Outlined below are the most commonly used hvac control symbols and their meanings.
Click here to view easy-to-use compiled charts of these symbols.
Engineering the future
Outlined below are the most commonly used hvac control symbols and their meanings.
Click here to view easy-to-use compiled charts of these symbols.
Outlined below are the most commonly used hvac piping symbols and their meanings.
Click here to view easy-to-use compiled charts of these symbols.
Outlined below are the most commonly used hvac ductwork symbols and their meanings.
Click here to view easy-to-use compiled charts of these symbols.
Outlined below are the most commonly used hvac equipment symbols and their meanings.
Click here to view easy-to-use compiled charts of these symbols.
Erecting a high rise involves the amalgamation of a variety of skill-sets and countless hours of effort. Experts from multiple trades come together to give life to a project in accordance with the desires of the client. Although several new technologies have come up in this industry, the basic sequence of building construction does not vary much. The building process that marks the birth of a building begins with the client.
In order to correctly map out the requirements of the project, the client first approaches a consultant. First order of business is to create a strategic definition of the project. Post meetings with architects and engineers, a rough conceptual design iteration of the building is drawn up. Further meetings are held with the client to ensure that the translation has occurred seamlessly.
The architectural firm is responsible for the creation of building designs. Teams draw up designs (developed designs) that adhere to basic building codes and regulations after conducting preliminary site surveys. Architectural designs are then forwarded to other departments for their inputs. Engineers from different trades collaborate to populate the basic design with structural, hvac services, plumbing, drainage, electrical and fire fighting systems. Tenders are then called to invite contractors to bid for the project. Development of technical designs comes next. This might be performed by the selected contracting agencies. Once the drawings are approved by the client and municipal authorities, clearance is given to the contractor to commence on-site activities.
The construction site is first cleared off so as to create a ‘clean slate’. The perimeter is marked, and any debris present is removed. Workers’ quarters, storage facilities, hoardings and other temporary structures are then built. Water and electricity supply provisions are also ensured during this stage.
Grid lines and reference points are established on the ground according to drawings. This process fixes the positions of boundaries, foundations, and other structural elements.
Based on soil lab test reports, excavation depths are assigned, and the excavation process kicks off. Excavation refers to the use of tools, mechanical equipment, or explosives to remove soil, rock, or other materials. The aim of this process is to create a clean pit for laying the foundation.
The excavated surface is then compacted, and concrete is poured over it. Footing or rebar and foundation beams are then installed as per structural design. Foundations are then concreted.
Next step in the process covers the remaining civil activities such as frame construction, cladding installation and fitting out.
The building is now set to house important services such as electrical systems, hvac systems, plumbing systems, drainage systems and fire- fighting systems. Engineers and skilled worked from their respective trades coordinate and get the systems fixed.
The building takes a polished shape with finalization of interior design.
The finished building is finally ready for occupation and is officially handed over to the client. As per the terms of the contract, the contractor may also be responsible for carrying out maintenance activities that arise during the initial period. This brings the sequence of construction building process to a close.
HVAC stands for Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning. Aside from HVAC full form, knowledge of key terms like equipment abbreviation and air conditioning symbols is of paramount importance in MEP industry. Having a stronghold over hvac basics is necessary when building a foundation. Here, we have compiled a list of 250 of the most commonly used acronyms in the HVAC industry (mainly in hvac design). These abbreviations and hvac full forms may appear in daily use situations and hence any passionate HVAC engineer must be familiar with these terms.
Next time you wonder what does hvac stand for, you’ll have the answer and more.
HVAC engineers are the ones responsible for the design, installation and maintenance of heating, ventilation, and air conditioning - HVAC systems. As per client needs, an HVAC engineer will design and size a suitable system that fits the architectural model of an AEC project. This point on, an engineer may be involved in one or more of the following tasks:
Heat Load Analysis of a project
Preparation of conceptual model
Preparation of detailed design
Installation of HVAC system
Analysis of an installed system
Regular maintenance supervision of HVAC systems
Repair and fault analysis of existing systems
The actual nature of the job ultimately depends on whether you work for a consultancy (design), inspection agency(analysis), or an hvac contractor (construction).
What is hvac?
HVAC refers to the set of systems in a building responsible for the distribution of fresh and conditioned air.
Typical days as an engineer
1. Consultancy
At a design firm, an HVAC engineer will be expected to come in and analyse architectural designs of buildings. Based on this analysis, you will have to carry out heat load calculations which are mostly computerized these days. Once this is done, you will design the layouts of the HVAC systems that are to go in the building with the help of drafting and modelling tools like AutoCAD, Revit, Creo, etc.
