Appendix 14.A1: CIBSE economic life factor codes and schedulesThis appendix contains CIBSE’s economic life factor codes and a complete schedule for equipment. Note that thisschedule will be subject to additions and changes and must therefore be kept under review.

Table 14.3 Economic life factors Equipment item CIBSE Life factor Remarkscode (years)Boiler plantShell and tube boilers (steam and HTHW) 100 20 to 25 Water treatment is very importantWater tube boilers (steam and HTHW) 100 25 to 30 Water treatment is very importantElectrode/electric boilers (steam and HTHW) 100 15 to 20 Water treatment is very importantShell and tube boilers (MTHW/LTHW) 100 15 to 20Water tube boilers (MTHW/LTHW) 100 15 to 20Electrode/electric boilers (MTHW/LTHW) 100 15 to 25Cast iron sectional boilers (MTHW/LTHW) 100 15 to 25Steel boilers (MTHW/LTHW) 100 15 to 20Condensing boilers (MTHW/LTHW) 100 15 to 20Refrigeration plant — medium to largeCentrifugal chiller 101 15 to 20 See note 1Reciprocating chiller 101 15 to 20 See note 1Screw chiller 101 15 to 25 See note 1Absorption chiller 101 15 to 20Open type cooling towersPlastic coated metal cooling tower 102 20 to 25 Consider thickness, bonding and quality of plastic coatingGalvanised metal cooling tower 102 10 to 15 Consider thickness and quality of galvanisingTimber constructed cooling tower 102 10 to 15 Consider quality of timber preservation which canextend lifeCeramic cooling tower 102 30 to 35Plastic constructed cooling tower 102 15 to 20 Consider thickness and quality of plasticEpoxy treated metal cooling tower 102 10 to 15Stainless steel cooling tower 102 25 to 40 Consider quality and thickness of stainless steelExternal heat rejection for refrigeration plantAir cooled condensers 103 15 to 20Evaporative condensers 103 15 to 20Air blast dry air coolers — plastic coated metal 103 25 to 30 Consider thickness, bonding and quality of plasticcoatingAir blast dry air coolers — galvanised metal 103 15 to 25 Consider thickness and quality of galvanisingAir blast dry air coolers — epoxy treated metal 103 15 to 25Boiler plant auxiliariesOil storage tanks — external protection 104 15 to 20 Depends on thickness of metal and corrosion protectionOil storage tanks — underground 104 10 to 20 Depends on thickness of metal and corrosion protection

Table 14.2 CIBSE economic life factor codesEquipment/system Code numberBoiler plant 100Refrigeration plant — medium to large 101Open type cooling towers 102External heat rejection for refrigeration plant 103Boiler plant auxiliaries 104Water tanks 105Ductwork systems and components 106Air conditioning terminal units 107Heating terminal units 108Pipework systems and components 109Drainage 110Fire fighting and protection systems 111Electrical distribution network 112Electrical installations in buildings 113Electrical generating plant 114Building management & controls (electronic/electric) 115Controls general 116Miscellaneous electrical equipment and plant 117Miscellaneous mechanical equipment and plant 118

