Integrated MEP design concludes the perfect layout

Construction layout software provides building-critical insights for every step of the project and allows complete transparency into the complex workings of MEP.

While interacting with Thermal Control Business Update, AliAsgar J. Hotelwala, AGM & MEP Lead-Cost Budgeting & Planning, Piramal Estates Private Limited, mentioned an efficient MEP system defines a building’s performance and sustainability.

 

Outlook for MEP market growth in the HVAC industry 

The Mechanical Electrical and Plumbing (MEP) Services market has grown from USD million to USD million from 2017 to 2022. With an Impressive CAGR, this market is estimated to reach USD million in 2029. Technological innovation and advancement will further optimize the product’s performance, making it more widely used in downstream applications. Moreover, Consumer behavior analysis and market dynamics (drivers, restraints, opportunities) provide crucial information for knowing the Mechanical Electrical and Plumbing (MEP) Services market.

 

Innovative changes expected for MEP

 With the construction industry continuing to set the bar higher on fabricators, the solutions are improving too. It’s worth mentioning — just because a solution is more “advanced” does not mean it is more “difficult to use.” Below are three areas of fabrication software, with examples, to help paint a better picture of where this technology is going.

 

Automated Cutting Tools 

MEP firms leverage fabrication software to win more profitable work by automating routine and time-intensive tasks. One company doing this well is Allied BIM. The innovation of their fabrication technology lies in their delivery of autonomous cutting stations. Automated cutting tools are designed to help fabricators synchronize cut lists to remote shop locations from their BIM 360 model packages. These tools help automate the positioning of cuts directly on the fabrication machines — helping to generate designs, eliminate messy cut lines, automate assembly and spooling processes, and reduce overall fabrication time. Beyond automated cutting tools, Allied BIM’s Fabrication Suite offers powerful solutions to enhance the fabrication process by uniting teams across design, fabrication, and field deployment with a significant focus on enabling better prefabrication, tracking, and real-time communication with field employees.

 

Productivity Tracking Tools 

One of the key challenges in construction productivity is that critical information often lives in silos. In other words, the data is usually there but inaccessible to stakeholders who may not be aware of its existence. Productivity tracking software aims to resolve that. MSUITE, for example, allows an organization to provide transparency in progress while flagging any roadblocks that may be holding up a project. By connecting BIM, fabrication, and field teams, users can reduce costs and increase productivity, efficiency, and safety.With tools like MSUITE, MEP contractors can track, manage, and collaborate on improving efficiencies throughout each stage of a project life cycle. They allow the management of spooling, fabrication, and even installation of premade items. This software makes monitoring and tracking productivity easier with deep insights or at-a-glance reports. 

 

Supply Chain Tools MEP 

contractors benefit from having a more accurate picture of their resource needs. Once the design phase of a building is complete, supply chain and resource planning tools come into play. This is especially important for MEP contractors who often operate on tight budgets with resource-heavy commitments. 

 

Software like Stratus, for example, allows contractors to meet and manage their supply chain needs more effectively. While offering a full suite of solutions for the entire BIM 360 process, we want to call out their Packages feature since we’re talking about supply chain tools. In most cases, it’s unrealistic to put a barcode on every pipe and part, then scan every barcode at every phase in the shop. This is where Stratus’ innovative technology excels. Their software allows you to organize elements by Package in the model. All packaged parts are updated by scanning a single piece in the shop. This gives you insight into where they are, so you can more accurately determine when they’ll get to where they need to be. Tools like this make it easier to measure and communicate project progress. Whether needing a high-level look or granular procurement numbers, supply chain tools provide detailed insights that can save time and money.

 

Project Management Software 

Project management software is similar to productivity tracking software in that it allows detailed tracking, documentation, and reporting. However, project management tools diverge in focusing on project progress rather than progress along a subprocess, like fabrication or installation. With these tools, you can monitor and track every stage of a project’s life cycle, from simple task management to completions, dependencies, and roadblocks in a unified and holistic context. Project management software like Autodesk Construction Cloud can help MEP contractors coordinate between the office and the field while centralizing data and documentation. Additionally, leadership can see progress with visuals of timeline goals and completions. The connected platform acts as the single source of truth for design and builds decisions by housing all data in a common data environment (CDE). Autodesk Construction Cloud also has a robust ecosystem of integration partners, enabling the platform to serve as the foundation for a connected technology stack. This allows MEP contractors to seamlessly leverage comprehensive construction management software in tandem with a more trade-specific tool. For instance, Autodesk Construction Cloud can also be integrated with trade-specific project management software such as eSUB. The software is designed to help subcontractors standardize their project management process. By leveraging preconfigured forms on the jobsite for MEP work, subcontractors can work more efficiently and reduce costs, errors, and time spent redundantly tracking down progress of tasks.

 

Construction Layout Software

Next up in MEP innovations, we have construction layout software. Specifically, the software helps contractors plan easy-to-follow by knowing what goes where on any site. No guesswork. This also mitigates a genuine concern about the collision track. It provides building-critical insights for every step of the project and allows complete transparency into the complex workings of MEP One important construction layout tool is Leica iCON, of the famous Leica cameras. It allows contractors to verify MEP parts that have been installed in the building. Through integration with Autodesk, MEP contractors can ensure crews are working with the most up-to-date design and that their teams have accurate field data. Crossing every ‘t’ in a highly complex build is essential. As Leica iCON notes, “fast, accurate verification in building construction is a significant concern for our customers.” Being able to share accurate design and field data seamlessly helps to streamline critical MEP workflows.

