FMT101 Building Services Tutor-Marked Assignment 01, 2026

FMT101 Tutor-Marked Assignment 01

This assignment is worth 14% of the final mark for FMT101 Building Services.

The cut-off date for this assignment is 4 October 2026, 2355hrs.

Question 1

A 35-storey mixed-use building in Singapore has a highest water fitting level at 132 m Reduced Level (RL). The building receives potable water from the PUB mains at ground level through a meter chamber. The system design adopts a combined direct and indirect water supply arrangement in accordance with PUB requirements:

• Water fittings below 125 m RL receive direct supply from PUB mains.
• Water fittings between 125 m RL and 137 m RL receive indirect supply from a highlevel water storage tank located at the roof level.
• A hydropneumatics booster pump-set transfers water from the PUB mains to the highlevel storage tank.
• Pressure Reducing Valves (PRVs) are installed in certain down feed risers to control excessive pressure.
• Submeters are installed for different tenant zones, and bypass valves (normally closed) are provided for maintenance.

A simplified schematic of the system is shown in the Figure Q1 provided.

(a) Explain the operating principle of the water supply system illustrated in the schematic plan – Figure Q1. Your explanation should include:

• The flow path of water from the PUB mains to the water fittings.
• How the system provides direct supply to lower floors and indirect supply to higher floors.
• The function of the hydropneumatics booster pump-set and high-level storage tank in supplying water to upper levels.
• The purpose of the pressure reducing valve (PRV) in the distribution system.

(15 marks)

(b) Demonstrate your understanding on the engineering and operational considerations for adopting this combined direct–indirect water supply system in a high-rise building. Your answer should include:

• Pressure limitations of PUB mains and the significance of the 125 m RL threshold.
• Advantages of using a high-level storage tank with down feed distribution.
• The importance of pressure control devices (e.g., PRVs) in protecting plumbing fixtures and pipework.
• Maintenance and operational considerations for components such as submeters, bypass valves, and booster pumps.

(10 marks)

Question 2

 A developer proposes to construct a 3-storey shopping mall in a sub-urban district in Singapore. The proposed development has the following characteristics:

• 3 storeys
• Gross floor area: 5,000 m²
• Accessible floor area of the largest compartment in the building: 1,990 m²
• Reduced Level (RL): 120 m

During the fire safety design review, the consultant reports that the nearest public fire hydrant is located across a 4-lane road. Under the SCDF Fire Code 2023, hydrants located on the opposite side of a public road may only be designated to serve the development if the road has not more than two traffic lanes. Since the road in this case has four lanes, the public hydrant cannot be considered to serve the development.

In addition, the site frontage is served by a 200 mm diameter PUB water main, and preliminary advice from PUB indicates that the main may be capable of delivering approximately 60 L/s at the connection point, subject to hydraulic verification.

The consultant proposes installing private fire hydrants within the development site and further proposes installing a rectangular fire water storage tank with the following dimensions to support the private hydrant system:

• Base area: 15 m × 15 m
• Overall tank height: 2.5 m
• Effective water depth: 1.8 m

The developer asked you, as the Head of the Facility Management Department, to review the consultant’s proposal.

(a) State the relevant provisions of the SCDF Fire Code 2023 that require a development to install private fire hydrants.

(5 marks)

(b) Determine whether the proposed water storage tank capacity complies with the requirements of SCDF Fire Code 2023, Table 4.4A in Appendix I. Your answer should include the calculation of the required hydrant flow rate and minimum fire-fighting water storage capacity.

(15 marks)

(c) Examine whether the 200 mm PUB water main and the site reduced level (RL) allow the hydrant system to be supplied directly from the public mains without a water storage tank.

(5 marks)

Question 3

A newly completed Grade A office building in the Singapore CBD is designed with a centralised chilled water air-conditioning system to serve its office floors and common areas.

During the design development stage, the Developer directs the project team to optimise net lettable area (NLA) so as to maximise rental yield and reduce upfront capital expenditure (CAPEX).

In response, the Mechanical Consultant proposes reducing the extent of the large airside infrastructure and is considering the use of Fan Coil Units (FCUs) within tenant spaces instead of a fully ducted Air Handling Unit (AHU) system.

The building is expected to accommodate multiple tenants with varying fit-out layouts and operating hours, while still meeting indoor air quality (IAQ) and operational requirements.

As the Facility Manager, you are tasked to assess the proposed approach.

(a) Compare the differences between AHU and FCU systems. Your answer shall address fan performance, cooling coil arrangement, air filtration capability, system components, and air distribution approach.

(15 marks)

(b) Select a suitable system (AHU or FCU) for this building, with clear justification aligned with the Developer’s objectives of enhancing greater tenant flexibility, reducing CAPEX and optimizing space usage.

(10 marks)

Question 4

A 25-storey commercial office building in Singapore has received multiple tenant feedback regarding the performance of its passenger lifts, including:

• Intermittent loss of lift car display panels and CCTV signal during travel
• Occasional delay in response to call buttons
• Instances of inaccurate stopping and off levelling of the lift car

The lift contractor has reported visible wear and improper support of travelling cables beneath the lift car and recommended their replacement. This work is not included under the current maintenance contract.

The building owner, however, is of the view that the issue may be related to the control equipment, including safety devices such as limit switches, which falls under the comprehensive maintenance scope, and is hesitant to approve the additional cost.

As the Facility Manager, you are required to advise the building owner.

(a) Explain the function of travelling cables and control equipment, including safety devices such as limit switches, and their roles in ensuring safe and reliable lift operation.

(15 marks)

(b) Review the lift contractor’s recommendation and recommend whether the proposed replacement of travelling cables should be supported, with reference to system function, asset condition, and maintenance scope.

(10 marks)

—- End of Assignment —-

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