BEA_4_451 Building Services Engineering Principles Coursework Brief 2026-27 | London South Bank University

BEA_4_451 Building Services Engineering Principles CW

Learning Outcomes

• Apply knowledge of Engineering mathematics, Physics, and engineering principles to the solution of complex problems in Building Services Engineering.
• Analyse complex heat transfer in building problems to reach substantiated conclusions using the first principles of engineering mathematics and mechanical principles.
• Select and evaluate technical literature in Engineering Principles and other sources of information to address complex problems.
• Apply an integrated or systems approach to Mechanical and Electrical Principles to the solution of relatively complex problems in Building and Building Services systems.

Introduction

This coursework is intended to integrate and extend work from the lecture-based materials ofthe Building Services Engineering Principles module. While doing the coursework, please ensure that you clearly address the tasks. Any theory, data or other information should be properly cited and referenced. The analysis presented should be original, identifying potential sources of limitations, considering factors such as thermal properties of building elements and electrical installation and distribution in the building.

Assessment of the Module

The assessment of this module consists of components as listed in the table below.

The coursework will be assessed on a percentage scale, and then weighted in line with the module rubric.

To pass the module, a minimum mark of 30% must be achieved in each componentAND a minimum weighted module mark of 40%. 

Assessments

The deadline dates for the submission of all coursework are published in the ModuleGuides and in the Assessment Map in this document. Please note that the assessment date may change. 

Meeting deadlines is an important graduate skill that demonstrates effective time management and planning, which is essential for success in your studies and future career. Therefore, to ensure you receive timely feedback and stay on track with your studies, we strongly advise and encourage you to submit your work before the set deadlines. 

You can learn about our rules on late submission and extenuating circumstances in the university's Late Submission and Extenuating Circumstances Procedure. It's helpful to note section 4.5, which explains that the late submission rules may be different fortimetabled written exams, phase-tests, lab-based exams, in-class tests, presentations, vivas, and some group-based work, and that this will be indicated in your assessment briefs. 

If you are facing challenges that affect your ability to complete your assessment, it's important to inform us and seek support in advance, and you can do so by:

• Speaking to your Personal Tutor to discuss academic issues by booking an appointment through MyAccount:https://myaccount.lsbu.ac.uk/
• contacting an advisor at the Student Life Centre.
• Making an EC claim if you encounter unexpected difficulties, through this link:-https://myaccount.lsbu.ac.uk/s/article/How-can-I-submit-an-EC-claim

We know assessments are important to you, and we're here to help guide you through them to make sure you're able to show your work at its best.

Coursework Brief

PART A: Mechanical (Weighted 25% of Module Mark)

You have been appointed as a design-build contractor to improve a small house in Wales. The client wants to refurbish the building fabric to meet the Building Regulation Part L 2021U-value requirement by adding insulation, new windows and doors. Your task is to analyse the building fabric heat loss.

Existing Building Details:

As shown in Figure 1, the building is a two-storey 3-bedroom detached house, which will be occupied by a family of four: two parents, both working, with two teenage children at school.

The 1950’s home has an uninsulated flat roof.

The room heights are all 3m; floor and wall thicknesses may be ignored in any calculations. All windows are equally sized at 1.5m2; the external door is 2m2.

Design Conditions:

Location: Swansea
External design temperature: - 5 °C
Internal design temperature: 20 °C

Thermal Elements of Existing Building as shown in Table 1:

Table 1 Existing building U-value

Problem 1: Upgrade the Building Fabric

The building fabric thermal performance is required to be upgraded to meet the Building Regulation Part L 2021 requirement as shown in Table 2 below:

Table 2 Proposed Building U-value

Your task is below:

In order to achieve the proposed building U-values as required by the Building Regulation Part L 2021, shown in Table 2, thermal insulation of glass fabric with thermal conductivity of 0.04 W/mK is going to be added to the existing building fabric. The internal and externalsurfaces resistances are ignored. Determine the optimal thickness of the glass fabric applied to:

1) Wall,
2) Floor on the ground floor and
3) Roof.

Detailed calculation processes should be given in the report. 

