Lesson 3.3 Services and Utilities

This lesson will introduce students to the multiple modern utilities and services required in order for a building to function effectively and lawfully in today’s society. These utilities and services include a reliable supply of energy and water, a system to dispose of wastes, and capacity for communication via multiple modes. Students will identify typical utilities and services for commercial buildings and common methods for distribution and measuring of those services. They will interpret and apply building code requirements and consider other physical constraints in the design and location of new utility service connections for their commercial project. In addition students will interpret and apply energy code requirements in the design of their commercial project building envelope and internal utility distribution systems in an effort to conserve natural resources, reduce operating costs, and protect the environment from the negative impact of development.