Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Contents
Unit 1: Water Supply ............................................................................................................................... 2
Unit 2: Hot Water System ..................................................................................................................... 17
Unit 3: Plumbing - Ablution fixtures, Soil fixtures, Water Distribution System, Drainage system. ...... 24
Unit 4: Landscaping: Elements of Landscaping, Principles of Landscaping, Gardens & their types,
Selection of plants, Types of plants, Plant care, Landscape lighting .................................................... 37
Unit 5: Acoustics –Study of different systems of insulations & sound proofing, use and methods of
applications ........................................................................................................................................... 74
Unit 6: Fire Fighting-Types of fire, Fire fighting equipments and systems .......................................... 85
Unit 7: Security System –Alarm systems............................................................................................... 96
1.0 Objectives
The objectives of this unit are to help you to Learn :
• Appropriate use of water
• Sources of water
• Water supply
• Storage of water and distribution system
1.1 Introduction
Water is one of the most important elements as it is necessary for survival. The uses of water
are many –
Water used for drinking and other purposes must be clean i.e. free of germs and chemicals
and be clear and not cloudy. Clean water that is safe for drinking is called potable water and
water which is not safe to drink is called non-potable water. Chemicals and disease causing
The sources of water are natural like rivers, lakes, streams, ponds, rainwater, etc. and
manmade such as wells, tube wells, canals, dams, etc. The water in the rivers, lakes, streams
and ponds is present on the surface of the earth and is called as surface water. Rivers and
lakes get water from the rain and also from the snow melting on the mountains. The water
from the rivers and lakes is a major source of water supply. But there are impurities and
bacteria in the water due to silt, rotten leaves, dead animals, algae and industrial effluents.
Therefore, the water needs to be completely purified before utilization. The water is filtered,
disinfected and given treatment in the water purification plant so as to make it fit for
consumption. Rainwater also seeps through the soil on to non-porous rocks below the surface
of the earth. This underground water can be taken out by digging wells, tube wells, etc. Refer
figure 1.1.
Fig: 1.1Pond
Wells –
Wells are of different types – shallow wells, deep wells, bore wells, tube wells, artesian wells
and step wells.
- The shallow wells are shallow i.e. they are made in the uppermost layer of the surface
of the earth. The diameter may vary from 2m to 6m and the depth between 6m to 8m.
The quantity of water obtained from these wells is very limited as the source of water
supply to these wells is the uppermost layer of the earth. These wells sometimes dry
up in summer. Being shallow, the water of these wells may easily get contaminated by
nearby septic tanks, soak pits, etc. Therefore, these wells must be constructed away
from such contaminating sources. The water obtained from these wells needs to be
purified before use.
- The deep wells get the water from an aquifer below an impervious layer. The deep
well water contains dissolved salts and therefore becomes hard and needs to be treated
before use.
- Tube wells are wells that are drilled deep in sand and gravel where the availability of
water is much below the ground level. The casing pipes, of galvanized iron, go far
deep to the bottom of the bore. Tube well is usually used where there is a collapsible
soft rock or alluvial soil.
Step Wells – these are wells with a set of steps that are to be descended to reach the water.
These wells are common in the west of India. They are of architectural significance and were
also used for leisure as they generally provided relief from the heat during the day time. Refer
figure 1.5, 1.6.
Rain water harvesting- Rain water harvesting means collecting the rainwater when it falls
on the earth, storing it and then utilizing it as per the need in day to day life. This helps to
reduce the consumption of our local water supply. The rainwater that falls on the roofs or
terraces of houses is collected by using roof gutters that lead the water through a pipe to a
tank that is generally underground. While filling up the tank, the first rain water of the season
is not collected, but is allowed to be drained away so that the dirt and silt collected on the
roof gets washed away. Refer figure 1.7.
Rain water is the purest form of water as it is free from pollutants and manmade
contaminants. But it gets contaminated when it comes in contact with the earth’s surface.
Therefore the rainwater collected in these tanks is stored and generally reused for non –
drinking purposes like crop irrigation, washing clothes, gardening, flushing toilets, washing
cars, etc. and can also be utilized in some industries. It can be purified to make it into
drinking water. Rain water harvesting is an appropriate solution to regions where there is
shortage of water supply or where ground water is not easily available.
Requirement of water – we require water for several uses. The drinking water is the most
important of all; so the water supplied for drinking should be pure from all possible
impurities and hence the water needs to be filtered. The filtration of water is done before it is
supplied to the consumer. Other than drinking, we require water for other domestic uses such
as cooking, bathing, washing of utensils& clothes, cleaning of houses, flushing toilets, etc.
We also require water for swimming pools, firefighting, gardening, air conditioning, etc. The
daily average consumption of water as given by the authority for Indian standard of water
supply is as follows-
Average daily
Sr. requirement
Occupancy
No. litres / day /
person
2 Offices 45 - 90
4 Restaurant 70
6 Cinemas 15
7 Hospitals 340
Re use of water –
Due to the ever expanding population and its demand for water along with the depletion of
ground water sources and the unpredictable monsoon, there is a shortage of water supply.
Therefore, re-using water can drastically lower down the load on the water supply. The used
water from the kitchen and baths can be treated for purification and be used for various
purposes such as horticulture, in gardens, cooling systems in air conditioning and such other
applications. The treatment includes aeration, screening, filtration and chlorination before
reuse.Care should be taken while plumbing that the pipe lines of potable water do not get
mixed with the re use water to avoid contamination of water. Therefore, there must be a dual
piping system with separate mains for the domestic and reused water distribution system.
Water Storage
Storing of water is very much necessary to provide a continuous supply to meet the domestic
& industrial demands. The type and storage capacity in a distribution system varies with the
size and layout of the system. It depends on a number of factors – the demand, the hours of
supply, the pressure in the mains and fire storage requirements.
Storage Tanks – Water is stored in the tanks for continuous supply of it to the buildings.
Water tanks can be termed based on their location i.e. Underground water tank& Overhead
water tank. The quality of the water tanks used for storing potable water should be strictly
followed. Following are the specifications that must be followed while insuring the good
quality water storage tank -
1. The material used to make the water tank should be non- toxic.
2. The water tank should be water tight.
Types of tanks
Masonry tank – this tank is constructed on a separate RCC slab with brick walls 230mm
thick and is given a smooth finish with water proofing and cement. It is covered with an RCC
slab and has a manhole cover. Refer figure 1.8. This tank can be used in row houses,
bungalows or small houses where the number of users is less. The disadvantage is that if any
leakage develops in the tank, it is difficult to repair.
RCCtank – these tanks can be cast in various capacities, form, size and shapes and internally
finished with water proofing and cement. Refer figure 1.10. Concrete tanks are better for
larger capacity of water storage but are more expensive than that of plastic and metal.Earlier,
Hume pipe tanks were used for storing water in smaller residences.Refer figure 1.9.
