for anyone entering at the exit
to access the concourse.
Escalators are often built next to or around staircases that allow alternative travel between the
same two floors. Elevators are necessary for disability access to floors serviced by escalators.
Types
There are three basic configurations that are used for most common escalator systems:
Design considerations
There a number of factors that affect the design of escalator systems, including:
Escalator components
Landing platforms
These contain the curved sections of the tracks, in addition to the gears and motors.
The floor plate provides space for users to stand before stepping onto the moving steps. The
comb plate has a series of cleats (like the teeth of a comb), that mesh with matching cleats on
the edges of the steps and minimise the gap between the stair and the landing.
Truss
The structure that bridges the lower and upper landings, and carries the straight
track sections. Steel or concrete supports connect the ends of the truss to the top and
bottom landing platforms.
Balustrade
This is the structure supporting the handrail of the escalator and can be made
of metal, sandwich panels or glass.
Handrail
The handrail moves courtesy of a chain connected to the main drive gear by a series of pulleys.
It is generally made from a blend of synthetic polymers and rubber, and is designed to be
very durable.
Tracks
The step-wheel track for the front wheels of the steps, and the trailer-wheel track for the back
wheels of the steps, cause the steps to form a staircase as they move from under the comb plate.
Steps
These are typically solid and made of die-cast aluminium or steel. They are cleated with comb-
like protrusions that mesh with the comb plates. The steps are linked by a
continuous metal chain that forms a closed loop.
The steps, connected in series, always step level as they move. The steps create
a flat platform at both the top and the bottom of the escalator by collapsing on each other.
This works by way of the two sets of wheels on each step. The upper set of wheels are
connected to the rotating chains, pulled by the gears at the top of the escalator. The lower set
of wheels follow behind and just glide along on their track.
Motor
Escalators are driven by a motor and chain system inside the truss. At its core are a pair of
chains looped around two pairs of gears. The gears at the top of the escalator are turned by
an electric motor, which in turn rotates the chain loops. The electric motor also powers the
moving handrail which is looped around a series of wheels and is configured so that it moves
at a similar speed to the steps.
You can probably imagine a large warehouse filled with conveyors using belts and rollers to
move boxes and other heavy equipment, but this is just one of several types of conveyor
systems. You’ll also find conveyor systems in airports, where they’re used to transport luggage.
Other examples include escalators and ski lifts. These apparatuses still use a belt or chain and
pulleys to move heavy items from one point to another.
Belt
Roller
Slat/apron
Ball transfer
Overhead
Pneumatic
Bucket
Chute
Magnetic
Vertical
Wheel
Walking beam
Vibrating
Screw/auger
Chain
Though conveying systems are essential to material handling and production, they are also used
for production applications, such as sintering, part and assembly finishing, and part washing.
In the majority of cases, they are automated though unautomated designs using chutes and
rollers are common in retail, material handling, and shipping applications.
Space:
Conveying system manufacturers examine the available space to determine system design. This
step requires identifying interaction points, clearances, obstructions, or any possible areas that
could interfere with material movement. Though automated systems are most common, how
the system is used will determine whether it is motorized or manual.
Load Capacity:
Once the system has been laid out and given a pattern, it has to be determined what will be the
amount of materials it can carry. Overloading a system can damage it or cause it to stop in the
midst of its operation. Factors that influence the load capacity are overall length and bed width
as well as the drive system.
Speed:
The speed of a conveying system is measured in feet per minute (fpm). The average speed of
most conveying systems is 65 fpm, which is how fast a person moves when carrying a 50 lb.
package. Though that is the average, the speed can be lowered or raised to fit the application.
Configuration:
Conveying systems come in a wide variety of shapes, designs, sizes, and forms. They can be
vertical, angled, horizontal, curved, include pockets or slats, and have z-frames. Since each
system is designed to fit a special application, it would be impossible to cover all of the different
configurations. What is important to understand is that there are very few restrictions on adding
a conveying system, regardless of the application.
Drive System:
The drive of an automated conveying system is the power that moves materials. It has a counter
bearing to keep items moving and allows movement along the belt. They can be designed to
move items in both directions and be located in the middle, end, or beginning of the system.
Overhead systems, though they have similar drives, have ones that may be chain or sprocket
driven. Liquids, granular materials, and powders may have conveying systems that use
pneumatic power or screw drives.
Drive systems can have single or variable speeds depending on their design. They usually have
a system of gears run by a motor. Variable speed drives have become popular for modern
conveying since they allow for changes of material flow.
Safety:
Conveyor systems are regulated by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration
(OSHA) and must meet government safety requirements. All conveyor manufacturers are
aware of the regulations and adhere to them. Conveying systems are a preventative measure
that protect employees from having to lift and move bulky materials.
Note in the image below the emergency stop button, a keyed motor activation, and symbols
displaying conveyor operation.
Belt Conveyors–
Belt conveyors are the most common and simplest form of conveyor and can have variable
speeds. They have a moving belt that rests on a steel frame that supports the belt and the
materials being moved. Ones that have a supporting frame underneath are referred to as sliding
style. When the belt is supported by closely placed rollers, it is called a roller belt style.
