How many roof top units (RTUs) are required for the project?

The answer indicates that four 12.5-ton rooftop units (RTUs) are required for the project to effectively meet the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) needs based on the building’s size, layout, and expected occupancy.

When determining the number of RTUs required, several factors must be considered: the total cooling load calculated for the space, the capacity of each unit, redundancy requirements, and any zoning needs. In this case, four 12.5-ton units (which total 50 tons of cooling capacity) would likely align with the calculated cooling requirements of the project, ensuring adequate performance and comfort while providing a level of redundancy.

Furthermore, the choice of RTUs emphasizes the importance of having multiple units rather than fewer large units. This can facilitate maintenance and repairs, as one unit can be taken offline without compromising the HVAC system's overall function.

In contrast, the other options either do not provide enough capacity or may lead to insufficient cooling for the building's needs. For instance, two units may not provide enough cooling, while three units at 15 tons each might surpass the necessary cooling load if the requirement is more precisely met with the smaller units. Similarly, five 10-ton units would be more than