Sim Day Results: Systems Integration

Today's Sim Day Results comes in the form of a few tips/reminders, rather than a list of rights and wrongs. This pretty much sums up my common mistake with this exercise. I only got one wrong, so I'm thinking I passed ;) 

TIP: Don't forget the P of MEP! Most of the problems in this exercise will have to do with the ceiling, but in a rare (and possibly phased-out) instance, we must look down. Conflicts with plumbing trenches and structural portions of the floor may arise. In addition to looking down, reference the building section provided. 

TIP: As I shared in this post, it's very important to use the building section provided. You might not need to solve every problem, but there will definitely be one or two which will prove difficult without it. See below. 

{ What the section clarifies }

Structural beams, joists, and columns (Sizes and locations)
What this means: you cannot run a duct, sprinkler line, or plumbing trench through these solid (usually concrete or steel) building components.

Ceiling height changes 
What this means: If a ceiling pops up, you cannot run duct work at the same height or it would continue through the wall and *exposed* across the pop-up. Same goes for sprinkler lines. If a beam is running across your ceiling plan, the section might also show this - it would be the opposite of a pop-up and because it's structural, you still cannot run components through it (see above).

Happy Prepping,
Carolyn

A little re-cap (from memory)...

I'm springing a little pop-quiz on myself tonight. 

If you'd like to do this, read through my blog posts to date, let it all gel overnight and tomorrow. Tomorrow night, number a paper (or Word Document) from 1-10. Then write down the (10) tips from my posts that will help you (from memory!!). OR better yet, re-cap from your own test prep!

Directions:

List 10 tips, strategies, and facts that you've identified and retained over the past month. 

1. Lighting: Calculate wattage allowed before going all symbol-crazy on your plan (watts per SF X total SF) and keep track of watts as you add fixtures. 
2. Egress: To determine the travel distance to each stair, remember to add your farthest path traveled within the existing suite to to the common path of travel to each stair. 
3. ADA Restroom: 36H rim std lav, 34H rim ada lav, 15H t.o. seat std toilet, 17H t.o. seat ada toilet, 24H to rim std urinal, 17H to rim ada urinal, 34H t.o. grab bar, 40H to b.o. mirror, 40-44H to operating parts of wall-mounted accessories. Oh, and 30X48 access in front of sink/urinal. 
4. Systems Integration: Pay attention to ceiling height changes with regards to ductwork!
5. Millwork: draw blocking in the wall and OVER-label everything!
6. Egress: use the "grid-block" space planning method to divide your floor into designated spaces (find SF of a grid block and divide each required SF to determine roughly how many grid-blocks). 
7. Life Safety: 1-hour rated walls belong suite-suite, suite-public corridor/lobby, and assembly-suite corridor, should have acoustical properties, and extend to the underside of the deck. 
8. Lighting: Assign DLV (dimmer low voltage) to low-wattage fixtures when laying out switching plan. 
9. Life Safety: You need a Fire Extinguisher both in the shared lobby/corridor AND in the tenant space (usually they'll have a space with enough SF requiring TWO and they should be located no more than 75' from the further occupant. 
10. Space Planning: Pay attention to plumbing trenches, don't forget to locate required electrical outlets/data as required, and highlight the program as you go!

There are more, but these are my faves!

Happy re-capping! 

Carolyn

Systems Integration: How I Did!

PASS! 

Yeah, man! Ok, so this being my "easy-breezy" section, I would have cried for days if I didn't succeed. Want to hear a confession? I was afraid to take this section because I forgot they provide the numbered conflicts. I was all like "Wahhh.. I have to search and what if I don't find all of the conflicts?" Eh, it's only my second go-round. Easy mistake. 

Then I'm all taping down the two sheets of vellum like, "Wow, I've got to get over this test anxiety thing. Stat." And little by little, I think I'm doing just that. ;)

So, here goes!

What I did:

84" mounting heights in my table - all the same - not trying to be fancy.. just correct!*
See reasoning in this post.

After checking against the provided solutions, I listed all conflicts and provided sound solutions. I also drew everything on the plan. Room for improvement:

• I used "right, left, up, and down" for my relocation words. I don't think I would have been marked down, but "north, south, east, and west" are more appropriate.
• I didn't look at my section because it was under my "Notes" table. But I missed a supply duct conflicting with a ceiling height change. I could have also referred to the noted ceiling heights on the plan, itself. 
• Duct heights are noted in the "Duct Sizing Chart". I only had 8" for a 10" duct. Oops! It's easy to get caught up in the 2D-ness of the plan, but I need to think vertically.