 

Augmented Reality Technology

 Augmented reality (AR) “superimposes digital information in a user’s view of the real world, allowing you to see real and digital worlds together.” It’s an exciting time for construction. For MEP contractors, this might look like holding up a tablet and seeing piping plans overlay your view from the camera. It’s hard to think of a better way to step into the future and visualize the different stages of a project. Ease of use is a priority, and these innovations have a pretty good head start. They have been made possible using the same technology being used in video game development, filmmaking, automotive design, and architecture VisualLive is one of the AR technologies bringing the future to MEP contractors. Its HoloLive™ product works with Microsoft’s HoloLens and headsets to overlay 3D CAD files on job sites. Through mixed reality technology, contractors can see their plans on-site, in real-time. A contractor must adapt their hard hat and  put on some glasses to see their MEP plans in “real life.” The benefits of AR technology like VisualLive, for MEP contractors, include everything from increased safety and cost reduction to acceleration of strategic decision-making. The hands-free sets provide a safe way to communicate onsite with stakeholders to discuss progress, resource needs, and site risks.

 

Bid Management Software

 Today, managing and submitting bids is about more than volume and speed. You do not want another contractor swooping in because you’re lost in your numbers. MEP contractors need to be able to assess cost and risk as well as ensure accuracy. Bid management software can help contractors increase the success rate of bids by allowing for quick adjustments. Powerful pre construction tools, like BuildingConnected, help owners and builders more quickly assess cost and risk before embarking on a project. MEP contractors can track and maintain current projects while gathering insights into their overall bidding performance to achieve better overall outcomes.

 

Role and responsibilities evolving for engineers in the MEP segment 

MEP Engineers are vital contributors to any construction project. They look after the designing, planning, and installation of Mechanical, Electrical and Plumbing networks in the construction project playing an active role. The construction industry is so lucrative that it requires a lot of skills, precision, and safety from the building professionals. Hiring a professional MEP Engineering Firm allows for the smooth and successful design of the project. The engineers specialize in their respective trades and are capable of implementing systems. Their work not only includes designing and implementing procedures but also designing fire protection systems, building automation, energy consultation, and sustainable building design. They act as a centralized source of information and assist audits of project workflow and specifications. They also help in design, purchasing, and installation decisions. MEP Engineers are continuously working throughout the whole project life cycle bringing benefits to the project. They often assist in construction coordination and administration. An engineering firm with a holistic process with experts for each trade brings higher efficiency, productivity, and transparent communication. Below are some roles and responsibilities an MEP Engineer should possess.

 

Automation practices followed in the MEP. 

The Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing system is the critical and fundamental part of a building; an efficient MEP system defines a building’s performance and sustainability. Because of the technical and functional complexity and a high degree of interaction and technical interdependency between the MEP systems, the architects and engineers adopt an integrated MEP design and installation approach. An integrated approach concludes the perfect layout and functioning of the complex system and avoids interface clashes, frequent design changes, installation errors, and spatial coordination between the interfaces. The holistic working approach of the MEP system brings different parts to interact and work collaboratively and effectively as a single system. Professional BIM MEP services help, but adhering to a few time-tested best practices will benefit the entire construction team.

 

MEP and its significance in construction 

MEP System comprises Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing disciplines. Mechanical discipline plans for space heating, cooling, mechanical ventilation, and exhaustion of a building, studying the environmental factors. Electrical discipline designs power supply and distribution systems, telecommunication, information technology, lighting, security, and control systems of the building. Collaboration between mechanical and electrical teams helps design and install a safe and operating HVAC system. 

 

To establish a plumbing system, engineers need to interact with the mechanical and electrical team, as high-rise buildings use water booster pumps that run with electricity, and the domestic hot water system uses an electric heater or a boiler. A complex system like the HVAC system, fire protection, power supply, telecommunication, and plumbing should not be designed and installed in isolation; an integrated installation rectifies the interface and location conflict for a perfect layout.

 

Evaluating skill training necessary for handling MEP activities

As an MEP engineer, you are required to be a strong-minded analytical thinker capable of finding a solution to the problems raised by employers and clients alike. As an MEP engineer, you should be able to – • Properly start to analyse test results and come up with solutions and necessary adjustments based on these results. • Develop new and efficient prototypes and test them. • Design and study mechanical devices and projects • Ensure that all designs meet the legal and safety requirements and guidelines. • Identify all the improvements and adjustments in a potential design • Perform important system and equipment calculations. • Test all building materials for quality control. • Work constantly to improve and maintain all the existing products. • All of these attributes and more are what make a great MEP engineer.

 

Communication 

The roles associated with facing clients and talking to them are of the utmost importance in the MEP engineering field. As an MEP engineer, it is your job to get all your ideas and thoughts across to the clients to avoid any confusion and misunderstandings down the line. It is also your job to maintain good relations with all your clients. Therefore, to become a successful MEP engineer, you must have strong verbal and written communication skills.