PA - FLash Cards
Where should the architect look to find the minimum number of accessible parking spaces required?
-2010 ADA Based on overall parking loads -International Building Code IBC lists the minimum number of required accessible parking spaces (based on overall parking loads). THis is the same table as found in the 2010 ADA -Local Zoning Code Note: Local Land USe code regulate the development of site based on location and use. Parking is not addressed in the land-use codes. or The local AHJ's Website.
During the predesign phase of a new office building, an architect has been asked to develop a program with the project's owner. Which items should be considered during the completion of this task?
-Applicable building codes COdes often require certain programs, like restrooms for employees in offices, or restrooms for the public in restaurants. -The owner's budget Programming should ensure the owner's budget is documented -The owner's current space The owner's current needs should be considered when programming a new project.
An architect is seeking a community board's approval for a new building in a historic neighborhood. The architect chooses to include a building section in their presentation. What should the architect include in the bulding secition to demostrate the proposed building's impact on its immediate surroundings?
-Building Height -Exsisting adjacent buidlings -Hardscapes Docummenting hardscapes such as adjacent roads, sidewalk, and bike laes helps to demostrate the building;s relation to and on infrastructure used by members of the communty. -Frontage conditions Note: Detailed wall assembles information is unlikely to be helopful during a community board review. This will not have an impact on community members or neighbors.
The client requests a high-performance building and has pushed the design team to incorporate modeling analysis into various aspects of the project. Which aspects of sustainable design cab analyzed through computer modeling?
-Curtain wall glazing As a component of energy modeling, the building facade can be analyzed during design for performance relative to the building MEP system, thermal comfort, daylight, etc. -Daylighting Can be simulated using computer analysis of building form, site location, exterior wall configuration, etc.
An architect is completing a site survey of an existing building that will be renovated. Which of the following observations would indicate a differential settlement of the building?
-Diagonal cracks in the foundation or basement walls -Sloping floors -Inoperable doors and windows This can cause inoperable doors and windows due to the frameshifting under pressure. Foundation upheaval can also cause inoperable doors and windows. Note: Horizontal cracks in the foundation or basement walls indicate pressure from the backfill such as that from hydrostatic pressure.
A five-story condominium building with 55 dwelling units has two egress stairways. Each stairway provides areas of refuge with two-way communication systems connected to the fire command center. According to the IBC, what information must be posted adjacent to each communication system location?
-Direction for use -Instructions for summoning assistance -Identification of the location Note: the identification of fire extinguisher locations is not part of the requirements for the two-way communication system.
A client in a northern climate has expressed interest in a project that employs solar technology to assist in the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) of the space. Which are part of an active solar building heating system?
-Heat exchanger A heat exchanger transfer heat from the heat transfer medium into the building itself, heating the building. If cooling is also required, a heat pump or evaporative cooler would also need to be included. -Collector Panels similar to a solar water heater, these panels contain water or another heat exchange medium that is heated by direct solar gain. -Heater transfer medium The heat tranfer medium flows through ducts or pipes and into athe heat exchanger, wher eit interfaces with the conditioned space of the building interior. Note: Solar water heater is not part of the active building ventilation system we are concerned with in this question. THese water heaters can be either passive or active, if pumps are used.
An architect is designing an art museum renovation. A building code analysis has determined the need for safety glazing in both the public and staff areas. Which types of glass are possible choices to meet the safety glazing requirements?
-Laminated glass -Tempered glasss -Wire glass Note: Plate glass is not one of the.
A historic brick building has been unused for decades. The exterior brick is now heavily soiled and is threatening the original structure. Which cleaning methods are appropriate?
-Natural bristle brushes A natural brush will have a softer surface and won't be as abrasive as the old brick. -Detergents Brick and mortar are porous and detergent will be able to cover all the areas dirt can rea It will loosen the dirt after soaking and can gently rinse with water. -Low pressure water Note: Sandblasting, High-pressure water & Natural chemical products should never be used to clean masonry because they can cause further damage.
An architect is currently working on a site master plan that includes a retail complex, a water park, and an extended stay hotel in the center of town. This development is an example of?