Poly ethylene tank – these are readily available in various capacities from 200 litres to
20,000 litres. These tanks are hygienic, light weight, easy to handle, more economical and
require less maintenance as compared to metal tanks. Refer figure 1.11.
M.S. tank – these are made of log steel plates and are welded in the shape of a square or a
rectangular tank. These tanks are very strong and are placed on RCC beams supported on
walls or columns. Refer figure 1.12.They are very durable but need to be painted regularly
and maintained. The water stored in these tanks is unfit for drinking. These tanks are
generally used in factories and industries.
Water supply
Water mains -Water mains are a network of underground distribution pipes. These pipes are
made of Cast Iron and are laid 0.75m to 0.90m below the road level to avoid any damage to
them.
Based on the duration of the supply of water, there are two systems –
1. Intermittent supply system – in this system, the water is supplied for a certain
number of fixed hours at certain time, daily. Generally, it is supplied for two to four
hours in the morning and about the same duration again, in the afternoon or evening.
This system is useful in areas where the demand is more but the quantity of water
available is less. The area where the water is to be distributed is divided into several
zones and the time of supply to each zone is adjusted so that the pressure of the water
supply is adequate in each zone.
However, there are a few disadvantages of this system -
Since the water supply time is fixed, people store water. The stored water can be
polluted or contaminated due to some source. Besides, people generally throw
away the stored water and fill the containers with fresh water when the supply
starts. Thus, treated and purified water is wasted.
In case of an outbreak of fire, it becomes very difficult to bring the fire under
control during the non-supply hours that may result in extensive damage.
Also, there might be wastage of treated and purified water, when the water
supply starts to the taps that may have been left open during non-supply hours.
Since the supply of water is for only six to eight hours in a day, the size of the
pipes has to be bigger and the number of valves also has to be larger for
operating while giving and closing the supply of water.
2. Continuous supply system – in this system, the water is supplied 24 hours a day.
This system is the most ideal but works well only if there is adequate water and the
pressure is good. The main disadvantage of this system is that water might be wasted
by people who do not have the civic sense to consider the importance of purified and
treated water.
Water Distribution System –The water distribution system is based on the principle that
there is uniform flow of water with almost equal pressure to all the areas and floors of the
building. The following water distribution methods are used in water supply -
below.
This system has one more advantage that there are two water tanks used and therefore the
storage capacity of the system becomes almost double. The main disadvantage of this system
This system is opted only in case the city water supply has adequate pressure to reach the
overhead tank. The city supply is directly connected through the water meter to the overhead
tank of the building and then this is supplied to the various areas and floors of the building.
The advantage of this system is that water contamination is avoided which is very common in
underground and overhead tank water supply system where water is stored and used. Also,
the underground water tank is not required and this saves the time and space. Refer figure
1.14.
The direct water supply system is possible only where the city water supply is
adequate and round the clock with the required pressure. The main advantage of this
system is that it is very economical to the end user as it doesn’t require water storage
tank, pumps, etc. The supply is given to all the areas of the building directly from the
This water supply system is adopted when the pressure is not adequate. If the pressure
pumps are provided to the underground water tanks, water can be supplied to all the
required floors without the overhead water tank. But if the pressure is required in the
supply lines, water can be supplied through an overhead water tank. Hence we have two
types of pumping water systems -
a. Underground pumped water supply – without the overhead tank. This system is
suitable for areas that have extreme climate – in summer or hot climates the water in
overhead tanks becomes too hot for use or in cold season it may freeze. So, the
pumped system is preferred.
b. Over Head pumped water supply – with the overhead tank. This system is good for
low height buildings where the water supply from the overhead tanks does not have
pressure. This system is also useful to old or existing buildings where new overhead
tanks cannot be constructed.
Index
2.0 Objectives
2.1 Introduction
2.0 Objectives
The objectives of this unit are to help you to understand the:
2.1 Introduction
Hot water supply is very important for many reasons; we require hot water for domestic uses
such as bathing, cooking, washing, etc. and in industries hot water and water heated to steam
have various uses. Heating water is a process which uses an energy source to heat the water
more than its initial temperature.
In rural India, the traditional methods of water heating are still the same as many years ago.
The water is heated forbathing using large vessels or pots and fire wood or coalis used as a
fuel for heating. Refer figure 2.1. These vessels can heat only a batch of water but cannot
produce a continuous supply of hot water at a preset temperature.
Appliances which provide us with a continuous supply of hot water are called water heaters.
Nowadays, for domestic uses, electrical heaters are more popular for water heating. They are
more convenient and faster than the traditional method of water heating. Various types of
heaters are available in the market today; we have types of water heaters based on the fuels
that are used i.e. Electricity, LPG, Solar etc. Refer figure 2.2.
Fig: 2.2:Geyser
- Non pressure type heaters–these types of geysers are used when hot water is
required at only one service point. These geysers can be installed on any water supply
system such as the direct supply or the overhead tank.
- Instant type water heaters – these water heaters are more popular and commonly
available. These water heaters instantly heat the water as it flows through the device
and do not retain any water except for the water that is present in the heat exchanger
coil. These geysers contain a heating element that is wound around a pipe which heats
the water to a temperature as per the flow.
Solar Heating System – in this system, the heat of the sun or the solar energy is absorbed by
solar panels or collectors. These panels or collectors are generally installed on the roof or on
a wall facing the sun to absorb the sunlight on sheets of glass or plastic. Refer figure 2.4. This
system though costly during installation proves cost effective in the long run as the fuel
required i.e. sunshine is free. There are many other advantages of this system. The system is
easy to install and operate, requires lessmaintenance and thus reduces the need of manpower.
It also helps to save on the conventional sources of energy. The system includes storage tanks
and solar collectors.
• Safety feature in hot water supply– the most important safety feature in hot water
supply is the control of temperature. If water is heated above 50° or 55° Celsius, it can
cause severe burns and this is very risky, particularly for people with sensitive skin,
for children and for the old and aged. Therefore, water supplied to sanitary fixtures
like wash basins, showers and baths should not be above55° Celsius and still lower in
hospitals, schools and health care facilities. For kitchen sinks and laundries, the
temperature can be higher; it can vary from55°C to 65°C.
- the system capacity i.e. the number of users, the type and number of fixtures and the
delivery rate.
The system should be planned such that the temperature and pressure can be
controlled so that there is minimal risk of scalding and also minimize the use of
Efficient supply of hot water to meet the peak hot water demand at different
points of use.
Nowadays, some of the high rises or residential towers in cities also have the
centralized hot water systems. Hot water is supplied to each apartment with
individual hot water meter and the occupants are billed as per their usage.
Boilers
These are appliances that produce hot water or steam. They are closed vessels in
which water or other liquid is heated to generate vapor or steam by applying energy
from the combustion of fuels or electricity. Refer figure 2.5.
