1. What is technical building equipment anyway?

technical building equipment is also abbreviated as TGA and describes all systems and equipment that are permanently installed in a building to increase living comfort or that are necessary for living. The term technical building equipment can therefore be found in both public and private buildings. A well-functioning building technology is a basic requirement for buildings to be used or inhabited. The extent of the TGA depends on the respective building and the individual purpose.

2. What does the TGA cover?

But what is necessary for a building to be inhabited or used? The technical building equipment includes everything from power and water supply to communication and monitoring systems to sanitary, air conditioning and heating systems.

2.1. Sanitary facilities

Sanitary facilities include all water supply and sanitation facilities. This includes, for example, toilets and bathrooms.
It is important that they are operationally safe and do not pose a hazard. Appropriate DIN standards regulate the state of the art to be maintained. Only specialists may install the systems, but a certificate from the executing company is sufficient to prove this.

The top priority is that no dangers arise from technical defects. The consequences of such a shortage can be a water leak, a burst pipe, contamination of the drinking water or a flood. In order to prevent something like this, lines must be pressure-resistant, frost-proof and protected against corrosion.

2.2. Air conditioning, warm air heating and ventilation systems

If a building cannot be ventilated using windows alone, ventilation systems must be installed. Rooms where this is often the case are:

There are a few things to consider here: the exhaust air must always be routed outside and diversion into exhaust systems is not permitted. In addition, ventilation systems must not impair any fireplaces that are dependent on the air in the room. These include, for example, gas ovens or gas flow heaters.

These requirements also apply to warm-air heating and air-conditioning systems, as they also interfere with the natural ventilation of the room. In addition, they change the temperature of the air, which is another reason.

2.3. Systems for heat generation, firing systems and fuel supply

Combustion systems are systems that are responsible for the heat production in a building. It’s not just about the heat from the heating, but also about the hot water preparation. A combustion system includes a fireplace, which can be a central heating system or an individual stove, and an exhaust system, e.g. a chimney or an exhaust pipe.

Guaranteeing operational safety is particularly important. Only when an authorized district chimney sweep has certified that the exhaust system is safe to use may it be put into operation. As a result, however, maintenance and checks must be carried out again and again so that safety and technology always remain at the best possible level.

The fuels used, such as pellets or heating oil must be stored in special fuel storage rooms above a maximum storage quantity. With their fire-resistant walls and doors, these ensure maximum safety, as the fuel does not pose any danger.
There are also other types of heat generation: with a solar or photovoltaic system for example, the heat is not generated by combustion. Although these systems must also be operationally reliable, the effort in terms of maintenance in maintenance is limited.

3. Plan technical building equipment

There are special TGA planners who take over the planning of the technical building equipment. This is also absolutely necessary, after all it is not an easy task to always keep track of all necessary systems. In addition, the systems must be compatible with each other and work together reliably.

In addition, systems must not fail during installation or maintenance. Accordingly, the technical building equipment must be set up in such a way that no power failures or short circuits occur.

The TGA planner not only takes over the planning of new technical building equipment, but also controls and checks existing facilities and systems. Maintenance is urgently needed to prevent malfunctions. Therefore, the TGA planner is responsible for checking all systems at regular intervals.

The technology is now so advanced that a TGA planner can set the temperature individually for each room. This not only saves energy, but also costs. In addition, this approach is entirely in line with environmental protection. Climate-friendly living is therefore supported by good planning of the technical building equipment.