BSRIA’s illustrated guide aims to explain mechanical cooling

Featured Image

by Jbs060310 c3 — June 14, 2010—The U.K.’s BSRIA has launched the latest publication in its illustrated guide series. BG1/2010 Illustrated Guide to Mechanical Cooling runs through the entire gamut of cooling techniques and technologies, explaining the systems in easy and accessible language. As in BSRIA’s other illustrated guides, simple illustrations provide a deeper insight to the workings of complex concepts.

The guide starts with a general overview of the various cooling systems and their purpose in maintaining comfortable conditions in buildings. It then describes the main mechanical refrigeration systems and their application principles, the types of refrigerants available, and the various ways in which renewable forms of energy can be used. The guide goes on to explain the various ways in which the cooling can be delivered to an occupied space.

The publication also describes approaches that are not strictly mechanical in nature. These include passive design measures such as thermally heavyweight and well-insulated building structures, which can augment and/or boost mechanical cooling systems, as well as systems such as ground-coupling, which can provide “free cooling.”

The publication also provides some key commissioning and maintenance guidance, along with key design checks for each technology described. The guide is available for £25 to BSRIA members and £50 to non-members, and is available for free download (PDF) for members. The cooling guide is also available as part of a discounted set of all BSRIA’s illustrated guides, covering mechanical building services, electrical building services, ventilation and renewables.