A machine room is a room that houses equipment used to control the environment in a building, among other things.
A machine room is a room that houses a variety of mechanical equipment, especially equipment used to control the environment in a building. It is sometimes called a boiler room, which refers to a boiler that may be housed in it, or a mechanical equipment room. Electrical equipment used in conjunction with these items, as well as safety equipment, are also often located in this room.
The specific equipment found in a mechanical room depends on what is needed for the building it is in, as well as local building codes. For example, boilers heat water supplied to the building through pipes to heat the air or for direct use, such as in a kitchen. Cooling pipes and compressors can be used to circulate cold water through the building for cooling purposes. Water softeners or water purifiers may also be present to minimize scale deposits and improve the efficiency of the equipment through which the water circulates. Heat transfer coils, pumps, fans, motors, and many other items can also be found in the engine rooms.
Design considerations for a machinery room include proper equipment layout and effective drainage. The equipment should be organized so that there is enough space for regular maintenance and repairs. Sufficient ventilation of the room helps prevent overheating of mechanical equipment such as boilers, water heaters, hot water pipes and others. The floor of the room must have an adequate slope towards the drains and be free of depressions where condensation or dangerous chemicals can accumulate. A sump pump may be necessary in some circumstances, such as when the engine room is located in a basement, to prevent water build-up.
Sufficient vibration and sound insulation can also be a major concern, depending on the location of the room. Noise can be a problem if you are adjacent to normally occupied spaces, such as meeting rooms, classrooms, or hospital patient rooms. Spaces with sensitive equipment, such as laboratories, may require isolation from vibration produced by equipment in a machine room. Choosing a location that is not adjacent to this room can often alleviate these problems. When an alternate location cannot be selected, additional equipment may be installed to limit noise and vibration.
There are a number of safety issues to consider when designing and maintaining an engine room. The room must be secured to prevent unauthorized tampering with internal equipment. Physical isolation of the room can prevent or delay the spread of a fire or explosion to other areas of the building. A manual shutoff switch or other shutdown device may be located outside the engine room for emergency situations.
Exhaust outlets carrying toxic vapors must be sufficiently separated from intake openings to ensure that hazardous exhaust gases do not flow into occupied spaces. Breathing equipment, an eyewash station, and an emergency shower are usually located inside the room when dangerous chemicals like soda are present. Professional standards and local building codes may specify other safety features and procedures.