We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Machinery

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What Is a Mechanical Room?

By Kirsten C. Tynan
Updated: May 17, 2024
Views: 24,404
Share

A mechanical room is a room that houses a variety of mechanical equipment, especially equipment used to control the environment in a building. It is sometimes referred to as a boiler room — which refers to a boiler that may be housed in it — or as a mechanical equipment room. Electrical equipment used in conjunction with these items, as well as safety equipment, is also typically located in this room.

The specific equipment found in a mechanical room depends on what is needed for the particular building in which it is located as well as local building codes. For example, boilers heat water supplied to the building either through pipes to heat the air or for direct use such as in a kitchen. Chiller tubes and compressors may be used to circulate chilled water through the building for cooling purposes. Water softeners or purifiers may be present as well to minimize scale deposit and improve the efficiency of the equipment through which the water circulates. Heat transfer coils, pumps, fans, motors, and numerous other items may also be found in mechanical rooms.

Design considerations for a mechanical room include appropriate equipment layout and effective drainage. Equipment must be laid out so that there is sufficient room for regularly scheduled maintenance and repair. 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 should be properly pitched toward drains and be free of depressions where condensation or hazardous chemicals could collect. A sump pump may be necessary in some circumstances, such as when a mechanical room is located in a basement, to prevent accumulation of water.

Sufficient vibration and acoustic isolation may also be important concerns depending on the location of the room. Noise may be an issue if it is adjacent to spaces that are normally occupied, such as meeting rooms, classrooms, or patients’ rooms in hospitals. Spaces with sensitive equipment such as laboratories may require isolation from vibration produced by the equipment in a mechanical room. Choosing a location that is not adjacent to this room can often mitigate these issues. When it is not possible to select an alternate location, additional equipment may be installed to confine noise and vibration.

There are a number of safety issues to consider in the design and upkeep of a mechanical room. The room should be secured to prevent unauthorized tampering with the equipment inside. Physical isolation of the room can prevent or slow propagation of a fire or an explosion to other areas of the building. A manually operated shutdown switch or other shutoff device may be located outside the mechanical room for emergency situations.

Exhaust outlets carrying toxic fumes must be sufficiently separated from inlet vents to ensure that hazardous exhaust is not circulated into occupied spaces. Breathing equipment, an eye wash station, and a safety shower are typically located inside the room when hazardous chemicals such as refrigerant are present. Professional standards and local building codes may specify other safety features and procedures.

Share
About Mechanics is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Discussion Comments
Share
https://www.aboutmechanics.com/what-is-a-mechanical-room.htm
Copy this link
About Mechanics, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

About Mechanics, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.