Index
3.0 Objectives
3.1 Introduction
3.2 Plumbing System
3.3 Self-Assessment Test
3.0 Objectives
3.1 Introduction
Plumbing is a system of installing pipes and fixtures for distribution and use of potable
water and after use efficient removal of water borne wastes to the drainage system. The
word plumbing is derived from the Latin plumbum, for lead. Previously, the pipes and the
joints were made from lead; but due to health concerns, lead pipes are now banned in
many of the countries across the world.
3.2Plumbing System
The plumbing system is a complex network of water supply pipes, drain pipes, vent pipes
and other materials. Therefore, understanding the fundamentals of the system will help to
design it well so that it works properly. A well designed system will supply the water to
the various faucets, fixtures and water using appliances such as washing machines, water
heaters, dish washer, etc. and carry away the waste water without any chokes or blocks.
For a designer, the basic knowledge of installation of sanitary fixtures and fittings is very
much essential for proper planning. The sanitary fixtures can be broadly classified into
two –
Fig:3.1 Basins
Sinks
Sinks are used in kitchens, laundries, laboratories, hospitals, factories, etc. for washing.
Refer figure 3.2.They are available in steel, vitreous china, fibre glass, built in masonry
finished with marble, granite, tiles, etc. They are normally deeper than wash basins and
also stronger to endure the storing, washing, etc. The sinks are normally provided with
cold water taps but hot and cold taps with mixer can also be given. On the floor of the
sink a slope is given towards the waste outlet. They are available in various sizes and can
be mounted on brackets or fixed in counters. Stainless steel sinks with drain board are
usually preferred for kitchens. The drain board is fixed on the right side of the user for
Bathtubs
Bathtubs are large containers for holding water in which a person can soak, relax and bathe.
They are usually built-in, but may be free standing or sometimes sunken; they are roughly
rectangular in shape and commonly white in colour but are nowadays available in various
shapes, sizes and colours. The modern bathtubs have the taps for hot & cold water, mixer
and telephone shower, etc. mounted on them. Refer figure 3.3. There are two main styles of
bathtubs –
Western style bathtub – these baths are shallow and long and the bather can lie down in the
tub
Eastern style bathtub – these bathtubs are short and deep and the bather sits up in the tub.
Nowadays whirlpool baths are gaining popularity as the body is immersed in swirling water
as therapy or for relaxation with music playing in the background. The plumbing connection
for the tub must be done prior to the tiling work and the waste pipe must be provided with a
trap to stop foul gases from coming into the bathroom.
Bidets
Bidets are fixtures available in pedestal or wall hung types with a shallow bowl. They are
used for cleaning the excretory organs with water. At the bottom of the appliance, a spray is
installed from which hot or cold water is supplied through the mixer. Bidets have a nozzle
that squirts a jet of water to aid in cleansing.
Drinking Fountains
These are fixtures given in institutional buildings such as schools and colleges, in offices,
factories, etc. The fountains have a wheel valve or press action valve for taking the water.
Flushing Cisterns
These are used for flushing the wastes from the urinals and water closets. Cisterns are placed
above the WC for storing water required for flushing the WC after every use. In the earlier
toilets, the cistern was placed high above the toilet bowl and connected to it by a long pipe.
To flush the toilet, it was necessary to pull a hanging chain connected to a release valve
located inside the cistern. The modern toilets are mounted with the cistern directly on the
toilet bowl with no intermediate pipe and the lever or push button is mounted on the cistern.
Soil fixtures – these fixtures are for collecting and discharging the excretory matter.
Water Closets – WC
These are sanitary fixtures that receive and dispose of human excreta to the drainage
system. The types of water closets are –
Indian Type (Eastern Type) Water Closet – these are to be used in a squatting position.
Refer figure 3.4.They are manufactured in two different pieces – the squatting pan and the
trap. The closets are made of glazed earthenware and available in white and many
different colors. A type of water closet with integral foot treads are known as, ‘Orissa
Pan’.
The type of traps used for an Indian Water Closet can be ‘P’ or ‘S’ depending on the
outlet pipe whether it is through the rear wall or vertically through the floor to the soil
pipe line. In multi storey buildings, it is essential to provide a 55 cm sunk slab in the
upper floors for accommodating the pan and the trap. The pan of the closet has a flushing
rim and is connected to the flushing cistern by a flushing pipe.
European WC – these are chair like fixtures of different shapes to be used in a sitting
position. Refer figure 3.5, 3.6.The closets comprise of a pan with an integral trap
either ‘P’ or ‘S’. They are made of glazed earthenware or vitreous china available in
Fig: 3.5European WC
Fig: 3.6European WC
Urinals
A urinal is a toilet like fixture for urination only. It can be in the form of a container (for
women) or wall mounted (for men) with drainage and manual or automatic flushing. Refer
figure 3.7, 3.8.
Fig: 3.7Urinal
These are used in hospitals where the bed pans and urine pots are emptied, cleaned and
sterilized. The sink top has a hinged grating to rest the pans or bucket. The sinks are fitted
with a flushing cistern with hot and cold water supply and are connected through integral trap
to the soil pipe like the water closet. Refer figure 3.9.
The water distribution system is a network system which supplies fresh water in the required
places from the municipal reservoir. It is based on the principle that there is uniform flow of
b. The hours of water supply and the intensity of pressure of the mains.
c. The length of the pipe line from the main to the consumers’ tank.
There are various methods of water supply in a building. The supply may be direct supply or
down take supply or a combination of both.
Direct Supply–The direct water supply system is possible only where the city water supply is
adequate and round the clock with the required pressure. The main advantage of this system
is that it is very economical to the end user as it doesn’t require water storage tank, pumps,
etc. The supply is given to all the areas of the building directly from the city supply line
through a water meter. (A provision of water storage tank is made for the WC lines in case
the main city supply lines fail or loose pressure).
Down take Supply System – if the pressure at the mains is not adequate to supply water
directly, then this system is adopted. In this system, water can be delivered directly from the
mains to an overhead storage tank for distribution or it may be delivered first to the
underground storage tank and from the underground storage tank it is pumped into the
overhead tank after which it is distributed uniformly to the users.
Drainage system
a. Traps are pipes that are bent such that they can hold a small quantity of water called a
‘seal’. Refer figure 3.10& 3.11.The sanitary fixtures are connected to the drain pipes
through traps where the water seal prevents the entry of foul gases but allow the waste
matter to flow into the drain. They are a very important part of the plumbing system.
Fig: 3.11Traps
b. Vent pipes are the pipes provided to balance the pressure inside and outside the pipe.
The pipes provide a flow of air to and from the drain pipes and vent the foul gases
from the system thus preventing them from entering through traps into the interior.
c. A soil pipe is a drain pipe that carries the human excreta; a vertical pipe is called a
stack and a horizontal is called a branch.
d. A waste pipe is a drain pipe that carries the liquid waste free of fecal matter. It is
generally smaller than the soil pipe due to the nature of the matter to be discharged.
