Case Studies
Exposed Services
An overview of the engineering work and technical considerations typical of exposed services projects.
Case Studies
Exposed Services: Overview
In many modern commercial and industrial interiors, building services are not hidden behind ceilings and walls but left deliberately visible, forming part of the architectural expression of the space. Exposed pipework, ductwork, containment and lighting track can give an interior an industrial or utilitarian character, but achieving this successfully requires a very different approach to installation than concealed services, where imperfections would simply be hidden from view.
When services are exposed, every run, joint, bracket and fixing is visible and contributes to the overall appearance of the space. This means alignment, spacing and finish quality all take on an importance they would not have in a concealed installation. Pipework runs need to be set out with a level of precision closer to a design feature than a purely functional installation, and containment systems are often chosen specifically for their appearance as much as their function.
Coordination between disciplines becomes particularly important in exposed services work, since ductwork, pipework, cable tray and lighting often share the same visual field and need to be arranged to avoid an uncoordinated, cluttered appearance. This typically requires closer collaboration with architects and designers from an early stage than concealed installations would need, agreeing routes, finishes and junction details before work begins on site.
The technical performance of the systems still has to meet the same standards as a concealed installation, but the additional discipline of installing to an exposed, architectural standard of finish distinguishes this category of work from more conventional building services installation.
What Exposed Services Work Typically Involves
Exposed services installation starts with close coordination between the building services design and the architectural intent, since routes, finishes and junction details all need to be agreed before work begins. Pipework and ductwork runs are typically set out with greater precision than in concealed work, with careful attention paid to alignment, consistent spacing between parallel runs, and clean, considered junctions and changes of direction.
Finish quality is a defining feature of this type of work. Containment, brackets and fixings are often selected specifically for their appearance, and welded or painted finishes may be specified where a standard galvanised or mill finish would otherwise be used. Joints and connections, usually hidden behind ceilings in conventional work, need to be executed neatly since they remain permanently visible.
Coordination between trades is particularly important, since ductwork, pipework, cable containment and lighting often occupy the same visual zone and need to be arranged logically rather than simply fitted wherever space allows. This usually requires more detailed design coordination and setting-out before installation than a concealed system would, along with careful sequencing on site to avoid clashes between different services sharing the same exposed run.
- Precise setting-out of pipework and ductwork runs for visual consistency
- Selection of containment and fixings for appearance as well as function
- Neat, considered joints and connections throughout
- Close early-stage coordination with architects and designers
- Logical arrangement of multiple services sharing the same visual zone
- Installation to an architectural standard of finish
Typical Work
Typical Exposed Services Work
A selection of the work types most commonly associated with this category.
Exposed Pipework Installation
Precisely aligned pipework runs finished to an architectural standard.
Visible Ductwork Routing
Ductwork arranged and finished as a deliberate design feature.
Architectural Containment Selection
Choosing cable tray and support systems for visual consistency as well as performance.
Coordinated Services Zones
Arranging multiple exposed services together to avoid a cluttered appearance.
High-Finish Jointing
Executing joints and connections neatly, since they remain permanently visible.
Projects
Discuss a Exposed Services Project
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