HIGH RISE BUILDINGS

INDEX
1. INTRODUCTION
2. IMPORTANCE OF BUILDING SERVICES
3. WHAT IS THE ROLE OF AN ARCHITECT ?
4. MECHANICAL & ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS IN BUILDING
         -HVAC
         -PLUMBING
          -FIRE PROTECTION 
5. SKYSCRAPPERS PLUMBING
6. WATER SUPPLY IN HIGH RISE BUILDINGS
7. ELECTRICAL & POWER SYSTEMS
8. LIGHTING AND POWER SYSTEMS
9. UNDERSTANDING ENERGY USE IN HIGH RISE BUILDINGS
10. NATIONAL BUILDING CODE OF INDIA
     PART 8 BUILDING SERVICES
      - HVAC SYSTEMS (AIR FLOW)
      - LIFTS AND ESCALATORS
      - ELEVATOR SYSTEM
     PART 4 FIRE FIGHTING
     - DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS
      - HORIZONTAL AND VERTICAL EXIT
      - FIRE LIFTS AND STAIRCASES
      - FIRE PROTECTION SYSTEMS
      - REFUGE AREA
11. CONCLUSION
12. REFERENCES

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 HIGH RISE BUILDINGS

WHAT are BUILDING SERVICES?

Everything inside a building which makes it safe and

comfortable to be in comes under the title of 'Building
Services'. A building must do what it was designed to
do -not just provide shelter but also be an environment
where people can live, work and achieve.

Building services are “what makes a building come

to life”, tHEY INCLUDE

energy supply -gas , electricity and renewable sources

heating and air conditioning
water, drainage and plumbing
natural and artificial lighting, and building facades
escalators and lifts
ventilation and refrigeration
communication lines, telephones and IT networks
security and alarm systems
fire detection and protection

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 HIGH RISE BUILDINGS
Importance Of Building Services
Building services are indispensable for buildings.
•As an example certain types of building such as department store or industrial
buildings are almost 100% dependent on electrical lighting, ventilating and air-
conditioning.
•High rise buildings rely on vertical transportation and high speed pressure for
water supply.
•The implementation of services demands a considerable amount of floor and
ceiling so proper planning is necessary for their allocation.

What Is The Role Of An Architect ?

•Responsible for the design and planning of the mechanical, electrical and public
health systems required for the safe, comfortable and environmentally friendly
operation of modern buildings.
•Building should be designed such that it provides better lighting, comfortable
space, temperature and air quality, convenient power and communication
capability, high quality sanitation and reliable systems for the protection of life and
property.

MODERN DAY CONSIDERATIONS

Modern buildings are built to create better, consistent, and productive
environments in which to work and to live.
Buildings must be designed with features to provide, better lighting, comfortable
space temperature, humidity and air quality
convenient power and communication capability
high quality sanitation; and
reliable systems for the protection of life and property.
High-rise buildings must rely on high-speed vertical transportation and high –
pressure water for drinking and cleaning purposes and for protection against
fire

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MECHANICAL & ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS IN BUILDING

Modern buildings are built to create better, consistent, and productive

environments in which to work and to live.
Buildings must be designed with features to provide better lighting comfortable
space temperature, humidity and air quality convenient power and communication
capability, high quality sanitation; and reliable systems for the protection of life
and property.
All these desirable features have become a reality with advances in building M&E
systems
Block-type buildings without windows, such as department stores, are totally
dependent on electrical lighting, ventilation and space conditioning
High-rise buildings must rely on high-speed vertical transportation and high –
pressure water for drinking and cleaning purposes and for protection against fire

Impact M&E systems on buildings

Demand considerable amounts of floor and ceiling space –proper space
allocation is needed during the preliminary planning
Add to the cost of construction of a building –sophisticated buildings, such as
research buildings, hospitals, computer centres
Increase in energy consumption –energy consumed by occupied buildings,
including residential, commercial, institutional and industrial facilities, account
for 50% of all energy usage by an industrialised country; it also accounts for
large portion of the operating costs of such buildings

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CLASSIFICATION OF M&E SYSTEMS

Mechanical Systems

Site utilities–Water supply, Plumbing–Water distribution,

drainage, sanitary disposal, water treatment, sanitary
gas supply facilities, etc.

