Office MEP capacity: what must be checked before design approval

A layout approved without a capacity check is a layout that will be redesigned. The only question is how late.

5 minute read

Cooling against real density

Base build cooling is usually designed for a generic occupancy. Modern workplaces concentrate people into collaboration areas and meeting rooms, and the load moves with them. Check the load where the people will actually sit.

Fresh air per person

Fresh air provision is set per person, not per square metre. An increased headcount on the same floor changes the requirement even when the layout looks similar.

Electrical capacity and spare ways

Check the incoming capacity, the distribution boards and the spare ways available, including any allowance for future growth and for equipment rooms.

The checks worth running before approval

  • Cooling load against the proposed occupancy plan
  • Fresh air provision against final headcount
  • Electrical capacity, spare ways and containment routes
  • Detection and sprinkler coverage against the new layout
  • Controls strategy and building management interface
  • Condition and remaining life of the existing plant

Office MEP

Worked example

A project from the register.

Etihad Training Centre, Abu Dhabi, specialist training facility

Etihad Training Centre

Abu Dhabi, UAE

MEP, pool, simulator and training facilities

Discuss an office project

Tell us about the floorplate and the date.

Tell us the building, the area, the scope you expect to hold and the date the business needs to move. We will set out how the programme would run and what has to be resolved first.

Discuss an office projectSend a brief or drawings