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Article
Publication date: 1 November 1979

Energy costs now dictate that heating and ventilation systems must be controlled to the closest possible degree. Technology — particularly in the form of computers — imposes its…

Abstract

Energy costs now dictate that heating and ventilation systems must be controlled to the closest possible degree. Technology — particularly in the form of computers — imposes its own demands for ‘clean air’ working and constant power. And there are stringent provisions to be met under the health and safety laws. Together, these factors have created a buoyant market for equipment suppliers.

Details

Industrial Management, vol. 79 no. 11
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0007-6929

Article
Publication date: 1 September 2006

Xiaojun Ma, Yiwen Jian and Yue Cao

The purpose is to present parameters of a new design code, which is intended to control the indoor air environment for sports buildings in China.

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Abstract

Purpose

The purpose is to present parameters of a new design code, which is intended to control the indoor air environment for sports buildings in China.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on requirements of international sports federations the characteristics of indoor airflow of sports buildings in China, include the parameters of indoor air environment of gymnasiums and natatoriums, air velocity, temperature, humidity and fresh air volume. Some illustrations and considerations are shown too.

Findings

Compared with the international standards and design guidelines, the Chinese new design code has more detailed parameters for high level sports game.

Research limitations/implications

Not all the indoor air parameters of the code are mentioned in this paper. The designs of sports building are built for high level sports games in recent years of China, the parameters of class A are paid more attention to in the paper.

Practical implications

The contents of paper could be the major designs in heating, ventilation and air conditioning system in sports building.

Originality/value

This paper could be a guide to advice the designing of indoor air environment of sports building, especially for the Beijing Olympic game in 2008, and is useful to help advanced HVAC design and analysis on the similar large space buildings.

Details

Facilities, vol. 24 no. 11/12
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0263-2772

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 30 October 2018

Sabita Mahapatra, ATP Ramani and Avinash D. Kulkarni

This paper aims to provide an opportunity to study organization buying behavior, specifically buying and selling in the B2B context. The case demonstrates the need to understand…

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Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to provide an opportunity to study organization buying behavior, specifically buying and selling in the B2B context. The case demonstrates the need to understand the expectations of the buyer’s decision-making unit and the challenges involved in acquiring and retaining customers based on the articulated value proposition of the product. The case also provides an opportunity to explore the critical issues related to an organization’s buying process, while emphasizing on the importance of customer relationship management and the challenges involved in sales conversion.

Design/methodology/approach

The case is a filed-based study that aims to provide insight on differences between buying and selling in B2B & B2C and an understanding on customer value proposition in B2B buying context.

Findings

The case provides a comprehensive overview on the key role of decision-making units and decision-making process in B2B context.

Originality/value

This is an India-specific field-based case study on B2B selling situation. The case provides a framework on salesperson B2B selling approach, techniques and skills in view of the changing business selling environment in the age of technologically advanced digital world.

Details

Journal of Business & Industrial Marketing, vol. 34 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0885-8624

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 June 2003

R. Brahme and A. Mahdavi

It is important to provide building performance feedback to the designer as early as possible in the design process. However, many aspects of building performance are…

Abstract

It is important to provide building performance feedback to the designer as early as possible in the design process. However, many aspects of building performance are significantly affected by the design of the building’s technical systems (e.g., heating, airconditioning), which are typically configured in detail only in the later stages of design. The challenge is thus to find a method to use detailed simulation tools even during the early stages of design when values for many of the variables for the building’s technical systems are not yet available. In this paper, we demonstrate how this problem can be partially solved by use of differential representation for building and technical system, homology‐based automatic mapping of relevant information from the building to the technical system representation, and generative design agents which, with a minimal user‐input, can design and model the technical system. We conclude the paper with illustrative examples of detailed performance analysis of complex buildings and their heating, ventilation, and air‐conditioning systems, performed in early stages of design.

Details

Construction Innovation, vol. 3 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1471-4175

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 4 August 2022

Jianjin Yue, Wenrui Li, Jian Cheng, Hongxing Xiong, Yu Xue, Xiang Deng and Tinghui Zheng

The calculation of buildings’ carbon footprint (CFP) is an important basis for formulating energy-saving and emission-reduction plans for building. As an important building type…

Abstract

Purpose

The calculation of buildings’ carbon footprint (CFP) is an important basis for formulating energy-saving and emission-reduction plans for building. As an important building type, there is currently no model that considers the time factor to accurately calculate the CFP of hospital building throughout their life cycle. This paper aims to establish a CFP calculation model that covers the life cycle of hospital building and considers time factor.

