SERVICES REPORT

5TH YEAR B.ARCH

PRESENTED BY

MUFADDAL RATLAMWALA 1251

BHUMIKA JAIN
USAMA GHORI
BASIT BAIG
SHWETA DHAMANE
DISHA KARLOPIA
SHAIKH ISHTIYAQUE
-1159
SHERAWALE FEROZ
-1070
SHEHZAD AHMED
-1214
FARHAN KAZI
-1032

1222
1217
- 1204
1182
- 1181

Q1-Discuss various services involved in

architectural field?
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.

ELECTRICAL SERVICES
INTERNAL & EXTERNAL ELECTRICAL SERVICES-

FIRE DETECTION SYSTEM

A FIRE ALARM SYSTEM IS NUMBER OF
DEVICES WORKING TOGETHER TO
DETECT AND WARN PEOPLE THROUGH
VISUAL AND AUDIO APPLIANCES WHEN
SMOKE, FIRE, CARBON MONOXIDE OR
OTHER EMERGENCIES ARE PRESENT.
THESE ALARMS MAY BE ACTIVATED
FROM SMOKE DETECTORS, AND HEAT
DETECTORS.
PUBLIC ADRESS SYSTEM
A PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEM (PA SYSTEM) IS AN ELECTRONIC SOUND
AMPLIFICATION AND DISTRIBUTION
SYSTEM WITH A MICROPHONE,
AMPLIFIER AND LOUDSPEAKERS,
USED TO ALLOW A PERSON TO
ADDRESS A LARGE PUBLIC, FOR
EXAMPLE FOR ANNOUNCEMENTS OF
MOVEMENTS AT LARGE AND NOISY
AIR AND RAIL TERMINALS OR AT A
SPORTS STADIUM.
ACCESS CONTROL SYSTEM
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ACCESS CONTROL REFERS TO SECURITY FEATURES THAT CONTROL WHO CAN

ACCESS RESOURCES IN THE OPERATING SYSTEM. APPLICATIONS CALL ACCESS
CONTROL FUNCTIONS TO SET WHO CAN
ACCESS
SPECIFIC RESOURCES OR CONTROL
ACCESS TO
RESOURCES PROVIDED BY THE
APPLICATION.
CCTV & MONITORING SYSTEM
CLOSED-CIRCUIT TELEVISION (CCTV),
ALSO KNOWN AS VIDEO
SURVEILLANCE, IS THE USE OF VIDEO
CAMERAS TO TRANSMIT A SIGNAL TO A
SPECIFIC PLACE, ON A LIMITED SET
OF MONITORS
IBMS SYSTEM
A Building Management System (BMS) or
Building Automation System (BAS) is a
computer-based control system installed
in buildings that controls and monitors
the buildings mechanical and electrical
equipment. Their function is to control,
monitor and optimize building services,
such as heating, ventilation, air
conditioning, lighting, alarm systems and
certain electrical appliances.

MECHANICAL SERVICES
HVAC & REFRIGERATION
CONTROL OF AIR TEMPERATURE
CONTROL OF MOISTURE CONTENT IN THE AIR

PROPER AIR
MOVEMENT
TO HOLD AIR
CONTAMINATION
WITHIN
ACCEPTABLE
LIMITS
FIRE PROTECTION
FIRE WATER
RESERVOIR
PUMPING UNITS
FIRE WATER
NETWORK
FIRE FIGHTING
HYDRANT SYSTEM
FIRE FIGHTING SPRINKLER SYSTEM
FIRE PROTECTION EQUIPMENT
PLUMBING SERVICES
THE PLUMBING SYSTEM IS REALLY MADE UP OF TWO SYSTEMS:
The supply system that brings in fresh water
The drain-waste-vent system that takes out used water and sewage
THE DRAIN-WASTE-VENT SYSTEM ALSO LETS AIR IN AND WASTE GASES OUT.
BETWEEN THESE TWO SYSTEMS ARE THE FIXTURES (SINKS, TUBS, TOILETS,
AND SO ON).
WATER SUPPLY

