Course Code & Name: BCE 3203 BUILDING SERVICES

Course Level: Year III Semester 2

Credit Units: 3
Contact Hours: 45
Brief Course Description
This course introduces the installation of services in a building. The services include
electrical installation, plumbing, water supply, drainage and sanitation, sewage and
waste water disposal and other services.
Learning objectives
By the end of this course, a student should be:
(i) trained to differentiate between hot and cold water systems; their construction
and design
(ii) empowered to demonstrate ability to perform installation of services in a building
and other engineering structures
(iii) trained to supervise the installation of sanitary appliances
(iv) trained to supervise the maintenance and repair of these services
(v) equipped with knowledge to explain the construction of drainage systems
Learning outcomes
At the end of this course, a student should be able to:
(i) differentiate between hot and cold water systems; their construction and design
(ii) demonstrate ability to perform installation of series in a building and other
engineering structure
(iii) supervise the installation of sanitary appliances
(iv) supervise the maintenance and repair of these services
(v) explain the construction of drainage systems
Detailed Course content
S/N Topic Sub Topic Contact
Hours.
1. Water supply 1.1 Sources of water, water impurities, 15
characteristics of water for domestic
purposes; water treatment; cold water
supply: (direct and indirect), pipe sizes,
materials used for water mains, connection
and laying of service pipes from water mains
to dwellings.
1.2 Functions and names of various pipes used
in cold-water supply, cold-water storage
cistern: their siting and protection; hot water
supply: (direct and indirect systems).
1.3 Secondary circulation, pipe sizes, circulation
of water in pipes, boilers and cylinders,
connection to vertical and horizontally fixed
cylinders; supply of water in multi-storeyed
buildings; principles and working of taps
and valves used in water supply to include:
bib, globe and stop taps, ball valves, gate
valves, drain taps and plug corks.
2. Drainage and 2.1 Sanitary fitting: bathtubs, water closets, 15
Sanitation flushing cisterns, wash hand basins, sinks,
 showers, urinals and bidets; drainage:
definition, principles of drainage, drainage
pipe materials, laying drainage pipes;
methods of bedding and jointing drain pipes,
drains passing into and under buildings,
traps, unsealing of traps, common fittings
for drains such as gullies.
2.2 Bends and half channels, connection of
drains to soil and waste stacks; drainage
above ground: pipes used, combined (one
pipe) system, dual (two pipes) system, and
single stack system; drainage below ground:
pipes used.
2.3 Manholes and inspection chambers, drop
manholes, rodding, intercepting chambers,
gulley traps, grease traps, petrol and grease
chambers, testing drains: water tests, air
test, smoke test, ball test; drainage disposal:
soak away, public sewer, cesspool, septic
tank, filter beds, and sewage pumps;
pneumatic, submersible, drywell suction;
lagoons.
2.4 (Wastewater stabilization ponds) types,
design, facilities.
3. Ventilation, 3.1 Definition, natural ventilation, air changes 6
refrigeration and temperature, natural ventilation by law
and air- requirements, mechanical ventilation: types
conditioning of fans: propeller, centrifugal, axial flow,
ducts, and extraction through lighting
system; air conditioning: introduction to air
conditioning, air condition in units and
systems, installation and maintenance.
4. Power 4.1 Brief outline of electricity generation, 3
Production transmission and distribution: location,
voltage, power capabilities of transmission
lines, transmission methods and systems
from transmission lines to consumers.
4.2 Ohm’s law, power in circuit, means and
methods of detecting and measuring electric
current, voltmeter, ammeter, function of
multipliers and shunts; conductors and
cables: materials for conductors and reasons
for their use, reason for stranding
conductors, current rating of cables;
insulators.
5. Electrical 5.1 Functions of insulators, types of insulating 3
installation cables, where used, effect of temperature
and humid conditions; electricity supply in a
building, final circuit distribution, radial
circuit, ring circuit, layout of a domestic
 distribution and control unit.
5.2 Disadvantages and advantages of each,
fuses and circuit breakers; wiring systems
for example sheathed cables, ducts,
trucking, circuit and wiring diagrams of
different types of installation (electrical and
telephone diagrams).
5.3 Need for colour coding, bell circuits, lighting
and heating circuits; earthing: regulations
on earthing, base requirements, and reason
for earthing, continuity, conductors and
earthing lead, earthing a consumer unit,
requirements for installation in bathrooms.
6. Testing and 6.1 Insulation, polarity and continuity tests; 3
inspecting single-phase and three-phase concepts,
electrical delta and star connection in circuits,
installations application of single phase and three-phase
to machinery and motors used in
construction industries.
6.2 Illustration, types of lamps for example
incandescent filament lamps, arch lamps,
discharge lamps, their advantages and
disadvantages; electrical safety, protection,
main causes of accidents and treatment of
electric shock, precaution in removing a
person from a live wire.
Total 45
Mode of delivery
Through Lectures, tutorials, peer discussions, field work and e-learning approach
(assessment and examinations).
Mode of assessment
Assignment 5%
Tests 10%
Practical work 25%
Final exam 60%
Total 100%
References
1. Mcghee T.J. 1991 Water Supply and Sewerage 4th Ed. Mcgraw Hill, New York.
2. A.C. Twott, F.M. Law & F.W. Crowley Water Supply, 3rd. Edition, John Wiley and
Sons, Newyork
3. Jonathan T Et Al (2004). Standard Handbook for Civil Engineers 5th
Ed, Mcgraw-Hill: New York, ISBN: 9780071364737
4. Fred H And Roger G, Building Services Handbook 5th Ed, Elservier Ltd, Jordan
Hill, Oxford ISBN 13: 978-1-85617-626-2