Prepared in cooperation with Disney Development Company, this book deals exclusively with aspects of the design, construction or operation of buildings for which even relatively minor errors can have devastating results when the building is located in a hot, humid climate. Disney's consistent adherence to the principles outlined in this manual has dramatically reduced problems in its new construction. The information presented combines the experience of CH2M Hill, the largest environmental engineering firm in the U.S., and Disney, one of the premier facility planning and management firms in the world. Key issues covered include indoor air quality problem factors; hot humid climate considerations; new building failure; and a model for future success. Specifically addressed are schematic design, design development, final design, construction, and post-construction startup and system commissioning. The concepts and approaches presented are those which have proven successful in designing and operating problem-free indoor building environments in hot and humid locations.

Section 1: Key Issues Section 2: Schematic DesignSection 3: Design DevelopmentSection 4: Final DesignSection 5: ConstructionSection 6: Post-Construction Startup and System CommissioningSection 7: Works Cited

This book presents an in-depth analysis covering climatic and weather conditions, house and building development history, construction methods and technologies, and environmental conditions. It provides relevant house and building information and highlights recent advances in hot and humid regions, as well as developments in other regions that are relevant to hot and humid climates. The countries in hot and humid regions, which include the tropical countries, the Middle Eastern countries around the Mediterranean, and many countries of Central Asia and Africa, are home to some of the most challenging conditions in the world in terms of house and building design and construction, and in terms of maintaining indoor thermal comfort and air quality in an energy-efficient way. The book’s respective chapters, prepared by expert contributors, cover essential concepts, designs, and construction methodologies for houses and commercial buildings. As such, the book offers a valuable resource for undergraduate and graduate students in architecture and engineering, house and building designers, and building sciences researchers. Building contractors, manufacturers and distributors of building equipment and devices, and government policymakers and legislators will also benefit from the information provided in this book.

An International Approach to Sustainability was written by Steven P. Driver Ph.D. to educate anyone interested in reducing operational costs in buildings with an interest in making a difference in climate change. Through the application of energy conservation techniques, whether it's your home or workplace, this e-book can help you reduce energy consumption. This e-book was written to educate home owners, building managers, real estate developers, university and campus facility maintenance personnel, employees, and anyone else with an interest in helping our environment. This publication offers an understanding of some available technologies to mitigate energy waste. Having overcome proprietary barriers which restricted the full understanding of how to combine artificial and human intelligence with respect to building commissioning is what makes this publication unique. After completing several years of post-doctoral research to understanding differences and benefits between ongoing and retroactive commissioning, we now have a better vision of what is required to make our buildings sustainable with respect to energy consumed. This publication includes over 30 years of experience in energy management and formed the basis for a U.S trademark on Sustainable Commissioning, a concept explained in this e-book. The journey continues in researching new energy reduction technologies and piloting them confirming further effectiveness of the concept. The content in this e-book was validated through the deployment of several case studies applying the Sustainable Commissioning concept. The results from those case studies have validated an average return on investment of 62% with a 75% internal rate of return resulting in an 18 month simple pay back. The results demonstrate not only how to save operational cost, but environmental benefits averaging 1,009 metric tons of carbon emissions avoided annually for each case study.

Building defects still continue to plague the construction industry. The lessons learned over the last forty years have not been fully applied. Many new or refurbished buildings still leak or crack. Lack of awareness by designers and installers as to the main mechanisms that trigger such failures remains a problem for the industry. Investigating and rectifying building failures form a major part of building surveyors’ bread and butter work. This book provides guidance on this work for typical residential, commercial and industrial buildings – with advice on how to diagnose a wide range of defects with an emphasis on evidence based practice throughout. It considers both modern and older construction methods, together with new and traditional materials. The particular problems of alteration and renovation work are also discussed. The first four chapters provide information and guidance on the methodology for investigating failures – how to prepare for and conduct an investigation into a building defect and subsequently diagnose its cause in a logical manner. This fourth edition has been updated and expanded to cover the latest diagnostic procedures and research. It also includes Appendices and a new Bibliography, and provides an extensive list of books on building pathology and related topics in the UK and North America. It is essential reading for all students and practitioners interested in building surveying and building conservation.

Lean Project Delivery and Integrated Practices in Modern Construction is the new and enhanced edition of the pioneering book Modern Construction by Lincoln H. Forbes and Syed M. Ahmed. This book provides a multi-faceted approach for applying lean methodologies to improve design and construction processes. Recognizing the wide diversity in the landscape of projects, and encompassing private and public sector activity, buildings and infrastructure, the book expands upon the detailed coverage of integrated project delivery and new lean tools and techniques to include: Greater emphasis on the importance of creating a lean culture and the initiatives required to transform the industry; Expanded discussions of the foundational writings in lean construction theory; Exploration of the synergies between "lean" and "green" initiatives; Specific procedures for modifying planning and scheduling activities to improve the performance of the project team; Expanded sections on quality, and topics that have become a part of the lean lexicon, such as Choosing by Advantages, "line of balance"/location-based scheduling, virtual design teams, takt time planning and set-based design; Discussion questions for beginners and advanced lean practitioners; and Improved cross-referencing within the text to help the reader navigate the frameworks, techniques and tools to support the application of lean principles. The techniques described here enhance the use of resources, reducing waste, minimizing delays, increasing quality and reducing overall costs. They enable practitioners to improve the quality of the built environment, secure higher levels of customer/owner satisfaction, and simultaneously improve their profitability. This book is essential reading for all those wanting to be at the forefront of construction management and lean thinking.

Get the updated guide to active and passive control systems for buildings. To capitalize on today's rapidly evolving, specialized technologies, architects, designers, builders, and contractors work together to plan the mechanical and electrical equipment that controls the indoor environment of a building. The Building Environment: Active and Passive Control Systems, Third Edition helps you take advantage of design innovations and construction strategies that maximize the comfort, safety, and energy efficiency of buildings. From active HVAC systems to passive methods, lighting to on-site power generation, this updated edition explains how to strategically plan for and incorporate effective, efficient systems in today's buildings. It covers the underlying thermal theories and thermodynamic principles and focuses on design that enhances the building environment and minimizes the impact on the world's environment. The Building Environment goes beyond the ABCs of HVAC and covers: On-site power generation, including wind turbines, solar photovoltaic cells, fuel cells, and more. Plumbing systems, fire protection, signal systems, conveying systems, and architectural acoustics. Procedures and/or formulas for performing heat loss, heat gain, and energy use calculations, determining the rate of heat flow, calculating solar energy utilization, doing load calculations, and more. Details on the latest building codes and standards references. New information on the sustainable design of building systems and energy efficiency, including new technologies. The latest thinking and data on a building's impact on the environment, indoor air quality, and "sick building syndrome." Design economics, including the payback period, life-cycle cost, comparative value analysis, and building commissioning. A practical on-the-job tool for architects, designers, builders, engineers, contractors, and other specialists, this Third Edition is also a great reference for architecture students who will lead tomorrow's design teams.