Fire protection–Water supply,

standpipe, fire and smoke
detection, annunciation, etc.
HVAC(Heating, ventilating, and air-
conditioning)/ACMV (Air-conditioning and
mechanical ventilation)

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HVAC/ACMV Systems

Energy source–Electrical power, gas, oil, coal, central steam, central hot water, chilled
water, etc. (location and capacity)
Heating/cooling–Central air handling, direct radiation, in-space unitary equipment, etc.
Comfort controls–Number of control zones, humidity, temperature, etc.
Central plant–Estimated normal (or base) and standby capacities, etc.
Heat rejection -Water cooling tower, air cooled condenser, evaporative cooler, etc.
Location of equipment–Central equipment rooms, on floor, on roof, on ground, etc.
Ventilation–Outside air requirements (minimum, high, or 100%)
Exhaust -General, food preparation, toxic and special exhaust systems, etc.
Automation –Building automation system (BAS), building management system (BMS)

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 HIGH RISE BUILDINGS
Fire Protection Systems

Energy source–Electrical power, gas, oil

Water supply–Flow rate and available pressure at water main, location. Separate
service or combination with plumbing water supply
Water storage–Lake, pond, storage tanks (locations and capacities)
Fire and smoke detection–Thermal and smoke detectors
Fire containment–Fire shutters, compartmentalization
Smoke containment and evacuation–Smoke exhaust and pressure controls
Stairway smoke prevention–Stair pressurization
Fire annunciation–Fire alarm, public address, fire department connections
Fire extinguishing–Portable extinguishers, automatic sprinklers (water, mist, dry
chemical, foam, special gases, etc.)
Fire fighting–Fire hose and standpipe systems
Lightning protection–Air terminals, grounding conductors, etc.
Fire annunciation–Fire alarm, public address, fire department connections
Fire extinguishing–Portable extinguishers, automatic sprinklers (water, mist, dry
chemical, foam, special gases, etc.)
Fire fighting–Fire hose and standpipe systems
Lightning protection–Air terminals, grounding conductors, etc.

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 HIGH RISE BUILDINGS
Plumbing and Sanitation Systems

Energy source–Electrical power, gas, oil, central steam, hot water, etc.
Water supply–Public water, river, well, etc.; water pressure, capacity
available, and location
Hot water supply–Hot water heaters or heat exchangers
Sewage disposal –Sanitary, sewers, sewage treatment plant, septic tanks,
drainage and filtering fields
Storm/Rain water drainage–Roof, area, and means of discharge; locations
Subsoil drainage–Drainpipes, sumps, pumps, and discharge, etc.
Building facilities–Plumbing fixtures, water, waste, soil, piping

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 HIGH RISE BUILDINGS
SKYSCRAPPERS PLUMBING

Zoning of 7-8 floors for plumbing in multi - storeyed. Each zone is supplied water
from a common storage tank. Water is pumped from underground storage tank
through riser mains to feed storage tanks.

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 HIGH RISE BUILDINGS
DRAINAGE FLOW CONTROL IN HIGH
RISE BUILDINGS

Plumbing
Water in a typical 10 storey building exerts a pressure of 3.3 bar

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 HIGH RISE BUILDINGS
WATER SUPPLY IN HIGH RISE BUILDINGS

A hydropneumatic tank contains pressurized air and water. It does not have a
bladder and air is in direct contact with the water. The compressed air acts as a
cushion exerting or absorbing pressure. This type of tank serves three main
functions:
1. Delivers water within a selected pressure range so the well pump is not
continuously running.
2. Prevents a pump from starting up every time there is a minor call for water from
the distribution system.
3. Minimizes pressure surges (water hammer).
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Electrical Systems

Electrical power–Normal, standby, and emergency power supply and

distribution
Lighting–Interior, exterior, and emergency lighting
Auxiliary–Telephone, data, audio/video, sound, security systems, etc.
Special systems