SEWAGE SYSTEM

PIPING LINES
HORIZONTAL PIPELINE
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VERTICAL PIPELINE

Q2-What is NBC? How the NBC is utilized in

architectural design?
The National Building Code of India (NBC), a
comprehensive building Code, is a national instrument
providing guidelines for regulating the building
construction activities across the country. It serves as a
Model Code for adoption by all agencies involved in
building construction works be they Public Works
Departments, other government construction
departments, local bodies or private construction
agencies. The Code mainly contains administrative
regulations, development control rules and general
building requirements; fire safety requirements;
stipulations regarding materials, structural design and
construction (including safety); and building and
plumbing services.
Lift
A building at a height of more than 13 metres is to have a lift that starts from the ground floor, and
have a minimum capacity of six persons. On the basis of detailed calculations (based on the relevant
provisions of National Building Code) the number of lifts can be variable.
Fire Safety or Fire Protection
In the case of apartment buildings exceeding three storeys above ground level, a certificate of
approval from the Director of Fire Force or an officer authorized by him should be obtained before
issue of the building permit. All other requirements in respect of fire protection shall conform to Part
IV, Fire Protection National Building Code of India.
Every floor of any kind of residential accommodation exceeding 150 sq. meters of floor area with a
capacity of more than 20 persons should posses at least two doorways, as remote as practicable
from each other. At least one staircase should be provided as a fire exit as defined by the National
Building Code
The detailed plan showing the arrangement of pipe lines, booster pumps and water-tanks at various
levels should be submitted for approval of the concerned authority along with the plans and sections
of the buildings. Every building standing at a height of more than 25 metres is to be provided with
diesel generators which can be utilized in case of power failure.
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Foundation & Structural Design

All materials and workmanship should be of good quality conforming generally to accepted
standards of Bureau of Indian Standard specification & codes as included in National Building
Code of India. All materials and workmanship shall be of good quality conforming generally to
accepted standards of Bureau of Indian Standard specification & codes as included in National
Building Code of India. No building or part of a building shall be constructed or reconstructed or no
addition or alteration shall be made to any existing building in the intervening spaces between the
building and any overhead electric supply line.
The height of the handrail in the staircase should not be less than 90cms and if balusters are
provided, no gap in the balusters should be more than 10cms wide. Every slab or balcony
overlooking any exterior or interior open space which are 2 meters or more below should be
provided with parapet walls or guard rails of height not less than 1.20 meters and such guard rails
shall be firmly fixed to the walls.
Plumbing Services
A plumbing or sanitation code is a set of rules and regulations imposed by cities or counties. Anyone
doing work on drinking water and sewer or toilet facilities systems are responsible to make the work
in a specific, safe manner to avoid accidents and spread of disease. Water conservation and the
health aspects of plumbing have become important in the construction sector now.
Plumbing has to be attuned to the general design of the building. Many technical aspects such as
water pressure, venting and concepts of wet and dry areas in toilets have to be looked into in any
structure. Recently, the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials
(IAPMO) developed a Plumbing Code for India. The Indian Plumbing Association (IPA), countrys
apex body of plumbing professionals, has launched Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC).The World
Plumbing Councils uniform plumbing code was mended as per Indian needs and created the code
for India.
Lightning Protection
Locations, surrounded partially or fully by unbroken metallic surfaces or nets do not allow lightning to
penetrate to the interior and hence a person is safe inside. Lightning prefers to strike the tallest of all
objects in the location of strike. Also it prefers metal objects. The larger the metal more is the
preference.
Avoid using metallic pipes to fix lamps on terrace of buildings. Also for drying clothes on the terrace,
iron poles with metallic or plastic wires are used. The Lightning Conductor which is also known as
Lightning Rod or Air Terminal is one of the best known forms of shielding device and has been in use
in protecting buildings and facilities where protection is mandatory.

The protective value of Inside buildings is better when at least some unbroken vertical metallic
conductors exist, such as rain gutters with down-pipes, water mains, rails for elevators, vertical metal
strips, steel braces or reinforcement, electrical installations and wires, etc. Electrical and electronic
equipments can be protected to a considerable extent from damage by installing a Lightning
Arrestor.

Building Services
The planning, design and installation of electrical installations, air-conditioning and heating work
shall be carried out in accordance with part VIII Building Service Section 2 Electrical installations,
Section 3 Air conditioning and Heating of National Building Code of India. The planning, design
including the number of lifts, type of lifts, capacity of lifts, depending on occupancy of building,
population on each floor and height of building.
Other Building Requirements
National Building Code regulates building construction & building use in order to protect the health,
safety & welfare of the occupant. In order to learn which codes are being used and how they will
affect you and your construction project, contact your local building inspection department,
developers and concerned Authorities. Other building requirements are as follows.

