Identifying problems between MEP (mechanical, electrical, and plumbing) elements during the design development stage is a key factor in keeping costs down during construction phases. Each discipline must remain keenly aware of the locations of other trade installations during the modeling phases – and that can only happen when the latest, most authentic versions of each MEP’s master plan is made available.
As engineers and designers continually address and update their respective MEP projects, they will often employ MEP drafting services to quickly update the master model while executing a systems coordination check for design interference or possible in-field clashes during installation. When the mechanical model is linked with the plumbing model by a trained drafter, the drafter conducts a continuous survey of space allocation for MEP coordination check – saving your company hassles during the engineering review stages.
The Benefits of Revit MEP Drafting Services
Revit follows a BIM workflow as opposed to a CAD workflow. With Revit, the design documentation process is streamlined and productivity is maximized. A single design change in one system is automatically updated across all MEP models. AutoDesk Revit MEP comes equipped with productivity tools and features specific to MEP modeling which will later support the MEP coordination and installation process.
From developing detailed HVAC plans to the design of the facility mechanical room, Revit will allow for accurate decision-making as all stakeholders will have more information at hand with a Revit model by leveraging the BIM capabilities built into the software. The result is a significant impact on building performance due to the increased design visualization and across the board communications:
- clash-free MEP CAD modeling
- spatial coordination between equipment
- improved HVAC duct and plumbing systems routing
- standard library of pipe and fitting connections
- built-in Building Performance Analysis
- MEP systems cost estimations and bill-of-materials
- Supports construction set documentation
- improves project delivery and a higher level of quality
Revit MEP drafting services can be implemented in BIM or non-BIM projects for MEP conversions from AutoCAD to Revit, MEP modeling, and MEP coordination.
Modeling With Revit MEP
When you choose an engineering drafting service to model projects with Revit, this can be done as a stand-alone service for only mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems; or the project can be all inclusive which entails modeling the architectural and structural framework along with all MEP elements. Whichever design/drafting structure is chosen, the end result should always provide clash detection and MEP systems coordination. Also, these projects can be delivered as traditional 3D models or include BIM technology.
When system clashes in the model are found, the A&E consultant can proceed with a redesign; the new version is drafted and the entire model is updated. This process saves your engineers and designers from the cumbersome work of continuously updating the 3D model and also ensures all standards are maintained when a single drafting service is charged with keeping the project’s 3D model updated.
Not every modeling project with Revit has to be new construction. Technologies are available to quickly capture existing superstructures quickly and accurately. In this way, HVAC, electrical, and/or plumbing retrofits and upgrades to facilities for the purpose of improving energy and building performance are quickly accomplished with Revit MEP. A fully coordinated and detailed MEP model for existing facilities can be accomplished in less time using new technologies to capture existing landscapes such as Reality Computing and Point Cloud to Revit Modeling
MEP design drafting should use at a minimum the structural model and for best results the architectural model to layout all HVAC, pipework, and electrical systems – when needed. Money can be saved when you partner with a drafting service that knows when to model subsystems and when not to model. Simply because electrical panels can be modeled, doesn’t necessarily mean they should be modeled. In some cases, it is a waste of time and money to model non-critical MEP systems or areas where modeling are not beneficial to the design and engineering process.
Revit MEP Systems Coordination
It is important to work with an MEP drafting team that has knowledge of industry standards relating to spacing and clearance requirements of essential equipment when laying out mechanical, electrical, or plumbing floor planes. When Revit is used properly, the software aids in maintaining these clearances for the creation of a fully coordinated project and a minimum of onsite construction problems.
Revit has an Interference Check Tool which can find intersections among a set of selected elements or all elements in the model. During the design and drafting phases, this productivity tool can be used to enforce coordination between disciplines and check for interference between major building system installations. As each discipline completes its designated drafting on the project model, one team member is tasked with layering all three models and running an interference check. This extra set of eyes uses Revit to easily detect interferences between structural girders, joists, and beams with HVAV ductwork and major piping.
The value of visualizing detailed MEP systems within the 3D model framework is also useful for renovation and retrofit projects. Avoiding design clashes with existing systems will prevent delays and field checking during the construction process. Informed decisions which require a design change are accomplished before the renovation of the existing structure begins. Drafting 3D MEP Revit coordination also results in an information-rich model which increases the efficiency of the engineering and design teams as they attempt to optimize MEP systems for increased building performance.
Why Implement Revit MEP Drafting Services
Outsourcing your Revit MEP drafting project fulfills many business and engineering needs. Project expenses are reduced while overall productivity and project capacity are increased. When a firm considers the labor costs of employed a full staff of designers and drafters (especially those trained on the Revit platform), the investment can be significant. More architectural and engineering firms are seeing the benefits of maintaining a dedicated core engineering staff while outsourcing the detailing and drafting functions to an engineering service provider.
Revit MEP drafting services allows for access to a wide range of software and hardware technologies – expenses and assets that must constantly be updated to keep up with the latest revision. AEC companies are realizing the frustration of maintaining a staff along with current issues of software and the hardware to support these sophisticated technologies – it can become a constant cycle of overhead costs which require a large investment.
Outsourced drafting services can accommodate a fast turnaround of project documentation, to make sure companies meet deadlines and reach owner milestones as contracted. Companies that partner with a reliable drafting service come to realize these companies are particularly suited to quickly respond to fluctuations in workload and are able to provide a specific solution to most project needs. This partnership becomes a winning solution for the architectural firm because it can become more flexible and more agile – able to take on more projects and bid larger contracts.
Greater flexibility, quicker turnarounds, a reduction in overhead expenditures, and access to state-of-the-art resources are all benefits of implementing Revit MEP drafting services. Contact INDBIM to discuss the options for MEP project support using Revit. As a CAD outsourcing engineering service we are uniquely staffed to provide architectural, mechanical, structural and MEP drafting services.