Customer Reviews

Mechanical and Electrical Equipment for Buildings, 10th Edition

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I came across this book preparing Architectural Registration Exam (ARE).
I have to say that this book is an essential for architects
who are preparing MEP (Mechanical/Electrical/Plumbing)section of the ARE.

The book is divided into basically nine sections.

1. design context
2. thermal comfort
3. illumination
4. acoustics
5. water/waste
6. fire protection
7. electricity
8. signal equipment
9. transportation

It describes various systems of each section with pretty
accessible narrative.
Abundance in graphics and diagrams is very helpful.
The book is extremely helpful in understanding where each
kit of parts fit into the overall building systems.

For instance, I heard about AHUs/ cooling towers/ refrigeration
cycle/ boilers/ duct systems/ etc. , but I never knew how
they fit and interconnect to one and another. The book, being
encyclopedic in its contents, really helps to overcome that.

The book also pays particular attention to the "sustainable"
agendas and strategies.

This book has been an essential textbook for architectural students, and reference for professionals since its first edition in 1935. Those already familiar with its earlier editions understand this book's importance - there is no other like it at all. It is by far the most complete and thorough reference on its subject.

But the impressive thing about the new (10th) edition is how transformative and transformed it is. On one hand, it should be expected that a reference on mechanical and electrical systems is a constantly changing object. Codes are always being revised, mechanical systems introduced, new lighting types invented. Photovoltaics, for example, now merit an entire chapter. Electrical code changes require revisions throughout existing chapters. And so forth.

But on the other hand, in addition to the "updating" of the material, there is considerable rethinking in this edition to building systems as an essential part of sustainable design. Mechanical systems in the book consume fossil fuels, in their use or at least in their creation. The book makes this a central theme. There is a sensitivity toward environmental issues in this book which is simply wonderful to see. The book presents a strong argument for environmentally responsible design as now being solidly a mainstream, intelligent approach to building.

This almost 1800 page treatise on mechanical and electrical design as it relates to architecture is one of a kind. It is not an artistic book on the subject, although some artistic ability is always needed in any aspect of building design. Instead it is a very technical book that shows how the architect must be part electrical engineer, mechanical engineer, electrician, physicist, plumber, safety specialist, and transportation engineer in order to design the modern building. And to top it all off, you need to be knowledgable of current mechanical and electrical equipment - their specifications and their costs.

The book has plenty of examples with step by step instructions on how to perform various subtasks. Many of these examples contain numerical calculations, so it will help if you have had freshman engineering physics, especially in the sections on illumination, acoustics, and electricity where calculations, tables, and equations abound.

The book is broken into nine parts encompassing nearly every technical decision involved in designing a modern building. The first section is an introductory one on the context of design. That is followed by sections on thermal control, illumination, acoustics, water and waste, fire protection, electricity, signal systems, and finally in-building transportation. A lengthy appendix contains a great deal of supplemental information, including climate data for various parts of the United States, solar geometry, sound transmission data, and a listing of software that can be helpful in performing the tasks discussed in this book, and how that software can be obtained.

I highly recommend this book to aspiring architects and also to civil engineers that are interested in the construction of modern buildings. It's been the flagship book on the subject for seventy years in its various editions, and probably will continue to be so for the foreseeable future.

That a book has gone through ten editions says something about the acceptance of that book. In the case of this book, it says that this is basically the Bible of the subject, after all it's been around since the first edition in 1935. And it's subject is basically everything not covered by the structure of the building. This includes heating, cooling, electricity, lighting, water, plumbing fixtures, even acoustics, fire protection, and for bigger buildings such things as burglar alarms, elevators and moving stairways, and more.

In this book, each of these subjects is treated to at least a chapter, perhaps a whole series of chapters. This book describes the state of the art, be it in solar heating, or low water usage toilets.

It is intended for the student as well as the professional architect or engineer. I would also recommend it highly to anyone thinking about designing their own house. Here is information of value to the design if he is working alone or with an architect.

As a resource librarian in a mid-size design (architecture) firm, building and maintaining a reference library is one of my responsibilities. I normally wait until I get a request for a book before I review it for inclusion since there is so little space for "real" books. This book was requested so that a designer could study for her registration exam. She gave it a glowing review and said it had been mentioned on the exam blogs as one of the must-reads. It also seemed to have, in one place, all the information a practicing architect would need to design with or around mechanical systems, as well as provide the framework and vocabulary to talk to consultants.

This book was used as a text for two of my classes in my third year of architecture schooling. It is extremely useful, with lots of descriptions and helps you to understand more than just the structure of the building. Lighting, plumbing, all the different systems, etc. It has been very useful and I recommend it as a great reference.

Excellent. The best book I have seen on the subject.

Will be using to study for the building systems for the ARE. Its a huge book with a ton of information. Will need to ween through to get the information I really need. This book has more information then you need but this should be a change of pace since I usually have books that have less information that's needed.

I needed this book for exam taking purposes. When I first saw its size, my heart sank just a tad. It seems this book is a bible in the ARE (architectural registration exam) studying community. It is well written and super-comprehensive. Balance of text to diagrams is also very good. In addition, it's an excellent reference book for professional practice.

I received this book really fast and the condition was just like a new book.
Great buy!