Power Systems

Normal energy source–Utility power or on-site power (location and

capacity); power characteristics (phase and voltage); service entrance
(overhead, underground); service requirements (substations, transformer
vaults); etc.
Emergency power source –Separate utility service or on-site standby
generators (location and capacity)
Interior power distribution –Primary or secondary voltages, unit substations,
distribution panels, etc.
On-floor distribution–Floor boxes, under-floor ducts, integrated cellular
floors, raised floors, ceiling-cavity conduit network, etc.
Emergency power distribution –For critical equipment and emergency
lighting loads
Uninterruptible power systems (UPS) –For critical building operations such
as computers and communication networks; power storage (battery banks)
Power for building systems –HVAC, plumbing, sanitary, fire protection, etc.
Power for building operational equipment –Food service, waste disposal,
laundry, garage, entertainment equipment, etc.
Power for vertical transportation systems –Interface with elevator
consultant on power and controls for elevators and escalators

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Transformer

Selection of Transformer
• Total Load
• Dry or liquid(oil) filled
• Indoor/Outdoor
• Star/Delta Type( Vector Group)
• Impedance/PF/Efficiency/Voltage Level
• Mounting-Pole/Base
Transformer Calculations
Transformer sizing
Suppose Total Connected load = 185.85 kW
Max. demand = 185.85 x 0.9(load factor)
= 167.27
Transformer Cap. = 167.27/(pf x eff ) =167.27/(0.85x0.85) =231.51 kVA
Considering 85% loading of Xmer = 231.51/0.8 =271.36 kVA
Nearest available higher capacity 315 kVA

12 Power Flow Diagram

 HIGH RISE BUILDINGS
Lighting Systems

Basic light source–Incandescent, fluorescent, high intensity discharge (HID),

etc.
Illumination –Lighting levels, colour rendering, controls
Lighting fixtures –In offices and other work spaces
Architectural lighting–Interface between architect, lighting and/or electrical
consultant on public or special spaces
Introduction of daylight –Fenestration, skylights, controls, etc.
Exit lighting –Exit signs, exit way (evacuation route) light
Exterior lighting –Site, landscape, building facade, aircraft warning lights,
etc.
Auxiliary Systems
Telephone and telecommunication–Type, number of lines and stations,
switchboard (manual, PBX), basic and special features, facsimile, modem, etc.
Data distribution systems–Multiple conductor cables, twisted pairs, coaxial
cables, Fibre optic cables, wire closets, etc.
Public address –Intercom, paging and music systems
Audio/video –Radio, TV, and signal distribution systems
Satellite dishes –Number, diameter, and orientation
Transmission –Transmitter and microwave towers
Cable –CCTV distribution systems, locations, and interfacing with other
auxiliary systems
Time and signal –Clock and program systems
Fire detection and alarm systems –Interface with fire protection consultants
Automatic controls –Interface with HVAC and other building service
consultants
Security systems –CCTV monitoring, detecting, alarming, controlling, and
interface with security consultant

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Cable

 Cable- insulated conductor, could be single, multiple conductor

 Types- Power Cable- PVC/XLPEArmoured/ Unarmoured
 Twisted Pair Cable-Telephone/Network
Two pair/Multi pair-
Fiber optics- Data/Communication
RG cable-for CCTV
 Co-axial Cable- TV

Illumination

Illuminance is a measure of how much luminous flux is spread over a given

area. One can think of luminous flux (measured in lumens) as a measure of
the total "amount" of visible light present, and the illuminance as a measure
of the intensity of illumination on a surface

Lux Level

The lux (symbol: lx) is the SI unit of illuminance and luminous

emittance, measuring luminous flux per unit area. It is equal
to one lumen per square metre.
• Lux Level
Moonless Sky/Dark overcast night- 0.001 Lux
Moonless clear night sky – 0.002 Lux
Full moon – 0.27-1 Lux
Street Light – 39 Lux (Avg)
Living room – 250 Lux
Office – 350-400 Lux
Day light/Sun light – 10000-25000 Lu