1. One pipe system – in this system, the pipes from the ablutionary fixtures and the soil
fixtures are connected to one main pipe. This main pipe is connected directly to the
sewerage system. (Sewerage systems are drainage systems used to carry the waste
from a building to the public sewer system or the municipal drain. If the public
sewerage does not exist, the waste is disposed into the septic tank or soak pit, etc.)
The waste pipes and the traps are entirely distributed but all the traps of the ablutionary
fixtures as well as the soil fixtures are completely ventilated
2. Single stack system – this system is the same as one pipe system but without
ventilation pipe and trap.
3. Single stack partially ventilated - this system is the same as one pipe system; the only
difference is that the relief vent is provided only for the soil fixtures to eliminate the
foul odors’.
4. Two pipe systems – in this system, the pipes for the ablutionary fixtures and the soil
fixtures are connected to two separate pipes; the pipes for the soil fixtures are directly
Pipes
Pipes and fittings are made from various materials – galvanized steel pipes, metal,
plastic, PVC, copper, etc. Refer figure 3.12.The pipes are installed on the wall surface
or can be concealed in the wall. Once the pipes are installed and jointed properly,
leakage test is done following which they are clamped to the wall or concealed.
Pipe fittings – they are used to connect the straight pipes or tubing sections and help
to regulate or measure the flow of fluid.
i. It is necessary that every bathroom and water closet should have at least one exterior
wall for installing the supply and drainage pipes and other fittings.
ii. The floor should be made of nonabsorbent material.
iii. The height from the floor to the ceiling of a bathroom and a water closet should not be
less than 2.2m.
4.1 Introduction
4.0 Objectives
4.1 Introduction–
Designing the landscape is a process of developing and creating a visually pleasing
and practical living space outdoors. It is a work of art done on a canvas i.e. the
landscape which is always varying as the plants grow; the environmental conditions
change and the people use the space over time. Therefore, the process of design
should be systematic taking into consideration all the aspects – the land, the climatic
factors, the growth of the plants and the users.
4.2 Elements of Landscaping, Principles of Landscaping, Gardens & their types,
Selection of plants, Types of Plants, Plant care, Landscape Lighting
Just as we learnt the use of elements and principles of design for designing indoor
space, similarly we shall learn the application of the elements and principles for
designing a landscape. The design elements and principles are the same; it is the
Form
• Form here refers to the three dimensional shape or mass of a plant, an object or a
structure. The trees, plants, shrubs and built objects or structures of various shapes
and sizes help to create natural forms. Refer fig. 4.5. Form is an important aspect as it
determines the formal or informal style of a landscape. Formal gardens have typical
geometric forms with straight lines and edges while the informal gardens have a more
natural and organic form which are similar to nature. Generally, all forms used in a
landscape must be similar to some extent to give a unified look but one or two
different forms can be used for some contrast or emphasis. The plants or trees used in
a landscape create form through their outlines but a void or negative space between
the plants can also create form. The forms used in a landscape depend on the design
theme.
Geometric forms
- Circular forms – circles are a strong design form as they draw the eye
to the centre and help to emphasize a focal point and also connect other
forms. Full circles, half circles or circle segments can be combined
with lines to create arcs or for more variety and interest ovals and
ellipses can also be used. Geometric forms are used for hardscape and
lawns.
- Square forms–square forms being stronger on the edges can be used
to create patterns in the bricks, tiles, pavers, stepping stones, etc. Refer
fig. 4.6. Square forms are easy to work with as they can be lined up or
segmented to create a grid pattern or overlapped to create diverse
patterns or complex designs.
J Natural Forms
- Plant Forms–form is the constant and familiar feature of plants. It can
be created by massing the plants where a mass creates a different form
as compared to a plant when it is used individually. Horizontal forms
add width while the vertical plant forms add height.
- Tree Forms - The different types of tree forms are round, oval,
pyramid, vase-shape, weeping and columnar. Refer fig. 4.8. These
forms can be creatively used for visual appeal, for e.g. if you want to
create a shady area, round or oval trees can be used; to create a divider
or a screen – columnar or pyramid forms while vase shape or weeping
can be used for creating a focal point.
- Shrub Forms– the different types are round, vase shape, upright,
arching, mounding, spiky, cascading and irregular. The choice of the
shrub form depends on how it is to be used whether singly or in a
mass. The vase shaped and cascading shrubs can be used as specimen
plants while spreading shrubs look best in a mass.
Color
• Colors create variety and a lot of interest. Color in a landscape is found in the leaves,
the bark, the branches, the flowers, fruits and foliage while the colors in a hardscape
are found in the built structure, the pavers, the sculptures, ceramic containers and
garden furniture. Refer fig. 4.9.
The green foliage is in various shades and being abundant in quantity it is the most
dominant color in a landscape and it also provides a background to the bright and
colorful flowers and fruits.
We have already learnt about the properties of color in our previous class. The
property of color relative to temperature i.e. the warm colors and cool colors affect
our emotions and feelings. Warm and bright colors build excitement while cool
colors give a calm feeling.
The temperature of color also affects the perception of distance - Warm colors tend to
move forward and so must be used minimally for e.g. redwood or cedar on front
doors and entrance gates give a warm and welcoming feel but they also tend to make
a space seem smaller. On the other hand cool colors tend to move away and make a
space seem larger. They can be used for fencing or enclosing patios or decks.Single
color gives a more sophisticated look while multi colors create a festive atmosphere;
but it is not advisable to use too many different colors together
We have also studied the Color Wheel in our previous class. The Color Wheel has
the three primary colors i.e. red, blue and yellow; the three secondary colors which
are a mix of two primary colors for e.g. orange, green and violet; and six tertiary
colors which are a mix of one adjacent primary color and secondary color like red
orange. The Color theory helps us to understand the relationship of the colors, the
psychology by their usage and the various schemes that can be used in a composition.
Let us understand the basic color schemes -Monochromatic, Analogous and
Complimentary.
a. Monochromatic Color Scheme – in this color scheme only one hue and its
different values and intensities , i.e. Shades & Tints of that one color are used; for
e.g. Red, light pink, dark pink, etc.
In a landscape, the green color of the foliage is already present and acts as a
background. Refer fig. 4.10. For applying this scheme, we can select any one
color - say yellow with its tints and shades and use it in the landscape – trees and
plants bearing yellow flowers of various light and dark variations, the fence
b. Analogous / Adjacent Color Scheme - In this color scheme, the colors situated
next to each other (side by side) on the color wheel are combined. The adjacent
colors have little contrast and tend to blend well together. Any three to five colors
that are adjacent on the Color Wheel can be combined. Generally one coloris used
as the major force with the neighboring colors as the secondary force, for e.g. Red
with red orange and orange, yellow orange and yellow or Yellow with yellow
green & green and blue with blue-green and blue violet. This color scheme brings
harmony in the landscape as the colors are related to each other and share
common properties. The colors can be thoughtfully used to create a lot of interest
and variety in the landscape.
c. Complementary Color Scheme -In this color scheme, the colors which are
opposite to each other on the Color Wheel are used for e.g. red and green, blue
and orange and yellow and violet. The complementary colors are of high contrast
and catch our attention due to the green foliage in the background. These bright
colors in their various intensities can be used in ceramic containers, sculptures,
painted furniture, pavers, etc. Sometimes complementary colors are found
naturally in flowers. Contrast can create interest and excitement in a landscape.
