Internal installation design is the preparation of the engineering drawings and calculations for a building's or facility's plumbing, heating-cooling-ventilation (HVAC), natural gas distribution, fire suppression, compressed air and electrical infrastructure. Many legal processes, from the building occupancy permit to the business opening license, depend on complete and approved installation projects. A correctly designed installation forms the foundation of comfort, safety and energy efficiency.
Installation Project Types
| Installation | Scope | Approval Authority |
|---|---|---|
| Plumbing | Drinking water, utility water, wastewater, rainwater drainage | Municipality |
| Heating Installation | Boiler/combi, radiator, underfloor heating | Municipality + Natural gas company |
| Cooling Installation | Split, VRF, chiller, fan coil | Municipality |
| Ventilation | Mechanical ventilation, exhaust, kitchen hood | Municipality |
| Natural Gas | Service line, internal installation, flue, meter | Natural gas distribution company |
| Fire Installation | Sprinkler, hydrant, gas suppression | Fire department approval |
| Compressed Air | Compressor, distribution, dryer | Internal approval |
| Electrical Installation | Lighting, sockets, motor supply, grounding | Municipality + Electricity company |
| Low Voltage | Fire detection, security, network, audio | Internal approval + Fire department (fire) |
Plumbing Design
- Sanitary fixture count: Determining the number of WCs, washbasins, showers and kitchen sinks.
- Water demand calculation: Total demand obtained by applying a flow coefficient per sanitary fixture.
- Pipework design: Selection of plastic, copper or steel pipe; diameter calculation.
- Water tank sizing: Daily consumption + safety stock.
- Booster pump selection: Pump set meeting the pressure demand + flow rate.
- Wastewater drainage: Slope, diameter, ventilation pipes.
- Rainwater drainage: Roof area + regional rainfall intensity.
- Isometric drawing: 3D visual presentation of the pipework.
- Bill of materials: Detailed list of pipes, valves and fittings.
HVAC System Selection
| System | Suitable Building Type | Advantage |
|---|---|---|
| Split air conditioner | Small office, home | Low investment, flexible |
| VRF (Variable Refrigerant Flow) | Medium-large office, hotel | Zone-based control, high efficiency |
| Chiller + Fan Coil | Large building, shopping mall | Large capacity, heat recovery |
| Air Handling Unit (AHU) | Industrial, hospital | Filtered clean air |
| Ground-source heat pump | Sustainable design | 50%+ energy savings |
| VAV (Variable Air Volume) | Office, smart building | Automation integrated, energy efficient |
Natural Gas Internal Installation
Natural gas internal installation design must be carried out by engineers approved by the distribution company (İGDAŞ, BURSAGAZ, Başkagaz, etc.):
- Natural gas consumption calculation (boiler, combi, stove, water heater)
- Service line (inlet)
- Meter room and meter size
- Internal distribution pipework (black steel, copper or polyethylene)
- Flue and ventilation
- Emergency shut-off valve
- Testing and commissioning procedure
The internal installation is the building's nervous system. A poorly designed installation exacts a price in comfort, energy efficiency and safety throughout the building's lifetime.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can a building occupancy permit be obtained without an internal installation project?
No. A prerequisite for the building occupancy permit is that all installation projects have been approved by the municipality and that implementation inspection has been completed.
- Is an installation project required for an existing building?
Yes, if there is reconstruction or extensive renovation. A project is also required in cases such as natural gas conversion, heating system change or capacity increase.
- How is energy efficiency ensured in HVAC design?
Through design decisions such as starting with a building heat load calculation and correct capacity selection; choosing equipment with high COP/EER values; building management system (BMS) integration; heat recovery ventilation; and zone-based control.