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UNDERSTANDING ENERGY USE IN HIGH RISE BUILDINGS

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 HIGH RISE BUILDINGS

NATIONAL BUILDING CODE OF INDIA

PART 8 BUILDING SERVICES

Location and Requirement of Substation

The substation should preferably be located in separate building and could be

adjacent to the generator room, if any. Location of substation in the basement
floors should be avoided, as far as possible.
The ideal location for an electrical substation for a group of buildings would
be at the electrical load centre on the ground floor.
Generally the load centre would be somewhere between the geometrical
centre and the air conditioning plant room, as air conditioning plant room
would normally be the largest chunk of load, if the building is air conditioned.

The Car Management System

It be provided in multi-level parking or other parking lots where number of

vehicles to be parked exceeds 1000 vehicles. The Car Park Management
System may have features of Pay and Display Machines and Parking
Guidance System. 
The Pay and Display Machines may be manned and unmanned type. Parking
guidance system needs to display number of car spaces vacant on various
floors, direction of entry and exit, etc.
 This system can be of great benefit in evaluating statistical data’s such
as number of cars in a day or month or hour, stay time of various vehicles, etc.

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PLANNING DESIGN CRITERIA (Air Conditioning, Heating
and Mechanical Ventilation)
Ventilation and air conditioning installation shall
aim at controlling and optimizing following factors in
the building:
a) Air purity and filtration,     b) Air movement,  c) Dry-bulb temperature,             
d) Relative humidity,           e) Noise and vibration,   f) Energy efficiency, and
g) Fire safety.

Air Movement in the buildings

Air flow within a building should be controlled to minimize transfer of fumes and
smells, for example from kitchens to restaurants and the like. This is achieved by
creating air pressure gradients within the building, by varying the balance between
the fans introducing fresh air and those extracting the stale air. For example, the
pressure should be reduced in a kitchen below that of the adjacent restaurant.

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 HIGH RISE BUILDINGS
Section 5 Installation of Lifts and Escalators

1. Every lift forming part of the vertical access

for disabled people should have an
unobstructed depth in front of the lift doors
of not less than 1800mm.
2. It should maintain a floor level accuracy
within a tolerance of 10mm throughout the
range of rated load.
3. The handrail in the lift car should not be
less than 600mm long and 1000mm above
the finished floor level and should be fixed
adjacent to the control panel.

4. At least one lift car, adjacent to a public entrance that is accessible for
disabled persons should be designed as a lift for wheelchair users, complying to
all the sub-clauses of this clause, and should have space for a wheelchair to be
turned through 180o inside the lift.

The handling capacity

The handling capacity is calculated by the following formula:

H = Handling capacity as the percentage of the peak population handled during 5 min
period, Q = Average number of passengers carried in a car, T = Waiting interval in
seconds, and P = Total population to be handled during peak morning period. (It is
related to the area served by a particular bank of lifts.)

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 HIGH RISE BUILDINGS
lift lobby
The lift lobby should be designed appropriately since this has bearing on the
traffic handling especially when more number of lifts are involved. In a dual
line arrangement (lifts opposite to each other) the lobby can be between 1.5
times to 2.5 times the depth of one car. 

Typically, the more the number

of lifts the bigger the multiple
to be used. As an example a
quadruplex may use 1.5 to 2
times where as an octoplex will
need 2 to 2.5 times. For in-line
(single line) arrangements, the
lobby can be typically half of
the above recommendations.