• The element Color is a very important element as it brings life to a garden by adding
interest and helps to unite the landscape and create mood. The above theory can be
used as a base for understanding the selection of plants for a landscape. But you can
visualize and experiment with a lot of color combinations. Refer fig. 4.11.
Texture
Texture refers to the quality of the surface of the components used in the hardscape
and landscape. It relates to the coarseness or fineness, roughness or smoothness of the
bark, thin or dense stems and heaviness or lightness of the foliage. Refer fig. 4. 12. A
plants bark, branches, leaves and flowers all have texture. Texture of the foliage is of
three types – fine, medium or coarse.
• Fine texture –grasses, plants with long and thin stems&dense twigs, small
branches and tiny delicate flowers. Refer fig. 4.13. In a hardscape, the fine
texture is in smoothness in the components used like wood, stone, ceramic
and glass. Water in a pool or in a fine spray as in a fountain is also fine
textured.
• Medium texture – plants with medium size leaves with simple shapes and
smooth edges, regular and average size branches neither too dense nor too
widely spaced. In the hardscape, medium texture is in finished wood,
flagstone pavers and broom brushed concrete surfaces. Refer fig. 4.14.
Plants with medium texture generally act as a background or as a link for
the coarse and fine textured plants.
• Coarse texture – plants with large leaves, leaves with uneven edges, thick twigs and
branches, thorns, bold and thick irregular forms. In the hardscape rough rocks, rough
finished brick work, roughly cut stone, wooden components with knots and grains are
coarse in texture. Coarse texture tends to be dominant and catch our attention
instantly. Refer fig. 4.15.
- Properties of Texture -
Texture also depends on the distance from which the plant is viewed. At closer range
the texture effects are more clearly visible. The fine textured plants appear to be
delicate and tend to recede from the view while the coarse textured plants attract our
Principles of Landscaping –
The design principles are basically the guidelines that help in creating a visually
pleasing landscape. Therefore, a basic understanding of the principles and their use is
very important. Landscape design generally follows a particular theme, order and
style which are evident throughout the landscape. The process of designing by
applying the basic principles in an organized manner will help to develop the final
design solution. The design principles are all related and their appropriate use helps to
achieve physical and psychological comfort.
J Unity – can also be termed as harmony. This element is the most important in
landscape design. It can be achieved by using the elements effectively and
implement the design over a landscape. Refer fig. 4.16. Unity attracts and holds
our attention and gives us a feeling of peace and tranquility. It gives a sense of
completeness or fullness. To create unity in a landscape, a proper and
proportionate use of the other principles is essential.
Fig: 4.17Balance
• Symmetrical Balance – this balance is simple and easy to employ as the same trees,
plants, structures, etc. are placed on either side of the axis. Refer fig. 4.18.
This type of formal balance is the one of the oldest but most often used in landscape
design as our human mind naturally divides a space into two by assuming an
imaginary central axis with even distribution of objects on both the sides. One side of
the central axis is exactly the mirror image of the other side. For e.g. most of the
historic gardens are symmetrically balanced.
Proportion –Proportion is the relation of the length to the width. Proportion in design
refers to the size of an object in relation to the other objects around it, here the proportion
between the plants and the hardscape. Proportion is absolute or relative. Absolute
proportion is the actual size of an object while relative proportion is the size of an object
in relation to the other objects. An absolute scale which is the most important in design is
the human scale i.e. the size of the human body and the size of the objects are generally
considered relative to the human scale.
• Proportion in landscape –should give a feeling of harmony and balance. Refer fig. 4.19.
This can be done by giving equal proportion of planted space and open space. If we use
plants of same size it will give a sense of rhythm.
Simplicity - simplicity means that the design in the landscape should be uncomplicated
and clear. If too many ideas or objects are incorporated together, it will create chaos. To
bring simplicity in design, only the essential features must be included. There can be one
or two major ideas in the design, minimum number of objects in the landscape, collection
of similar plants, clean and clear lines and an aesthetically pleasing environment. Refer
fig. 4.20.
Fig: 4.20Simplicity
• Repetition – is the repeated use of the elements like line, form, color and texture to
create familiar pattern or sequence in the landscape. Refer fig. 4.21, 4.22. Repetition
can be very simple – for example the same plant can be repeatedly used; or a
geometric form such as a triangle can be repeated or grouped in an organized way. It
can be made interesting by using some variation or minor change in the sequence –
Fig: 4.21Repetition
Contrast – by using the elements like form, color, texture and height, contrast can be
attained in the landscape as well as hardscape. But care should be taken that contrast is
not overdone as it can result in chaos. Use repetition to balance the contrast. Refer fig.
4.23.
Fig: 4.23Contrast
Rhythm– rhythm in a landscape is creating a visual flow or movement. It is not the plants
or the garden moving but the eye of the viewer moving through the landscape. Rhythm
helps to create patterns that lead the eye from one point to another and to the next point
and so on. Rhythm creates a physical sensation – it may make people move fast or slow
down or even take a break before continuing.
b. Transition – transition is when the eye of the viewer moves from one point to
another without any disruption or disturbance. Refer fig. 4.25.
Fig: 4.25Transition
Fig: 4.26Radiation
d. Contrast or opposition– this creates an interest as the opposites such as soft and
hard, light and dark colors create the rhythm. The diversity in color, texture or
form prevents monotony.
e. Gradation or progression –The arrangement of the plants from short to tall or
shapes from small to large or vice versa, progression by using colors from light to
dark or dark to light will bring rhythm in a landscape.
Emphasis or focal point – this principle is of utmost importance as a landscape seems
monotonous and dull if there are no focal points. Refer fig. 4.27.
Special or interesting objects in a landscape such as sculptures, water fountains,
interesting plants, benches, etc. draw visual attention. A unique item can be placed in a
large space singly so as to attract attention. Additionally, pathways, walls or plants
leading towards it with bright sunlight highlighting it can attract the eye of the viewer.
Emphasis can also be created by placing a large oversized item in a way that is
disproportionate for the space.
Gardens
• A garden is an outdoor space which is planned for display and cultivation of plants
and other forms of nature. Both natural and manmade materials can be integrated
together to create a pleasant landscape with a calm and soothing effect. As per the
space available and the budget, a garden in general can consist of a lawn area, plants
and trees, flowering beds, a pond or fountain, sculpture or some statues, concrete or
stone seats, wooden benches, lights and small fences. Refer fig. 4.28.
There are different types of gardens. Flower gardens are gardens where flowers are
grown for decorative purposes. Flowering plants of varying colors, fragrances and
heights are combined to create a pleasing landscape.
