6.

0 Analysis of Plan

6.1 Electrical System

6.1.1. Function of the system

This is the schematic plan of the electrical system. There are about 11 of
components in this system. This plan taken from a single-story unit house. All the
component has different purpose and requirements. The structure plan must be
known before the power supply and distribution system can be design. One of the
electrical component needed is ceiling fan. The ceiling fan is a mechanical fan
mounted on the ceiling of a room or space, usually electrically powered, suspended
from the ceiling of a room, that uses hub-mounted rotating blades to circulate air.
The function of ceiling fan is to circulate air in rooms and buildings and acts for
cooling motors and transmissions. In this plan, just only have a three celling fan in
living hall., room 1 and room 2. It is connected to single pole switch and fan
regulator for control the speed of ceiling fan. The fluorescent light can be described
as a complete lighting unit, comprised of a light source together with the parts that
distribute the light, position and protect the lamps. This lamp also too wall light.
There have 6 lamps located in this house which is living hall, dining hall, room,
kitchen, bath room and outside of house. It is connected towards single pole switch.
The recessed light or downlight is a light fixture that is installed into a hollow
opening in a ceiling. When installed at dining hall, room and toilet in this house, it
appears to have light shining from a hole in the ceiling, concentrating the light in a
downward direction as a broad floodlight or narrow spotlight. This light installed
used series circuit and connected with single pole switch.

Besides, socket is also designed in the plan. A socket connected electric

equipment to the alternating current (AC) power supply in buildings or at other
sites. A plug is the movable connector attached to an electrically operated device,
and the socket is fixed on equipment or a building structure and connected to an
energised electrical circuit. There have 15 socket that was designed in this plan. The
socket pole is needed for this plan. So, the type of socket use in this plan is single
socket pole. A single pole switch controls just one circuit and control all the
 component for “on” or “off” it. It almost all sides at the house have single pole
switch. Next, the most important component in the house is the distribution box.
The function of this component is an electricity supply system that divides an
electrical power feed into subsidiary circuits, while providing a protective fuse or
circuit breaker for each circuit in a common enclosure. Lastly, meter box is is a
device that measures the amount of electric energy consumed by a residence, a
business, or an electrically powered device.

6.1.2 How Electrical System Work and Flow of the Components

Basically, most of the electrical system in the house in Malaysia is same.

The system works through a radial distribution. It is a system where power is
received at the utility supply voltage level by a single, incoming substation. The
power is converted for individual end-use equipment through a series of step downs
and splits. After that, electricity arrives at the house from the local utility company
by a power line or underground though a conduit. Most homes have three-wire
service - two hot wires and one neutral. Throughout the house, one hot wire and
one neutral wire power conventional 120-volt lights and appliances. Both hot wires
and the neutral wire make a 240-volt circuit for large appliances such as air
conditioners and electric furnaces. An electric meter, monitored by your electric
utility company, is mounted where the electricity enters your house. The main panel
is usually right next to or under the meter. This is the central distribution point for
the electrical circuits that run to lights, receptacles, and appliances throughout the
house.
 6.1.3 The Requirement Standard of Electricity

 Malaysia Standard (MS 1979:2007)

In stating the safety requirements for (uninformed) consumers, this standard
articulates the practices relating to electrical installations of buildings for
residential houses and dwellings. Furthermore, this standard also addresses
certain instances where and when other forms of low voltage (LV) electrical
installations have impact upon the safety requirements for uninformed
persons; as long as the LV public electricity supply is of the TT system and
the installation is not in contradiction to the dictates of the professional
design electrical engineer. 91 numbers of code of practices constitute this
standard with each practice having its own discreet reference number. The
chronological appearance of the listing of practices generally follows the
flow of 14 issues as addressed in the guide of MS lEG 60364 on electrical
installations of buildings. Each code of practice is a concise statement of the
relevant requirement as prescribed by electrical safety consideration for
consumers' protection; as is the Malaysian industrial norm and per the law.