-Node A focal point or a center of interest that people can enter -PUD A large parcel of land designed to have mixed-used development
A phase I Environmental Site Assessment (ESA) is being conducted on a site where new development is being proposed. The site is in a medium-sized municipality and is currently an empty lot. Which are considered in the assessment?
-On site investigaiton An a-walk-through of the site is done by the environmental professional. -Plat maps Plat maps may show historic landfills and manufacturing and industrial sites nearby -USGS topological maps Changes in topography can be found by referencing historical topographic maps -Aerial photographs May show modified streams and other suspect areas Cost data for remediations efforts & Results from an asbestos investigation are not part of Phase I ESA or they are conducted separately.
An architect is designing a new multi-family building in a suburban area and is considering how to reduce the stormwater runoff volume. Which of the following are effective techniques for reducing runoff volume and improving stormwater quality for a small-scale, residential project site?
-Rain Garden -Planter Box -Permeable pavement -Rain barrel Note: Storm drain; is not an effective technique for reducing runoff.
An architect is designing an energy-efficient home in the Southwest. The client has asked the architect to provide recommendations for the passive cooling of the new home. Which passive cooling strategies should the architect use?
-Roof ponds Can provide thermal mass to the roof structure, which is a passive strategy to aid the cooling of the home -Courtyard with fountains provide evaporation and keep the air cool within the spaces of a home -Materials with high thermal mass These materials help delay heat transmission and help with heat flushing during the night, making the building cooler duruing nightime
Which are the principles of tan IPD aggremenet?
-Shared financial risk and reward -Early involvement of key participants -Key participants bound together as equals -Liability waivers between key participants
An architect has been hired for renovation work at a university. Based on the project type and scope, the university and the architect have agreed to use a phased project schedule. Which conditions could lead to the decision to phase a project?
-The client's functional needs are expected to grow -The initial budget is limited -Money for the project will become available over time Note: When there are time constraints, phasing a project will only lengthen the project, not shorten it.
An architect is determining the correct number of exits a building should have based off the comments from the AHJ. Which might affect the number of exits required?
-The total occupant load -The travel Distance -The common path of travel. Note: the building;s construction type has no bearing on the number of exits.
An architect has been hired to design a private residence in an area that is moderately susceptible to landslides. Which steps should be taken to minimize slope destabilazation?
-Utilize native plantings that require little irrigation Excessive irrigation increases soil saturation -Comply with local grading ordinances regarding the potential for slope destabilization and landslides. -Use an alternative to septic systems -Review local landslide hazard maps and landslide reduction regulations Note: Using upslope fill to create a building pad creates an unstable soil condition and increases the potential for landslides.
An architecture firm has been commissioned to design the master plan for a small city. The project architects are analyzing the existing development plans of the city. Which characteristics of a successful transit-oriented development?
-Varied housing types A variety of housing prices, including affordable housing, should be planned. -Mixed-use functions -Increased bicycle facilities -Diverse housing types Note: Parking requirements should be reduced. A benefit of increased transit use is that less parking should be provided. Shared parking should also be considered for mix-use functions.
What is the maximum distance the project cab ve from the transit stop to qualify as a TOD (transit-oriented development)?
.5 miles or a 10-minute walk
Identify the transect level that corresponds with each description. 1) Offices and retail are permitted but restricted 2) A street of rowhouses with retail on the corner 3)A transfer of development rights (TDR) sending area 4) Surface parking lots are disallowed 5)An area of mixed-use and higher density
1) Offices and retail are permitted but restricted Suburban 2) A street of rowhouses with retail on the corner General Urban 3)A transfer of development rights (TDR) sending area Rural 4) Surface parking lots are disallowed Urban Core 5)An area of mixed-use and higher density Urban Center
What is the maximum slope for lawns?
10% Lawns, planted slopes, and road shoulders
As a rule of thumb, what is the minimum distance that should be provided between the entry and exit driveway and a intersection?
100 Feet
Which percentage is the minimum clay content that the architect should specify within the soil in order to prevent liquefaciton?
15% In fine sandy soil, the presence of 15% clay is considered adequate protection from liquefaction. Liquefaction is a condition that can occur during an earthquake where soil behaves like a liquid, losing all its shear strength. Clay can offer protection against liquefaction because it is a cohesive soil that has a small particle size and low void ratio.