Design/methodology/approach

On the basis of field and literature research, the basic framework is built using dynamic life cycle assessment (DLCA), and the gray prediction model is used to predict the future value. Finally, a CFP model covering the whole life cycle has been constructed and applied to a hospital building in China.

Findings

The results applied to the case show that the CO2 emission in the operation stage of the hospital building is much higher than that in other stages, and the total CO2 emission in the dynamic and static analysis operation stage accounts for 83.66% and 79.03%, respectively; the difference of annual average emission of CO2 reached 28.33%. The research results show that DLCA is more accurate than traditional static life cycle assessment (LCA) when measuring long-term objects such as carbon emissions in the whole life cycle of hospital building.

Originality/value

This research established a carbon emission calculation model that covers the life cycle of hospital building and considered time factor, which enriches the research on carbon emission of hospital building, a special and extensive public building, and dynamically quantifies the resource consumption of hospital building in the life cycle. This paper provided a certain reference for the green design, energy saving, emission reduction and efficient use of hospital building, obviously, the limitation is that this model is only applicable to hospital building.

Details

Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, vol. 30 no. 10
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0969-9988

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 12 July 2021

Amna Salman, Anoop Sattineni, Salman Azhar and Kasia Leousis

The purpose of this study is to conduct a rigorous systematic literature review and present a summary of building systems and technologies that can be used to mitigate the spread…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to conduct a rigorous systematic literature review and present a summary of building systems and technologies that can be used to mitigate the spread of airborne viruses. With the recent outbreak of COVID-19, occupants’ health and indoor air quality (IAQ) have become a critical issue for facility managers to maintain the full functionality of the buildings. An improved understanding of these available systems will help facility managers and building owners to protect the health and safety of building occupants.

Design/methodology/approach

The PRISMA protocol was used for defining the literature search methodology. The concept mapping technique was used for determining the keywords. The keywords were then used to search for relevant articles using the Scopus database and Google Scholar. A thorough bibliometric analysis and qualitative analysis were conducted for the selected publications.

Findings

It was found that sensor technologies, botanical air-filtration systems and artificial intelligence could be used to effectively monitor and improve IAQ. In addition, natural ventilation is one of the low-cost and effective methods of reducing contaminants from the indoor air. Computational fluid dynamic modeling can be used to understand the flow of virus particles within the building through the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) system. Several changes to the HVAC system are also discussed.

Originality/value

This study contains a diversity of methods from the existing literature that were systematically selected to present the state-of-the-art building systems and technologies that can effectively improve IAQ. The researchers plan to follow up on the findings of this research and will conduct an empirical study to assess its impact on IAQ.

Details

Journal of Facilities Management , vol. 20 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1472-5967

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 April 2003

John R. Selman

Recapitalisation is the planned replacement of facility subsystems, such as roofs, utilities, heating, ventilation and air conditioning. Recapitalisation initiatives continually…

Abstract

Recapitalisation is the planned replacement of facility subsystems, such as roofs, utilities, heating, ventilation and air conditioning. Recapitalisation initiatives continually suffer from the abrupt blows of the CFO axe more than any other real estate and facilities worktype request. In many respects, this harsh treatment results from poor business‐case analysis and the lack of a universally accepted methodology for structuring recapitalisation programmes. This paper will provide methods for using standardised tools and analytical capability to create more defensible recapitalisation programmes. The paper will address several methods for forecasting recapitalisation; dispense with any notion that recapitalisation can be planned for and defended using a flat‐rate method or formulaic approach; and introduce life‐cycle systems analysis in conjunction with the well‐known facility condition index and other scales to create meaningful recapitalisation forecasts.

Details

Journal of Corporate Real Estate, vol. 5 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1463-001X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 15 February 2024

D.S.N. Senarathna, K.G.A.S. Waidyasekara and S.S.C.G. Vidana

The Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) system is a significant energy consumer in built environments, and the building energy consumption could be minimised by…

Abstract

Purpose

The Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) system is a significant energy consumer in built environments, and the building energy consumption could be minimised by optimising HVAC controls. Hence, this paper aims to investigate the applicability of Variable Refrigerant Flow (VRF) air conditioning systems for optimising the indoor comfort of buildings in Sri Lanka.

Design/methodology/approach

To address the research aim, the quantitative approach following the survey research strategy was deployed. Data collected through questionnaires were analysed using descriptive statistical tools, including Mean Rating (MR), Relative Important Index (RII) and Standard Deviation (SD).