6.2 Mechanical Ventilation System

6.2.1 Function of the components
This is schematic plan of mechanical ventilation system. These systems
are split unit air conditioning system which are outdoor and indoor. The outdoor
unit is installed on or near the exterior wall of the room that you wish to cool. This
unit houses the compressor, condenser coil and the expansion coil or capillary
tubing. The sleek-looking indoor unit contains the cooling coil, a long blower and
an air filter. Next, the component in this plan is duct. It is divided by two which
are supply duct and exhaust duct. The function of duct is to deliver and remove air
and flow to every room and area. Besides, one of the component in this system is
exhaust fan. It is function for maintaining ideal temperature and air quality.
Kitchen, bathroom, or whole home systems improve ventilation, letting out the
bad to better the indoor environment.
 The supply grill is one of the component in this system. The purpose
applied this component is as a cover to allow air to pass in and out through it.
Considering grilles do not involve any moving components or dampers, it is also
one of the easiest to maintain. Next, thermostat is one of the important component
which is performs actions so that the system's temperature is maintained near a
desired set point. Thermostats are used in any device or system that heats or cools
to a set point temperature like this house. Lastly is package unit. There have two
type of package unit which are for supply duct and exhaust duct. The function of
this component is transferred to the space to be conditioned through ducting
which is usually hidden in the ceiling and wall of the building. The unit is placed
outside the house.

6.2.2 How ventilation system work

Type of mechanical system in our schematic drawing is balanced ventilation system and air
conditioner system. A typical balanced ventilation system is designed to supply fresh air to
bedrooms and common rooms where people spend the most time. It also exhausts air from rooms
where moisture and pollutants are most often generated, such as the kitchen, bathrooms, and the
laundry room. Like both supply and exhaust systems, balanced ventilation systems do not temper
or remove moisture from the air before it enters the house. They do, however, use filters to
remove dust and pollen from outside air before introducing it into the house. Also, like supply
ventilation systems, outdoor air may need to be mixed with indoor air before delivery to avoid
cold air drafts in the winter. This may contribute to higher heating and cooling costs. Balanced
ventilation systems are appropriate for all climates; however, because they require two duct and
fan systems, they are usually more expensive to install and operate than supply or exhaust
systems.
 For air conditioner system, the air conditioner in a central heating and cooling system
provides cool air through ductwork inside your home, by providing a process that draws out the
warm air inside, removing its heat. The compressor condenses and circulates the refrigerant
through the outdoor unit, changing it from a gas to a liquid. The liquid is then forced through the
indoor evaporator coil or cooling compartment. The indoor unit’s fan circulates the inside air to
pass across the evaporator fins. The evaporator’s metal fins exchange the thermal energy with
the air around it. There, the refrigerant turns from liquid into vapor, removing any heat from the
surrounding air. As the heat is removed from the air, the air is cooled and blown back into the
house. From that point, the condenser or outdoor unit then turns the refrigerant vapor back into a
liquid, removing any heat. By the time the fluid leaves the evaporator again, it is a cool, low-
pressure gas, eventually returning to the condenser to begin its trip all over again. This process
continues again and again until your home reaches the cooling temperature you want, as
programmed and sensed by your thermostat setting.

6.2.3 STANDARD AND REQUIREMENT

All of the ventilation requirements are mandatory measures. Some measures require
acceptance testing. Within a building, all enclosed spaces that are normally used by humans must
be continuously ventilated during occupied hours with outdoor air, using either natural or
mechanical ventilation. An exception is provided for refrigerated warehouses or other buildings
or spaces that are not normally used for human occupancy or work. The standards allow for
ventilation to use transfer air as long as it doesn’t have any “unusual sources of indoor air
contaminants” and “the outdoor air that is supplied to all spaces combined, is sufficient to meet
the requirements for each space individually. Good practice dictates that sources of contaminants
be isolated and controlled with local exhaust. 
 “Spaces normally used by humans” refers to spaces where people can be reasonably
expected to remain for an extended period of time. Spaces where occupancy will be brief and
intermittent, and that do not have any unusual sources of air contaminants, do not need to be
directly ventilated. For example, a closet does not need to be ventilated, provided it is not
normally occupied. Besides, a storeroom that is only infrequently or briefly occupied does not
require ventilation. However, a storeroom that can be expected to be occupied for extended
periods for clean-up or inventory must be ventilated, preferably with systems controlled by a
local switch so that the ventilation system operates only when the space is occupied.
“Continuously ventilated during occupied hours” implies that the design ventilation must be
provided throughout the entire occupied period. This means that VAV systems must provide the
code-required ventilation over their full range of operating supply airflow. Some means of
dynamically controlling the minimum ventilation air must be provided.