Additionally, you may be asked to carry out site visits and quality checks to ensure that construction takes place in accordance with design. Depending on the role you play in the organization, these activities may also involve having to deal with clients in order to understand their requirements and collaborating with fellow engineers and architects.
2. Contractor
When working with a contracting company you will be responsible for ensuring proper installation of HVAC services in a project. You may be tasked with preparation of procurement schedules, preparation of inspection documents, preparation of testing documents, supervision of installation, commissioning, and maintenance activities, etc.
On site you will have to ensure necessary approvals for all drawings. You will have to inspect and confirm that all machines, ducts, pipes, accessories, etc. are available and approved before commencement of installation procedures. You will have to coordinate with other disciplines for installation of HVAC services without clashes. Site engineers will also be tasked with ensuring that personnel working under them are properly trained and in possession of the right equipment. You will also be a part of regular meetings with the management and quality assurance departments.
3. Inspection Agency
When working with an inspection agency, your primary task will involve the analysis of installation and construction activities on site. You will have to conduct assessments of materials, equipment, installations, and check whether they conform to approved design drawings, regulations and building codes. You will have to check if the contractor is following standards and safety procedures and report non-conformance if applicable.
Significance in the life-cycle of a building
An AEC project requires the coordinated efforts of a multitude of people from various disciplines. Architects, firefighting system designers, electrical engineers, structural engineers, and HVAC engineers work together with other consultants to achieve the desired result for the client. A well functioning HVAC system is critical in ensuring occupant comfort and health. Moreover, the HVAC system is also responsible for a major share of the building’s energy use. This necessitates the importance of proper design and installation of HVAC services.
Challenges
HVAC engineers, like anybody involved in the construction industry will be tasked with being a part of highly complex teams performing diverse processes. The nature of the profile will involve communication and coordination with other branches of the vine. Managements are ever under pressure to reduce costs owing to the highly competitive nature of the field and this trickles down to the engineers who have to ensure that savings do not come at the cost of quality or safety. System installation and maintenance also has to be handled with care as any downtime in the HVAC system will be dealt with severe criticism as no client will be polite or reasonable once their comfort is compromised. Another point to note is the presence of extreme climatic conditions at construction sites although how much this affects you will ultimately depend on your position in the firm. All of this coupled with strict deadlines can prove to be especially tricky.
Educational requirements
HVAC engineers are primarily from the mechanical discipline. A candidate looking towards a career in this industry will need to possess at least a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering. You can also choose to go for a master’s degree in HVAC. As you progress in your career, you can get certified in various sub-disciplines like energy modelling, energy assessment, high performance building design, healthcare facility design, and building operations. Industrial MEP courses are also available in the market which train novices in all hvac basics like hvac duct design, pipe design, estimation and other fundamental practices.
Other characteristics expected of a quality HVAC engineer are:
Communication skills
Mathematical ability
Logical reasoning
Problem solving skills
End word- As a career choice
A career in the HVAC industry can be a highly rewarding experience. The industry is to set to surge in productivity with breakthroughs in design and manufacturing technologies. Use of artificial intelligence algorithms in design, and automation in construction practices by hvac companies will open up fresh avenues for career choices. Employment options are well paid with plenty of scope for climbing up the corporate ladder. This is an industry where the fundamentals remain unchanged and ergo quality engineers with relevant experience are always in high demand. The same goes for technicians in the field as well. Skilled HVAC technicians consistently warrant the highest pay rates.
As living standards improve, a greater part of the world population will move to modern living quarters. This translates to increased demand for air conditioners and associated projects, which will ultimately lead to increased demand for novel structures and resourceful AEC projects.
Recent global average temperatures have soared at alarming rates decade over decade. The effects of climate change are starting to show with variations in weather patterns changing world over. In such a climate (pun intended) there will be a sharp increase in the need for efficient, cost-effective HVAC systems. Whether or not humanity is able to reverse global warming, hitching your career onto the HVAC wagon seems like nothing but a clever choice.
Perhaps, the worst feedback loop we are stuck in today is the one involving usage of the AC to counter the effects of climate change. As the globe gets warmer, we crank up the A.C to neutralize the effect. This in turn leads to more energy use and even unintended release of HFCs into the atmosphere causing the effects of climate change to grow much worse. To counter this, we boost the AC usage even more! And thus, we lay prisoners to this horrid feedback loop that is slowly eating up our planet.