Table continues

14-8 Guide to ownership, operation and maintenance of building services

Combustion controls 104 15 to 20Boiler electrodes 104 5 to 10Feed pumps 104 15 to 20Water treatment 104 15 to 20Atmospheric gas burners 104 20 to 25Forced air gas burners 104 15 to 20Oil burners 104 15 to 20Solid fuel handling plant 104 10 to 15 Conveyor system up to 20 yearsHigh temperature fans 104 15 to 25Instrumentation 104 10 to 20Oil distribution system for boiler plant 104 15 to 25Gas distribution system for boiler plant 104 20 to 25Mild steel flue 104 8 to 15 Depends on thickness of metal and corrosionprotectionStainless steel flue 104 15 to 25 Check quality of stainless steelBrick or concrete chimney — external 104 35 to 40Brick or concrete chimney — internal 104 45 to 50Steel chimney — external 104 25 to 30 Depends on thickness of metal and corrosionprotectionWater tanksCast iron water cisterns 105 30 to 35Mild steel (treated) water cisterns 105 8 to 15 Not for domestic or drinking water purposesPlastic water cisterns 105 30 to 35 High quality structural support is necessaryGalvanised metal water cisterns 105 10 to 15Ductwork systems and componentsDuctwork (galvanised) 106 25 to 35Ductwork (plastic) 106 15 to 20 Mechanical damage and expansion need to beconsideredDuctwork (flexible circular) 106 20 to 25 Mechanical damage needs to be considered also cleaning difficultiesFans (heavy duty centrifugal) 106 20 to 25Fans (centrifugal) 106 15 to 20Fans (axial) 106 15 to 20Fans (propeller) 106 10 to 15Fans (roof mounted units) 106 15 to 20Fire dampers: curtain type 106 10 to 15Coils (copper fins) heating 106 25 to 30Coils (copper fins) cooling 106 25 to 30 Consider operational duty — wet surfacesCoils (aluminium fins) heating 106 15 to 20 Consider quality and thickness of aluminium fins and exposure to adverse external conditionsCoils (aluminium fins) cooling 106 15 to 20 Consider quality and thickness of aluminium fins and exposure to adverse and wet external conditionsCoils (galvanised) heating 106 12 to 15Spray cooler coils (copper electro-tinned) and washers 106 15 to 20Eliminators (galvanised) 106 8 to 12Eliminators (plastic) 106 12 to 18Eliminators (stainless steel) 106 15 to 25Coils (electric) 106 10 to 15Thermal wheels 106 15 to 20Filters (automatic) — excluding media 106 15 to 20Filters (panel) — excluding media 106 15 to 20Filters (electrostatic) 106 10 to 15Filters (activated carbon) — excluding media 106 15 to 20Grilles and diffusers (anodised aluminium) 106 25 to 30Grilles and diffusers (painted metal) 106 25 to 30Plate recuperator 106 20 to 30Dampers manual 106 15 to 20Dampers automatic 106 15 to 20Steam humidifier (direct) 106 10 to 15 Maintenance is very importantSteam humidifier (electric generated) 106 5 to 10 Maintenance is very importantWater spray humidifier 106 12 to 18 Early signs of corrosion must be dealt withPan type humidifier 106 8 to 12 Early signs of corrosion must be dealt withChemical dehumidifiers (excluding medium) 106 15 to 20External louvres (anodised aluminium) 106 20 to 30 Regular cleaning is important to avoid possiblebreakdown of surface coating

Table 14.3 Economic life factors — continuedEquipment item CIBSE Life factor Remarkscode (years)

Table continues

Economic life factors 14-9

External louvres (steel painted) 106 15 to 25 Early signs of corrosion must be dealt withAttenuators 106 15 to 25 Consider type of lining, adhesive and fixing of acoustic materialPackaged air handling/conditioning units (internal) 106 15 to 20Packaged air handling/conditioning units (external) 106 10 to 15 Consider type of corrosion protectionAir conditioning terminal unitsFan coil units (heating and cooling) 107 12 to 15Induction units 107 20 to 25Terminal reheat units 107 20 to 25VAV terminal units (bellows type) 107 15 to 20VAV terminal units (box type) 107 15 to 20Fan assisted VAV terminal units 107 10 to 15Double duct terminal units 107 15 to 20Chilled ceiling panels 107 20 to 25 Flexible water pipework connections — depending on type 10 yearsChilled beams 107 20 to 25 Flexible water pipework connections — depending on type 10 yearsVentilated ceilings 107 25 to 30VRV units 107 10 to 15VVT fan powered terminal units 107 15 to 20Split systems 107 10 to 15Heating terminal unitsRadiators (cast iron) 108 20 to 25Radiators (steel) 108 10 to 15 Water condition is importantRadiators (2 mm thick steel) 108 20 to 25 Water condition is importantRadiators aluminium 108 15 to 20 Water condition is important and materials in the systemRadiator painting 108 5 to 8 Use correct type of paintUnit heaters (steam and hot water) 108 15 to 20Unit heaters (gas and electric) 108 10 to 15Radiant heaters (steam and hot water) 108 20 to 25Radiant heaters (electric) 108 8 to 12Fan coil units (heating only) 108 12 to 18Natural convectors water 108 15 to 25Natural convectors electric 108 8 to 10Underfloor heating with concrete encased steel pipes 108 25 to 35 Suggest a long-term bonded warranty is obtained — corrosion prevention of steel pipesUnderfloor heating with concrete encased plastic pipes 108 25 to 40 Suggest a long-term bonded warranty is obtained — consider quality of plastic pipesUnderfloor electric heating 108 20 to 30Ceiling heating (hot water) 108 20 to 30Ceiling heating (electric) 108 15 to 20Electric storage heaters 108 10 to 15Pipework systems and componentsOpen pipework systems (steel) 109 20 to 25Closed pipework systems (steel) 109 25 to 30Open pipework systems (copper) 109 30 to 35 Consider tube thickness and quality of copperClosed pipework systems (copper) 109 40 to 45 Consider tube thickness and quality of copperOpen pipework systems (steel galvanised) 109 25 to 30Closed pipework systems (steel galvanised) 109 35 to 40Refrigerant pipework systems 109 20 to 30 See note 1Steam pipework system 109 20 to 35Condensate pipework system 109 10 to 15 Consider type of material, wall thickness and water treatmentCondensate collecting vessel 109 10 to 15 Consider type of material, wall thickness and water treatmentOpen expansion vessel 109 10 to 15Closed expansion vessel with membrane 109 15 to 20Water treatment plant 109 15 to 20Water treatment control and measurement equipment 109 8 to 20Pumps (base mounted) 109 20 to 25Pumps (pipework mounted) 109 15 to 20Pumps (glandless) 109 5 to 15Pumps (sump and well) 109 8 to 12Pumps (condensate) 109 10 to 15Bellows flexible (steel) 109 10 to 15Bellows flexible (rubber) 109 10 to 20

