The Building Systems ARE Study Resource Thread
Posted: Thu Feb 27, 2014 3:58 am
Since I'm studying for this test right now anyway, I thought I'd take a stab at assembling a single location where other people who are studying for this exam division can come to find everything they can use to study. I know when I was starting out, I had trouble figuring out what a couple of the resources tossed around this forum actually were. I think that having something like this saves time for anyone who hasn't dived in yet. If this is helpful enough, maybe it can even be sticked in this forum!
If you find other resources, please reply and post links, and I'll edit this original post to sort everything in.
OFFICIAL NCARB RESOURCES
ARE 4.0 Building Systems Exam Guide:
http://www.ncarb.org/are/~/media/Files/ ... _Guide.pdf
ARE 4.0 Building System Equations Provided During the Exam:
http://www.ncarb.org/en/ARE/~/media/Fil ... ences.ashx
ARE 4.0 Building Systems Vignette Practice Program:
http://www.ncarb.org/are/~/media/Files/ ... Setup.ashx
ARE 3.1 Mechanical & Electrical Systems Sample Questions
http://www.ironwarrior.org/ARE/_NCARB_S ... ice_31.pdf (scroll down to page 46 of the PDF)
COMPREHENSIVE STUDY GUIDES
Ballast (PPI) Review Manual:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/159126 ... alarcce-20
Ballast (PPI) Building Systems Sample Problems and Practice Exam:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/159126 ... alarcce-20
Kaplan Building Systems Study Guide:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/142773 ... alarcce-20
Kaplan Building Systems Questions & Answers:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/142773 ... alarcce-20
The Amber Book:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/146626 ... alarcce-20
MEEB (Mechanical and Electrical Equipment for Buildings):
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/047019 ... alarcce-20 (buy on Amazon)
http://books.google.com/books?id=ZIdvdy ... &q&f=false (semi-complete viewable version on Google)
Recommended chapters and content to read here.
MEEB Online Practice Quizzes:
http://bcs.wiley.com/he-bcs/Books?actio ... rceId=7094
Alikat's Notes:
http://yafpghare.files.wordpress.com/20 ... at-1-1.pdf
Jenny's Notes:
http://arendurance.files.wordpress.com/ ... nnypdx.pdf
Rich's Notes:
http://www.ironwarrior.org/ARE/Mechanic ... 0Notes.pdf
Sbyrktct's ARE Help:
http://arehelp.webs.com/bs
ARE Building Systems Video Playlist:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=P ... 4M7vClHKQr
RESOURCES FOR THE VIGNETTE
Lugnut's FAQ & Guidelines for Accent Lighting:
viewtopic.php?f=9&t=1610
Dorf Graphic Vignettes Solutions Book
Trick question--DON'T rely on Dorf for this vignette. Some of his tips are outdated & invalid (though others are fine); use this forum for feedback instead.
OTHER HELPFUL EXPLANATORY RESOURCES
MECHANICAL
Design Options for HVAC Distribution Systems (Great breakdown of all HVAC systems, with descriptions, pros & cons, appropriate Use):
http://www.cedengineering.com/upload/De ... ystems.pdf
Refrigeration Cycle (courtesy of The Amber Book):
Part 1 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2wZb6HgIDE0
Part 2 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j1nYipLAv0U
Part 3 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NyNeh7wPQQk
Understanding HVAC for Non-Technical People (video):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R9rh5kCsEAk
HVAC Essentials (video):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8EEl7hLBgGM
HVAC Fundamentals (video):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fqvo7bSr6t8
HVAC Comfort Criteria (video)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qZ3RwH018Qw
HVAC Noise Control Fundamentals (video):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F_OcbCN-Tpo
How a Chiller Plant (Chiller + Cooling Tower) Works (video):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u5TDj7ZOsos
Heat Recovery Ventilators (video):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Skcoqs1rUdY
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gi3FbFMc5B8#t=37
PSYCHROMETRICS
How to Read and Use a Psychrometric Chart
http://www.powerknot.com/how-to-read-an ... chart.html
PLUMBING
Stack Vent vs Vent Stack (a fun article with a suggestion of how to differentiate the two)
http://evstudio.com/this-or-that-6-stac ... ent-stack/
Plumbing System Controls and Valves
http://inspectapedia.com/plumbing/Plumb ... _Types.php
How Valves Work
http://www.kitz.co.jp/english2/index.html
ELECTRICAL
Fundamentals of Electricity:
http://epb.apogee.net/foe/home.asp
Dictionary of Electrical Terms (great explanation of electric systems in a building, with diagrams and illustrations and chart of symbols)
http://phcjam.blogspot.com/2011/07/elec ... urces.html
Electrical Symbols:
http://archtoolbox.com/representation/g ... mbols.html
Grounded vs Grounding (good article from the Fundamentals of Electricity site linked above):