{ TIPS }

• Speaking of thinking vertically, it is acceptable to suggest a ceiling height change.
• Refer to your test booklet for what can and cannot be moved... chances are you have your own test booklet, so I'm going to forgo reiterating those guidelines here.
• Don't forget to draw in the 2x2 AHU Access panel where directed! Such a simple requirement and so sad if you forget it! 
• Thermostats cannot go on windows or window mullions. The reading will be inaccurate and it's difficult to tie in the thermostat with the system unless it's on a GWB wall. It's also difficult to mount to anything, but, er - a wall...
• Shift small or easily moved items before suggesting that a ceiling feature such as a recessed cove be re-sized or relocated.
• Look for sprinkler heads and recessed downlight conflicts, 2x2 fluorescent lights and register conflicts, ceiling height change and duct conflicts, and thermostat placement.

Integration station! 

Stay positive,

Carolyn

Systems Integration Tips and Tricks

Systems Integration focuses on a designer's ability to consider other consultants and building systems while designing both a reflected ceiling plan and a subsequent lighting plan. 

Methinks this might be a leeeetle hard to plan around...

While an architect usually has a heavy hand in the ceiling design and features, it may require aesthetic input from an interior designer. As there are many trades involved once you're above eye level in a space (read: Exit signage, sprinklers, HVAC, lighting, power, and access panels to the plenum), it is important to be well-versed in the integration of every trade. This is an area of design where those involved must not only compromise often, they must be clear and communicate soundly to ensure each system is functioning efficiently. 

Systems Integration 

Time suggested: 1/2 hour

This portion of the test is my personal breather. It's the "easy" part for me where my brain isn't racing, measuring, sketching, and re-reading the program constantly. Reasons why:

• They don't make you go in cold and hunt for conflicts - they bubble them for you. After 6-7 hours of testing, this is much appreciated.
• I love comparing, checking, and considering other trades. I enjoyed it in college (my favorite class was the technical one, oddly) and I enjoy it at work. 
• I have a lot of experience in this area from my time in an architectural firm where I was designing among HVAC and sprinklers often. I worked on many RCP's, sections, and details. 
• I had a lot more exposure to the construction of and components within the plenum than I ever bargained for when I learned Revit. 
• I grew up with an architect for a father who pointed out every code violation anywhere we went. He is always looking up. I was looking at complicated reflected ceiling plans, roof plans, sections, and details asking questions. 

For all this knowledge and enjoyment, this part of the test is worth a whopping 12%.

Boo on that. 

{ TIPS }

1. The lighting schedule and legend: I've found that if you stick to 84" (7'-0") for all mounting heights, you're in the safe range.

• Pendants over a counter: 6'-6" to 7'-6" AFF  - - - - 84" OK here
• Chandelier / pendant over a table: 6'-8" to 8'-6" - - - - 84" OK Here
• Sconces on wall: between 27" and 80" must protrude less than 4"... stick above 80" at 84" and you're good.

Don't over-think this one. They're looking for compliant not creative. 

2. When tackling conflicts, I prefer not to go in numerical order. Why? Because your solution for Conflict #2 might affect Conflict #8. I go by areas or rooms with #'s nearby. It may not always be the case, but personally - it keeps me sharp. 

3. When writing your conflict descriptions, use terms like "interferes" and "conflicts with" even though it's obviously a conflict. Don't just write "recessed down light and sprinkler head." Don't assume the graders know what you mean.

4. When suggesting relocation for your solution, use north, south, east, and west to describe the direction you're recommending an item be shifted. Also, you can write "move one 2x2 ceiling tile to the north" or "shift approx. 6" to the east."

5. Be as descriptive in your drawn solution on the plan. I use arrows and my own revision clouds and I reiterate what my suggestions are there. 

6. Pay attention to ceiling heights and HVAC ducts. Use the section drawing. With the ceiling dropping down in some areas or being vaulted in others, a supply duct could be truncated before it reaches a register!

If anyone has their own trials or tips, please feel free to share in the comments below!!

More tips to come in my "How I Did" Post! 

Happy comparing!

Carolyn