Table continues

Table 14.3 Economic life factors — continuedEquipment item CIBSE Life factor Remarkscode (years)

14-10 Guide to ownership, operation and maintenance of building services

Bellows expansion (steel) 109 10 to 20Valves (glandless) 109 20 to 25Valves (glands) 109 15 to 20Calorifiers 109 20 to 25Heat exchangers (shell and tube) 109 20 to 25Ductwork and vessel thermal insulation (blanket type) 109 15 to 20 Consider type of fixing and mechanical damagePipework and vessel thermal insulation (moulded type) 109 15 to 20 Consider fire and smoke ratingDrainageInternal waste, foul and rainwater drainage (cast iron) 110 30 to 35Internal waste, foul and rainwater drainage (copper) 110 35 to 40Internal waste, foul and rainwater drainage (plastic) 110 15 to 20 Consider possibility of mechanical damage and expansionBelow ground salt glazed drainage 110 30 to 40 Consider possibility of damage and structural movementBelow ground cast iron drainage 110 35 to 45 Consider possibility of ground and structural movementBelow ground plastic drainage 110 35 to 40 Consider mechanical damageFire fighting and protection systemsAlternate wet and dry sprinklers 111 20 Consider corrosion; see CIBSE Guide E (28)

section 8.1.7.3 Wet sprinklers 111 25 to 30 Consider corrosionWet risers 111 15 to 25Dry risers 111 25 to 40Foam systems 111 10 to 20Portable fire appliances 111 5 to 10Fire hose reels 111 15 to 20Fire hydrants 111 30 to 40Fire alarms (electrical) 111 20 to 25Fire dampers (curtain type) 111 10 to 15Computer room fire extinguishing system 111 15 to 20 Consider environmental impact and possible phasing out of fire extinguishing agentSmoke detectors 111 10 to 15Electrical distribution networkSwitchgear and distribution equipment 112 20 to 25Transformers (dry type) 112 25 to 30Transformers (oil type) 112 25 to 30Mains cables (permanent installations) 112 25 to 30Electrical installations in buildingsFinal circuits and outlets 113 20 to 25Lighting installations (internal) 113 20 to 25 Low voltage decorative may be limited to 10 yearsLighting installations (external) 113 15 to 20Electrical motors (general) 113 15 to 20 Smaller motors may have a shorter life — check with supplierMotor speed control devices 113 10 to 15Motor control centres 113 20 to 25Electrical generating plantAlternators 114 25 to 30Continuously rated gas/oil engines (frequent use) 114 15 to 20Continuously rated gas/oil engines (standby) 114 25 to 30Continuously rated steam engines (frequent use) 114 25 to 30Continuously rated steam turbines (frequent use) 114 25 to 35Building management and controls (electronic/electric)Personal computer 115 5 to 10 Alternative name — supervisor. Reference note 2.0PC operating system 115 5 to 10 See note 2BMS operating system 115 5 to 10Autodial modem 115 5 to 10Printer 115 5 to 10 With frequent use operating costs are importantScreened network (hardwiring) 115 25 to 30 Should be future proofed with additional cable wireways. See note 2Network communication devices 115 10 to 15 Proprietary devices or gateways — may require support. See note 2Damper actuators 115 10 to 15Intelligent outstations 115 5 to 15 See note 2Sensors 115 3 to 10 Periodic loop tuning and calibration should be considered

