IMPORTANT INTERVIEW QUESTIONS

Plumbing:-
1) Pump head:

Total Head = Total Suction head – total discharge head

Total suction head = total ht from the centre line of pump to max ht of pipe run + Total friction
head + total surface pressure head (is 0 wn tank is open)
Total discharge head = total ht from the centre line of pump to max ht after discharge + Total
friction head + total surface pressure head.

2) Pressure head is a term used in fluid mechanics to represent the internal energy of a fluid due to
the pressure exerted on its container. It may also be called static pressure head or simply static

head (but not static head pressure). It is mathematically expressed as:

where
is pressure head (Length, typically in units of m);
is fluid pressure (force per unit area, often as Pa units); and
is the specific weight (force per unit volume, typically N/m3 units)
is the density of the fluid (mass per unit volume, typically kg/m3)
is acceleration due to gravity (rate of change of velocity, given in m/s2)

Note that in this equation, the pressure term is gauge pressure, not absolute pressure.

Pr = L x (f/100)
Where Fr = Friction loss = 0.1
L= length
Pr = Pressure head

3) Total Static pressure:

TSP = Static pressure + (Density x (Vel)²)

2

*Duct Static Pressure = Total Friction loss (L/D*0.0195*VP) + Dynamic loss (Dinamic loss
cofficient*VP) {note l & d are in feet & VP = (velocity/4005)^2}
4) 1 psi = 6894.7 Pa = 0.0689 bar ; 1 bar = 100,000 Pa =29 inhg = 401 inh2o .
5) How to find pipe dia = GPM * Velocity (FPM) {you will get friction and pipe size from the graph}
6) Isolating valve = Ball valve = gate valve = Butterfly valve.
 7) Check valve = non return valve
8) Pressure reducing valve - Whenever pressure increases the limit, it will regulate pressure and it is
connected to BMS system.
9) Double check valve = Back flow preventer
10) What are the fittings of faucet drainage etc., - Mixer, valves, flexible connecting pipes, etc..
11) How to determine stack sizes and how many types are there. – Vent stack, Waste stack, Soil
stack. Varies with load on each floor.
12) What are the normal codes followed for drainage and plumbing in ksa.
1) NPC = National plumbing Code.
13) What are the software used for calculating the pipe sizes and hot water cal etc.,:- epipesizer, elite
pipe, pocketpipe, s-pipe, PP calculator, Etc.
14) What is use of U-Trap and where it is used? It is used in Drain connection as water seals/smell.
15) What should be the max distance between sewer line & portable water line? 3 meter.
16) How much size of clean out is provided for sewer pipe below 10" dia? 6"
17) What are the different pipe material used in plumbing installation?
CI,Acid resistant CI,Bituminous fiber pipe,virtified clay pipe,Lead pipe,Galvanized steel pipe,
Galvanized wrought iron pipe,brass pipe,copper pipe,Plastic & synthetic pipe, UPVC, CPVC.
18) What are the impotant factor to consider while installing waste pipe?
Selection of right kind of material,
Conservative use of fittings.
Right location of cleanouts.
Right pitch or slop of pipe line.
Manner of joining the pipe.
19) What should be the distance between manholes? 15 m.
20) What are the different materials used for underground water supply? uPVC (Cold water), cPVC
(Hot water), ..
21) How to find friction in pipes? There is a graph on which if you know two values you can find the
others … the graph copy is attached.
22) Stiffness of GRP Pipes: 2500 N/m2 (this class of pipe can be used for the earth load(truck load+
earth load) depth that is 2 m to 4m which will not exceed the long term deflection of 5%), 5000,
( this class of pipe can be used for the pipes in trench depth (or depth of cover) of 7m), and
10000 N/m2 ( this class is used for the pipes with depth of cover of more than 7m like for 10 m).
23) 1N/m2 = 1Pa.
24) Pipe Spool: - The term "pipe spool" or "spool piece" refers to a prefabricated section of a piping
system that includes the pipe, fittings and flanges that are pre-assembled in the fabrication
facility and then transported to the field. The reason for pre-assembly is that hoists, gauges,
material and tools are available for the assembly in a controlled environment. The size of the
spool pieces is limited by factors related to transportation to the site and ability to handle the
spool piece at the site during assembly.
25) Efficiency of Pump = GPMxTotal Headx100/Input HPx3960.
26) Tank to Pump – Service connection details (shown in the ‘Plumbing Notes file’).
27) Class of water supply pipes upvc pvc cpvc pipes? – (Shown in ‘Plumbing Notes file’)