Every room that intended for human habitation shall abut on an interior or exterior open
space or to a veranda open to such interior or exterior open space.

Every interior, exterior or air space, unless the later is a street, shall be maintained for the
benefit of such building exclusively and shall be entirely within the owners own premises.

Every person who intends to erect, re-erect or make alternation in any place in a building or
demolish any building shall give notice in writing to the concerned Authority of his intention in
the prescribed form and such notice shall be accompanied by plans and statements in
sufficient copies.

No Objection Certificate (NOC) from Fire Service, Pollution Control Board, Electrical safety
department, Water Supply and Sewage Department and other concerned department.

No land shall be used as a site for the construction of building if the Competent Authority
considers that the site is unsanitary or that it is dangerous to construct a building on it.

Building should be safe for occupant and it is important to inspect when your site is getting
marked for dimensions. Inspect construction after every two feet progress.

The building will be inspected by concern authorities and you will get completion certificate for your
apartment or building. Issuing of Completion Certificate will ensure that the owner has constructed
the building as per approved plan. Without the occupancy certificate, it is difficult to get the electricity,
water and sanitary connection. The NBC 2005, formulated by the Bureau of Indian Standards, spells
out new regulations for adoption by infrastructure departments, municipal administrators, public
bodies and private agencies.
Rain water harvesting system and solar water heater are mandatory for newly constructed building
in some states. Deviation from approved plan or violation of National Building Code (NBC) will lead
to charge penalty, cancellation of approvals or demolition of property.

Q3- What is feeder pillar, substation and function

of substation?
FEEDER PILLAR :
Feeder piller is a central circuit that controls and monitors electricity supply in various houses
and offices throughout a regio.The basic function of this centralized electrical circuit is to act as
the storehouse for the power supplied from the source and convert it to low voltage electricity for
domestic and office use.

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Feeder Pillar is a huge electrical panel specially for street light. This feeder pillar power up so
many street light in highway roads, apartment with street light and so on.
This feeder pillar made of steel equip with water proof. Inside feeder pillar, there's fuse. This
fuse has 63A amperage. Each fuse is connected to bus bar in three phase.Theout going of fuse
is connected to street light. before bus bar, there's circuit breaker or Moduled Case Circuit
Breaker (MCCB) with 100A amperage. In some feeder pillar have Zero Current
Transformer(ZCT) to provide additional protection to
busbar. Additionally, voltmeter and ammeter is install in that feeder pillar. In modern
technology, some feeder pillar install radio communication to verify this feeder pillar work
correctly and efficient.

A 63A amperage fuse

can
connect more than 100
light in
each phase in three
phase.
The incoming for fuse
is
connect to the bus bar.
the
outgoing for fuse is connected to street light. the street light fix with SWA or XLPE underground
cable and burry underground to make it safe. All street light are connect in parallel so if on light
goes off another still work. the street light produce 320-1000 watts that can damaged human
eye so it's install high enough to make the road brightand easy to see.

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SUBSTATION :
A substation is a part of an electrical generation,transmission,and distribution system,where
voltage is transformed from high to low, or low to high, or many other important funtions.electric
power may flow through several substations between generating plant and consumer, and may be
changed in voltage in several steps.
Substations are used for stepping up voltage for transmission, stepping it down for distribution,
and for switching purposes.
Normally stations are where we catch trains and where people get on and off. By the same
analogy we can explain what a substation does. Electricity has to be transmitted over large
distances as the place where the power is being generated and the place where it is consumed can
be far apart. The electricity is transmitted at very high voltages and low currents to reduce the
heat, eddy currents, and other transmission losses.

The substations are where the voltages are increased to high values by using step up
transformers, and after the transmission, they are again stepped down for distribution. In addition
changing the voltages the substations have a variety of protective devices like circuit breakers
and fuses to protect the distribution networks. These are designed in such a way that various
distribution circuits can be isolated for repairs and load shedding.

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Substations are normally outdoors and are enclosed by a wire fence. However in residential or
high density areas, the substation may be indoors and housed inside a building to restrict the
humming noise of the huge transformers.