How much sF per person should you allocate for an office space?
150-200 SF
What is the maximum slope for an athletic field?
2%
What is the range of a hydraulic elevator?
2-8 stories. Note: Hydraulic elevator gluids can present enviromental conerns and are generally slower.
In order to minimize excavation costs, the client wants to place the parking lot on the steepest sloping portion of the sire allowable so they can use the flatter areas to construct the building. Ignore accessibility requirements, what is the maximum longitudinal slope of the parking lot?
20% The preferred slope for parking is 2-3%, however slopes yp to 20% are permissible if conditions do not allow for gentler slope parking areas
What is the maximum slope for berms and mowed slopes?
25%
In the parking lot accommodating the two standard accessible spaces, what is the minimum width the architect must plan for the spaces and access aisle?
30 FT Each standard, non-van accessible parking space must be a minimum of 8ft wide. Each access aisle must be a minimum of 5ft wide. So, the required width for two spaces and one access aisle would be at least 21 ft.
How many SF per car in a parking lot?
300 SF
A building's design includes a photovoltaic array on the roof. The building is located at 42 degrees north latitude. What angle configuration should be specified for the photovoltaic arrays?
42 degrees to the south A photovoltaic array should be south-sloping and tilted at the same angle as the latitude, or slightly greater, to favor greater energy production in the winter.
How many sf are in an acre?
43,560 sf in an acre
The developer requires that each cul-de-sac must be large enough to allow for a large motorhome to enter and turn around. To save costs, the culs-de-sac must be as small as possible while achieving these criteria. What is the most appropriate turning radius that the architect should suggests?
50'-0" Cul-de-sacs typically have a 38'-0" to 50'-0" turning radious.
How big is a township?
6 miles by 6 miles 36 square miles 1 section = 640 acres
The owner of an existing restaurant is interested in adding additional parking for employees eat the rear of the building. THe building currently has 68 spaces, thee of which are accessible. Based on ADA requirements, what is the maximum number o parking spaces the owner can expect to add without requiring additional accessible spaces?
7 ADA standards require 3 accessible parking spaces for any parking facility with 51-75 total spaces. Per ADA table 208.2 Parking spaces: 1 to 25 = 1 26 to 50 = 2 51 to 75 = 3 76 to 100 = 4 101 to 150 = 5 151 to 200 = 6 501 to 1000 = 2% etc.
Whats the typical size of a parking space? & Driving Ile?
9' x 19' 24' Double loaded
What is a superblock?
A community neighborhood where a large piece of land with limited vehicle intrusion within the block, is usually surrounded by a continuous street with some vehicle access provided by cul-de-sacs. THis concept is more used for residential areas and not commercial developments.
What is a catchment area? (MP developing)
A population of people around a park or restaurant, or retail store.
architect is programming the spatial requirements for a school Based on the International Building COde, which areas require the most square footage per occupant?
Administrative office 150 GSF per occupant Note: Science lab & Gymnasium 50 GSF per occupant History Classroom 20 net sf
An architecture firm has received a Phase I Environmental Site Assessment (ESA I) report. They must confirm that the report follows the proper standards. Which organization's standards are required to be followed for an ESA I report to be valid?
American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) The most common and widely site assemesmnet protocols are those developed by the ASTM.
An office building will have three entrances on different wings: one entrance for the public, and two entrances for employees, Each entrance will have its own parking lot. At a minimum, where should the architect provide the required accessible parking spaces for the building?
At each parking lot The ADA requires that when more than one parking facility is provided on-site, accessible parking spaces must be provided at each one.
An architect is designing an office building for t a client who has very specific space agency requirements and has requested that the architect study a variety of layouts to achieve the project's objective. Which diagram is the last step in this type of planning exercise?
Block Diagram Is the last step in the programming process, and is a more formalized form of the bubble diagram. The first step is a Criteria Matrix followed by an added adjacency matrix
A small artist studio is being constructed on a south-facing slope in a hot-arid climate. If the client is interested in taking advantage of the microclimate created by wind and solar radiation, which location on the hill takes advantage of those factors?