http://epb.apogee.net/foe/fsggg.asp
Ohm's Law & Joule's Law Memorization Trick:
viewtopic.php?f=9&t=5673
Principles of Electricity - Circuits (video):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3o8_EARoMtg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7vHh1sfZ5KE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZrMw7P6P2Gw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3NcIK0s3IwU
LIGHTING
Candlepower vs Lumens vs Footcandles vs Footlamberts:
http://www.theledlight.com/lumens.html
viewtopic.php?f=9&t=7593#p25801
Lighting Fundamentals:
http://infohouse.p2ric.org/ref/32/31148.pdf
Overview of Common Light Bulb Types in Use (video):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4v_cnUvZVKM
Lighting Lectures from Southern California Edison (video):
http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL ... pxdM5MjnNx
Recommended Lighting Levels for Different Tasks and Spaces:
http://www.bristolite.com/Interfaces/me ... %20IES.pdf
On Daylighting and Room Geometry:
http://www.uncg.edu/iar/elight/learn/re ... /room.html
ACOUSTICS
Acoustical Terms - A Glossary:
http://www.acousticalsolutions.com/glossary-of-terms
Comparative Sound Levels in Decibels, Intensity, and Loudness:
http://www.acousticalsurfaces.com/acous ... /101_4.htm
Equations of Acoustics Explained (video):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R5rkg8mTRBI
Helpful Acoustical Design Practices (video):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5izFxIDjuuI
FIRE PROTECTION SPECIALTIES
How to Select a Fire Extinguisher:
https://fireextinguisherdepot.com/how-t ... guide.html
Recommended Fire Extinguisher Types Per Occupancy:
http://www.firesafetysource.com/site/948848/page/584961
VERTICAL TRANSPORTATION
How Elevators Work:
http://science.howstuffworks.com/transp ... evator.htm
(GREAT illustrations to help visualize components! The only potentially inaccurate part is that it implies the springs at the bottom of a shaft can safe passengers if an elevator freefalls, by cushioning the blow. This is not true; those springs will cushion an elevator overrun taken at not-fast speeds but aren't meant to prevent catastrophe if an elevator slams into them.)
Hydraulic vs Traction (Electric) Elevators:
http://www.elevator-world.com/Extras/Gr ... h%2089.pdf
Otis Explanation of Traction Elevators:
http://www.otis.com/site/us/pages/About ... x?menuID=2
SUSTAINABILITY
What Is Life Cycle Costing?:
http://simple.werf.org/simple/media/LCCT/index.html
CODES & REGULATIONS
ADA Standards (1994 Edition) Full:
http://www.ada.gov/1991standards/adastd94-archive.pdf
ADA Standards (2010 Edition) Full:
http://www.access-board.gov/guidelines- ... n#titleIII
International Building Code Free Online:
http://publicecodes.cyberregs.com/icod/ibc/
If you find other resources, please reply and post links, and I'll edit this original post to sort everything in.
OFFICIAL NCARB RESOURCES
ARE 4.0 Building Systems Exam Guide:
http://www.ncarb.org/are/~/media/Files/ ... _Guide.pdf
ARE 4.0 Building System Equations Provided During the Exam:
http://www.ncarb.org/en/ARE/~/media/Fil ... ences.ashx
ARE 4.0 Building Systems Vignette Practice Program:
http://www.ncarb.org/are/~/media/Files/ ... Setup.ashx
ARE 3.1 Mechanical & Electrical Systems Sample Questions
http://www.ironwarrior.org/ARE/_NCARB_S ... ice_31.pdf (scroll down to page 46 of the PDF)
COMPREHENSIVE STUDY GUIDES
Ballast (PPI) Review Manual:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/159126 ... alarcce-20
Ballast (PPI) Building Systems Sample Problems and Practice Exam:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/159126 ... alarcce-20
Kaplan Building Systems Study Guide:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/142773 ... alarcce-20
Kaplan Building Systems Questions & Answers:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/142773 ... alarcce-20
The Amber Book:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/146626 ... alarcce-20
MEEB (Mechanical and Electrical Equipment for Buildings):
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/047019 ... alarcce-20 (buy on Amazon)
http://books.google.com/books?id=ZIdvdy ... &q&f=false (semi-complete viewable version on Google)
Recommended chapters and content to read here.
MEEB Online Practice Quizzes:
http://bcs.wiley.com/he-bcs/Books?actio ... rceId=7094
Alikat's Notes:
http://yafpghare.files.wordpress.com/20 ... at-1-1.pdf
Jenny's Notes:
http://arendurance.files.wordpress.com/ ... nnypdx.pdf
Rich's Notes:
http://www.ironwarrior.org/ARE/Mechanic ... 0Notes.pdf
Sbyrktct's ARE Help:
http://arehelp.webs.com/bs
ARE Building Systems Video Playlist:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=P ... 4M7vClHKQr
RESOURCES FOR THE VIGNETTE
Lugnut's FAQ & Guidelines for Accent Lighting:
viewtopic.php?f=9&t=1610
Dorf Graphic Vignettes Solutions Book
Trick question--DON'T rely on Dorf for this vignette. Some of his tips are outdated & invalid (though others are fine); use this forum for feedback instead.