A garden can also be designed with one plant and its various varieties for e.g. roses
and its many varieties, cactus, aquatic plants, herbs, or by using plants of a single
color or similar type plants. Large stones, boulders or rocks can be arranged to form a
rock garden. The rocks present naturally at the site can be used or can be artificially
created by bonding mud, cement or concrete into large boulders.
Balcony Gardens
A garden can also be created on a balcony of an apartment or any other extended open
area of a building where there is sunlight and availability of water. The balcony is an
extension of the living space; so it is very important that the materials used in the
garden create a bond or connect with the house.
The space in a balcony is limited; therefore we can make use of a variety of pots and
containers for growing flowering plants, some herbs and vegetables.
Refer fig. 4.29. Limited space also means that choice has to be made while selecting
the plants. Limit the colors to give a sense of unity. Use more of cool colors to make
the garden seem larger. But you can use a variety of textures to create interest.
To create an illusion of depth, place plants with darker foliage as the backdrop with
bright colored flowering plants in the forefront. You can also grow vines in large
containers to cover the walls or place a small fountain or a piece of sculpture which
can be developed into a focal point.
Terrace Gardens
Terrace garden is a garden on the roof of a built structure be it a residential house,
residential low rise or multi storey building, commercial spaces such as hotels and
restaurants or corporate offices and institutional buildings. Refer fig. 4.30. It can be of
any form, shape or design. But remember that it is of utmost importance that the
surface of the terrace is water proofed so as to avoid leakage into the floor below.
Penthouse Gardens
• A penthouse is a lavish apartment which has a private terrace of its own. The garden
made on this terrace flat is a private garden and can be used in many ways – for
relaxing, reading or studying, a play area for children, for small parties, a private bar,
barbeque, etc. Refer fig. 4.31.
A terrace garden adds a touch of greenery and also connects us with nature giving a
calm and restful feel to the environment. The advantages of a roof garden are many –
it acts as a decorative element, helps in controlling temperature and can also be made
into a kitchen garden. With some good night lighting and audio systems for music,
refrigeration units and barbeque grills, it can be a perfect setting for entertaining
guests and small parties. Just as a garden or landscape needs to be planned, similarly
a terrace garden also needs to be planned to be functional and also give an aesthetic
look.
In water culture the plants are grown in water which contains the dissolved nutrients
that are essential for their growth. The roots of the plant are submerged in water
while the stem and the upper parts of the plant are held above the solution.
In aggregate culture, gravel, sand, coconut fibre or other aggregates are used as soil
substitute to give support to the plants. The nutrients are supplied as dry fertilizer or in
solution form.
Fig: 4.32Hydroponics
Types of containers
Selection of plants
A vital key for a successful landscape is the proper selection and placement of plants.
This will help prevent the various problems that are associated in maintaining the
landscape. The fundamental concept is to choose the plants that adapt to the site and
the conditions that they are placed in. For fulfilling this concept, a thorough study of
the site and knowledge of the plants and their characteristics is required.
To start with, first study the location and the environmental conditions of the site.
This will help to understand the areas of sun and shade, the type of the soil, the
direction of the wind, the spatial dimensions and the facilities required in the
landscape. For a private garden or terrace garden, we should also keep in mind the
requirement of the client and his likes and dislikes.
Therefore, for selection of plants, we need to consider the -
Environmental conditions of the site,
their Functionaluse as also their
Aesthetical value
Environmental Conditions
Type of Soil– this is an important feature for selection of plants as they survive in the
soil. The fertility of the soil, the pH value, the salinity and moisture are important
considerations. Plants that match with the site’s natural soil conditions must be
selected so that the need for artificial irrigation or drainage is reduced.
Functional Use
Climate effect –Plantshave an effect on the climate. They cool the air by providing
shade and through transpiration from the leaves. Trees grouped close together help to
block the cold air movement.
Lessen Noise and odor - plants located well can also help to lessen odor or noise.
Aesthetical Value
Plants are available in a wide variety of colors, textures and forms. Designing the
landscape by using these elements and by applying the principles will help to create
an aesthetically pleasing environment.
When selecting plants, always include plants with different bloom cycles. This way,
there will always be flowers as different plants will bloom at different times
throughout the year.
The planting must preferably be done in groups of odd numbers such as 3’s, 5’s, 7’s,
etc. - this is because odd numbers cannot be split or visually divided like even
numbers. Therefore, they appear to be balanced and give a sense of unity.
If a plant selected does not adapt to the conditions of the site, it will fail. Always
select plants as per their full-grown or mature size and space them accordingly. Large
plants having longer life span can be used in most part of the landscape while the
shorter life span plants can be used in the pathways or entry ways.
Types of Plants
Green plants in an interior space give a refreshing feeling and also make the
environment calm and pleasant. But the basic problem with indoor plants is that after
some days, they start wilting even if they are getting fresh air and water. The main
BID 201: Services-II Page 66
reason behind this is that they are not getting enough sunlight. So either they need to
be placed near the windows or some areas where they get direct sunlight. But many a
time’s interior spaces such as basements, offices, hallways, etc. do not receive direct
sunlight. Therefore you need to either place artificial plants or go for low light plants.
Artificial plants – nowadays, fake or artificial plants are designed and made to look
exactly like real ones. Therefore, most of the commercial spaces prefer to have
artificial plants due to their many advantages. One is they don’t require any watering
or care thus saving a lot of time and energy. Secondly, the colors of the leaves and
flowers remain vibrant for a long time; and also as they are made of plastic, they do
not attract any insects or pests. Also, nowadays artificial plants and containers or pots
can be designed to the specifications as per the display and make the space look
aesthetically pleasing always.
• Artificial grass – synthetic grass is again a waterless low maintenance option for
rooftops, terraces, commercial areas, etc. Refer fig. 4.35.
The grass has a layered net cloth backing and most products carry some warranty for
colour stability and durability.
- Outdoor lights add visual interest to a landscape. The lights should be placed
in such a manner that the entire landscape and hardscape has a balanced light.
There are various types of outdoor lights such as spotlights, path lights and
flood lights.
- Path lights should not be placed opposite each other along a path. They
should be placed in a zig-zag pattern from one side to another and should be
placed a little far apart or not too closely. While installing path way lights,
the light fixtures must be placed very near to the edge of the walkway and
spaced evenly so that there is neither too much of brightness nor any dark
areas between two fixtures.
- Floodlights are powerful artificial lights with intensely bright and broad
beams used for illuminating the exteriors of buildings. Floodlights give a
comparatively uniform illumination over large spaces for a variety of outdoor
activities such as sports events in low light conditions.
Lighting Techniques
To get a good result, there are many types of lighting techniques for a landscape –
• Up lighting– can be spot, directional and flood lights; the lights are aimed upwards
into tree branches or some architectural feature creating bold shadows and strong
effects on walls. Refer fig. 4.38.
