ABSTRACT
The process of space planning has traditionally been a matter requiring extensive negotiation, primarily between the building services engineer and the architect but also often to a lesser extent with the civil and structural engineer. The space planning will also have to include an allocation for other services, such as sanitary systems; hot and cold water systems; fire engineering and other life-safety systems; and a variety of communication, control and alarm systems. An essential design integration activity for the building services engineers is to understand the limitations in the structural design advised by the structural engineer. The design objective, from the building services perspective, is to allocate spaces for all equipment in suitable locations to facilitate ease of initial installation, subsequent routine operation and maintenance and upgrading or replacement. The building form will have a considerable influence on the planning of spaces for services.
