04. Espacios Técnicos y Sujeción de las Instalaciones - Cátedra B.Garzón

Main ideas and concepts

Purpose of the class

• The video explains how technical spaces relate to building systems and how to interpret them within architectural design.
• It emphasizes there is no single “recipe” because there are no specific national regulations for this topic (as stated in the subtitles).
• Architects must study building systems so the design works well for the investor and the user.
• Building systems should collaborate with architecture (integrated into the project), rather than compete with it.

Scope of topics covered

• Distribution of building systems
• Sectorized ductwork and layouts
• Duct sizing
• Support and fastening elements
• Placement and maintenance/access
• Machine rooms
• Pipe distribution

How technical installations are arranged (major spatial alternatives)

Exposed vs. concealed systems (especially in high-rise buildings)

• Exposed systems
  • Must be ordered horizontally and vertically using design and aesthetic criteria.
• Concealed systems
  • Can be arranged in ducts, which are enclosed, sectorized spaces.

Types of concealed/organized layouts

• Ducts
  • Installations enclosed and developed vertically and/or horizontally.
• Embedded installations
  • Located inside structural elements, but:
    • must be covered, and
    • their development across three levels is not permitted (as stated).
• Enclosure of vertical downpipes
  • Downpipes placed between rooms to create a core where distribution pipes converge.
  • Downpipes should be placed near junction boxes, but never inside them.
• Wet core / wet enclosure alternatives
  • Ducts placed between bathroom and kitchen to create a wet core.
• Grouped technical space
  • Installations can be grouped in one technical space with an inspection corridor ≥ 60 cm for technical access and corresponding sectorization.
• Technical mezzanine and technical ceiling
  • Technical mezzanine: space between slab and ground level for electrical wiring conduits.
  • Technical ceiling: technical space left below the structure, later hidden by the ceiling slab.

Critical separation, distances, and comfort requirements

• Gas pipes vs. electrical wiring: maintain separation ≥ 60 cm.
• Under-slab installations: if included, they must be separated by ≥ 20 cm from under-slab/under-ceiling solution elements (as stated).
• Headroom for user comfort: minimum height 2.5 m from floor to the bottom of the installation.

Ductwork and installation pass layout options

Ducts for multiple installations

• If a duct houses several installations, it must be divided into chambers inside the duct.

Examples of vertical downpipe grouping

• Centrally in an interior core
• In cores outside the building
• Mixed cores
• Grouped at the ends of the building
• Downpipe columns distributed throughout the building

Horizontal duct placement options

• Between walls (inside or outside)
• On the facade, under windows, between windows, or above windows
• Through the structure above cornices using brackets/accessories
  • allowing fixing to walls via suspended ceilings or a technical mezzanine

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Methodology / design recommendations

A) Planning and integration approach

• Study building systems and how they integrate with the architectural project.
• Design installations so they:
  • do not conflict with architecture, and
  • work with it to improve overall outcomes.
• Use a structured plan covering:
  • distribution,
  • sectorized ducts,
  • sizing,
  • supports/fastenings,
  • placement & maintenance access,
  • machine rooms,
  • pipe distribution.

B) Sectorization and duct strategy

• Use ducts as enclosed, sectorized spaces for installations.
• If an installation duct serves multiple systems:
  • divide the duct into internal chambers (one per installation/system group).
• Avoid incorrect embedding:
  • embedded installations are located within structural elements,
  • must be covered, and
  • development across three levels is not allowed (as stated).

C) Layout and routing configuration choices

• Select downpipe routing configuration, such as:
  • central interior core
  • exterior core(s)
  • mixed core
  • grouping at building ends
  • distributed downpipe columns
• Consider horizontal distribution routes, including:
  • between walls (inside/outside)
  • facade/around windows positions
  • above cornices with bracket systems supporting suspended ceilings/technical mezzanines
• Ensure perimeter/interior columns are considered for routing possibilities.

D) Spatial constraints and clearances

• Maintain ≥ 60 cm separation between gas pipes and electrical wiring.
• If using exposed/under-slab elements:
  • separate under-slab installations by ≥ 20 cm (as stated).
• Provide required headroom:
  • minimum 2.5 m from floor to bottom of installation.
• Provide technical access in every solution so technicians can service the systems when needed.

E) Accessibility/maintenance design

• For technical spaces:
  • include access corridors (example given: ≥ 60 cm inspection corridor).
• For machine/terrace-level access:
  • access can be via pulley systems, cat ladder, or service doors per level (as stated).

F) Duct and system dimensioning considerations

• Dimension duct space considering:
  • pipe/piping section
  • separation between pipes
  • support/fastening elements included in the duct strategy
  • space for placement and maintenance entry
  • fire protection linings
  • acoustic and thermal relationship elements
• For vertical ducts:
  • leave space for:
    • pipe spacing
    • fastening/support placement
    • technician entry
• For horizontal ducts:
  • apply the layout alternatives already described (e.g., between walls, facade/window zones, etc.).

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Supports and fastening elements

A) Support purpose

• Supports/fastening elements:
  • hold pipe weights and stresses,
  • transfer loads to:
    • ground,
    • neighboring iron/concrete structures,
    • equipment/tanks/containers,
    • sometimes to other pipes.

