MEP (Mechanical, Electric and Plumbing) installations have a very important impact on a project, since they largely determine the habitability and operating conditions of buildings. However, during the development of a project, designers and builders often find inconsistencies in facility designs that significantly impact both time and budget.

The technology-based BIM methodology proposes a solution to this problem. BIM generates a virtual environment in which the construction process is simulated, allowing the correct coordination of the different designs to be foreseen and reducing the negative impacts on the development of the project. This way you avoid:

·        The lack of coordination between the different disciplines in the design of a project.

·        The outdated planimetric information between the technical projects given the versions handled by the different professionals.

·        Incomplete information when specifying a comprehensive project design.

In our experience, there is a fundamental challenge when working on the design of MEP installations: the management of levels and reference planes for the development of each technical design. However, through the Revit BIM modeling this can be managed in a comprehensive and collaborative manner, achieving a positive impact on the overall design.

_{Optimizing MEP installations with Revit}

The design and optimization work of MEP installation designs in the construction field can be implemented in BIM to generate the necessary information to fully validate the project. BIM software tools such as Revit facilitate the technical coordination of the project in its technical details and MEP facilities, with the benefit of positively impacting the management and administration of the work. In the following video we show an example to better illustrate this process.

Revit includes a series of specific functionalities to optimize design processes and analysis of mechanical, electrical and hydraulic installations, facilitating collaboration and coordination in real time between project participants. In this way, the tool speeds up the engineering design process, dumping all the information into a single model that even allows simulations to be carried out to analyze the performance of the facilities.

_{MEP installations as an integral part of the project}

Around the world, the BIM implementation has ample opportunity in a large number of companies, which results in the improvement of management and administration indicators of architecture and engineering projects. However, it is important to begin to conceive the projects in an integral way so that the architectural, engineering and technical designs are articulated for the benefit of the efficiency and performance of the sector.

MEPs are an essential part of the architectural and engineering design of a project, they are not just systems that accompany these developments; therefore, its design must be contemplated from the beginning, seeking organic integration and its consequent optimization. Only in this way can the full potential of the BIM methodology be deployed and generate benefits that have a positive impact on project costs and times.