BIM Coordination convention from MEP viewpoint

Understanding the terms MEP and BIM

MEP: MEP stands for the Mechanical, Electrical and Plumbing discipline of construction. The Mechanical part includes firefighting system and HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning). The Electrical part covers power supply and lighting system. The Plumbing part includes water supply and drainage management.

 

BIM: BIM is the acronym for Building Information Modeling. It refers to a process of creating working models (3D, 4D or 5D) to design, construct and manage the building information.

What is BIM Coordination?

To ensure all the aspects of MEP works in coordination with each other, there arises a need of determining clashes between them. Hence, BIM Coordination comes into play. BIM Coordination refers to a process of comparing various models so as to find out any clashes or conflicts taking place among various MEP elements on the field. 

  

Why BIM Coordination?

Benefits of using BIM Coordination for MEP are as follows:

• Avoid field conflicts prior to installation process
• Provide an early insight into the project through visualization
• Accuracy in designing
• Increase in productivity
• Reduction in cost
• Timely delivery of the project
• Accurate decision making

Role of Coordination Drawings

In order to maintain coordination between different aspects of MEP, we require special diagrams known as coordination drawings. Coordination drawings are produced by contractors that can be reproduced as per requirements. These MEP Coordination Drawings showcase the installation of components, materials, and products within all the mechanical and electrical spaces.

How to apply BIM coordination in MEP components

 

The process of coordinating MEP components is a tough job and it requires a higher rate of accuracy and precision as even a slight mistake may result in a substantial loss. The process involves following steps:

• Analysis Phase: In this phase, the architects and modelers undergo rigorous analysis of the MEP designs and drawings. They collectively come down to a decision on how BIM coordination models will be made.
• Creation Phase: Here, coordination models are created using software like Revit and AutoCAD. This will ensure integration of all the MEP elements in the model. This means the mechanical, electrical and plumbing elements are working in synchronization with each other.
• Detection Phase: This phase involves preparing coordination drawings so as to detect the interference amongst the MEP elements. These include 3D and 4D coordinated BIM models to detect the clashes and fix the errors.
• Modification Phase: It involves the creation of as-built drawings. As-built drawings provide information on site based changes and the modifications that are to be made in 3D models.
  
  
  
   
  Role of BIM Manager
   
  In order to successfully complete the complex task of BIM Coordination, there has to be a BIM Manager who takes care of carrying out the different activities involved in BIM Coordination.
  A BIM Manager takes following responsibilities:
• Data Coordination: It involves tracking asset data, building information data, fabrication data and estimation data.
• Model Coordination: This includes integration of models, content generation and management, element ownership and visibility.
• Trade coordination: It requires scheduling coordination meetings, issue tracking, conflict resolution, and managing as-built records.

Get to know US

 

Silicon Engineering Consultants Limited New Zealand is a team of passionate engineering professionals providing valuable CAD based services to clients across boundaries. We are well versed in providing services in the field of Building Information Modeling and MEP. We provide BIM drafting, BIM Design Solution, BIM outsourcing and BIM Implementation Services. Naming few of our MEP Engineering services we offer MEP Coordination Drawings, MEP Outsourcing Services, Mechanical CAD Drawings, electrical design services, and Plumbing Piping Clash Detection Services.

if you have any further query, Please feel free to Contact US

How BIM help in overcoming MEP Challenges

MEP is one of the most demanding areas in AEC industry as it sums up the whole Mechanical, Electrical and Plumbing field that is a basic requirement for every structure. In that case, it is essential to understand the core challenges as well as preventive measures to resolve the issues associated with MEP models. The conventional framework of MEP model is the running of MEP design layouts in several drafts that give rise to the clashes between functional and spatial area. Likewise, there are many challenges occur at the time of MEP designing that would need immediate consideration in order to design a fruitful MEP model.

The most common problem within the MEP models is related to MEP layout. In facility designing, the MEP layout is adjusted with structural plans, architectural design, and scheduling of interrelated activities. In this scenario, 4D BIM is beneficial as it supports the engineers to plan the construction schedule beforehand. It is responsible for generating the construction schedule and development of each activity with time. With scheduling of each activity that includes development time, downtime, lead time and serving time, the final conclusive timing of the project is also calculated.

After the integration of BIM with MEP, the usage of space become more intelligent that leads to higher revenues for the owner. In most of the cases, MEP engineers employ 10% - 20% of load calculation to include any changes that may take place in designing during the construction stage. However, in MEP BIM, accurate load calculation can be executed as well as the equipment that can handle this range of load.

Spatial coordination is fairly possible with MEP BIM. If in case one equipment is taking the maximum space (Mechanical) hence, they will be placed first and other parts will design around that part. BIM permits the MEP and structural components to assimilate in the structure first. Placement of secondary component can be done around the primary component which optimises the space. Thus, BIM enables an appealing visualization, spatial coordination, and collaboration which leads to a clash-free design.

BIM has very positive impact on MEP designing and modeling. By adopting BIM, MEP coordination has become enhanced and circumvent many challenges that used to exist earlier. Using BIM for MEP can increase the productivity as well as execute the efficient and designing and cost benefits.

Siliconec NZ is a growing organization that majorly involves in CAD based designing in Architectural, Engineering and Construction field. With detailed CAD know-how, Siliconec NZ has also a specializes in Building Information Modeling and Structural Steel Detailing. We have a vast domain of experience in MEP Shop Drawing, BIM 2D Drawings, and BIM Outsourcing Services. We are not only confined as a service provider but also offer a platform for young minds to understand CAD and other software as per AEC industry.