HVAC:-
1) CFM = Velocity(usually 1500) * Area in sqft {(d/2)^2*3.1416/144}
2) 1 ton = 12000 BTU/hr = 3.516 KW.
3) Heat Transfer Coefficient (U):
1 (Btu/hr. sqft . *f) = 5.6782 (watt/m^2 . Calvin)
Thermal Conductivity (K):
1 (Btu/hr.ft.*f) = 1.73 (watt/m. calvin)
4) What is CFM = Cubic feet minute, it is the unit of air flow.
5) What is Aspect Ratio = it is the ratio between ht n length of the duct generally we take 1:2 can
vary with space and size uptill 1:4.
6) What is Collar Length = it is the strip left at the joining of duct and machine.
7) What are the important things to be considered before selecting devices like AHUs and Chillers:
For AHU/FCU for chilled water system = CFM, Static pressure, Ton (capacity), Air Temp, water
flow (gpm).
For AHU/FCU for direct system = CFM, Static Pressure, Ton, Sensible.
For Chiller: Ton, outside air temp, GPM,
Note:
(Sensible/3.4 = heating capacity.)
Static pressure to be considered to make fan selection.
1GPM = 2.4 Ton ( we need gpm in finding pipe dia)
8) Pumps supply fittings: Thermometer, Shutoff valve, pressure gauge, strainer, test point, drain
cock, union flexible connector, and Eccentric reducer.
9) Pumps return fittings: Eccentric reducer, flexible connector, union test point, check valve,
strainer, gate valve, check valve, temp sensors,
10) CFM distribution wrt the given floor plan. Use ductulator.
11) Calculating loads wrt any plan by using software. Use Hap-4.32 or any to find the loads.
12) Type of Fire dampers = Butterfly damper, Non Return Damper, Motorised Damper, Fire damper,
Smoke damper, Gravity damper.
13) Types of motorized damper = Motorized volume damper, Motorized fire and smoke damper.
14) Types of grills and diffusers = 2-way, 3-way, 4-way, 1-way, jet diffusers with fan.
15) What is VFD = Variable frequency drive-it is use to control the speed of motor by controlling the
frequency applied to it. It is used with Chillers,AHU etc. (use to control the RPM of pumps)
16) How do you control or balance the chilled water = Double regulating valve in main line return
(usually controlled from return using drv)
17) How do you control the noise or vibration in the duct = lining (nc-35) and Rainforcement.