Gravity roller conveyors have a set of equally spaced rollers connected to a side frame. The
position of the rollers provides a surface to place materials for movement. If a gravity roller
conveyor is tilted or mounted on an angle, materials move by gravity. Though pieces of varying
sizes can be loaded on a gravity roller conveyor, workers need to be cautious of larger materials
running into smaller ones. Gravity roller conveyors are used by shipping companies to load
and unload trucks.
Chain Conveyors–
Chain conveyors can have two or several sets of chains that make contact with the bottom of
items to be moved. The materials rest on the chains as they are moved. Chain driven conveyors
are ideal for items with uneven bottom surfaces or ones that are very heavy. Ones that have a
heavy frame can have pallets placed directly on them. Due to the types of items chain conveyors
move, they operate very slowly.
number of motors is dependent on the load to be moved and the overall design of the system.
The connection between the rollers can be a chain or belt. In some systems, there is a sensor
that starts and stops the motor to avoid pieces getting packed together.
Slat Conveyors–
Slat conveyors have the same design as chain conveyors with flat slats connected to the chain.
In some ways, they are similar to belt conveyors with slats replacing the belt.
The slats have a very smooth surface that prevents damage or harm to items being moved,
making them ideal for assembly applications. Since the surface is smooth and without
obstructions, slat conveyors can be loaded and unloaded using robotic automation.
Enclosed Track Conveyor - An enclosed track conveyor has an enclosure that completely
covers the trolley connectors with only a small gap for the movement of the trolley. The
enclosure protects the track from wear and makes it easier to place bends and curves in the
system.
Open Track Conveyors - Open track conveyors do not cover the track and use I beams as the
track. They are easy to install and ideal for long straight configurations.
Chain Overhead Conveyors - Chain overhead conveyors use a continuous powered chain that
runs along a track. Fitted to the chain, at regular intervals, are pendants from which parts or
products hang. In other designs where pendants are not used, pusher dogs may be used to move
trolleys along a second track positioned beneath the chain track. This type of system is referred
to as power and free.
Monorail Conveyors–
Monorail conveying systems have carriers to move materials and are ideal for use over long
distances. Rails are suspended from the structure of the building and have power supplied by
signal lines from conductor lines inside the mounted rails. Monorail conveyors make use of the
space above the production area. In some designs, the carriers lower to the level of production
and then go up, out of the way.
each station to be worked on and then move on. Power and free systems are a special form of
overhead conveying system.
The unique design of power and free systems allows a product to be buffered along the
conveying path, start and stop automatically, and are very versatile and adjustable. Unlike
continuous flow chain conveying systems, power and free systems make it possible to stop
individual loads for adjustments.
Inverted Conveyors–
Inverted conveyors are floor mounted and can be used as power and free conveyors. They
normally have a drive system that does not involve a belt or chain.
Paternoster Conveyors–
Paternoster conveyors are a vertical conveying system that uses equal spaced load carriers
connected to a chain drive, which moves in a continuous loop. They are also known as platform
conveyors.
Chute Conveyors–
Chute conveyors have a smooth flat surface made of wood, metal, or plastic that is set on an
angle in a frame, which can be straight, spiral, or circular. Items are slid down the surface.
Screw Conveyors–
Screw conveyors are used to move bulk substances such as granular products, chips, and loose
materials. The central part of a screw conveyor is a rotating helicoid on a shaft inside a pipe.
Screw conveyors are known as auger, helix, and spiral conveyors. The blades of the screw
flights are designed to carry the material upwards.
Pneumatic Conveyors–
Pneumatic conveyors transport bulk materials using a pressurized gas that pushes the material
through a sealed pipeline. As the pressure builds in the pipeline, powders or granular materials
are lifted and moved through the pipe.
Vibratory Conveyors–
A vibrating conveyor uses vibrations to move materials along a conveying trough and is ideal
for materials such as grains, various solids, vegetables being picked in a field, and quarried
rocks. The agitations and constant motion gently moves products through the use of vibration
cycles. Each form of vibratory conveyor has a specific design to fit its function with ones for
mining being radically different from those made for harvesting and food production.
A major benefit of vibrating conveyors is their excellent performance in the harshest conditions
and environments.
Skid Conveyor
Skid conveyors are another form of floor mounted conveyor that moves products on fixtures
that have longitudinal runners called skids with travel being longitudinally and transversely.
There are several elements to a skid conveying system that include power rollers, pivot tables,
shuttle carriages, and two strand chain systems. Skid conveyor systems are valued for the
efficiency and quiet mode of transport. The variations in skid conveyor systems are due to the
many components and control systems that can be included.
The main purpose for friction conveying systems is to assist with operations that have a high
production rate. They can be inverted or overhead depending on their basic design. Friction
conveying systems transmit force directly to a skid, slide, pallet, or carrier using a friction
wheel.
There are various types of air conditioners, and each has its own advantages and disadvantages.
Window air conditioners, portable air conditioners, wall-hung split or multi-head split systems,
and ducted air conditioners are the most popular air conditioning units.
Each air conditioner, even those in the same class, differs significantly in terms of quality and
features. Let’s look at them individually in more detail below.