6.3 FIRE ALARM SYSTEM

A fire alarm is a unit made of several devices, which uses visual and audio
signalization to warn people about a possible fire, smoke, or carbon monoxide occurrence in
the area of coverage. Fire alarms are usually set in fire alarm systems to provide zonal
coverage for residences and commercial buildings. The warning signal is either a loud
siren/bell or a flashing light, or it can include both.
CONVENTIONAL FIRE ALARM SYSTEM

Figure: Wiring of Conventional Fire Alarm System

In a conventional fire alarm system, all devices such as detectors, sounders and call points
are connected to the control panel through separate wire or cable instead of shared one. In other
words, the first end of the wire is connected to the detectors and second one to the control panel.
In a typical conventional fire alarm system, detectors, sounder and call points are installed and
divided into different zones i.e. Zone 1 for basement, Zone 2 for ground floor, Zone 3 for first
floor etc. This way, it is easy to identify the exact affecting area to the control room, building
management and fire brigade. In other words, the more numbers of zones, the more accurate
locating the trigger and fire location.
Components of Conventional Fire Alarm System and how it works

6.3.1 COMPONENTS
1. Fire alarm panel
2. Detectors and bases
3. Call points
4. Sounders and flashers
5. Power supply accessories (fire alarm batteries)

Fire alarm panel

The fire alarm panel (or the fire alarm control panel - FACP) is the base or the control
hub of the system. It controls the settings of the other components and communicates the
information through the system.

A fire alarm control panel (FACP)  is the controlling component of a fire alarm system.
The panel receives information from devices designed to detect and report fires, monitors their
operational integrity and provides for automatic control of equipment, and transmission of
information necessary to prepare the facility for fire based on a predetermined sequence. The
panel may also supply electrical energy to operate any associated initiating device, notification
appliance, control, transmitter, or relay. There are four basic types of panels: coded panels,
conventional panels, addressable panels, and multiplex systems.

Figure: Fire Alarm Panel

Detectors and bases

Fire detectors can be heat, smoke or carbon monoxide sensors. They are placed
around the building to trace the presence of such emergencies.
1) Heat Detectors
- Heat detector can either work on a fixed temperature basis, where it will trigger
an alarm if the temperature exceeds a pre-set value or they can work on the rate of
change in temperature. Commonly Heat detectors work in a similar way to an
electrical fuse, the detectors contain a eutectic alloy which is heat sensitive when
a certain temperature is reached the alloy turns from a solid to a liquid which in
turn triggers the alarm.

Figure: Heat Detector

2) Smoke Detectors
- There are three basic types of smoke detectors including Ionization, Light
Scattering and Light Obscuring.
 Ionization Smoke Detector.
- Ionization Smoke detector generally contains two chambers. The first is used as a
reference to compensate for changes in ambient temperature, humidity or
pressure.
- The second chamber contains a radioactive source, usually alpha particle, which
ionizes the air passing through the chamber where a current flows between two
electrodes. When smoke enters the chamber the current flow decreases. This drop
in current flow is used to initiate an alarm.
 Light Scattering Smoke Detector
 - The light scattering smoke detector operates on the Tyndall effect; a photocell and
light source are separated from each other by a darkened chamber such that the
light source does not fall on the photocell.
- The passage of smoke into the chamber causes the light from the source to be
scattered and fall on the photocell. The photocell output is being used to initiate
an alarm.
 Light Obscuring Smoke Detector
- In the Light obscuring smoke detector, smoke interferes with a light beam
between a light source and photocell. The photocell measures the amount of light
it receives. The variation in photocell output is being used to initiate an alarm.
- This type of detection can be used to protect large areas with the light source and
photocell positioned some distance apart.

Figure: Smoke Detector

3) Carbon Monoxide Detectors
- Carbon monoxide detectors are known also as CO fire detectors are electronic
detectors used to indicate the outbreak of fire by sensing the level of carbon
monoxide in the air.
- Carbon Monoxide fire detectors use the same type of sensor as those in the home
but are more sensitive and respond more quickly.
- Carbon monoxide detectors have an electrochemical cell, which senses carbon
monoxide, but not smoke or any other combustion products.
 Figure: Carbon Monoxide Detectors

Call points
- Call points or pulls belong to manually-controlled fire alarm systems. The fire
alarm call point is the enclosure that houses a button to activate a fire alarm.
- Usually, the user will break the glass and press the emergency button centred in
the middle of the unit. This will then activate a centralised alarm system to alert
building wide that there is an emergency.
- They are used to allow building occupants to signal that a fire or other emergency
exists within the building. When activated they will raise a plastic flag out of the
top to tell which alarm was activated.

