# PPD | Evaluating & Calculating MEP Systems \[Exercise A\]

**URL:** <https://community.blackspectacles.com/t/ppd-evaluating-calculating-mep-systems-exercise-a/7614>\
**Category:** Real-World Practice\
**Tags:** real-world-practice\
**Created:** [December 8, 2025, 8:45pm UTC](https://community.blackspectacles.com/t/ppd-evaluating-calculating-mep-systems-exercise-a/7614 "2025-12-08T20:45:14Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
**Showing post:** 6

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**Author:** ![kiaragalicinao](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex029/user_avatar/community.blackspectacles.com/kiaragalicinao/32/1607_2.png) [@kiaragalicinao](https://community.blackspectacles.com/u/kiaragalicinao)\
**Post date:** [April 14, 2026, 7:07pm UTC](https://community.blackspectacles.com/t/ppd-evaluating-calculating-mep-systems-exercise-a/7614/6 "2026-04-14T19:07:17Z")

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@smith7162 asked this question:

> [@Real-World Practice - In Progress Evaluating & Calculating MEP Systems \[Exercise A\] Question 3 of 10Click on the area that represents the Air Handling Unit (AHU)](https://community.blackspectacles.com/t/real-world-practice-in-progress-evaluating-calculating-mep-systems-exercise-a-question-3-of-10click-on-the-area-that-represents-the-air-handling-unit-ahu/7778):
>
> Hello this question is a little confusing. I need help understanding how and why an AHU is being placed in a ceiling.? The ERV handles air, the Condenser looks like it could be a RTU. Am I mistaken that the AHU would need serviced, filters changed, etc. I’ve never seen a AHU installed in the ceiling plenum before? Thank you,

In this diagram, the AHU is intended to be a ceiling-mounted, compact unit serving that zone, not a large central AHU in a mechanical room. It still functions as the central hub for air circulation and conditioning - it takes in return air and ventilation air, filters and conditions it, and supplies conditioned air back to the space while coordinating exhaust. In this arrangement, it is a smaller, distributed AHU, which is why it can be placed in the ceiling plenum. They still require maintenance (filters, coils, fans), which is why you’ll typically see access panels or service clearances designed into the ceiling.

Hope this helps!

Kiara Galicinao, AIA, NCARB  
Product Coordinator  
**[Black Spectacles](https://www.blackspectacles.com/en-us/)**

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