Construction Engineering - Assignment Example

Following are the steps involved in designing new hospitals in Canada(Martin). First and foremost step is designing the patient care areas which may either be for a single patient or for multiple patients. These areas are designed for proper HVAC conditions so that least energy is consumed to maintain required environmental parameters. These areas are usually provided with a window or wall that is directly exposed to harsh weather conditions. Therefore, proper supply and exhaust outlets are provided in order to provide isolation from air borne infections.

Rooms being designed for patients with burns, aids or other diseases in which rate of infection is much higher, are provided with protective environment. In this case air pressure within the room is controlled by venture valve. After designing patient care rooms, waiting rooms and examination rooms are designed. These are designed to provide better sitting and waiting conditions to the patients. Usually square plaque diffusers are used in these areas in order to provide rapid mix supply of air within the room.

Operating rooms within the hospitals are not only provided with good HVAC condition but also with good lightning strategies. Operating rooms are usually provided with laminar flow systems for the diffusion and mixing of air, where surgical areas are provided with air curtain systems. Laboratories in the hospitals are provided with square plaque diffusers. While designing state of the art hospitals in Canada, engineering firms are concerned in designing each part of the HVAC system in the integrated form so that it can be easily modified to updated system when needed.

If an engineering firm wants to get gold certification for the design of a hospital then the design must satisfy given LEED parameters with rating of 60 to 79 units(Engineering). Sustainable sites Water efficiency Indoor environment quality Material resources Energy and atmosphere Innovative Design Question 2 Explain the different roles that an architect and an engineer fulfill on a design project where they have to collaborate. Consider that they are both assigned to the hospital project in question 1.

What would be the relationship between the engineer and architect? Draw a diagram to illustrate. Architects and engineers collaborate while implementing engineering principles to the construction design and planning of a building. While designing hospitals, collaboration between architects and engineers is highly recommended. Both work side by side for proper placement and working of biomedical as well as other electrical systems. Architects are good at implementing design techniques to solve any problem whereas engineers are good at mathematical work.

While designing a hospital, engineers are to decide the size of HVAC unit including compressors and boilers and architects are then to plan for the right space for the placements of instruments. Not only this, but engineers are also good at calculating the right amount of flow that should reach each room as required, they go for calculating the number of units of lights required in the operation theatre and proper positioning and distance of light from operation table. Engineers are also good at handling heavy machinery like CT-scans and MRI machines during installation.

Whereas, architects are specialized in developing a hospital structure and map of the building. Figure 1: Engineer – Architect Relation Question 3 A consulting engineering firm that is