BIM MEP Coordination Process

What is MEP Coordination?

Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing (MEP) and Fire Safety (FS) coordination (MEPFS) is the practice of multi-disciplinary collaboration of three major design of any building infrastructure, which are MEP, architecture and structure designs.

The active systems are fundamental components of any building, and have been estimated to cost up to 60% of the total cost of the building. MEP coordination is one critical activity and a crucial part of the constructability review process. Three knowledge domains are required for MEP coordination, namely, design, construction, operations and maintenance.

The trades of MEPFS coordination are:

• Mechanical System – HVAC Equipment and distribution such as ducting, AHU, cooling tower, etc.
• Electrical System – Panels, elevators, switchboards, cable trays, transformer, etc.
• Plumbing and Sanitary System – Pumps, Sump, water holding tanks, sewage pit, pool filtration equipment, grease and sand traps, etc.
• Fire Safety System – Fire sprinkler pumps, smoke curtains, sprinkler tanks fire shutter, piping system, etc.
• Outside of Building – External works, rooftop, etc.

MEP BIM coordination is about detecting and resolving clashes among multiple disciplines such as structural, architectural, mechanical, electrical, plumbing and fire safety before construction starts.

Clashes Example

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To keep the harmony between these separate designs, it is essential to have a coordination of the designs of all discipline. Each discipline must be precisely conscious of the locations of other installations during the modelling phases and this can only happen when the newest, most precise version of every MEP’s master plan is made available. It may be that these designs have collisions or clash in some locations, where one or many components are occupying at the same space. It is important to understand these clashes at the early stage of the construction project.

MEP coordination is about synchronizing all the building services with other disciplines that form the building structure and external envelope. The professionals mainly focus on highly congested spaces within the structural systems to prevent building service systems interference.

The coordination at the design development and review stage is the first stage of coordination of building projects.

BIM – an integral part of the Coordination process

This technology-based approach for coordination brings multiple advantages as communication and collaboration at the 3D modelling stage. MEP BIM 3D modeling services typically come after the structural and architectural BIM models have established the premise for an MEP BIM model.

Fundamentally, BIM not only resolves the coordination and modeling difficulties, it helps coordination between contractors, engineers, consultants and fabricators to build up a communication center.

In the BIM-based approach, MEPFS 3D coordination modeling (Autodesk’s Navisworks is used widely), highlights clashes within MEP systems or MEP systems against structural, integrates each team’s designs andensures there is harmony.

At this stage, BIM service providers can help in MEP coordination. Once they run the clash detection process, they have a clash report showing possible clashes at multiple locations with reference positions in the 3D model. After locating and analysing the clash, the required design changes can be made.

MEP Coordination Process in BIM-based design

MEP coordination is one of the most important parts of the pre-construction phase of a building, so it demands a lot of attention from all of the AEC professionals involved in the project. The MEP coordination process is aimed at ensuring that the structural design of the building doesn’t interfere with the layout of the MEP or fire protection systems.

This is why Building Information Modelling (BIM) technology is being used by firms to help them to streamline the MEP coordination process. The typical process involved in this process are:

1. Review of drawings and structural plans

This is the preliminary stage of the project, the BIM Coordination service provider reviewing the drawings or 3D models of the MEP system from the MEP contractors. Then they analyse the structural and architectural plans in detail, making sure that not only are they consistent with the schematics but that the MEP coordination specifications are correct.

2. Create 3D model

Create a 3D model of the drawings, using Building Information Modeling (BIM). The 3D model of the MEP system will then show all with the structural and architectural components of the building. It is a very important part of the process as it lays the groundwork for several construction-related plans, sections and elevations. It can also be used for client input and to create a detailed walkthrough of the finished building.

3. Clash detection & resolution

At this stage, the MEP coordination services contractor can evaluate the 3d model for any clashes between the building structural, architectural elements and the MEP systems. Any inconsistencies can then be detected – including clearance and workflow clashes – and presented the solutions to the client.

4. Coordinated drawings

Once the 3D model has gone through the clash detection process, MEP coordination drawings can then be prepared to show everyone in the project how the MEP systems will work together in the same space.

Additional notes can be added to the 3D BIM model to ensure all of the size measurements are clear for each discipline. Elevations, isometric views and sections can also be used to explain and detail the layouts for anyone who needs access to that information.

Conclusion

Above is the basic process when implementing MEP Coordination with BIM. oceanBIM provides BIM MEP Coordination services to contractors and investors in the EU region. Contact us now to get a reasonable quote.