Mechanical & Electrical Systems in Buildings (4th Edition) [Hardcover]

Richard R. Janis (Author), William K. Y. Tao (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0135130131 | ISBN-13: 978-0135130131 | Publication Date: March 22, 2008 | Edition: 4

This book is intended both as a textbook and as a reference book for students and professionals interested in building mechanical and electrical systems.  With a complete and practical introduction to the design of mechanical and electrical systems in buildings, the text successfully bridges the gap between architecture, civil engineering technology, and construction management.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

Designed to bridge the ever-widening gap between textbooks and the realities that confront engineering, and construction professionals, this text provides an overview of the principles and applications of all basic mechanical and electrical systems -- with a focus on what, why, and basic design data examples. It explores emerging technology and environmental issues, and makes reference to essential engineering calculations and condensed data to illustrate principles. --This text refers to an alternate Hardcover edition.

From the Inside Flap

PREFACE

WE ARE GRATIFIED TO LEARN THAT THE FIRST EDITION OF THIS BOOK HAS BEEN WELL RECEIVED BY OUR colleagues in colleges and universities as well as by design and construction professionals. We have received many comments and suggestions, new reference data, and our publisher encouraged us to prepare this second edition only two years after the initial publication.

One major addition in this second edition is Chapter 18, Noise and Vibrations in Mechanical and Electrical Systems. With the increased use of mechanical and electrical equipment in buildings, indoor and outdoor noise and vibration could be a detriment to productivity and quality of life. This new chapter provides practical guidelines for architects, engineers, contractors, and building owners. As in the other chapters, the approach is to emphasize what and why rather than how.

The topics covered in this book are broad and are in a state of continuous advancement. New technologies and practices are occurring at such a rapid pace that substantial updating is necessary every few years. This is particularly true in the area of commuiucations and illumination engineering. For this reason, we decided to engage several contributing authors who are authorities ill their fields of engineering or professional practices. In future editions, additional contributing authors will be invited to participate, providing valuable inputs to one or more of the remaining chapters. We hope that with each new edition, this book will be recognized as the authority in every field of building engineering. Our approach, however, is to stress uniformity, continuity, and consistency so that all chapters read as if written by one hand.

This book covers five major disciplines, namely: HVAC; plumbing and fire protection; electrical power and auxiliary systems; illumination; and noise and vibrations. Chapter 1, The Scope and Impact of Mechanical and Electrical Systems, is a useful overview for both students and professionals. It provides comprehensive information not found in other publications, a culmination of years of practical experience. Instructors may begin the course by briefly touching upon the topics in Chapter 1, later returning to it at the end of the course when students have a better understanding of the topics. Professionals and others will find Chapter 1 useful in guiding them to specific chapters relevant to them. Either way, Chapter 1 is a vital tool and places each discipline into the increasingly complex field of architecture and engineering today.

We are indebted to the reviewers, engineering and technical associations, and leading product manufacturers (listed separately in the Acknowledgments) for their cooperation in providing data and illustrations.

William Tao
Coauthor and Editor --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 672 pages
• Publisher: Prentice Hall; 4 edition (March 22, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0135130131
• ISBN-13: 978-0135130131
• Product Dimensions: 10.8 x 8.3 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #65,341 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #43 in Books > Crafts, Hobbies & Home > How-to & Home Improvements > Electrical
  • #91 in Books > Crafts, Hobbies & Home > How-to & Home Improvements > Building & Construction

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book for newbies!, May 1, 2001

By 

kane (Singapore) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mechanical and Electrical Systems in Buildings (2nd Edition) (Hardcover)

If ur stepping into the building services industry, this book will be a comprehensive packaged info for your reading pleasure. Includes lotsa real-life diagrams, plan routings, concepts and explanation. It's 4am over here in Singapore and I've just finished reading one of the topics, just imagine how attractive the contents this book has! However, the only and regretable drawback is: the units are empirical which make it very difficult for me for in my country, we use SI metric units.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Mechanical and Electrical Systems in Buildings, 2nd, June 20, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Mechanical and Electrical Systems in Buildings (2nd Edition) (Hardcover)

Very good book. Helps you understand the systems inside (and outside) of buildings in use everyday that most folks don't have a clue about. If you are interested in understanding how your building equipment functions this is a good book for you. Down to earth and well written. Recommend to property management personnel.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Mechanical and Electrical Systems in Buildings (3rd Edition), February 14, 2007

By 

Nhan Nguyen - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Mechanical and Electrical Systems in Buildings (3rd Edition) (Hardcover)

This book is terrible. If you are a certified HVAC specialist, it is for you. However, if you are new to this then it is a total waste of money. Explanation is bad, example are nowhere relate to the section discussed. And worst of all, there is no answer keys. You will not have a clue if you are correct or not. Every chapter there are as least half of the review question are calculations, yet in each chapter there will be probably one page showing how calculation is done. Example one of the simplest thing:
COP = Cooling Effect / Power Input. If you look up the index, you cannot find the word "cooling effect", find out whichever chapter they discuss, or show you how to calculate the "cooling effect".
You are in luck if you do not have class that uses this book. You have bad luck if you have a "good" teacher that using this book. You are doom if you have a "bad" teacher who using this book, might as well drop it. Waste of time and money.