Mechanical Engineering

8.8 Mechanical Engineering

8.9 Electrical Engineering

IMPORTANT NOTE: The following criteria do NOT apply to all

projects. Follow each criterion only if instructed to by your

project-specific risk assessment. Many criteria are based on

the recommendations of a specific building risk assessment/

threat analysis. Where the criteria include a blank or offer a

choice of approaches, the recommendations from risk

assessment will provide information for filling in the blank or

suggesting a choice of approaches.

The mechanical system should continue the operation

The major security functions of the electrical system are

of key life safety components following an incident. The

to maintain power to essential building services, especially

criteria focus on locating components in less vulnerable

those required for life safety and evacuation; provide

areas, limiting access to mechanical systems, and

lighting and surveillance to deter criminal activities; and

providing a reasonable amount of redundancy.

provide emergency communication (see section on

Architecture and Interior Design, Interior Construction,

Critical Building Components, for location of critical

Air System

building components).

Air Intakes. On buildings of more than four stories,

locate intakes on the fourth floor or higher. On buildings

Service and Distribution

of three stories or less, locate intakes on the roof or as

Distributed Emergency Power. Emergency and normal

high as practical. Locating intakes high on a wall is

electric panels, conduits, and switchgear should be

preferred over a roof location.

installed separately, at different locations, and as far apart

as possible. Electric distribution should also run at

Utility Protection

separate locations.

Utilities and Feeders. Utility systems should be located

Normal Fuel Storage. The main fuel storage should be

at least 50 feet from loading docks, front entrances, and

located away from loading docks, entrances, and parking.

parking areas.

Access should be restricted and protected (e.g., locks on

caps and seals).

Incoming Utilities. Within building and property lines,

incoming utility systems should be concealed and given

Emergency Fuel Storage. The day tank should be

blast protection, including burial or proper encasement

mounted near the generator, given the same protection as

wherever possible (see section on Electrical Engineering,

the generator (see section on Emergency Generator,

Service and Distribution, Utilities and Feeders).

254 F A C I L I T I E S S T A N D A R D S

FOR THE

PUBLIC

BUILDINGS

SERVICE

8.7 Mechanical Engineering/Electrical Engineering

Revised March 2005 PBS-P100