18) Temperature of water at outlet of chiller and inlet of AHU

@ outlet of chiller - 6-7^c & @ inlet of AHU – 7 – 8^c
@ outlet of AHU – 10 - 11^c & @ inlet of Chiller - 13-15^c.
19) What are primary pumps and secondary pumps = the pumps from chiller to building is Primary
and in building transfer is Secondary.
20) AHU & FCU Valve connection details = check ‘HVAC Notes’.
21) CFM = 0.417 L/s.
22) What are the refrigerants used in split unit = R22, R12, R34 (Depends).
23) What are duct heaters and why do we use them if we already have heating option in AHU.
- Just to provide heating in some specific areas .
24) What is VAV and its working =
 Pressure dependent & Pressure independent:
- To control the flow of air and temp. (variable air volume).
- Pressure dependent:- The volume of air supplied by the terminal unit varies depending upon
the static pressure (SP) in the primary air duct.
- Pressure independent terminal units:- have flow-sensing devices that limit the flow rate
through the box. They can control the maximum and minimum cfm that can be supplied and
are therefore independent of the SP in the primary air duct.
- Almost all HVAC systems installed or retrofitted at present have pressure independent VAV
terminals. Pressure independent systems can be balanced and will allow the correct airflow
from each terminal.
25) What is 3 way valve and 2 way valve. Where we will use them and why?
2 way valve = it will regulate the flow as per demand and it will be fitted in the return line.
3 way valve = if the AHU is closed and is running on min load then it will by-pass (Connected to
BMS).
26) What is duct guage normally we use in buildings for cooling and for exhaust ducts?
For supply we use 22 guage and for exhaust we use 18 guage.
27) Types of Duct joints = Slip joint, flange joints etc.. see ‘HVAC Notes.’
28) Standard books we follow in duct designing are Ashrae and Smacna, dw 142.
29) What is smoke and light test? Check ‘HVAC Notes’.
30) What are the different method used for duct sizing?
Equal Friction, Velocity,Static Regain.
31) How do you measure & control the noise level in A/C system?
Noise level can be measured by dB meter.It can be controlled by providing acoustic to the unit
panels, if the sound crosses the set noise criteria we have to go for sound attenuatos.
32) What are the recommended pressure drop in Chilled water pipes? 210 PASCAL'S per meter (0.84
inches).
33) Where do you use Fire Damper,Spliter Damper & Non Return Damper?
Fire dampers (FD) are used to stop the fire wherever duct passes thro fire wall.
Spliter dampers(SD) are used to split the main duct for propotional air balancing
Non Return Dampers(NRD) are used to stop the back flow of air in the duct. NRD's used in
exhaust and ventilation system only.
34) What are the different types of exhaust fans used to extract the air?
Axial type propeller fan, forward curved, twin fan, direct driven centrifugal fan.
35) What are different duct shapes normally used? Rectangular, Round, Spiral, Oval.
36) How do you control vibration of AHU & Chillers? Spring vibration isolators, Rubbers pads, Kinetic
Chain, flexible bellows.
37) What is the difference between VAV & CAV? Variable Air Volume & Constant Air Volume.
38) Mention typical valve arrangement for chiller connection? Check ‘HVAC Notes’.
39) What do you consider while making plant room layout explain briefly?
Space, site orientation, plant room location, A/C unit (ready made or tailor made).
40) What are the different type of Louvers used?
Fresh air louvers, sand trap louvers, door louvers, acoustic louvers, supply air and return air
louvers.back draft louvers.
41) Classify the different types of chillers? Air Cooled & Water Cooled. With Compressors -
Reciprocating,screw,centrifugal & scroll chillers.
 42) What are the standard test pressure for chilled water piping for Industrial application? Test
pressure 1.5 times of working pressure.
43) What are the Securities checking in chillers?
Flow switch, Chiller and Pump interlocking, High Pressure cut-out, Oil Pressure switch, High
Suction superheat, Anti Freeze.
44) What are the temperature & RH required for human comfort? 22 ±2 degree celcius & 50%RH.
45) At what temperature degree Ferhenite & degree Celcius are same? -40°C.
46) Which gas is used to purge the refrigerant line during the brazing? Nitrogen gas.
47) 1 TR= 365 to 400 CFM, 3.516KW.
48) How much design velocity required in the main duct of an office building? 900-1100 FPM
49) How we install internal insulation in Ducts?
50) What is the insulation thickness of inside and outside ducts? 25mm inside and 50mm outside
and ducts passing thru unconditioned spaces.
51) Difference between nominal capacity and Actual capacity? Ck on internet.
52) Is this nominal capacity equal in every country? Yes.
53) How to find Weight of Duct?
Wt in Kg = 8.0318 x Thickness x Perimeter = ____Kg.
Where Perimeter of Duct = (W x D)²/1000
54) What are the different materials used for underground chilled water supply?
Pre-insulated Black steel pipe sch-40 with rubber cladding.
55) How to find velocity (FPM)? We need to know GPM and Friction. Then coincide them in a graph
and you will get velocity. And for chilled water we need to know no. of cycles per year (in
ksa=6months*30days*24hrs = 4320) search for this value in the annexure of ashrae to find the
FPM. The fpm you get will be for the roof , to get the fpm in risers take 20% of roof and to get in
runners take 20% of risers.