Bottom of the slope. The bottom of the slope in a hot arid climate exposes the building to the cool night air and decreases the solar exposure in the heat of the afternoon sun.
Which is the most important thing the architect should do to design the building for maximizing daylight penetration to all areas of the floor plate?
Create undulations in the building form and massing The architect should shape the massing of the building so that no interior spaces are too far from the skin, allowing for daylight throughout the building and reducing the need for electric lighting. Note: Louvers control sunlight at the perimeter, but do nothing to allow daylight into the interior of a large office building.
What is Euclidean zoning?
Characterized by a clear separation of uses the typical approach to regulating land use; specifies exactly what uses will be allowed in each district and at what level of intensity
During a pre-design meeting of a new speculative office building, the geotechnical engineer mentions that the soil is highly plastic when wet.. What type of soil is the geotechnical engineer referring to?
Clay Cohesive soild such as claty are plastic whn wet. Plasticity is the characteristic of a soil to deform without rupture under loas.
A building is to be located in an area with high seismic risk. A site must be chosen. The site should be one that minimizes the liquefaction of the soil. Which soil type is the least susceptible to liquefaction during a seismic event?
Clay Liquefaction is when a soil behaves like a liquid, such as when a seismic "S: waves cause vibration during an earthquake. Loose and uncompacted granular soils such as sand and sandy (non-plastic) silts are the most susceptible to liquefaction. During liquefaction, soils lose their shear strength A clay content of 15% or more is considered adequate protection from liquefaction.
A 36,000-square-foot office building is in the programming phase. The client has made it clear that the project must stay on a budget all the way through design. What type of cost estimate would be most appropriate during this pahase?
Comparision estimation. This cost estimate is based on the comparison of an similar building, adjusted for location and inflation. This is the simplest form of cost estimating. Note: Gross square footage cost is usually completed at SD's sense is more detailed.
THe owner asks the architect to provide a cost estimate for a local church early in the programming process. What type of cost estimation is appropriate for this stage of design?
Comparison Note: Gross Square footage is slightly more detailed than a comparison estimate, usually completed at schematic design.
What is Restoration based on the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for the Treatment of Historic Buildings?
Defined as the act or process of accurately depicting the form, features, and character of a property as it appeared at a particular period of time by means of the removal of features from other periods in its history and reconstruction of missing features from the restoration period.
What is Preservation based on the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for the Treatment of Historic Buildings?
Defined as the act or process of applying measures necessary to sustain the existing form, integrity, and materials of historic property. Generally focuses upon the ongoing maintenance and repair of historic materials and features rather than extensive replacement and new construction. EX: The stone cornice of a historic hotel is patched and repaired & An 1890 train station will be reused as a light rail station but will largely retain its original look and feel.
What is Rconstruction based on the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for the Treatment of Historic Buildings?
Defined as the act or process of depicting, by means of new construction, the form, features, and detailing of a non-surviving site, landscape, building, structure, or object for the purpose of replicating its appearance at a specific period of time and in its historic location. EX: A badly deteriorated native dwelling is carefully studied and missing parts are replaced with freat accurancy.
What is Rehabilatition based on the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for the Treatment of Historic Buildings?
Defined as the act or process of making possible a compatible use for a property through repair, alterations, and additions while preserving potions or features which convey its historical, cultural, or architectural values. Ex: An old theater is being repurposed as a bookstore and coffee shop.
If a couple is worried about enough sunlight reaching their gardddde, what day of the year is the architect going to have to plan around?
Dember 21 - which is the lowest point of the sun
The civil engineer on the new retail development is considering ways to remove suspended solids from the parking lot's runoff. Which stormwater strategy is the most effective way to achieve the engineer's goal?
Dry swales
An architect is reviewing the requirements for a two-way communications system as part of their code analysis for the design of a high-rise office building. Besides the fire command center, what are the other points within the building that these systems are required to service?
Elevator landings that are part of the accessible means of egress and not on the level of exit discharge.
What is embodied energy?
Embodied energy is a calculation of all the energy that is used to produce a material or product, including mining, manufacture and transport. To achieve a home that is truly low energy, it is important to consider embodied energy when choosing materials and construction systems.
