Many engineering tools are like investments, requiring additional resources up front to realize greater benefits later. MEP integration is an example of this, as it speeds up project delivery by introducing a sophisticated design and planning tool at the beginning of the process.
Material cost savings are always welcome in an engineering project, and time savings translate into additional cost savings by reducing the number of man hours required to complete the project. It is also important to note that most contracts introduce a penalty clause for late delivery, which may also include a bonus for early completion. This gives you even more reason to complete a project on time or sooner. This article will provide an overview of how MEP integration reduces project costs and lead times.
1) Simplified Engineering Design
Although there is a learning curve when an MEP integration tool is first introduced, engineering design teams can work much more efficiently once they become familiar with it. One of the main advantages of MEP integration is the elimination of many repetitive and time-consuming tasks that characterize the conventional engineering design process:
- Managing design changes: The conventional design approach is very repetitive. Structural, mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems are designed based on architectural plans, but this also means that architectural changes force each design team to adjust their designs and specifications. MEP integration software can immediately identify all design conflicts whenever there is a change, enabling a targeted approach. Perhaps even more important, MEP software detects conflicts before construction, where fixing them is much more expensive – editing a design model is much simpler and cheaper than modifying an actual building or one of its systems.
- Managing file versions: Any project engineer who started working before MEP modeling software became available can tell you how difficult it is to manage file versions, especially when multiple teams are involved. Modern MEP modeling software allows the entire project team to work on the same model, where changes to a construction system are immediately visible to all other project teams and conflicts are flagged immediately.
For example, with conventional 2D drafting software, there is a high probability that different teams will specify overlapping locations for components belonging to different building systems. These errors can be difficult to detect in construction areas with lots of equipment, especially when two pieces of equipment are located in the same location but at different heights. 3D MEP design software makes it impossible to specify overlapping equipment.
2) Faster and more accurate quote
After completing the project design, the next step is the removal of materials, where the objective is to generate the list of materials needed to complete the project, as well as the required quantity of each input. In the traditional approach, material collection is performed manually and based on 2D drawings, which requires a lot of guesswork and leaves ample room for error. This is no longer the case with 3D MEP software, where the process is automated and engineering teams must simply validate the output data.
Just as there can be design errors in a project, there can be material survey errors even if the design is correct and in accordance with New York Building Codes. MEP design software minimizes the chance of error at both stages of the process.
Modern MEP software allows physical properties to be assigned to building system components, meaning they are realistic models rather than geometric representations. Based on the geometry and properties, MEP software can create bills of materials.
3) Improved progress tracking
Conventional 2D drafting software is mainly useful for line work and cannot simulate the construction process in a design model. On the other hand, with 3D MEP software it is possible to simulate the construction process in the model as it occurs on site. This provides greater control over the quantity of materials used, helping to avoid excessive costs and waste. MEP software can also generate snapshots of the construction process to be delivered alongside progress reports, giving the client a physical representation of the project that may only be evident from the air when the actual site is visited.
4) Easier operation and building maintenance
Conventional 2D plans can be a hindrance when a building begins operations. Small modifications to the construction system may not have a drastic impact, but when many of them occur over time, the actual construction systems can end up being very different from the constructed plans. On the other hand, a 3D MEP model can be continually updated as the building is modified, providing an up-to-date reference for any maintenance activities and modifications to the building system.
A detailed building model can also be very useful when a major renovation is undertaken, providing visibility into building systems to a degree not possible with 2D plans. It is also important to note that many components of the construction system are out of sight, embedded in walls or above false ceilings. Many buildings rely on the knowledge of key maintenance team members who know the facility inside and out, but when they leave the company that knowledge can be lost.
Final Recommendations
Homeowners and real estate developers can save a lot of time and capital by integrating MEP into their construction projects. Because this requires project management skills, mastery of advanced design tools, and knowledge of New York building codes, working with a qualified MEP design firm is highly recommended. Although companies can also set up and train their own MEP engineering team in-house, it can be very difficult when your core business is not related to engineering. Working with outside consultants or engineering firms allows clients to manage engineering costs on a per-project basis rather than turning them into a permanent monthly expense on their payroll.
An advanced MEP model of a building is more expensive than a conventional set of 2D drawings, but it is also much more useful for property management. Additionally, as mentioned previously, an extra investment in design and planning often pays off in a faster, less expensive project, as well as reduced maintenance issues in the long run.
