January 17, 2014

MEP Coordinated Shop Drawings by Advantage Engineering Tel: (518) 320-2501

What are MEP Coordinated Shop Drawings?Mechanical/Electrical/Plumbing (MEP) coordinated shop drawings combine all architectural, structural and trades shop drawings into one 3-D rendering of the construction project. Coordination drawings include HVAC, electrical, plumbing, piping and ductwork layout drawings.

Sophisticated MEP drawing software lets engineers check combined drawings for conflicts between the trades and elements of the building. Contractors and engineers can better schedule trades, fabrication, installation and other construction activities while avoiding waste in time, money and labor. The process allows extraction and manipulation of data for trades and contributors to the project. 3-D building information modeling (BIM) improves accuracy and streamlines building design and delivery processes.

What is the MEP Process?The MEP coordination drawing process collects technical drawings from each trade, architects and structural engineers. Software combines the drawings into a coordinated 3-D drawing, and then uses collision-check features to find conflicts between trades or within the structures of the building. MEP/BIM coordinators facilitate meetings with the trades to view conflicts and assign changes. The process repeats through complete conflict resolution and creation of a final coordination drawing.

The MEP process requires professionals with integrated knowledge of fabrication, transportation and installation of building components as well as a firm grasp of design, construction, operations and maintenance of each system. Coordinating mechanical, electrical and plumbing construction within a building is especially challenging if the building has a complex structural design. Equipment must be located correctly and the infrastructure routed within each system without colliding with other systems.

MEP/BIM specialists help manage the design build process through drawing organization and service installation coordination. MEP specialists consider details like structural supports, ceilings, partitions, underground obstacles and equipment service access throughout the building’s life cycle.

Why MEP is Important?Modern building design and preconstruction planning relies heavily on BIM services. Advanced MEP design drawing and problem resolutions results in time and cost savings. Increased off-site fabrication, improved plans and better-informed trade crews bring improvements to building quality and productivity.

Accurate, efficient coordinated drawings maximize these efficiencies via identification of potential problems prior to the trade‘s fabrication and installation on the job site. Unified scale coordinated MEP drawings allow the build project to be viewed as a whole rather than as separate drawings. Uniform review processes result, along with cost savings and an improved bottom line for the client.

MEP Services Include: Confirm the intent of plans and specifications

Identify equipment limitations Identify material compatibility Coordinate trades Schedule and sequence project installations Estimate project costs Above-ceiling coordination Collision and conflict checking Coordination with architectural and structural components Standard and customary conflict resolution Design-Assist partnerships

MEP DrawingsMEP coordination drawings include client custom shop standards and industry standards as their basis. They provide support for design build projects in multiple areas:

Architectural and structural Electrical component technical drawings Structural grids Composite drawings Coordinated shop drawings Underground and above-ceiling coordination Rooftop and bulkhead equipment detailing Sheet metal drawings Mechanical piping detail drawings Pipe fabrication drawings

HVAC drawings Mechanical room HVAC detailed drawings Equipment placement Ductwork drawings Plumbing construction drawings

Savings from MEP Processes Some experts report project cost savings of 50% or more and over 40% improvements in delivery schedules thanks to utilizing the MEP/BIM processes. MEP processes decrease RFI’s (Requests for Information) from the A/E (Architect/Engineer), saving time and money for the contractors and the engineers, and it improves project outcomes. MEP 3D building information modeling lowers liability exposures, improves quality control, reduces job-site coordination problems, and lowers your labor costs. Improved customer value and increased profits for the builder and the contractors result.

For more information, or to hire an experienced MEP Coordinated Shop Drawings firm, contact us here Advantage Engineering or by Tel: (518) 320-2501

http://www.adv-eng-tech.com/