CIBSE’s TM04: Design notes for the Middle East was published in 1990. With the effects of climate change becoming better understood and the need to embrace relevant engineering solutions more necessary, the review became long overdue.
In examining what would be appropriate to our members, a publication that embraced the world and environments beyond the confines of the Middle East became an obvious step forward. Instead of generating a document that had a geographical base as before, it seemed more relevant to create one that was climate zone driven, which could be applied to different parts of the world as appropriate.
This document on tropical zones is the second of a three-part series that reflects different climate zones. These three, linked to the relevant pages on the CIBSE Knowledge Portal, are:
With an ever-increasing number of our members working on international projects, or being based in locations unfamiliar to them, these documents have been designed to provide an introduction to topics that might be unfamiliar and to provide information upon which reasoned judgements may be made or lead to further research to be undertaken in support of their professional duties.
Contents:
Foreword
1 Introduction
1.1 General
1.2 Scope of data
1.3 Climate classification
1.4 Climate information and data
1.5 Climate analysis: Af and Aw
1.6 Microclimate considerations
1.7 Illumination
1.8 Climatic design information
2 Design information
2.1 Human comfort
2.2 Basic design information
2.3 Lighting
2.4 Noise and vibration
3 Building design, construction and materials
3.1 General
3.2 Building thermal performance and thermal response
3.3 Design strategies
3.4 Material selection and construction methods
3.5 Hygrothermal behaviour of building materials in tropical climates
4 Equipment design
4.1 Introduction
4.2 Utility services
4.3 Air conditioning load calculations
4.4 Air conditioning and distribution systems
4.5 Refrigeration plant
4.6 Fuels and storage
4.7 Water and sanitation
4.8 Control systems
4.9 Electrical distribution
4.10 Lighting
4.11 Vertical transportation
4.12 Fire life safety
4.13 Energy conservation
5 Sustainability
5.1 Introduction
5.2 Passive versus active design drivers
5.3 Low carbon design drivers
5.4 Renewable energy applications
5.5 Materials sustainability considerations
5.6 Water conservation
5.7 Ecological considerations
5.8 Resilience and adaptation
5.9 Sustainable building rating tools for tropical climates
Acknowledgements:
Chair: David Hughes
Lead Authors: John Dick (Arup), Iain Monteith (PT Morimura, Japan/Ramboll, UK), Mike Rainbow (Ark Resources), Rajan Rawal (CEPT University, Ahmedabad), Wing Fung (Arcadis Consulting (UK) Ltd.)
Other contributors:
Edward Borgstein (Mitsidi), David Cooper (LECS UK), Ramona Margarita H. Cruz (Aeight Pacific (Forsspac), Jose (Joey) P De Silva (Aeight Pacific (Forsspac), Ace Glen Garcia (Atelier Ten), Alvin B Garcia (Aeight Pacific (Forsspac), Joana Carla Soares Gonçalves (University of São Paulo), Simon Hancock (Hann Tucker Associates), Martin J Kealy (MKA Fire), Victor Leung (Victor Leung & Associates Limited), Larry Mbah (Arba Plus Ltd.), Sean McKeag (AECOM), Jackie Portman (Astad Project Management), Ruth Shilston (Arup), Philip J Thoburn (AEight Pacific (Forsspac), Conn Yuen (CO2nnsulting Limited)