What are MEP Shop Drawings?
MEP – Mechanical, Electrical and Plumbing
MEP stands for Mechanical, Electrical and Plumbing, which is an important component indispensable in every construction project.
The MEP system is designed by MEP consultants and contractors and planned through MEP drawings.
MEP shop drawings are created by combining structural, architectural and civil shop drawings in one project. Includes information on size, quantity, … to help with the production, installation and maintenance of mechanical, electrical and sanitary components inside the building.
Mechanical shop drawings divide and locate the heating vents and air conditioning system. HVAC (Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning) shop drawings are a part of the mechanical shop drawings. It is used in the installation and fabrication of ductwork, custom piping connections and air handlers.
Electrical systems include power supply and distribution, information and communication systems, security and access systems, control systems, and interior and exterior lighting.
Plumbing shop drawings show plumbing elements inside a building such as piping, drainage, garbage disposal, and waste transportation. They indicate the transport of liquids and air for heating and cooling, the supply of potable and non-potable water, pipelines for fuel combustion and waste removal.
MEP shop drawings
The MEP shop drawing outlines the proportions of the final assembly of a product with fittings, dimensions, weight, and cable and/or piping connections. So this drawing must be absolutely accurate so that the manufacturer and the contractor have a clear picture of what needs to be built or supplied.
Refer to the article: Difference Between As Built And Shop Drawings
What is BIM?
BIM stands for Building Information Modeling is a term used since around 2002 by famous software vendors in the world. It is the process of creating and gathering digital files about dimensions, quantity, materials, and space to support give a decision regarding a built asset. These files can be extracted, exchanged or networked to lead to the final decision.
B – Building
I – Information: In BIM, your building must have the following information:
Geometry: dimensions of length, width, height, the distance between building components such as beams, columns, floors, doors, stairs, roofs…
Non-geometry: information about product characteristics, specifications, such as which supplier Lavabo washbasin is from, model, how much it costs, website and product description…
M – Modeling: Is using BIM software to model information of the building. We have 3D, 4D, 5D, 6D, 7D and 8D models.
Refer to the article: 9 Best BIM Software In 2021
All data relating to the building model is stored in CDE (Common Data Environment) – a common data exchange environment, so the components involved in the construction will use this data for the stages from design, construction, completion and better project management (Facility Management). Some popular CDE managers nowadays are BIM 360 from Autodesk, or Trimble Connect from Trimble.
The strong growth of BIM leads to more and more CDEs, giving you more options when integrating CDE management into your business. If you are looking for a CDE manager at a reasonable cost, then oceanBIM Platform is an option for you.
7 Reasons Why To Use BIM In Creating MEP Shop Drawings
Full project control
MEP contractors use BIM to have a comprehensive view of the components and volumes that must be prepared when entering construction. Examples are the electrical wiring in the wall, the arrangement of the plumbing, the ventilation system, and the proper arrangement between those components. All that information will be stored on a single CDE platform, which will be the most common platform for interaction and coordination among project stakeholders. Helps to fully control the scope of the project’s work and keep up to date with the latest building information.
Advantage from 3D modeling
3D modeling is the biggest advantage of BIM modeling, which saves a lot of time and effort. View and change models from any angle in a single model. BIM contractors can easily visualize the MEP system, understand how to add or change equipment, identify clashes and change them one last time before construction begins on site. This model can also be used for redesign or improvement on the go.
Procurement planning and material preparation
Complex MEP systems take more time in planning and preparing materials for construction and installation. BIM can streamline procurement planning and material preparation. This ensures that the externally purchased supplies fit perfectly into their respective places. Accurate estimates help save costs and limit damage due to storing many unused materials at the construction site.
Solving the smallest components
Handling small components is much more difficult than large components. BIM helps MEP contractors easily design, model and create small components in the most detailed and accurate way.
Handle all clashes
It is terrible if you receive the news that the plumbing and electrical trays are in the same place. These clashes are frequent and unavoidable, especially when combined with other disciplines such as Structural and Architecture. BIM helps to coordinate and handle clashes between disciplines, including hard clashes, soft clashes, 4D/Workflow clashes,… Handling all these clashes before construction saves you a lot of time and expense.
Long term benefits
BIM makes it easy for MEP contractors to take into account material and energy properties during the design phase. Choosing good inputs has a huge impact on the long-term benefits of the project. A good design can help a building save more energy.
Share prototypes quickly
MEP contractors can use 3D printing technology in combination with BIM to create multiple 3D prototypes quickly. Share to stakeholders, helping to communicate complex ideas to them quickly.
MEP shop drawings – Conclusion
Creating effective MEP shop drawings is a complex undertaking and requires a great deal of experience. To best apply BIM in building MEP systems, some businesses choose to outsource MEP shop drawings services. Choosing the right outsourcing team can save you a lot of money and time.
Refer to the article: Why Should You Outsource Shop Drawings Services?
If you are in need of BIM shop drawings services, please contact us immediately or get more details at: https://oceanbimcloud.com/shop-drawings-services.