Problem 2: Fabric Heat Loss Calculation

Fabric heat loss is the heat loss through walls, doors, windows, roof and floor. To calculate the fabric heat loss through each room, clarifications have to be made for the Reception on the ground floor, i.e. there is a staircase from the ground floor to the first floor (as shown in Figure 1A &1B) and a Landing area on the first floor (as shown in Figure 1B). As highlighted in light blue in Figure 1A and 1 B, they belong to the area of the Reception for the heat loss calculation (as the radiator in the reception also heats the staircase and landing).

Your Task is below:

Using the given design conditions of external design temperature, internal design temperature, floor plan in Figure 1 and Proposed Building U-value in Table 2, you are required to carry out the following task:

Complete the blanks in Table 3 below and determine the total fabric heat loss for the houseby usingExceland copying the results into the main report in Microsoft Word.

Table 3. Fabric heat loss calculation

Table 4 Heat Transfer Relations

PART B: Electrical (Weighted 25% of Module Mark)

There are three major law In Electrical Building Services Engineering that rule the power distribution in the Building.

1. Ohm’s Law
2. Kirchhoff Current Law
3. Kirchhoff Voltage Law.

Discuss about these three laws and provide examples and/or illustrate their application in the power distribution in the building.

You might want to enhance your discussion by providing a calculation example. illustrative figures, diagrams, Schematics, and tables that align seamlessly with the essay's contentensuring both brevity and accuracy.

Length Max: 1000 Words (Just for part B)

Feedback

Feedback will normally be given to students 15 working days (3 calendar weeks) after the final submission of an assignment or as advised by the module leader.

Marking Scheme

PART A: Mechanical (Weighted 25% of Module Mark)

PART B: Electrical (Weighted 25% of Module Mark)

• Accuracy of description and Illustration of the law (50%)
• Good use of Illustrative figure (20%)
• Good use of calculation and Illustrative figure (20%)
• Communication and presentation (10%)

The Report Structure and Presentation

The report should follow the following structure:

1. Title Page.
2. Executive Summary/Abstract.
3. Table of Contents.
4. Introduction (including the objective of this coursework)
5. Main Body – should contain all the requirements (set in the section 3Coursework Brief) that need to be demonstrated.
6. Discussion and Conclusion - a critical discussion and summary.
7. Full set of references using Harvard referencing (and if appropriate abibliography)
8. Drawings, tables, diagrams, calculations, etc., may be included where relevant in the text or included in the appendices. In either event, they should be numbered and specifically referred to in the text.

For the presentation of your work, follow the above structure for the report, and the following format:
Page size and orientation: A4, portrait
Font: Times New Roman
Heading font size: 16
Sub headings font size: 14
Normal text body font size: 12
Line spacing: 1.5

For Part A (Mechanical Part), the CW must be presented in a clear and professionalmanner and using Microsoft Word. A handwritten report will not be accepted.

For Part B, because it might contain equation and mathematical symbols, hand writtenespecially the equation and example of calculation part is allowed. to be handwritten.

You could also attach two separate documents (files) on VLE/Moodle, one for Mechanical and one for Electrical.

Submission Requirements and Deadline

Submission must be done on VLE/Moodle by the Deadline (See below)

For the mechanical part, the coursework should be accompanied by:

1. Main report and
2. Excel Spreadsheet for calculation of Problem 2 task

You are allowed to attach two separate sub-reports (files) on VLE/Moodle, one for Mechanical and one for Electrical.

The completed Originality and Use of Generative Artificial Intelligence Statement must be submitted, as well as a separate file. No email submissions will be accepted. Please check/ensure that you can submit your coursework via Moodle by the deadline. If you experience any issues with submission, report it to the IT helpdesk (Log request on My Account orllr-ithelpdesk@lsbu.ac.uk or 0207 815 6607).

Academic Misconduct

Where there are suspected cases of academic misconduct, like cheating, plagiarism orother forms of unfair advantage, the details of the incident will be brought to the attention of the Academic Misconduct Coordinator and the University, for any penalty to be imposed. These are outlined in the current Student Code of Practice (available from the MyLSBU).