• Down lighting – the lights are aimed downwards from tree branches or some
architectural feature creating diffused and gentle light with more natural effects
similar to moon lighting. Refer fig. 4.39, 4.40.
a. Cross lighting – the lights are aimed from the sides to eliminate shadows.
Plant care
Plants are living things and require care and maintenance. A well designed landscape
will fail if it is not maintained. Therefore to make things easier for maintenance, try
not to make complex designs. It is far easier to maintain simple designs. Define the
areas for plants and do not scatter them in open areas. Try and use selected number of
species of plants and arrange them in groups to create a mass effect. This grouping
makes it simpler for maintenance. Select plants as per their mature size or a size that
is easy for maintenance. Lawns are easy to mow and maintain. Be aware of plant
diseases and insect problems and pests like mites, scale, powdery mildew, leaf spots,
etc. Plants liable to be attacked by insects are likely to be attacked more in areas that
have poor air circulation. Select plants that are resistant to or tolerant of pests. Some
plants require direct sunlight for their growth while others grow well in partial or full
shade from the sun; select and place them accordingly.
Indoor plants require sunlight, water and the right temperature environment to grow
well.Care must be taken to protect the low light or medium light house plants from the
intense heat or direct sunlight. Under watering or overwatering also kills the plants.
Watering the plants early morning keeps them lively throughout the day; but always
keep in mind that the requirements of water always change with the season, rainfall,
the size and the stage of growth of the plant. Large plants or plants that grow rapidly
5.0 Objectives
The objectives of this unit are to help you to understand the:
f. Importance of acoustics in interior design.
g. Sound, velocity, frequency, intensity
h. Reflection, reverberation, absorption, transmission of sound
5.1 Introduction
Acoustics is originally derived from a Greek word which means ‘to hear’. It is defined as a
‘science of sound’ which deals with the origin, the control, the transmission, the reception
and the effects of auditory sensation. The study helps us to control the quality and amount of
sound; suppress external sound and also reduce the echoes and noise in an interior.
5.2 Acoustics
Sound – is the movement of energy in the form of longitudinal waves through mediums such
as air or water. When a force causes an object or substance to vibrate, sound is produced.
This sound travels through an elastic and compressible medium, like air in the form of waves
of sound energy. When these waves come to our ears, we feel a sensation of hearing. Our
human brain recognizes the sounds and intercepts them as language, music, noise, etc.
Velocity of sound – sound velocity is the speed at which the sound waves travel or pass
through any medium. The velocity also depends on the nature and the temperature of the
medium through which sound travels. Sound travels more rapidly in solids and liquids than
in air; this is because it is affected by the temperature of theair, the amount of moisture in the
air and the intensity of the wind. Sound vibrates the particles in the material, be it solid, liquid
or gas and loses a bit of kinetic energy with every movement; but sound cannot travel in
vacuum as there is no matter in it.
Sound Intensity –the amount of sound energy that flows per unit of time through a unit area
is the intensity of the sound. Intensity is the quantity of sound. The SI unit for sound intensity
is W/m²- Watts per square metre (watt is the unit for power and square metre is the unit for
area). Sound intensity decreases with distance to source. As the sound waves spread out, their
energy density decreases, so the increasing distance between the source and the receiver
results in a gradually lesser intensity of sound to the receiver.
Sound energy
The power of sound and pressure levels is measured over a range of frequencies. The unit of
measurement of sound pressure is the Bel (B). The smallest rise of sound which human ear
can detect is one-tenth of a Bel, i.e. one decibel (1 dB). Therefore, sound energy is measured
by its pressure and its intensity in units called as decibels - dB.
A sound wave can be reflected, diffused or absorbed depending on the nature and the
composition of the material that it comes into contact with. Generally, the soft and porous
Reflection of Sound – when a sound wave strikes on a flat, hard or rigid surface, like brick
or concrete walls, it bounces back or is reflected back. This is the reflection of sound.
Concave surfaces tend to concentrate the reflected sound waves while convex surfaces tend
to spread the reflected waves. A room has many types of reflections whichhave an effect on
sound. An echo is the repetition or a reflection of sound that arrives sometime after the direct
sound. A single reflection of the sound is a true echo. If many reflections arrive such that it is
difficult to distinguish between them, it is termed as Reverberation.
Absorption of Sound - when a sound wave strikes a surface, some of the energy is reflected,
some is transmitted while some is absorbed. By using sound absorbent materials, much of the
sound can be absorbed which might otherwise have been reflected. So sound absorption can
be defined as a wave that strikes a material but is not reflected back.
• Sound absorbent materials – For better absorption of sound, some materials can be
incorporated in an interior space to make it acoustically good.The absorbent material
should ideally be strong, fire proof, water proof, and economical for construction and
also maintenance. Soft and porous absorbent materials help the sound waves to
penetrate into the pores which reduce the noise level in a room. The absorption
capacity of a material largely depends on the thickness of it and also on the frequency
of the sound. Generally, absorbent materials are covered to improve their appearance.
They are available in various types under different trade names. Selection of the
absorbent material should be made after considering various factors like their
Diffusion of Sound –Diffusing a sound is dispersing the sound in all directions when the
sound wave hits an irregular surface. Diffusive surfaces do not reflect or absorb sound
directly, but scatter it in many directions for e.g. a carpet or a wall rug. Diffusion helps to
prevent echoes as the sound waves are dispersed in all directions.
Unwanted sound is termed as noise. It particularly means that a loud sound which disturbs
people or makes it difficult for them to hear the wanted sounds is noise. The term loudness
describes the ear’s perception of sound. Loud noise can cause pain and discomfort to people.
But it differs from person to person. For e.g. teenagers love to play music loud but elderly
people cannot bear the noise. This may be due to the high frequency of sound or intensity of
sound or both. High frequency of sound or noise is disturbing and has a harmful effect on the
physical and psychological health of people. Noise is of two types –
Extended exposure to loud noise, for example - people who work in factories get used to the
loud noise of machines in the factories but it has an adverse effect on their health. The high
Sound insulation and sound absorption are two different terms - Sound insulation means
reducing the level of sound when the sound wave strikes a surface for e.g. hard materials are
good sound insulators but poor sound absorbers; whereas sound absorption means reducing
the sound reflected from a surface by providing sound absorbent materials such as porous
materials that are good sound absorbers but poor sound insulators.
Acoustic insulation
These are made from fibre glass, glass wool or mineral wool and come in blanketed rolls of
different widths. Refer fig. 5.7. They are used to reduce the noise and prevent the reflection
of sound waves in hard surfaced areas. The capacity of absorbing the sound depends on the
thickness, the density, the mode of fixing and the frequency of sound. The process of
insulation is done by using rolls of fibre glass insulation that are cut to the right length and
tacked to the interior area between each side of a finished wall; the cut sections of insulation
are secured in place before closing up the wall. The blankets are usually fitted between
• This type of insulation works very well for irregularly shaped areas. It is in a liquid
form and contains a polymer agent and a foaming agent. The method is to blow or
spray the liquid onto the walls; as it enters the open spaces or cracks in the walls, it
expands quickly into a solid plastic and fills the cavities in the walls to reduce the
movement of sound. Refer fig. 5.8.
