Net-zero energy mechanical core and method

Abstract

A pre-fabricated service module suitable for use in a multi-story building, includes (a) a chassis dimensioned to be stacked with another pre-fabricated service module to match the floors of the multi-story building; (b) a waste and ventilation subassembly providing access to bathroom and kitchen waste rough-in plumbing and ventilation; (c) a water and electrical subassembly providing access to water and electrical supplies; and (d) a ducts and fan subassembly providing access to a heating and air circulation system.

1 . A pre-fabricated service module suitable for use in a multi-story building, comprising:
 a chassis dimensioned to be stacked with another pre-fabricated service module to match the floors of the multi-story building;   a waste and ventilation subassembly providing access to bathroom and kitchen waste rough-in plumbing and ventilation;   a water and electrical subassembly providing access to water and electrical supplies, the water and electrical subassembly including electrical connections customized for a thermal control system for at least a portion of the multi-story building, including electrical connections to a controller, sensors and thermal actuators; and   a ducts and fan subassembly providing access to a heating and air circulation system.   
     
     
         2 . A pre-fabricated service module as in  claim 1 , further comprising recesses for medicine cabinets. 
     
     
         3 . A pre-fabricated service module as in  claim 1 , further comprising a backing sufficiently strong for accessible or adaptable grab bars. 
     
     
         4 . A pre-fabricated service module as in  claim 1 , wherein the chassis is-precision cut to a predetermined tolerance. 
     
     
         5 . A pre-fabricated service module as in  claim 1 , wherein piping in the waste and ventilation subassembly comprises cast iron. 
     
     
         6 . A pre-fabricated service module as in  claim 1 , wherein piping in the water and electrical subassembly comprises copper. 
     
     
         7 . A pre-fabricated service module as in  claim 1 , further comprising sound isolation pads for sound isolation in piping of the subassemblies. 
     
     
         8 . A pre-fabricated service module as in  claim 1 , wherein the chassis includes shaft wall studs and shaft wall liners. 
     
     
         9 . A pre-fabricated service module as in  claim 1 , wherein the waste and ventilation module comprises two or more components selected from the group consisting of tub and shower rough-in plumbing, floor-mounted toilet rough-in plumbing, lavatory rough-in plumbing, kitchen sink rough-in plumbing, waste and ventilation risers, and sound isolation for waste and ventilation piping. 
     
     
         10 . A pre-fabricated service module as in  claim 1 , wherein the water and electrical subassembly comprises two or more components selected from the group consisting of hot water supply and hot water circulation risers, cold water riser, hot and cold water fixture supplies, and sound isolation for the water piping. 
     
     
         11 . A pre-fabricated service module as in  claim 1 , wherein the water and electrical subassembly comprises two or more components selected from the group consisting of pre-wired plugs, switches and light fixture boxes, and conduit and conductors a the Photo Voltaic system. 
     
     
         12 . A pre-fabricated service module as in  claim 1 , wherein the ducts and fan subassembly comprises two or more components selected from the group consisting of ducts for the air circulation system, kitchen range hood exhaust duct, bath exhaust fans and ducts, bath fan chase riser, fire and sound caulking at duct penetrations, and dryer vent. 
     
     
         13 . A pre-fabricated service module as in  claim 1 , wherein the ducts and fan subassembly includes fittings which are pretested to a pre-defined specification in the pre-fabricated service module prior to shipping to a job site. 
     
     
         14 . A pre-fabricated service module as in  claim 1 , wherein hot water taps in that portion of the multi-story building are located at predetermined positions, and wherein a hot water supply is connected to the water and electrical subassembly such that a total distance from the hot water supply to the hot water taps are less than a specification value. 
     
     
         15 . A method for providing access to essential services in a multi-story building, comprising:
 providing a chassis dimensioned to be stacked with another pre-fabricated service module to match the floors of the multi-story building to form a pre-fabricated service module;   including in the pre-fabricated service module a waste and ventilation subassembly providing access to bathroom and kitchen waste rough-in plumbing and ventilation;   including in the pre-fabricated service module a water and electrical subassembly providing access to water and electrical supplies, the water and electrical subassembly including electrical connections customized for a thermal control system for at least a portion of the multi-story building, including electrical connections to a controller, sensors and thermal actuators;   including in the pre-fabricated service module a ducts and fan subassembly providing access to a heating and air circulation system;   installing the pre-fabricated service module in a selected floor of the building; and   connecting fixtures on the selected floor to respective one of the waste and ventilation subassembly, water and electrical subassembly and ducts and fan subassembly.   
     
     
         16 . A method as in  claim 15 , wherein the waste and ventilation module comprises two or more components selected from the group consisting of tub and shower rough-in plumbing, floor-mounted toilet rough-in plumbing, lavatory rough-in plumbing, kitchen sink rough-in plumbing, waste and ventilation risers, and sound isolation for waste and ventilation piping. 
     
     
         17 . A method as in  claim 15 , wherein the water and electrical subassembly comprises two or more components selected from the group consisting of hot water supply and hot water circulation risers, cold water riser, hot and cold water fixture supplies, and sound isolation for the water piping. 
     
     
         18 . A method as in  claim 15 , wherein the water and electrical subassembly comprises two or more components selected from the group consisting of pre-wired plugs, switches and light fixture boxes, and conduit and conductors a the Photo Voltaic system. 
     
     
         19 . A method as in  claim 15 , wherein the ducts and fan subassembly comprises two or more components selected from the group consisting of ducts for the air circulation system, kitchen range hood exhaust duct, bath exhaust fans and ducts, bath fan chase riser, fire and sound caulking at duct penetrations, and dryer vent. 
     
     
         20 . A method as in  claim 15 , further comprising pre-testing, in the pre-fabricated service module, fittings in the ducts and fan subassembly to a pre-defined specification prior to shipping to a job site. 
     
     
         21 . A method as in  claim 15 , wherein hot water taps in that portion of the multi-story building are located at predetermined positions, and wherein a hot water supply is connected to the water and electrical subassembly such that a total distance from the hot water supply to the hot water taps are less than a specification value.