Function of Substations :
The substations apart from the distribution of the electricity have many other functions as
follows:

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 Step up and step down of the voltage for transmission and distribution: As for the same
power transmitted at a higher voltage the current is lower it results in lower transmission
losses, hence is the need of stepping up and stepping down the voltage.
Switching and isolating the circuits for maintenance: Switching is also an important
function of substations. Closing down a feeder circuit when the load demands are high
needs to be done for the safety of the generating plants. Switching high voltages is a
dangerous work, and special circuit breakers like air circuit breakers and oil circuit
breakers for quenching the arcs have to be used.
Load shedding: When the power demand is more than the supply, the substations do load
shedding on distribution circuits to maintain balance.
Correction of power factors circuits: The power factor has to be kept at the correct value
when reactive loads are there to protect the generating plant and increase efficiency.
Safety devices like circuit breakers and fuses: These safety devices are provided for
protecting the machineries on the distribution circuit as well as in the substation against
high short circuit currents.
It contains bus bars for splitting the power for distribution: Thick bars of copper to which
various distributing circuits are connected by nuts and bolts are known as bus bars.

Operation of a Substation:
Electricity is generated in a thermal power plant, hydroelectric power plant, and nuclear power
plant, etc. This electricity is then supplied to a transmission substation near the generating plant.
In the transmission substation the voltage is increased substantially using step up transformers.
The voltage is increased to reduce the transmission losses over long distances. This electricity
then is supplied to a power substation where it is stepped down using step down transformers and
then supplied to a distribution grid. In the distribution grid there are additional transformers and
voltage is further reduced for distributing further down the grid. From here the electricity is
supplied to step down transformers near residential quarters that step down the voltage to
110/220 Volts as per each country's requirement.

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Q4-Draw a typical line diagram for firefighting for

building proposal or any layout.

5) What is mechanical ventilation and why it is

necessary to provide ducting system in a basement
(explain natural ventilation with it so need of
mechanical ventilation in basement)
What Is Mechanical Ventilation and why it is necessary to provide during system in a basement
(explain natural ventilation with it so need of mechanical ventilation in basement)?

Mechanical ventilation uses fans and vents to exhaust existing basement air and bring in fresh, outdoor
air. This type of system may be as simple as placing small window fans in opposite windows or as
technical as installing an exhaust fan with ventilation pipe. Many homeowners opt for a mechanical
ventilation because of the great flexibility and automation it provides. Mechanical ventilation is a
requirement for homes testing positive for radon, an odorless gas that is the leading cause of lung cancer
in the United States among non-smokers.

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A basic mechanical ventilation system begins with a design plan and depends largely on the size of the
basement and other appliances or items in the space. For most small to moderately sized basements, a
ventilation fan on one side of the basement and an exhaust fan on the other end is suitable. The fans may
be permanently installed within existing window cavities, or may need dedicated openings cut through the
portions of the basement walls that are above ground. The best ventilation fans include a humidity sensor
for simple automation. Once the sensor detects a certain moisture content, the fans vent the air until the
moisture content in the basement is reduced.
If a room does not have adequate natural ventilation, you are permitted to use "mechanical
ventilation" that is equivalent to the necessary natural ventilation.
More than any other room in the house, the basement can become a repository of unpleasant odors,
moisture problems, mold growth and other indoor pollutants. Unventilated basements are not only prone
to musty odors and mildew, the basement is also commonly used to store household chemicals. Paints,
solvents, automobile products and cleaning products slowly release chemicals into the air. In an
unventilated space, these chemicals build up and produce a toxic environment. Ventilating the basement
exhausts polluted or musty air and draws in fresh air from outdoors. There are two basic methods for
basement ventilation: natural and mechanical, both with their advantages and disadvantages.
Why Ventilation in basement?
Due to its position below ground, moisture from the earth seeps in through the floor and walls. When this
cold moisture collides with the warmer basement air, condensation develops. Excessive condensation
creates a musty, sour smell and, if left to collect into pools of liquid water, stagnates or produces a
breeding ground for mold and mildew spores. Some molds are toxic and hazardous to the health of the
home's occupants. The Environmental Protection Agency reports that certain types of mold, particularly
black mold, can aggravate or cause allergic reactions, asthma attacks and symptoms of influenza. The
EPA recommends that homeowners reduce or remove any water leaks or moisture problems, and ventilate
the basement. A constant influx of clean, fresh air inhibits mold and mildew growth.
Natural ventilation method?
Natural ventilation makes use of natural air currents, but this type of ventilation works only for basements
with windows that are strategically placed and able to open and close. While the natural method
conserves energy, it does require more work. Windows must be opened at regular intervals and closed
during times of rainfall or at night to prevent intruders from entering the basement. For best results,
windows should be opposite each other across the basement space, following the natural drafts of the
basement. A wet basement needs additional ventilation, such as fans or a dehumidifier. If the basement is
continuously wet, the natural method is most likely insufficient and a more mechanical system may be
required.