Acoustical wall and ceiling tiles are manufactured with specialized materials like wood or
metal and some fibrous materials are also added to them. Refer fig. 5.9.
There are various types of ceiling and wall acoustic tiles available. For ceiling, the tiles can
be directly added to the existing ceiling of a room or some of the types can be suspended
from a grid arrangement that is present on the ceiling of the room. They are mainly useful in
conference rooms, recording studios, libraries, auditoriums, concert halls, home theatres, etc.
A major drawback of acoustical tiles is that they tend to yellow over time and are likely to
spoil due to moisture. Therefore, they need to be replaced regularly. Prefabricated panels
can be attached to walls and ceilings to insulate a space from noise.
Soundproof curtains
These are heavy duty curtains made to minimize the noise entering or exiting from an interior
space. They are commonly used in commercial applications but can also be used in
residences for home theatres. Refer fig. 5.10. The curtains are constructed with a core
material of fire resistant wool fabric and have a high degree of sound absorption. The curtains
have a quilt type construction which makes the panel one to two inches thick and sometimes
weights are sewn in the bottom edge to resist movement from breeze, etc.The curtains absorb
the distracting sounds and vibrations and prevent echoes and other sound distortions.
Acoustic Plaster
It is a plaster containing fibres or granulated insulation material mixed with cement to absorb
sound. The quantity of cement mixed must be in correct proportion because if the quantity of
cement is more, the plaster will not be sufficiently porous to absorb the sound; and if the
quantity of cement is less, the plaster will be weak. The plaster can be applied by hand trowel
or sprayed with spray gun in semi-plastic consistency on the walls and ceilings in a textured
finish. It can be applied to a thickness of upto 1.5 inch. The plaster is available in many
colors and is generally used in residences, libraries, etc. It is preferred for curved surfaces,
domes or arched ceilings where sound insulation is required. Acoustical plaster boards are
available that can be used for the walls.
Carpets
These are used for acoustical purposes too. They are good absorbers of noise and can also be
used on walls to increase the insulation. Refer fig. 5.11.
Doors& Windows - The exterior noises that come into a building are through the tiny cracks
between the door and the wall and the windows and ventilators. By insulating, we can reduce
the level of the sound when it passes through them. For this, sound absorbing material must
be filled in the space between the jamb and the frame. Also, the more the thickness and the
weight of the door, the less is the transmission of sound. Similarly, for windows, it is
advisable to use thick glass for less transmission of sound. Double windows with 10 cm to 20
cm space between them can be constructed for better sound insulation.
Index
6.0 Objectives
6.1 Introduction
6.2 Fire Fighting
6.3Self-Assessment Test
6.0 Objectives
6.1 Introduction
There are many causes of fire such as smoking – carelessly thrown cigarettes, bad
workmanship in electrical wiring, unattended cooking, improper storage of cooking gas
cylinders, children playing with matches, improper storage of liquids like kerosene,
methylated spirits, petrol,etc. Fire is a very destructive force and items destroyed by fire are
gone forever. Therefore, it is very important to take preventive measures to reduce the loss of
life and property in case a fire breaks out. Good architectural planning with proper method of
construction and means of escape are very important to protect a building against fire. The
provision of proper means of escape from fire should be made in relation to the number of
persons to be affected in a fire-hazard. The means of escape from fire should be located in such
a way that they remain unobstructed by smoke or fumes and are easily accessible.
It is correctly said that the first five minutes of a fire are much more important than
the next five hours. This is so because a fire can be brought under control more easily
if detected in the first phase of its occurrence.
Staircases
An emergency ladder/ staircase / stepsat least 3'-0" wide constructed from fire
resisting materials must be provided with a fire proof door. The door should be fitted
in such a way that it can be closed from the inside of the building only. This will help
in opening the door without any delay in case of a fire.
1. Floors – the RCC floors should be minimum 15 cm thick or of 6 mm thick steel
plates. The slope of the floor should be such that the water is easily drained off
from the structure.
Carbon dioxide – this extinguishes the fire by taking away the oxygen element of the
fire triangle and also removes the heat with a very cold discharge.Refer fig. 6.3.
Dry Chemical – these extinguishers interrupt the chemical reaction of the fire triangle
and extinguish it. Refer fig. 6.4
Dry powder – these are similar to dry chemical and extinguish the fire by removing
the heat element of the fire triangle. Refer fig. 6.6.
Index
7.0 Objectives
7.1 Introduction
7.2 Security Systems
7.3Self-Assessment Test
7.0 Objectives
The objectives of this unit are to help you to understand the–
- Importance of security systems
- Types of security systems
7.1 Introduction
Security systems are protective systems or devices that safeguard people and property from
burglars and also against many hazards such as fire and other disasters. They are very much
necessary to protect our home and business. There are several options for a building’s
security system. Selection of the system depends upon the construction of the building, the
use of the building, the type of occupants and the mandated standards.
Monitored Systems
These systems alert the central call centre when the alarm system is tripped by a thief or a
trespasser. The call centre waits for 30 to 45 seconds to confirm that the alarm has not been
accidently set off. If the alarm continues, the call centre attempts to contact the user for a
password and if it is unsuccessful the call centre will alert the authorities.
Unmonitored Systems
In this system, if the alarm is tripped by an intruder, a loud siren noise is produced inside and
outside which scares the intruder. This system is cost effective and popular. But this system
does not contact the monitoring company.
The monitor as well as unmonitored systems can be set up with cameras, video displays,
sensors, motion detectors, smoke, fire and carbon monoxide detectors. The system set ups
can be wireless or hard wired. The wireless security systems are connected by battery-
powered radio transmitters and receivers and are easier to install. The only drawback of the
BID 201: Services-II Page 97
wireless system is that there is a limitation in the distance that is allowed between the
cameras, sensors and the control panel due to the radio transmitters.
Home safes –
Usually, many people keep all their valuables in two places - one is a bank locker for
precious items like jewelry, important documents, certificates, etc. to be accessed as
the need may arise and secondly at home for cash and jewelry required for day to day
Types of Safes –
Electronic Safes – these safes are available with different types of locking
mechanisms for e.g. electronic number locks with a keypad to enter the numerical
combination code, locks with magnetic strip card which is similar to scanning or
swiping a debit or a credit card and biometric locking system that open only with
stored fingerprints.
Fire resistant Safes –these safes are more heavy and sturdy than electronic safes and
can withstand fire for up to two hours. These are good for storing important
documents.
Fire and burglary resistant Safes – these are advanced safes and can withstand
attacks from the burglars’ tools and from fire for up to two hours.
Data
2 Noise and vibration Frank and John Walk British Library Cataloguing in
Publication Data
Data
Data