Building Systems and Interior Environmental Quality
HVAC and thermal comfort
Know the common systems: variable air volume (VAV) with air handling units, fan coil and chilled water systems, packaged rooftop units, variable refrigerant flow, and radiant or displacement systems. Terminology matters - supply, return, and exhaust air; outdoor air for ventilation; zoning for independent control; duct static pressure and ceiling plenum return. Thermal comfort (ASHRAE 55) depends on air temperature, radiant temperature, humidity, air speed, clothing, and activity. Ventilation rates (ASHRAE 62.1) set outdoor air per person plus per floor area.
Lighting and power
Understand footcandles (illuminance at a surface) versus lumens (lamp output) and lumens per watt (efficacy). Layered lighting - ambient, task, accent, decorative - and controls (dimming, occupancy sensors, daylight harvesting) drive both comfort and energy code compliance. Power and data distribution, floor boxes, and receptacle spacing matter in furniture planning.
Acoustics
Background noise, sound transmission between spaces, and sound absorption within a space are three separate problems. STC rates how well a partition blocks airborne sound; NRC rates how much sound a surface absorbs; CAC rates ceiling attenuation between rooms sharing a plenum. Reverberation time rises with hard, parallel surfaces.
Plumbing and fire protection
Know fixture clearances and pipe slope, sprinkler head spacing and obstruction rules, and the difference between sprinkler protection and detection.
Traps
Questions swap STC and NRC, confuse footcandles with lumens, or assume more absorption reduces transmission through a wall. Occupancy sensors satisfy code; they do not fix poor layout.
Rule of thumb
Use STC 45–50 for confidential speech privacy between offices, STC 50+ for demising walls between dwelling units, and NRC 0.70 or higher for open-office ceilings.