Mechanical Ventilation method?

Mechanical ventilation uses fans and vents to exhaust existing basement air and bring in fresh, outdoor
air. This type of system may be as simple as placing small window fans in opposite windows or as
technical as installing an exhaust fan with ventilation pipe. Many homeowners opt for a mechanical
ventilation because of the great flexibility and automation it provides. Mechanical ventilation is a
requirement for homes testing positive for radon, an odorless gas that is the leading cause of lung cancer
in the United States among non-smokers.
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6) Draw a critical sequence or arrangement for

high water supply system.
high rise water supply system

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7) Compare septic tank soak pit, design septic tank

soak pit and Draw plan and section. Assume
necessary information and loads about occupant
septic tank design according to number of occupants and soak
pit design depends on type of soil.
septic tank is primary stage for sattelment of waste of toilet
and soak pit is secondry. soak pit absorves water filter and
pushes it to the ground.

HOW TO DESIGN A SEPTIC TANK?

dimension of septic tank depend on the number of bedrooms.

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Lets begin with an example of a three bedroom residence.

Septic Tank calculations for a three bedroom Residence
As per the thumb rule The quantity of sewage considered for a
three bedroom house should not be less than 900 gallons.
1 gallon of liquid = 3.78 liters
Quantity of sewage in liters = 9003.78 = 3402litres
Volume of Sewage in Cubic meters 3402/1000 = 3.402 cubic
meters
Volume of Sewage in
Cubic feet
3402/28.52 =
119.28 cubic feet
Dimensions of a
Septic Tank in
meters:
Width of the
Septic Tank = 1.70m
Depth of the
Septic Tank = 1.00m
Length of the
Septic Tank = 2.00m

8) What is rain water harvesting? Why has it

becomes necessity to provide harvesting layout for
ID ( Intimation disapproval )?
RAIN WATER HARVESTING
WHAT IS RAIN WATER HARVESTING?
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The harvesting of rainwater simply involves the collection of

water from surfaces on which rain falls, and subsequently storing
this water for later use. Normally water is collected from the
roofs of buildings and stored in rainwater tanks. Water can also
be collected in dams from rain falling on the ground and
producing runoff.
One method of rainwater harvesting is rooftop harvesting. With
rooftop harvesting, most any surface tiles, metal sheets,
plastics, but not grass or palm leaf can be used to intercept
the flow of rainwater and provide a household with high-quality
drinking water and year-round storage

Importance of rain water harvesting?

The gathered rainwater can be used for agricultural purposes. The

environment may be helped to get rid of the tendency to drought.
The requirement of water for feeding the live-stocks can be met.
The ever-increasing demand for water can be satisfied naturally
The quantity of the subterranean water can be increased
The quantity of water can be raised and soil erosion can be checked.

Why rain water harvesting layout necessity for intimation

disapproval?

The municipal corporation has made it mandatory to submit the rain

water harvesting layout with building layout for intimation disapproval
so as it can monitor the progress at different stages during
construction and there after provide futher permissions to the
developer. This is to make sure rain water harvesting technique is
adopted as mandate by the municipal corporation
To meet the increasing water demand/needs: With increasing
occupation loads in city it is difficult to meet the needs of all househod
Variations in water availability: The availability of water from sources
such as lakes, rivers and shallow groundwater can fluctuate strongly.
Collected water can be used during lean season
Maintenance of fertility of agricultural land

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9) Draw a typical requirement of fire fighting

layout for basement + G + 15 upper floor . Also
calculate refuge area and typical line diagram

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10) Cooling tower , AHU , return air duct and fresh

air duct . Explain with typical layout and the
calculation of duct size
Air handling unit
An air handler, or air handling unit (often abbreviated to AHU), is a device used to regulate and
circulate air as part of a heating, ventilating, and air-conditioning (HVAC) system.[1] An air
handler is usually a large metal box containing ablower, heating or cooling elements, filter racks
or chambers, sound attenuators, and dampers. Air handlers usually connect to
a ductwork ventilation system that distributes the conditioned air through the building and
returns it to the AHU. Sometimes AHUs discharge (supply) and admit (return) air directly to and
from the space served without ductwork.
Small air handlers, for local use, are called terminal units, and may only include an air filter, coil,
and blower; these simple terminal units are called blower coils or fan coil units. A larger air
handler that conditions 100% outside air, and no recirculated air, is known as a makeup air
unit (MAU). An air handler designed for outdoor use, typically on roofs, is known as a packaged
unit (PU) or rooftop unit (RTU).

