CIBSE Guides (A and B) - UK HVAC Engineering Design Standards
CIBSE Guides A and B are authoritative UK engineering references for HVAC design. Published by the Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers, they provide comprehensive technical guidance on environmental design and heating, ventilating, and air conditioning systems.
Overview
The Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE) publishes a comprehensive series of technical guides for building services design, with Guides A and B being fundamental references for HVAC engineers. CIBSE Guide A: Environmental Design covers thermal comfort, indoor air quality, lighting, acoustics, and environmental criteria for building design. It provides design data, calculation methods, and performance benchmarks for creating healthy, comfortable indoor environments. CIBSE Guide B: Heating, Ventilating, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration is a detailed technical manual covering HVAC system design, equipment selection, duct and pipe sizing, controls, and commissioning. Unlike building regulations which set minimum legal standards, CIBSE Guides provide best-practice engineering guidance and are widely recognized as authoritative industry references in the UK and internationally. These guides are regularly updated to incorporate research findings, technological advances, and evolving best practices in building services engineering.
Key Features
- Guide A: Thermal comfort criteria, design temperatures, and occupancy data
- Guide A: Indoor air quality standards, ventilation effectiveness, and pollutant control
- Guide A: Daylighting, artificial lighting design, and visual comfort
- Guide A: Acoustic performance criteria and noise control strategies
- Guide B: HVAC system selection, design, and performance analysis
- Guide B: Heating and cooling load calculation methodologies
- Guide B: Ductwork and pipework sizing, insulation, and design details
- Guide B: Control strategies, energy management, and commissioning procedures
Applicability
CIBSE Guides A and B are primarily used by:
- Building services engineers for HVAC system design and specification
- Mechanical consultants for load calculations and equipment selection
- Energy modelers for environmental performance simulation
- Architects for understanding environmental design requirements
- Commissioning engineers for system testing and verification
- Facilities managers for operation and maintenance guidance
- Academic institutions for teaching building services engineering
- Contractors for understanding design intent and installation standards
Geographic Application: Primarily used in the United Kingdom but recognized internationally, especially in Commonwealth countries. CIBSE guidance influences building services practice in many regions beyond the UK.
Comparison Notes
- Engineering guidance vs. regulations - CIBSE provides best-practice recommendations; Approved Documents set legal minimums
- UK equivalent to ASHRAE - Similar role to ASHRAE Handbooks in providing technical design guidance
- More detailed than codes - Extensive engineering calculations and design methods beyond regulatory requirements
- Coordinates with Part L and F - CIBSE methodologies align with UK Building Regulations energy and ventilation requirements
- Metric and UK-specific - Uses UK weather data, metric units, and UK-specific equipment and practices
Official Source: https://www.cibse.org/knowledge-research/knowledge-portal