Table 14.3 Economic life factors — continuedEquipment item CIBSE Life factor Remarkscode (years)

Table continues

Economic life factors 14-11

Control valves 115 15 to 20Control dampers 115 15 to 20Electronic/pneumatic interfaces 115 10 to 15Utility metering 115 10 to 20Pagers 115 4 to 6Remote display panels 115 5 to 15 See note 2Hardwiring between devices 115 25 to 30 Screened cables may be necessaryControls generalPneumatic controls 116 15 to 20Electric controls 116 15 to 20Electronic controls 116 12 to 18Hydraulic valve actuators 116 10 to 15Pneumatic valve actuators 116 15 to 20Self-contained valve actuators 116 8 to 10Miscellaneous electrical equipment and plantLead acid batteries (sealed) 117 3 to 10Nickel alkaline batteries (vented) 117 20 to 25Battery chargers 117 20 to 25Clock systems 117 20 to 25Communication systems 117 20 to 30 Voice and data. See note 2Public address systems 117 20 to 25Intruder alarms and intercommunications 117 10 to 15Uninterrupted power supply systems 117 20 to 25Closed circuit television and video 117 10 to 15Television and satellite systems 117 15 to 20 See note 2Lightning protection 117 25 to 30Lighting control and management system 117 15 to 20Continuous flow electrical heaters 117 12 to 15Electrical water heaters 117 12 to 15Electrical storage heaters with ventilation 117 20 to 25Electrical floor heating 117 20 to 30Electrical heater (on peak) 117 8 to 12Window unit air conditioner 117 8 to 10Residential single or split package air conditioner 117 10 to 15Commercial through the wall air conditioner 117 10 to 15Water cooled air conditioner 117 10 to 15Residential air to air heat pump 117 10 to 15Commercial air to air heat pump 117 10 to 15Commercial water to air heat pump 117 15 to 20Miscellaneous mechanical equipment and plantKitchen (cooking and support systems) 118 15 to 20Laundries (equipment and support systems) 118 15 to 20Water features 118 10 to 15 Water treatment is very importantComputer room air conditioning 118 15 to 20Tea rooms (equipment and support systems) 118 15 to 20Hand dryers 118 5 to 10Drinking fountains 118 10 to 20Vending machines 118 5 to 10Sanitary towel disposal 118 10 to 15Food/container waste disposal 118 5 to 10Waste paper shredders/disposal 118 10 to 15Stair/lobby ventilation 118 15 to 25Fire protection (pipes and ducts) 118 15 to 25 Damage to fire protection should be examined at frequent intervalsIncinerators 118 15 to 20Gas or oil fired furnaces 118 15 to 20 Selection of heat exchanger material is importantDomestic gas fired warm air heaters 118 12 to 18Domestic gas fired boilers 118 15 to 20Domestic gas fired combination boilers 118 12 to 15Gas fired hot water (storage and continuous) 118 12 to 15Gas fires 118 8 to 12Note 1 The phasing out of CFCs and HCFCs may require replacement of equipment earlier than originally plannedNote 2 Technology changes can influence early replacementNote 3 Ensure that all heat exchangers especially refrigerant cooling and heat pump systems are suitable for UK operating conditions

Table 14.3 Economic life factors — continuedEquipment item CIBSE Life factor Remarkscode (years)

14-12 Guide to ownership, operation and maintenance of building services