B) Classification of supports (by behavior)

• Rigid / non-rigid categories
  • Rigid: prevent movement (no degree of freedom).
  • Semi-rigid: commonly used; allow more movement and no friction.
  • Non-rigid (implied as flexible): allow certain movement types.
• Movement-limiting types
  • fully fixed supports (no movement)
  • supports allowing only axial movement
  • supports preventing movement in one direction
  • supports preventing lateral movement
• Suspension/flexible supports
  • allow vertical movement at support points (from pipe or containers).

C) Typical accessories/components mentioned

• clamps
• slides
• rollers
• constant supports
• struts
• pedestals
• shock absorbers
• variable elastic supports

D) Examples of fastening/support applications mentioned

• Sanitary drains / kitchen access points
  • anchoring system with tape (example: Gamba Flex tape) or threaded rods, suspended under slab.
• Lightweight brackets
  • for pipes of ~1.5 inches or less (horizontal or vertical).
• Prefabricated accessories
  • economical; commonly malleable iron (often galvanized), also cast iron or plastic.
  • may include expansion bolts for direct concrete/masonry fixing.
• Moment support ramps
  • fixed using threaded rods and specific hole/rod configurations (example described with threaded rods and 316 rods).
  • for masonry anchoring: nuts/washer + drill bits + polypropylene inserts (for cutting/installation tools).
• Ventilated sewer branches
  • attached between levels using supports; at plaza/slab level use expansion anchors + bolts.
• Gas installation anchoring
  • lag screws for pipes near masonry walls.
  • self-drilling screws for pipes on reinforced concrete walls.
• Roof pipe supports
  • supported on brick/concrete pillars:
    • spaced ≤ 2 meters
    • pillar minimum size about 20×20 cm
    • leave ≥ 20 cm separation between finished roof and bottom of pipes.
• Electrical installation stabilization
  • embed fastening elements to improve long-term permanence with heat exposure.
  • bracket types mentioned:
    • light/heavy brackets
    • trapezoidal profiles for one rod or two rods.

E) Cable trays and wiring organization (electrical installation)

• Cable trays
  • straight trays or trays with branches to organize cables
  • secured with cable ties.
• Routing rules stated:
  • arrange cables without crossing circuits
  • avoid disorganized grouping inside trays.
• Vertical tray arrangement:
  • trays can be arranged vertically to distribute circuits between floors.
• Fixing tray to wall:
  • expansion bolts/screws from its step to the wall.
• Less recommended practices:
  • crossings that hinder maintenance and circuit identification
  • leaving cables fully exposed to elements in open space
• Alternative to trays:
  • clamping hooks (faster installation; robust steel; designed for fire resistance)
• Gas ventilation elements related to electrical/clamp systems:
  • extensions with clamps (lengths mentioned: 30, 60, 750 cm)
  • terminations with head and wedge elements for protection.

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Fire protection, acoustic insulation, and separation rules

• Duct protective and fireproofing
  • Duct perimeter protection using systems providing fire resistance EFE 120.
  • also provide acoustic insulation.
  • if cavities exist, separate using F60 materials.
• Electrical installations
  • ensure passages of vertical and horizontal conduits between spaces.
  • closed horizontal trays/ducts should be EFE 120.
• Sanitary installations
  • pipes passing through floor slabs should use a metal collar to obstruct fire passage.
  • clamps/supports should prevent:
    • pipe friction
    • vibrations/noise (anti-vibration properties)
• Acoustic lining
  • pipes can be lined with acoustic insulation.
• Suspension rule
  • sanitary installations:
    • cannot be covered by the subfloor,
    • must be suspended from the slab.
• Avoid interference between systems
  • keep separation distances so different pipes do not cross.
• No embedding in enclosures
  • pipes should not be embedded in enclosures.
  • ensure necessary space exists for maintenance/repairs even when embedded or in ducts.

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Machine rooms (what they are + how they’re organized)

A) Definition

• Machine room = technical room in the building housing:
  • installations and machinery
  • controls and commands needed for correct distribution.

B) Typical machine-room placement in high-rise buildings

• layouts may be:
  • ground floor
  • basement
  • terrace
  • or mixed (more than one machine room).

C) Criteria to consider when locating machine rooms

• verticality (related to distribution of premises/ducts sized to building functions)
• components (elements and machinery inside the room)
• regulations (standards for each installation and component)
• accessibility (entry for control, maintenance, repair personnel)
• zoning (distribution and grouping of elements)

D) Zoning by system function (three zones)

• Wet zone
  • cold water system
  • sewage system
  • rainwater system
  • includes: sanitary cold water systems, reserve tanks, cisterns, pumping tanks
• Dry zone
  • electrical system
  • gas system
  • elevators
  • examples mentioned later: electrical distribution panels, generator set control (electrical/alarm systems), gas meters/distribution centers/sensors
• Thermal zone
  • hot water system
  • air conditioning system
  • includes: boilers, intermediate tanks, water heaters, heating boilers, heat exchangers, cooling machines, cooling towers
• Additional slab-zone mention (within wet/rain system area context)
  • effluent treatment equipment
  • greywater treatment equipment
  • a naphtha interceptor
• Rainwater sub-elements mentioned:
  • retention tanks
  • rainwater treatment equipment
• Final takeaway:
  • zones should be separated by dividing elements, and the exact composition depends on the project and local regulations.

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Speakers or sources featured

• Cátedra B. Garzón (course/lecture source credited in the video title)