9.5 Mechanical Systems
All openings carrying piping through the slab or through
partitions must be sealed with appropriate fire resistive/
smoke resistive material. All air ducts leading to and from
sensitive spaces must be acoustically treated with 2
This section focuses on technical requirements for the
inches (50 mm) of duct lining for a distance of at least 12
mechanical engineering systems which should be
feet (3700 mm) from the diffuser or return air intake.
provided in buildings designed to serve the U.S. Courts.
Specific requirements are presented for all special or
HVAC systems shall be designed to provide optimum
unique spaces used by the U.S. Courts and Court-related
flexibility in scheduling the use of courtrooms and
agencies, including spaces designed to accommodate the
chamber areas.
U.S. Marshal Service.
General Criteria
Federal Court facilities should be designed to take
The selection of the HVAC systems, equipment, and
advantage of integrated systems and controls to provide
source of energy will be in accordance with the guidelines
better building performance through energy conservation,
and procedures established in Chapter 5. Life Cycle Cost
economy of operations, maintenance and flexibility for
(LCC) analyses will be conducted to ensure selection of
changes. Opportunities for system integration need to be
the most cost-effective alternative environmental con-
evaluated throughout the design process.
siderations. The HVAC system should also be designed to
U.S. Courts facilities require a variety of space types, each
provide 23.4C (74F) in judge's chambers, courtrooms
with it's own set of specific requirements. In addition,
and trial jury suites on average. The courtroom HVAC
Court functions require flexibility in the time of
system will be designed so that courtroom thermostats
operation and control of dedicated HVAC systems.
can be reset from the building automation system to pre-
cool the courtrooms to 21.1C (70F) prior to scheduled
System Selection and Design
occupancy. Jury deliberation rooms, judges' chamber
suites, and courtrooms are to be placed on the same
HVAC Specific Design Criteria Requirements
system with separate zones having related thermostats and
the design should account for variation in occupancy
Outdoor winter temperature equal to ASHRAE 1% design
load. Humidification must be provided as specified in
dry bulb and coincident wet bulb.
Chapter 5. Mechanical systems will provide 5.7 cubic
Outdoor summer temperatures equal to ASHRAE 99%
meters (20 cubic feet) per minute as a minimum per
design dry bulb/97.5% wet bulb.
person in all occupiable areas of U.S. Court facilities.
Indoor air: Courtrooms 22C (74F)/50% RH (at summer
The HVAC systems shall be zoned in such a manner that
conditions and occupancy) 22C (74F)/20-35% RH (at
the requirements of the special areas can be satisfied by
winter conditions and occupancy).
efficient use of the systems and equipment. To allow
If provided, the smoke purge system in the courtroom
flexible and efficient use of the HVAC systems for "after
should be activated manually.
hours activity", and to satisfy specific requirements in a
U.S. Court facility, the central plant equipment (chillers,
277
DESIGN
STANDARDS
FOR
U.S.
COURT
FAC I L IT I E S
9.5
Mechanical Systems
Revised March 2005 PBS-P100
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