There are several types of air conditioners Here are some of the most common types:
Window Air Conditioners: These are the most common type of air conditioners found in
homes. They are designed to fit in a window frame and provide cooling for a single room.
Portable Air Conditioners: These units are similar to window air conditioners, but they are
designed to be moved from room to room. They are also more expensive than window units.
Split Air Conditioners: These are composed of two units, one inside the house and one
outside. The indoor unit is installed on a wall and the outdoor unit is placed on the ground or
on a bracket attached to the wall. They are more expensive than window units but are more
efficient and quieter.
Ductless Mini-Split Air Conditioners: These are similar to split air conditioners, but they do
not require ductwork. They are ideal for homes without ductwork or for home additions where
extending ductwork is not feasible.
Central Air Conditioners: These are the most expensive type of air conditioner and are used
to cool entire homes. They require ductwork to distribute cool air throughout the house.
Packaged Terminal Air Conditioners (PTAC): These are commonly found in hotels and
motels, and they are designed to fit in a wall sleeve. They are also used in apartments and
condos.
Hybrid Air Conditioners: These are a type of air conditioner that can switch between
traditional air conditioning and evaporative cooling depending on the outside temperature and
humidity levels. They are more energy-efficient than traditional air conditioners.
Smart Air Conditioners: These are air conditioners that can be controlled remotely using a
smartphone app. They can also be connected to other smart home devices, such as thermostats
and voice assistants.
Here are some advantages and disadvantages of the different types of air conditioners:
Window Air Conditioners: Advantages:
Affordable and easy to install
Can be removed and stored when not in use
Good for cooling a single room
Disadvantages:
Not suitable for cooling large areas
Can be noisy
Blocks the window view
Portable Air Conditioners: Advantages:
Can be moved from room to room
Does not require permanent installation
Good for cooling small areas
Disadvantages:
Less efficient than other types of air conditioners
Noisier than some other types of air conditioners
More expensive than window units
Split Air Conditioners: Advantages:
Quiet and efficient
Good for cooling large areas
Provides a more even distribution of cool air
Disadvantages:
More expensive than window units
Requires professional installation
Requires regular maintenance
Ductless Mini-Split Air Conditioners: Advantages:
Efficient and quiet
Good for homes without ductwork
Provides a more even distribution of cool air
Disadvantages:
More expensive than other types of air conditioners
Requires professional installation
Requires regular maintenance
Central Air Conditioners: Advantages:
Good for cooling entire homes
Provides a more even distribution of cool air
Can increase the value of a home
Disadvantages:
Most expensive type of air conditioner
Requires professional installation
Requires ductwork
Packaged Terminal Air Conditioners (PTAC): Advantages:
Good for hotels, motels, and apartments
Easy to install
Disadvantages:
Less efficient than other types of air conditioners
Noisy
Requires a wall sleeve for installation
Hybrid Air Conditioners: Advantages:
Energy-efficient
Can save money on energy bills
Central type, Window type, and Split Unit are three different types of air conditioning
systems.
Central Type Air Conditioning System: A central type air conditioning system is designed to
cool an entire house or building. It works by distributing cool air through ducts that are installed
throughout the building. The system typically includes a central unit that is installed outside
the building and an indoor unit that is installed in the attic or a closet. This type of system is
the most expensive to install, but it provides the most efficient cooling and is the best option
for large homes or buildings.
Advantages:
Can cool an entire house or building
Disadvantages:
Expensive to install
Requires regular maintenance and cleaning of ducts
Can be noisy
Window Type Air Conditioning System: A window type air conditioning system is designed
to cool a single room. It is installed in a window or a hole in the wall. This type of system is
the most common and affordable type of air conditioning.
Advantages:
Affordable
Easy to install
Suitable for small rooms
Disadvantages:
Advantages:
Disadvantages:
Humidity Control:
Humidity control refers to the process of managing the amount of moisture in the air. Excessive
humidity can cause mold growth, damage to furniture and electronics, and discomfort, while
low humidity can cause respiratory problems and dry skin. To control humidity, air
conditioners, dehumidifiers, and humidifiers can be used.
Cleaners:
Cleaners, such as air purifiers, are devices that clean the air by removing impurities and
pollutants. They can help reduce allergens, dust, and other airborne particles, improving air
quality.
Filters:
Filters are a critical component of air conditioning systems and air purifiers. They trap airborne
particles such as dust, pollen, and pet dander, preventing them from recirculating back into the
air. It's important to change filters regularly to maintain their effectiveness.
Spray Washers:
Spray washers use water to trap airborne particles and pollutants, and are often used in
industrial settings. They work by spraying a fine mist of water into the air, which collects
pollutants and then settles in a collection basin.
Electric Precipitators:
Electric precipitators are devices that use an electrostatic charge to remove impurities and
pollutants from the air. They work by ionizing particles in the air and then collecting them on
charged plates or filters.
Overall, these methods of improving air quality can be used alone or in combination with each
other to create a healthy indoor environment. However, it's important to choose the appropriate
method(s) for your specific needs and to properly maintain the equipment to ensure its
effectiveness.