- They are usually connected to a central fire alarm panel which is in turn

connected to an alarm system in the building, and often to a local fire
brigade dispatcher as well.

- Manual call points are used to initiate an alarm signal, and operate by means of a
simple button press or when glass is broken revealing a button. They can form
part of a manual alarm system or an automatic alarm system.

- There will be an indicator on the monitoring unit for visual indication to locate the
call point easily, and there should be a visual identifier of the unit which triggered
the alarm, typically a mechanical flag which operates on a latch and must be
manually reset, e.g. by a key.
 Figure: Fire Alarm Call Point

Sounders and flashers

Sounders emit a loud siren signal. Flashers are for visual warnings and emit intermittent
or rotating flashes (typically red or white).
 Fire Alarm Flashers
- Fire alarm flashers work on the same principle as fire alarm sounders and it is
often possible to purchase combined fire alarm sounder-flashers to reduce the
number of devices in your fire alarm system. As soon as the fire alarm control
panel registers the fire signal from a fire detector the sounders and flashers in the
alarm system will all receive a signal to activate.

Figure: Fire Alarm Flashers

 Fire alarm sounders

- In modern fire alarm systems fire alarm sounders should be evenly distributed to
provide a minimum sound level of 65dB. Where there is continuous background
noise the sound level of the fire alarm sounder should exceed 5dB above the
noise. In places where there may be people sleeping, like hotel rooms, the sound
 level required is at least 75dB and the fire alarm sounder should be placed as
close to the bed-head as possible. Alarms can be either motorized bells or wall
mountable sounders or horns. They can also be speaker strobes which sound an
alarm, followed by a voice evacuation message which warns people inside the
building not to use the elevators. Fire alarm sounders can be set to certain
frequencies and different tones including low, medium and high, depending on
the country and manufacturer of the device.

Figure: Fire Alarm Sounders

Power supply accessories (fire alarm batteries)

A fire alarm system can use the main electricity power supply as a primary source. In
case of power failure, the system switches to the secondary power supply, consisting of a
fire alarm battery. Conventional fire alarms need frequent battery replacements. Some of
them require basic technical skills, such as using a screwdriver to mount their parts on a
wall or ceiling.

Figure: Fire Alarm Batteries

6.3.2 How a Fire Alarm System Works

Conventional fire alarm systems use automatic functions to detect the occurrence of an
event that may result in a fire. They receive a signal from a fire sensor (smoke, heat or carbon
monoxide detector) and automatically transmit it to the fire alarm panel.

In wireless systems, the signal from the detectors to the control panel is transmitted with
radio frequency. Heat detectors usually have built-in thermistors to sense the heat. Carbon
monoxide detectors use integrated chemical, electrochemical, opto-chemical or biomimetic cells
to trace the gas. Smoke detectors use photoelectricity or ionization to detect smoke or
combustion particles. Combined detectors use a number of detection mechanisms.

The fire alarm panel activates the flashers or the sounders, turns on sprinklers (or they can
be activated along with the detector), or makes a call to the authorities or to the occupants. If the
fire alarm system is addressable, the source of the occurrence will be pointed on the control
panel. Users on separate floors or in connected buildings can be notified in several ways: by
horns, gongs and loudspeaker messages advising appropriate action for each department.

6.3.3 STANDARD AND REQUIREMENTS

The code requirements for a fire alarm system in my building depends on what kind of
building you have, if it has an automatic sprinkler system throughout, what occupancies are in
the building and what your local building codes require. If you have a high-rise building which
most codes define as any building that exceeds 75 feet in height above the street level then most
likely you must have a fire alarm system, along with specific communication systems for the fire
department to use if the building needs to be evacuated. Other buildings will often require a fire
alarm system as well, such as hotels, schools or daycare facilities. Look at local building codes
for requirements that apply to your building; each jurisdiction has its own requirements.
 While for a fire alarm sounder, there are many types of fire alarm sounders available on
the market, each suitable for a different situation and type of fire alarm system such as
addressable or conventional. When choosing the correct fire alarm sounder for your needs and
deciding how many you need and where they should be placed you should consult your fire risk
assessment, if prepared correctly this document will help you make the right decisions.