Lesson 1Ventilation and IAQ: outdoor air requirements per person and per floor area, demand-controlled ventilation strategies, heat recovery optionsThis part deals with ventilation and indoor air quality, covering outside air amounts per person and area, need-based ventilation using CO₂ or people count, and heat recovery ways to save energy while keeping to codes in Gambia.
Outdoor air rates per person and per areaVentilation effectiveness and air distributionDemand-controlled ventilation using CO₂Occupancy-based ventilation controlHeat recovery wheels and plate exchangersBalancing IAQ, comfort, and energy useLesson 2Controls strategy: zoning, thermostats, BMS basics, scheduling, occupant overrides, setpoint control and setbackThis part covers zoning plans, thermostat placing, and basic building management system functions. It explains timing, setback and setup, people overrides, and linking temperature, humidity, and ventilation control for comfort and energy savings.
Thermal zoning by orientation and useThermostat location and sensor selectionTime schedules, setback and setup controlOccupant overrides and access limitsBMS monitoring, alarms, and trendingCoordinating temperature and ventilationLesson 3Using load estimation standards and tables (ASHRAE, CIBSE, local codes) and converting published values to building-level estimatesThis part shows using ASHRAE, CIBSE, and local code tables for loads and ventilation. It explains reading listed values, applying safety margins, and changing per-area or per-person data to whole building estimates for Gambia.
Key ASHRAE and CIBSE load referencesLocal code requirements for HVAC sizingInterpreting tabulated load and gain dataConverting W/m² to total kW for buildingsApplying safety and uncertainty factorsDocumenting assumptions for complianceLesson 4Simplified heating and cooling load estimation methods: using W/m², sensible/latent splits, peak factors, and diversity—typical values and published referencesThis part introduces quick heating and cooling load ways using W/m², sensible and latent parts, peak and overlap factors, and diversity. It points out usual office values, safety edges, and reading published table references.
Rule-of-thumb W/m² cooling loads for officesRule-of-thumb W/m² heating loads for officesSensible versus latent load componentsPeak load factors and coincidence factorsDiversity factors for multi-zone buildingsUsing manufacturer and handbook tablesLesson 5Basic hydronic design concepts: chilled water and heating hot water Sizing, delta-T choices, pump selection principlesThis part introduces water-based design for chilled and hot water systems, including load-based flow sizing, delta-T pick, main and extra pumping ideas, pump pick basics, and effects on pipe sizing and controls in Gambia.
Chilled water and hot water loop conceptsSelecting design supply and return temperaturesDelta-T choices and impact on flow ratesPipe sizing from design flow and velocityPump head calculation and pump curvesVariable flow and differential pressure controlLesson 6Air distribution strategies: supply/return layouts, ceiling plenum vs ducted systems, displacement ventilation basicsThis part presents air flow options, including ceiling supply and return plans, ducted versus plenum systems, and basics of displacement ventilation. It covers diffuser pick, air patterns, comfort, and linking with ceilings.
Ceiling supply and return layout optionsDucted versus ceiling plenum distributionDiffuser types and throw pattern basicsDraft risk, stratification, and comfortDisplacement ventilation fundamentalsCoordination with lighting and ceilingsLesson 7Selection criteria: energy performance, indoor air quality, first cost vs lifecycle cost, maintenance and acoustic constraintsThis part explains comparing HVAC options using energy work, indoor air quality, first cost, full life cost, upkeep, and sound effects. It introduces simple check tables and common trade-offs for office projects in Gambia.
Energy efficiency metrics and benchmarksIndoor air quality and filtration needsFirst cost versus lifecycle cost analysisMaintainability and access for serviceAcoustic limits for offices and meeting roomsMulti-criteria decision and scoring toolsLesson 8Overview of HVAC system types for offices: VAV with central AHUs, VRF/VRV, fan coil units with CHW, all-air vs. all-water hybridsThis part reviews common HVAC system types for offices, including VAV with central air handlers, VRF or VRV, fan coil units with chilled water, and mixed all-air or all-water systems, noting usual uses, good points, and limits.
VAV with central AHUs: components and useVRF and VRV systems: layout and limitsFan coil units with chilled water systemsAll-air versus all-water system conceptsHybrid systems and decoupled ventilationMatching system type to office typologiesLesson 9Noise, vibration, and acoustic integration for HVAC componentsThis part explains noise and shaking issues from fans, pumps, and compressors. It covers sound power, paths, basic sound standards, and practical steps like isolation, duct lining, silencers, and equipment placing in buildings.
Sound power, pressure, and basic metricsNC and RC criteria for office spacesVibration isolation of fans and pumpsDuct lining, silencers, and plenum designEquipment location and room treatmentsCoordination with acoustic consultants
