Mechanical Engineering Design

The role of a Mechanical Engineer

Our Mechanical Engineers provide design and consultancy throughout your project to help you understand how the mechanics impact the form and functionality of the building. By combining technical expertise, innovative thinking, and a client-centric approach, we deliver tangible benefits such as optimised designs, cost savings, regulatory compliance, and accelerated time-to-market, ultimately helping you deliver your project to the highest spec on time and to budget.

When do you need a Mechanical Engineer?

A mechanical engineer should be engaged early in the design process to provide input on potential Building Services strategies and their spatial requirements. Our mechanical engineers are skilled managers and can serve as your primary contact for any building project you have.

Alternatively, we can be brought in at different stages depending on your requirements from concept to completion. We will advise you on the feasibility and practicality of your project, ensuring its success when implemented, right through to on-site inspections and testing prior to handover.

Our engineers can support you through each of the RIBA work stages.

  1. Establishing the brief: Working side-by-side with you in the early stages of your project to outline your goals and objectives.
  2. Conceptualising your project: Together, we’ll work with project stakeholders to discuss engineering strategies and specifications.
  3. Coordination: Alongside the design team we bring conceptual ideas to life by carefully coordinating with other specialisms to provide layouts, specifications and reports against the project brief.
  4. Technical Design: Following all stakeholder engagement our team gets to work on producing detailed specifications and drawings.
  5. Construction: Once the plans are set, we’ll pass the designs to contractors, making sure they have everything they need to bring your vision to reality.
  6. Handover: We provide support up to and throughout handover to ensure seamless delivery of your project.
PSA Engineers discussing technical drawing for a project

What our engineers bring to the project.

  • Design and Development
  • Problem Solving
  • Innovation and Creativity
  • Team Collaboration
  • Project Management

What our mechanical engineering services cover

HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning)

  • Sizing and selection of heating and cooling equipment.
  • Air distribution systems design.
  • Ventilation requirements for indoor air quality.
  • Energy efficiency considerations.
  • Hybrid HVAC.

Plumbing Systems

  • Potable water supply systems.
  • Sanitary drainage systems.
  • Hot water systems.

Energy Efficiency

  • Building envelope design to minimise heat transfer with a fabric-first approach.
  • Selection of energy-efficient equipment and systems.
  • Integration of renewable energy sources (air and ground source heat pumps, PV solar panels, geothermal systems).

Sustainability

  • Design for BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method) certification.
  • Feasibility, design and procurement support of energy sources. 

Indoor Environmental Quality

  • Thermal comfort analysis.
  • Noise and vibration control.
  • Indoor air quality management.

Building Automation and Controls

  • Integration of building management systems (BMS).
  • Control strategies for HVAC, and other building systems.
  • Monitoring and optimisation of energy usage.

Safety and Compliance

  • Compliance with building standards and regulations Part L and Part O.
  • Occupational health and safety considerations.
  • Risk assessment for mechanical systems.

Space Utilisation

  • Layout and optimisation of mechanical spaces (equipment rooms, utility corridors).
  • Coordination with architectural and structural elements in a 3D drawing environment using Revit and MagiCAD.

Maintenance and Operation

  • Accessibility for maintenance and repairs.
  • Life cycle cost analysis.
  • Training requirements for building operators.

Project Integration & Leadership

  • Coordination with architects, structural engineers, and electrical engineers.
  • Ensuring compatibility of mechanical systems with overall building design.
  • Lead Consultant to manage your projects from concept to completion.

Specialised Requirements

  • Cleanroom design for sensitive environments (pharmaceutical, semiconductor).
  • Laboratories and specialised research facilities.
  • Healthcare facilities with unique HVAC and plumbing needs.

Fire Protection

  • Provision of fire suppression systems (sprinklers, water mist systems, fire extinguishers).
  • Smoke control systems.

Reports

  • Feasibility reports.
  • Dilapidation reports.
  • Conditioning surveys.
  • Tender evaluation reports.

Technical Specifications

  • We use National Building Specifications to provide technical specifications for your designs, enabling you to go out to tender.

Site Progress

  • We will conduct site surveys to verify that the contractors are installing the services according to the design specifications.

BIM (Building Information Management)

  • Our BIM Manager Sam Hudson digitally manages building information to help clients save time and money throughout their facility’s lifecycle.

Audits & Maintenance

  • Our preventive maintenance programs and mechanical system audits help identify potential issues and ensure the longevity and optimal performance of your mechanical systems.

Related Projects

At PSA, we pride ourselves on delivering exceptional mechanical engineering services that not only meet but exceed your expectations. Contact us today to learn how our expertise can contribute to the success of your building project.