CE1BSF-Building Services 1: Fundamentals

Module Provider: School of Construction Management and Engineering, School of Built Environment
Number of credits: 10 [5 ECTS credits]
Level:4
Terms in which taught: Autumn term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2023/4

Module Convenor: Dr Emmanuel Essah
Email: e.a.essah@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

This module introduces the fundamentals of building services including basics of thermal comfort, fire protection and fire safety in buildings, electricity distribution, supply and transportation systems in buildings.

Students would be able to apply the knowledge they gained, in the module of “Design project 1 (CE1DPR)” that will be delivered in the spring term and Building Services 2: Fundamentals (CE2BSF) in the second year of their studies. This integrated approach enables the theories and concepts learnt in CE1BSF to be used and applied in other modules throughout the entire programme and helps better understanding the concept of building services as well as its application.

Aims:

The aim of this module is to provide students with the principle of building services including basics of thermal comfort, fire protection and fire safety in buildings, electricity distribution, supply and transportation systems in buildings.

Assessable learning outcomes:

On successful completion of this module the student should be able to:

• Describe the basic laws of electricity including atoms, electrons, charge, current, voltage, resistance and Ohm’s Law,


• To describe the function of capacitors and inductors in AC circuits, and to analyse AC/DC circuits,


• Develop an intuitive understanding of the relationship between voltage and current in DC circuits,


• Compare single and three-phase supplies in electricity systems,


• Evaluate the energy performance of main power supply technologies,


• Characterise the main transportation systems in buildings,


• Determine the energy consumptions associated with transportation systems in buildings,


• Impact of design and building performance on the thermal comfort of its occupant.


• Design implication of fire safety requirements in buildings


• Explain the functional requirements of the Building Regulations regarding fire safety.

Additional outcomes:

• To describe the benefits of small, local electricity generation and distribution networks,


• To explain the working of electrical motors, electricity generators, and transformers,


• To explain different types of electricity generation such as conventional generation and renewable generation and their associated characteristics,


• To analyse an electrical system comprising of supply, distribution, and load,


• To perform simple power and energy calculations,


• To describe the function of capacitors and inductors in AC circuits,

Outline content:

• Principles of electricity and application of induction in electricity generators, transformers, electric motors,


• Alternating current properties; Single and three-phase electricity,


• Power supply systems and different type of power stations,


• Principles of renewable power generators,


• Electricity distribution systems,


• Electrical circuits and their analysis,


• Balance in electrical supply and demands,


• Health and safety issues in building electrical services,


• Design factors for transportation systems in buildings,


• Types of transportation systems in buildings,


• Interior circulation


• Lifts, escalators and moving walks and their associated energy consumptions,


• Transport facilities in buildings for people with disabilities,


• Occupancy Hazard Classification

Global context:

The skills and knowledge that students will acquire from this module have global applications.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

Teaching in this module will be by means of lectures and tutorials. These sessions will be complemented by project activities and guided independent study.

Independent study hours needed depend on the learning style of each individual. The following guide for independent study hours is just an example.

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Lectures	10
Tutorials	10
Guided independent study:
Wider reading (independent)	19
Wider reading (directed)	10
Exam revision/preparation			15
Peer assisted learning	5
Advance preparation for classes	10
Preparation for tutorials	15
Revision and preparation	4
Reflection	2
Total hours by term	85	0	15
Total hours for module	100

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Written exam	80
Set exercise	20

Summative assessment- Examinations:

Summative assessment by examination will be based on a 2-hour examination in May/June.

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

There will be a set exercise test which will be assessed summatively and should be submitted online by the end of week 10 of the autumn term. The total from these tests will contribute 20% of the overall assessment

Formative assessment methods:

This module induces formative assessment of a set of exercises and problem-solving practices about the fundamentals of building services that will be discussed in tutorial sessions. Formative feedback is embedded within all tutorial sessions.

Penalties for late submission:

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of five working days;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than five working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/cqsd-old-site-documents/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf
You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Assessment requirements for a pass:

A mark 0f 40%

Reassessment arrangements:

Students who have failed in their first attempt will be provided with an opportunity to re-sit in a two-hour re-examination.

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

1) Required text books: 

2) Specialist equipment or materials: 

3) Specialist clothing, footwear or headgear: 

4) Printing and binding: 

5) Computers and devices with a particular specification: 

6) Travel, accommodation and subsistence: 

Last updated: 30 March 2023