MIL-HDBK-1003/3
Section 9:
EQUIPMENT LOCATION
9.1
General. Sometimes a building designer will seek
clever ways to hide mechanical equipment rather than integrating
it into the building in a way that will best serve the Navy over
the life of the building. Although information and suggestions
on equipment locations are found throughout this handbook, it was
deemed appropriate to repeat some of this pertinent data within
this section.
9.2
Specific Considerations
9.2.1
Noise. Will the noise from the equipment affect the
use and occupancy of the building? Consider the following:
a) Certain types of HVAC equipment will emit a lot of
noise. Centrifugal chillers are one type of noise emitting
equipment. Install chillers in a sub-room and enclose this room
with masonry walls so that there is enough mass to attenuate the
radiated noise. The reason for a separate room is so that the
operators will not have to wear earmuffs all day to meet OSHA and
Navy noise exposure criteria. They can stay out of the chiller
room most of the time.
b) Will objectionable levels of noise leak out and
bother other occupants of the building or neighborhood? A
classic example of this is a noisy cooling tower that runs all
night long and keeps the nearby housing residents awake. A time
clock on the mechanical system can sometimes help this problem.
Another example would be a noisy air handler located above a hung
ceiling that radiates sound downward into an occupied space
(perhaps the base commander's office).
9.2.2
Access for Operations and Maintenance
a) Is it a major building demolition effort to repair
or replace HVAC equipment?
b) Is it a major effort for the rigger to move
equipment out to the street for repair?
c) Design systems for ease of maintenance. Is it easy
for the HVAC mechanic to get to the equipment? Must the HVAC
mechanic crawl, set up ladders, use a flashlight, remove a
louver, remove access panels, walk on an unprotected roof, or use
a rope to pull up his tools? Can the mechanic thread in
replacement piping, pull the filters, punch the tubes, acid clean
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