An air handling unit; air flow is from the right to left in this case. Some AHU components shown
are
1 Supply duct
2 Fan compartment
3 Vibration isolator ('flex joint')
4 Heating and/or cooling coil
5 Filter compartment
6 Mixed (recirculated + outside) air duct
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Cooling tower
A cooling tower is a heat rejection device which rejects waste heat to the atmosphere through
the cooling of a water stream to a lower temperature. Cooling towers may either use
the evaporation of water to remove process heat and cool the working fluid to near the wet-bulb
air temperature or, in the case of closed circuit dry cooling towers, rely solely on air to cool the
working fluid to near the dry-bulb air temperature.
Common applications include cooling the circulating water used in oil
refineries, petrochemical and other chemical plants, thermal power stations and HVAC systems
for cooling buildings. The classification is based on the type of air induction into the tower: the
main types of cooling towers are natural draft and induced draft cooling towers.
Cooling towers vary in size from small roof-top units to very large hyperboloid structures (as in
the adjacent image) that can be up to 200 metres (660 ft) tall and 100 metres (330 ft) in
diameter, or rectangular structures that can be over 40 metres (130 ft) tall and 80 metres (260 ft)
long. The hyperboloid cooling towers are often associated with nuclear power plants,[1] although
they are also used in some coal-fired plants and to some extent in some large chemical and
other industrial plants. Although these large towers are very prominent, the vast majority of
cooling towers are much smaller, including many units installed on or near buildings to
discharge heat from air conditioning.
Forced draft wet cooling towers (height: 34 meters) and natural draft wet cooling tower (height:
122 meters) in Westfalen, Germany.

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Classification of Cooling Tower

Hvac
An HVAC (heating, ventilating, and air conditioning) cooling tower is used to dispose of ("reject")
unwanted heat from a chiller. Water-cooled chillers are normally more energy efficient than aircooled chillers due to heat rejection to tower water at or nearwet-bulb temperatures. Air-cooled
chillers must reject heat at the higher dry-bulb temperature, and thus have a lower average
reverse-Carnot cycle effectiveness. In areas with a hot
climate, large office buildings, hospitals, and schools
typically use one or more cooling towers as part of their air
conditioning systems. Generally, industrial cooling towers
are much larger than HVAC towers.
Two HVAC systems on top of a building

Industrial Cooling Tower

Industrial cooling towers can be used to remove heat from various sources such as machinery
or heated process material. The primary use of large, industrial cooling towers is to remove the
heat absorbed in the circulating cooling water systems used inpower plants, petroleum
refineries, petrochemical plants, natural gas processing plants, food processing plants, semiconductor plants, and for other industrial facilities such as in condensers of distillation columns,
for cooling liquid in crystallization, etc. The circulation rate of cooling water in a typical 700
MW coal-fired power plant with a cooling tower amounts to about 71,600 cubic metres an hour
(315,000 US gallons per minute) and the circulating water requires a supply water make-up rate
of perhaps 5 percent (i.e., 3,600 cubic metres an hour).

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Return Air Duct

An air return duct is basically a concealed air passageway in a home or other building that acts
as a channel for pumping air out of an enclosed room and into the air conditioning or
centralheating system. These ducts typically start with vent grates in the wall, on the ceiling, or
in the floor. Where exactly these vents are located is usually a matter of whether the system is
focusing on heating, cooling, or both. Different structures have different ducting capabilities, but
builders and contractors often try to put these sorts of channels near doors and windows to
maximize their effectiveness. Sometimes these ducts share the job of air input, but not always.
A lot depends on how the building was constructed and how difficult it is to heat or cool.
Location and Main Goals
Return ducts are an integral part of nearly all heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC)
systems. Generally, HVAC systems use a forced air process that blows either heat or air
conditioning through ductwork into a home or business. Return ducts are usually located either
in a hallway or in the ceiling.
Illustration of return air techniques shows
supply air returning through grilles in doors
and walls,

Fresh Air Duct

Fresh air enters the structure by infiltration or
by mechanical means.

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