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Elevator Shaft
Elevator shaft is a vertical shaft in a building which allows passage of an
elevator from floor to floor. It is a hoist way through which one of more elevators
may travel.
A lift shaft should incorporate the following features:
• Water tightness         • Means of drainage                • Plumb, vertical sides
• Smooth painted finish • Ventilation void for emission of smoke • Permanent
inspection lights

Elevator Controls

Elevator control system is responsible for coordinating all aspects of

elevator service such as:
• Travel
• Speed
• Accelerating and decelerating
• Door opening speed and delay
• Levelling and hall lantern signals
There are 3 main types of elevator control systems as follows:
A. Single Automatic Operation
B. Selective Collective Operation
C. Group Automatic Operation

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 HIGH RISE BUILDINGS
NBC  PART 4
Fire   fighting   access   in HIGH   RISE   BUILDINGS

FIRE LOAD
Fire load = weight of all combustible material X their calorific value
                                                                                 Floor area

a)Low fire load: Not exceeding 275000 kcal/m3; domestic buildings, hotels, offices
and similar buildings
b)Moderate fire load: Exceeding 275000 kcal/m3 but below 550000 kcal/m3;
trading establishments and factories
c)High fire load: Value between 550000 kcal/m3 – 1100000 kcal/m3; godawns

SET BACK AND STREET WIDTH

Buildings should have 9m wide open space on its four sides.
At least one side main street should be 12m wide.
For buildings with height above 30m, the road should not be a dead end.
The premises should have at least 4.5 m wide and 5 m high gateway.

During construction of a high rise

building
following measures must be taken:
Dry riser pipe (100 mm dia) with hydrant
outlets should be constructed on all floors
with a fire service inlet and in well
maintained condition should be laid down.
2000 L capacity water drum with 2 fire
buckets on each floor.
There should be a 20,000 L capacity water
storage tank.
MINIMUM SET BACKS ACCORDING TO BUILDING HEIGHT

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OPENINGS  AND  FIRE  SAFETY

Every wall opening should be protected with a fire resistant door with fire rating
of min 2 h.
Openings in wall or floor for the passage of services should be enclosed by shaft
or duct with fire rating of 2 hour. 
Every vertical opening should be enclosed or protected to ensure the escape of
its occupants and limit the damage to the building.

GLAZING

Wired glasses should have minimum ½ hr fire resistance rating.

The sashes and frame should be entirely made of iron/stainless steel or other
suitable metal.
Electro copper glazing, casement, skylight will also follow the same criteria.
The glass used for facade of a high rise building should have minimum 1 hr fire
resistance rating.
Louvers should have minimum fire resistance rating of ½ hour.

Fire Resistance Ratings of Structural and Non-Structural Elements (in Hours)

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DESIGN   PRECAUTIONS

Every individual living unit covered by occupancy sub-division A-4 shall comply
with the requirement for occupancy subdivision A-2 in respect of exits.
every occupied room, excluding areas used solely for storage shall have at least
two means of exits, at least one of which shall be a door or a stairway providing a
means travel to the outside of the building.
a common path of travel may be permitted for the first 6 m (that is a dead end
corridor up to 6 m long may be permitted).
No room or space shall be occupied which is accessible only by a ladder, folding
stairs or through a trap door.
At least half of required exits shall discharge direct to the outside of the buildings;
any other exit shall be the same as required for hotels.

ARRANGEMENTS   OF   EXIT
Total time taken to evacuate a floor by all its occupants should not exceed 2½ min.
The travel distance to an exit from the dead end of a corridor should not be more
than 22.5-30 m. (in case of fully sprinklered building, the travel distance can
be increased by 50% .)
In case of more than one exit, it should be placed as remote from each other as
possible and should have direct access in separate directions from any point.
The internal walls of staircase enclosures  should be of brick work or reinforced
concrete or any other material of construction with minimum of 2 h rating.

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staircases

  All high rise buildings having area more than 500 sq m on each floor should have a
minimum of  TWO STAIRCASES.
At least one of them should be on the external walls and should open directly to an
open space of safety.
All corridors(minimum 1000mm) and staircase lobbies should be adequately
ventilated.
EXIT DOORWAYS
should open into an enclosed stairway or any exit.
The exit width should not be less than 1000 mm.
should open outward.
Should have a landing before the flight of stairs, equal to the width of the door.
Should be openable from the side which they serve

Minimum width = 1000mm.

Minimum width of tread (with nosing)  =250 mm
Maximum height of riser =190 mm.
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 HIGH RISE BUILDINGS
EXTERNAL STAIRCASE

It is highly desirable in high rise buildings.

