MEBS6005 Building Automation Systems - Control of HVAC Systems - Lecture notes

Oct 25, 2026

MEBS6005 Building Automation Systems lecture material focuses on controlling HVAC systems, covering HVAC sub-systems, DDC system design, DDC controllers, HVAC control examples, and central plant optimization. It introduces key project personnel, roles of mechanical/electrical contractors and controls contractors, and facility managers responsible for operation, monitoring, and maintenance. The notes explain using building automation systems (BAS) for major HVAC equipment and break down air side, water side, refrigeration, heat rejection, and controls, including centralized system examples and diagram references.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryTechnology

FormatPDF

Pages66

Reading Time2 h 46 min

AccessFree to download

HVAC sub-systems

DDC system design

DDC controllers

HVAC control examples

Central plant optimization

MEBS6005 Building Automation Systems [http://ibse.hk/MEBS6005/](http://ibse.hk/MEBS6005/) Control of HVAC Systems Ir Dr. Sam C. M. Hui Department of Mechanical Engineering The University of Hong Kong E-mail: cmhui@hku.hk Nov 2023 | | | | --- | --- | |
Contents
| | | • HVAC sub-systems
• DDC system design
• DDC controllers
• HVAC control examples
• Central plant optimization | | | HVAC sub-systems | | | | --- | --- | --- | | • Key personnel for HVAC system projects:
• HVAC system designer
• Responsible for conceptual design, tendering, etc.
• Controls vendor sales representative
• Provide advice on control products & features | |
Design, plan, specification | | • Mechanical & electrical contractors
• Installation of mechanical & electrical parts
• Controls contractor
• Details of control system + part of the installation | |
Installation | | • Facility managers & operators
• Operation & maintenance |
Operation, monitoring | | Using BAS to control major HVAC systems & equipment [Source: Johnson Controls] | HVAC sub-systems | | | --- | --- | | • HVAC sub-systems & components:
• 1. Air-side ([e.g. fans](e.g. fans), air duct)
• 2. Water-side (e.g. pumps, piping)
• Chilled water, condenser water, seawater, etc.
• 3. Refrigeration equipment
• 4. Heat rejection (e.g. cooling towers)
• 5. Controls
• Including centralised, partially centralised & local HVAC systems | | Example of a centralised HVAC system Air-side equipment Water-side equipment (Source: [http://www.allhvacinfo.com/](http://www.allhvacinfo.com/)) | A space-conditioning air-conditioning system (fan-coil system) | | --- | |
Air side

Condenser water

Refrigeration

Heat rejection

Chilled water
| | (Source: Wang, S. K., Lavan, Z. and Norton, P., 2000. Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Engineering) | HVAC sub-systems & components | Air side:
1. Outdoor air intake (screen, louvers, dampers)
2. Preheater
3. Return air intake (dampers)
4. Filter
5. Cooling coil
6. Dehumidifier
7. Heating coil
8. Humidifier
9. Fan
10.Duct system
11.Air outlet
12.Air terminal (with outlet) | Refrigeration side:
1. Refrigeration machine or chiller (compressor, condenser, cooler and refrigerant piping)
Water side:
1. Pumps
2. Water piping
Heat rejection:
1. Cooling tower
Heating side:
1. Boiler & auxiliaries
2. Piping (hot water or steam) | | --- | --- | Air-side & control sub-systems for a typical floor of a HVAC system Control diagram AHU = air handling unit DDC = direct digital control (Source: Wang, S. K., Lavan, Z. and Norton, P., 2000. Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Engineering) Components of a energy management system (EMS) with direct digital control (DDC)

FAQs

What HVAC-related roles are described for HVAC system projects?

The material lists a HVAC system designer for conceptual design and tendering support, controls vendor sales representatives, mechanical and electrical contractors for installation, controls contractors for control-system details, and facility managers/operators for operation and maintenance.

How is a typical HVAC system divided into sub-systems and components?

It breaks the system into air side (e.g., outdoor air intake, preheater, filter, cooling/heating coils, humidifier, fan, duct, air terminal), refrigeration side (refrigeration machine or chiller), water side (pumps and water piping), heat rejection (cooling tower), and heating side (boiler and auxiliaries plus piping).

What does the document indicate about using BAS to control major HVAC systems?

It explains that BAS can be used to control major HVAC systems and equipment, including centralized, partially centralized, and local HVAC systems, with examples and referenced control diagrams and EMS components using direct digital control.

Oct 25, 2026

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