The architect of a 3 story building is trying to reduce the size of the HVAC system in the building to lower both upfront and operating costs. To achieve this, they need to increase the thermal envelope's efficiency wherever possible. Which glazing properties will reduce longwave radiation?
Emissivity Is the ability of the glazing to emit longwave radiation. A low e coating on the glass helps to block heat flow by reducing longwave radiation losses. Note: Solar heat gain coefficeiint
What is low emissity roofing?
Emissivity is the ability of a material to release heat. A low emissivity roof would hold heat while a high emissivity roof would release it.
WHich is most commonly used in groundwater remdiation projects?
Extranction/treatment
What is the formula for FAR?
FAR = Area of building / Area of Site
A client wants to renovate a small office building and design a 25,000 sf addition. The architect needs to use a different construction type than was used for the original building. What type of fire-resistant element is required to separate the two different construction types?
Firewall
A residential client in Arizona is looking to build a new home that embodies sustainable design principles. Because it is located in an arid desert climate, the project's sustainable design principles will include the use of materials with low embodied energy and high thermal mass. Based on these requirements, what exterior envelope material should the architect recommend?
Fully grouted concrete masonry unit (CMU) walls CMU can perform well as a thermal mass and also meets the criteria of being a low embodied energy Note: WHile Cat-in-place concrete walls dows perform well as a thermal mass, it has a high embodied energy
A 10-Story building is being designed. The owner wants the selected elevator system to have speedy operation relative easy of maintenance, a low cost, and be environmentally friendly. What type of elevator systems should the architect recommend?
Geared Traction This type ould provide the quick speed, and the height of the building in this scenatio falls wihin the rance that is appropriate for a gered traction elevatior. A geraed traction elevator would not have the enviromnmental concers present in hyrulic systems.
What is the Formal style of the landscape?
Have clear stucture and strong geometric forms. They are also often symmetrical and have eye-catching elements such as statues or fountains at the end of long axial pathways
Which is the most effective way a firm can interact with the community?
Host community charrettes Note: Though citizens can have a voice in a public hearing, their input is usually passive and their opinion may not result in an effective influence on decision-making
A firm is working with environmental mitigation consultants to clean up a brownfield site. What are mitigation solutions that can be implemented?
Incineration Is the Controlled burning of soil or solids to convert, degrade, or oxidize contaminants. It may be done on or off-site. Dechlorination Chemical treatment to remove chlorine atoms bonded to hazardous chemicals. Air sparging Is the injection of air into groundwater to flush volatile contaminants, which are collected and treated y the soil vapor extraction process Soil vapor extraction Used to remove VOCs from the soil through the use of vapor extraction wells. Note: Decarbonization & Dewatering are incorrect. Decarbonization means removing the carbon from the process chain Dewatering is the action of removing groundwater or surface water from a construction site. Normally, the dewatering process is done by pumpimping or evaporation. It is usually done before excavation for flooring and will help to lower the water table that might cause problems during excavations.
What is the Naturalistic style of the landscape?
Informal and draw their aesthetic inspiration from nature such as forests and meadows. This landscape attempts to look like it was not designed but is part of the natural landscape.
What is freeboard?
Is an additional amount that a community may add to the BFE ; added to the base flood elevations (BFE) to determine the lowest elevation at which a building's floor should be located.
What is the Romantic style of the landscape?
Landscapes are characterized by the emotional responses they evoke such as surprise and whimsy
On which dates should the architect provide the exterior daylight analysis for the building in order to best represent the full array of sunlight and shadows throughout the year?
On the 21st of March, June, September, and December These dates correspond with the solstices (June and December) and the equinoxes (March and September
The owner of a new motel is looking to integrate HVAC into the property. Which system should be installed?
Local air-to-air heat pumps. This is the best option that will allow the individual user high autonomy of control for each unit. It is well-suited for this system where rooms tend to be located on the perimeter and climate can be adjusted to account for the difference in exposure promoted by the orientation of the structure. The system is relatively economical because the installation costs would be lower than a complete HVAC refrigerant system with the associated equipment and ductwork. The unit is also more energy efficient than the local unitary air conditioning unit.
An architect is helping draft plans for an addition to the restaurant. The addition will increase the footprint of the restaurant enough to trigger mandatory site upgrades, including the addition of more parking spaces. Where should the architect look to find out how many total parking spaces are now required?