It should be always kept in sound  operable condition.
Should be directly connected to the ground.
Entrance to the external staircase should be separate
and
remote from the internal staircase.
No wall opening or window should open to a external
staircase.
Should be free of obstructions.
Should be built of non- combustible material.
The angle of inclination should not exceed 45⁰.
Unprotected steel frame staircase is not accepted as
means of escape.

HORIZONTAL   EXITS

Minimum width= 1000 mm.

Openable doors on both sides.
Should be self-enclosing type with minimum 1hr fire
resistance.
Direct connectivity to the fire escape staircase.
For buildings more than 24m in height, a REFUGE
AREA of 15 sq m (0.3 sq m per person) should be
provided to accommodate the occupants of two
consecutive floors.
For floors above 24m and up to 39m- one refuge area
on the 25th floor.
For floors above 39m-one refuge area on 40th floor
and so on after every 15m (i.e., approx 5 floors).

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RAMPS

They should comply with all the requirements for staircase regarding enclosure,
capacity and limiting dimensions.
SLOPE OF RAMP SHOULD NOT EXCEED 1:10.
In danger of slipping, non-slipping material should be applied on the surface. 

FIRE LIFTS

Fire Lift — The lift installed to enable fire services personnel to reach different floors
with minimum delay, having such features as required in accordance with this Part.
High buildings can be  provided with fire lift with a minimum capacity of 8
passengers and fully automated with emergency switch on ground level.
In case of fire, only fireman should operate the fire lift.
Should be equipped with inter communication equipment.
Its position and number can be determined by considering  population,, floor area,
compartmentation.

STAIR LIFTS, CLIMBERS, HOISTS, MOBILITY

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 HIGH RISE BUILDINGS
FIRE PROTECTION SYSTEMS
Automatic-wet systems - Pipes are always connected to a water supply capable of
automatically defending against fire. Always filled, water will flow immediately
once hose or sprinkle valve is opened • 
Automatic-dry systems - Pipes are always connected to a water supply capable of
automatically defending against fire, however the system is pressurized with gas
until a valve is opened. As gas exits water replaces it. • 
Semiautomatic-dry systems - Same as an automatic-dry system, however the
system must also send a signal from a remote sensor to activate water.
  Manual-dry systems - Pipes are not connected to a water supply and the system
must be filled by the fire department through an easily accessed connection. 
 Manual-wet systems - Pipes are filled by a domestic water source in order to test
the system but water for fire fighting is also provided by the fire department
through an easily accessed connection

Under Ground Water Storage tank

Underground water storage tank varies from 50,000 ltrs. to 250,000 ltrs. Depending
on the type & occupancy of the buildings.

FIRE   EXTINGUISHERS/FIXED   FIRE FIGHTING   INSTALLATION

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CONCLUSION

Building services play a central role in contributing to the design of a building, not only
in terms of overall strategies and standards to be achieved, but also in facade
engineering, the weights, sizes and location of major plant and equipment, the position
of vertical service risers, routes for the distribution of horizontal services, drainage,
energy sources, sustainability and so on.
This means that building services design must be well integrated into the overall
building design from a very early stage, particularly on complex building projects.
With a good building service system, we can provide an optimum level of occupants’
comfort and protect the customers as well as workers within a building.
Through this assignment, we have developed the ability to identify and explain the
relevant information related to fire protection system, vertical transportation system,
mechanical air-conditioning system and electricity generation and supply system. It
has also advanced our skill to distinguish and differentiate the installation of various
types of services in a building as well as increasing our capability to analyze and
scrutinize on the problem of the building service systems.

REFERENCES :
http://www.confires.com/blog/fire-sprinklermalfunctions
https://sourceable.net/how-building-services-can-deliver-more-value-in-tall-
buildings/
http://www.archtoolbox.com/materials-systems/verticalcirculation/
elevcontrols.html
http://www.iklimnet.com/expert_hvac/insulating_duct.html
https://careersportal.ie/pdfs/StepsBuildingServices

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