Findings

The findings revealed that VRF systems are popularly used in Sri Lankan apartment buildings. Furthermore, energy efficiency and comfort were recognised as the most significant top-ranked benefits, while ventilation issues and initial cost were recognised as significant challenges. Moreover, the allocation of trained technicians and provision of proper ventilation through a Dedicated Outdoor Air System (DOAS) were highlighted as applicable mitigation strategies for the identified challenges in VRFs.

Practical implications

The study recommends VRF systems as a suitable technology to ensure energy efficiency, reduce GHG emissions and achieve climate performance within the built environment. The opportunities for adopting VRF systems for developing countries could be explored based on the research findings. The identified challenges would assist the design engineers and facilities professionals to devise suitable strategies to mitigate issues of VRF systems in developing countries.

Originality/value

This research provides empirical proof of the energy efficiency and comfort aspects of VRFs. The study has explored and recommended VRF technology as a beneficial application to overcome the persistent energy crisis in developing countries.

Details

Property Management, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0263-7472

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 21 November 2023

Nimasha Dilukshi Hulathdoowage, Gayani Karunasena, Nilupa Udawatta and Chunlu Liu

Over the years, the significance of retrofitting has gained much attention with the unveiling of its different applications, such as energy retrofit and deep retrofit, to enhance…

Abstract

Purpose

Over the years, the significance of retrofitting has gained much attention with the unveiling of its different applications, such as energy retrofit and deep retrofit, to enhance the climate-resilience of buildings. However, no single study comprehensively assesses the climate-resilience of retrofitting. The purpose of this study is to address this gap via a systematic literature review.

Design/methodology/approach

Quality journal studies were selected using the PRISMA method and analysed manually and using scientometrics. Three dimensions of climate-resilience, such as robustness, withstanding and recovery, were used to evaluate the contribution of retrofit measures for achieving climate-resilient houses across four climate zones: tropical, arid, temperate and cold.

Findings

Most passive measures can enhance the robustness of residential buildings but cannot verify for withstanding against immediate shocks and timely recovery. However, some passive measures, such as night-time ventilation, show excellent performance over all four climate zones. Active measures such as heating, ventilation and air conditioning and mechanical ventilation with heat recovery, can ensure climate-resilience in all three dimensions in the short-term but contribute to greenhouse gas emissions, further exacerbating the long-term climate. Integrating renewable energy sources can defeat this issue. Thus, all three retrofit strategies should appropriately be adopted together to achieve climate-resilient houses.

Research limitations/implications

Since the research is limited to secondary data, retrofit measures recommended in this research should be further investigated before application.

Originality/value

This review contributes to the knowledge domain of retrofitting by assessing the contribution of different retrofit measures to climate-resilience.

Details

International Journal of Disaster Resilience in the Built Environment, vol. 15 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1759-5908

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 4 August 2023

Argaw Gurmu and Pabasara Wijeratne Mudiyanselage

Most residential building owners often report problems associated with the plumbing systems. If identified at the early stages, plumbing-related defects can be easily repaired…

Abstract

Purpose

Most residential building owners often report problems associated with the plumbing systems. If identified at the early stages, plumbing-related defects can be easily repaired. However, if unnoticed for a long period of time, they could lead to major damages and incur a significant cost to repair. Despite the problems, studies investigating plumbing anomalies and their root causes in residential buildings are limited. This study aims to explore plumbing defects and their potential causes, diagnosis methods and repair techniques in residential buildings.

Design/methodology/approach

This research used data collected through an extensive survey of both academic and grey literature. Through the content analysis, plumbing defects and the associated causes have been identified and presented in tabular format.

Findings

The study investigated the anomalies and causes in the residential plumbing system under five key sub-systems: water supply system; sanitary plumbing system; roof drainage system; heating, ventilation, air conditioning and gas system; and swimming pool. Accordingly, some of the identified plumbing defects include leakages, corrosion, water penetration, slow drainage and cracks. Damaged pipes, faulty equipment and installations are some of the common causes of the anomalies. Visual inspection, hydrostatic pressure test, thermography, high-tech pipe cameras, infrared cameras, leak noise correlators and leak loggers are techniques used for diagnosing anomalies. Reactive, preventive, predictive and reliability-centred maintenance strategies are identified to control or prevent anomalies.

Originality/value

The findings of this research can be used as a useful tool or guideline for contractors, plumbers, facilities managers and building surveyors to identify and rectify plumbing system-related defects in residential buildings.

Details

Facilities , vol. 41 no. 13/14
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0263-2772

Keywords

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