Local zoning ordinance. Govern the minimum number of total parking spaces required per building site Note: THe IBC governs regulations regarding the health, safety, and welfare of the public. While it does cover the minimum number of accessible parking spaces required, it does not address the total required parking per building or site.
AN architect is starting a hob where the fee is $30,000 and the complete design schedule is 2.5 months. Which of the following project scheduling methods is best for this project?
Milestone chart Use for small projects Gantt Chart The Gantt chart is for larger projects Critical Path method Use for larger and more complex projects Wall Schedule Medium o large projects
A business is considering a number of sites for a new retail storefront. The business would like to take advantage of visibility from adjacent roadways. Which type of Federal Highway Association (FHWA) street classification supports a high volume of traffic and provided a moderate level of access making it appealing for the commercial site?
Minor Arterial Supports a high volume of traffic connecting lower- and higher-capacity roadways and provides moderate site access. Note: A collector street is not designed for thought-traffic access, so it supports a lower traffic volume.
Which 3D modeling geometry type might be most useful to get a highly accurate understanding of the existing terrain?
NURBS modeling Allows for highly controllable curved and smoothed surfaces to be created from existing survey information. While requiring a greater degree of labor to create, this digital geometry type is capable of being far more accurate in representing sloped topography than other geometry types.
Can insulation be recycled?
No Many types of insulation are made from recyclable materials, such as fiberglass, plastics, or cellulose. Unfortunately, the insulation itself cannot be recycled as it generally becomes dirty over its lifespan, containing dirt, pollen, or hazardous materials.
An architect is preparing a building code analysis for a new mixed-use project. The building consists of condominiums above. They have gathered all the building codes and municipal amendments applicable to the project. What information should the architect determine first to conduct the code analysis?
Occupancy Classifications OC is the first step in conducting a code analysis. This information is necessary to determine all of the other code requirements for the building. Note: The allowable height and are for the building cannot be determined without first knowing the occupancy calssificaitons.
Places a high premium on the retention of all historic fabric through conservation, maintenance, and repair. It respects a building's continuum over time, and though successive occupancies, and the respectful changes and alterations that are made
Preservatin treatment
A historic 19th-century structure is being rehabilitated to function as a hotel. An erroneous attempt at restoring the structure in the 1930s added architectural elements that are inconsistent with the style of the original structure. Which instruction should the architect provide with regard to these inconsistent architectural elements?
Protect the elements in place. Under the Secretary of Interior's Standard for Rehabilitation, mistakes or erroneous additions that have taken place over the history of a building are part of the building and should be recognized for their historic values.
A suburban site is faced with severe rainfall events throughout the year, resulting in significant street and parking lot flooding. Which one of the following solutions should be installed to resolve this stormwater challenge?
Rain garden Also called Bioretention basins, are shallow areas designed to collect stormwater. They are usually designed to drain fairly quickly and help mitigate flooding Note: The infiltration basin holds stormwater, similar to a detention basin. THis would recharge the soil too slowly to effectively resolve the flooding issue.
A developer wants to reuse an old factory and convert it into condominiums. The crumbling facade will be returned to its original state based on historical photographs. Which treatment approach is the developer using?
Rehabilitation Rehabilitation converts a building to a use different from its historical use.
The owner of the commercial office space would like to install a new reception desk. Their preference is for the desk to be clad in the wood veneer that has a bold, non-linear grain with a repetitive pattern. Which provides the asthetic the owner is looking for?
Rotary veneer with slip matching Will produce the broad pattern and slip matching will create a repeating grain figure
An existing neighborhood is adjacent to a 70-year-old freeway. The neighborhood contains a petroleum processing plant. According to an environmental site investigation, the topsoil throughout the entire neighborhood is contaminated and could pose a risk to the residents. Which program is designed to help with the costs of clean-up?
Small Business Liability Relief (SBLR) and Brownfield Revitalization Act Note: "Superfund" laws make owners liable for their land, should it be found to contain contaminants.
The longest facade of a wood-framed building along the east-west axis. A porch is located on the south side, and the kitchen is on the north side of the house. The building is best suited for which type of climate?