Fire Fighting:-

1) What are the types of pump sets used and why in fire fighting?
Jockey pump – used when there is a pressure drop of 1 bar.
Diesel pump – used in case of power shut down.
Electric pump – Main pump starts instantly in case of fire and will cutoff @ 7 bar.

2) What is fire alarm check valve?

It allows flow in one direction and prevents backward flow and with this gives signal to BMS with
alarms.
3) What is FM-200 and where is it used?
Heptafloropropane is colourless, liquefied compressed gas. It is stored as a liquid and dispensed into the
hazard as a colourless, eclectically non-conductive vapour that is clear and does not obscure vision.
It is used in communication rooms, electrical rooms, computer rooms etc..
4) Types of detectors? Smoke & Heat detectors.
5) Do we use strainers in fire pumps? Why?
 No, we don’t use it because the water coming is portable usually only in cases where we are
using river or lake water then we require strainers. Else we prefer not to use them as it will
reduce suction flow.
6) Radius of a sprinkler? it is 1.5 m
7) What is the distance between each sprinkler? Its 3.6 m to 4.2m.
8) Working pressure of fire system? Its 10 bar.
9) What is Siamese Connection?
Used as auxiliary connection through which the fire department can pump water to supplement
existing water supplies.
10) What are the Settings of Diesel pump upon how much pressure it is cut off? Don’t know ck
internet.
11) What is OS&Y, Tamper switch, Pressure switch and their working?

OS&Y valve - Outside screw & Yoke – is used in fire system mains and is used for easy knowing
whether it is in open position or closed as we cannot know from a typical gate valve or ball
valve.

Tamper switch - It is a supervisory device located on the control valves of a fire protection
system. The tamper switch is a device which, when connected to an alarm panel or sounder,
signals a disturbance (opening or closing) at the control valves of the system.

Pressure Switch - These critical components sense the activation of the system and then
electrically secure the ventilation systems operating in the protected space.

12) What is the use of strainer? It is installed before the cooling coil to protect dirt & foreign material
entering into the cooling coil /evaporator.
13) What is the use of staircase pressurization?
To provide fresh & clean air in the staircase when fire occurs in the floor. The pressurized air
keeps the smoke away from the stair wall. It is used for creating positive pressure.
14) Name some fine controlled Valves? Needle valve,Spindle valve, regulating valve, motorized
valved etc.
15) What should be height of fire cabinet from floor level? 1 m.
16) What are the different types of sprinkler heads used in fire protection system?
Upright sprinkler, Pendent sprinkler, Side wall sprinkler, Pendent Recessed sprinkler, extended
side wall sprinkler, extended coverage etc.,
17) What is the test pressure for firefighting pipe network? 1.5 times working pressure.
18) What is the temperature rating for firefighting sprinkler head? 170°F or 76°c.
19) What is the fire department connection known as? Siamese.
20) Name the different types of fire extinguisher? Portable type CO2, Portable type Dry Powder &
water.
21) What are the different types of Valve used in fire protection system? Alarm valve, Zonal valve
etc.
22) What the pipe material used for underground fire piping? UPVC, MDPA, RTR.
23) What is zone control valve?
 It is used in ff system on every floor … it consist of OS & Y Gate valve with tamper switch, Check
Valve, pressure gauge, Drain point, Flow meter & Sight glass. “Check FF Notes”.
24) What is the standard length of hose in a hose reel cabinet? 30m.
25) Pipe material used in FF system and which class? ‘Check FF Notes’.
26) Floor Control Valve Assembly? ‘Check FF Notes’.
27) Name the pipe materials used in Water supply? ‘Check FF Notes’.

End of Question & Answer.

Best of Luck