OTHER HELPFUL EXPLANATORY RESOURCES
MECHANICAL
Design Options for HVAC Distribution Systems (Great breakdown of all HVAC systems, with descriptions, pros & cons, appropriate Use):
http://www.cedengineering.com/upload/De ... ystems.pdf
Refrigeration Cycle (courtesy of The Amber Book):
Part 1 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2wZb6HgIDE0
Part 2 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j1nYipLAv0U
Part 3 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NyNeh7wPQQk
Understanding HVAC for Non-Technical People (video):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R9rh5kCsEAk
HVAC Essentials (video):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8EEl7hLBgGM
HVAC Fundamentals (video):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fqvo7bSr6t8
HVAC Comfort Criteria (video)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qZ3RwH018Qw
HVAC Noise Control Fundamentals (video):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F_OcbCN-Tpo
How a Chiller Plant (Chiller + Cooling Tower) Works (video):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u5TDj7ZOsos
Heat Recovery Ventilators (video):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Skcoqs1rUdY
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gi3FbFMc5B8#t=37
PSYCHROMETRICS
How to Read and Use a Psychrometric Chart
http://www.powerknot.com/how-to-read-an ... chart.html
PLUMBING
Stack Vent vs Vent Stack (a fun article with a suggestion of how to differentiate the two)
http://evstudio.com/this-or-that-6-stac ... ent-stack/
Plumbing System Controls and Valves
http://inspectapedia.com/plumbing/Plumb ... _Types.php
How Valves Work
http://www.kitz.co.jp/english2/index.html
ELECTRICAL
Fundamentals of Electricity:
http://epb.apogee.net/foe/home.asp
Dictionary of Electrical Terms (great explanation of electric systems in a building, with diagrams and illustrations and chart of symbols)
http://phcjam.blogspot.com/2011/07/elec ... urces.html
Electrical Symbols:
http://archtoolbox.com/representation/g ... mbols.html
Grounded vs Grounding (good article from the Fundamentals of Electricity site linked above):
http://epb.apogee.net/foe/fsggg.asp
Ohm's Law & Joule's Law Memorization Trick:
viewtopic.php?f=9&t=5673
Principles of Electricity - Circuits (video):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3o8_EARoMtg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7vHh1sfZ5KE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZrMw7P6P2Gw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3NcIK0s3IwU
LIGHTING
Candlepower vs Lumens vs Footcandles vs Footlamberts:
http://www.theledlight.com/lumens.html
viewtopic.php?f=9&t=7593#p25801
Lighting Fundamentals:
http://infohouse.p2ric.org/ref/32/31148.pdf
Overview of Common Light Bulb Types in Use (video):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4v_cnUvZVKM
Lighting Lectures from Southern California Edison (video):
http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL ... pxdM5MjnNx
Recommended Lighting Levels for Different Tasks and Spaces:
http://www.bristolite.com/Interfaces/me ... %20IES.pdf
On Daylighting and Room Geometry:
http://www.uncg.edu/iar/elight/learn/re ... /room.html
ACOUSTICS
Acoustical Terms - A Glossary:
http://www.acousticalsolutions.com/glossary-of-terms
Comparative Sound Levels in Decibels, Intensity, and Loudness:
http://www.acousticalsurfaces.com/acous ... /101_4.htm
Equations of Acoustics Explained (video):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R5rkg8mTRBI
Helpful Acoustical Design Practices (video):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5izFxIDjuuI
FIRE PROTECTION SPECIALTIES
How to Select a Fire Extinguisher:
https://fireextinguisherdepot.com/how-t ... guide.html
Recommended Fire Extinguisher Types Per Occupancy:
http://www.firesafetysource.com/site/948848/page/584961
VERTICAL TRANSPORTATION
How Elevators Work:
http://science.howstuffworks.com/transp ... evator.htm
(GREAT illustrations to help visualize components! The only potentially inaccurate part is that it implies the springs at the bottom of a shaft can safe passengers if an elevator freefalls, by cushioning the blow. This is not true; those springs will cushion an elevator overrun taken at not-fast speeds but aren't meant to prevent catastrophe if an elevator slams into them.)
Hydraulic vs Traction (Electric) Elevators:
http://www.elevator-world.com/Extras/Gr ... h%2089.pdf
Otis Explanation of Traction Elevators:
http://www.otis.com/site/us/pages/About ... x?menuID=2
SUSTAINABILITY
What Is Life Cycle Costing?:
http://simple.werf.org/simple/media/LCCT/index.html
CODES & REGULATIONS
ADA Standards (1994 Edition) Full:
http://www.ada.gov/1991standards/adastd94-archive.pdf
ADA Standards (2010 Edition) Full:
http://www.access-board.gov/guidelines- ... n#titleIII
International Building Code Free Online:
http://publicecodes.cyberregs.com/icod/ibc/