Temperate This building's east-west orientation would maximize sun exposure on the south-facing facade in winter and help to keep the building warm. Note: Cold climates call for more compact forms, not elongated ones. Examples of locations that have cold climates are Alaska and and Montanana.
The owner of a building located in a warm climate is looking to incorporate an economizer cycle into the HVAC system, with the intent of saving energy costs and introducing outdoor air into the building. Which factor would indicate that the ownwer should decide against implementing the economizer cycle.
The economizer is not effective in a warm climate In a southern climate where the average temperature is warmer, there would be no opportunity for the economizer cycle to kick on and thus no chance to harvest its benefits. The economizer is an add-on to the existing HVAC system and would utilize the building's dampers and other noise-reducing measures when distributing the
The mechanical engineer of a new low-rise commercial building is proposing DOAS (dedicated outdoor air system) units as a means of complying with the owner's sustainable design requirements. What is the principal benefit of using DOAS system?
The supply air can be comprised 100% fresh outside air A DOAS system is often used on projects with high sustainable performance criteria. The ability to provide 100% fresh outside air reduces energy dependence because the return air system is powered and used far less frequently than in a conventional HVAC system.
What is the liquid limit of soil?
The water content at which the soil transitions from semi-solid to fluid
What is the defining characteristic that differentiates between Supplemental and Additional Services?
Timing If these are agreed upon prior to the contract signing, they remain Supplemental Services. IF added to the scope of the project after the contract is signed, they become Additional Services.
An architect is conducting the code analysis for a new suburban hotel building. THe building code requires the installation of a mechanical smoke control system for the nine-story atrium. What is the primary function of a smoke control system for this building?
To aid the evacuation of the building occupants. The main function is to provide a safer environment for the evacuation or relocation of the occupants of the building. Note: Fire suppression systems are separate and independent from smoke control systems.
The contractor identified several pipes and a check valve during the demolition of an existing building. What is the function of the check valve?
To prevent backflow Allows water to flow in one direction while preventing any water from flowing back into the system. Note A Globe Valve is the device used to regulate the low rate.
What are the goals of Regenerative Design?
To produce a net psotive environmental impact. For example, a net-positive-energy or net-positive-water building produces more energy or water that it consumes.
Whats TOD?
Transit-Oriented Development
An architect is reviewing the site for proposed 500-unit apartment complex with eight retail spaces in the hot, dry climate of Phoenix, Arizona. The 10,000 SF site has a gentle cross-slope running noth-to -south, is currently covered in native grasses and shrubs, and lies off an arterial corrdior serving pedestrian mall. An environmental impact study has been perfomed on the site to determine the impact of several design options on the site and its suroundings. Which enviromental impact study will liekly be impacted the greates though developing the site?
Transportation Introducing a large apartment complex and addtional retail along an arterial street will introduce an influx of vehicles. Note: While land use could be affected die to not having access to the city's zoning informaion this inot the best answet since zoning maps were not provided.
An architect is conducting a preliminary site analysis of a 640-acre site with varied topography. What organization should the architect contact for topographical information?
Unites States Geological Survey (USGS)
An architect is working on a mid-rise apartment building. Due to a number of factors, the structural engineer has eliminated the possibility of running ducts to the apartments. Which are appropriate options for this project?
Variable refrigerant flow Does not need ductwork to manage air temperature. Packaged terminal air conditioner PTAC Only required access to an exterior wall to supply air and release heat. Fan coil Unit FCU can be supplied with fluids which the FCU can utilize to manage ai temperature. Note: Variable ai colume (VAV) Rooftop unit (RTU) Air handling unit (AHU) All required ductwork to manage room temperature.
MEP engineers are required to design all components required for a building's utilities, including pumps for those utilities that require pressure. Which utility servixs use pressure?
Water Natural glass.
An electrical engineer must include a light fixture schedule in a drawing package. The schedule must indicate how much power each fixture requires. What units is the measure of electrical power?
Watts
What is the Xeriscape style of the landscape?
a type of low water-consuming landscaping, popular in arid regions. Landscapes use native plantings and rock or gravel and do not use irrigation.
Cubic feet formula
length × width × height.
