First Stage: Reviewing the Project Requirements

Project requirements come in many ways.   At this stage it determined what level of coordination the customer requires.

RENOVATION PROJECTS usually require site visits to review and document the existing building structure and the existing systems and equipment. Review of any available original or as-built drawings can also save time during this phase. We also meet with the contractor and/or the building owners to review the requirements of the project.

NEW CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS will usually have architectural, structural, and mechanical contract drawings available in Revit, AutoCAD, or PDF formats. Formal specifications are generally available. All of these documents are reviewed for a complete understanding of the project.

Second Stage: Creating the Building Model

Utilizing the project consultant’s drawings or field visit information a model of the building and structural components is created. In new construction most of this stage is already available from the project architect in the form of a Revit file. This is an important stage as it will allow for a base to accurately layout of the piping, ductwork, and equipment. It also allows for clash detection and automated section generation in later stages of the project.

Third Stage: Layout of the Mechanical Model

This is the phase that the equipment, duct, and piping is drawn into the model. During this phase there may be more than one trade modeling their work. Online coordination meetings with all the trades reviewing the model as the drawing creation progresses eliminates any likely conflicts.   This stage also works in conjunction with the next phase, Clash Detection.

Fourth Stage: Clash Detection

This stage utilizes clash detection software such as Navisworks to detect clashes between the different trades and between the trades and the building components. This results in fewer conflicts in the field, and fewer required field fixes.

Fifth Stage: Producing the Construction Drawings

When all of the trades have completed their models and any conflicts have been resolved the models are converted to 2D field construction drawings. Annotation and sections are created at this point. These drawings include the detailed dimensioning and the elevations of all the components. If requested or required fabrication, spool, and hanger drawings are produced at this time.

Sixth Stage: Construction

We do not consider our work complete when we hand over the drawings.  MEP Drafting & Design is available to your field foreman during the construction phase of the project to answer any questions and provide any sections or details they require.

Seventh Stage: As-Built Drawings

It’s very rear that the project is built exactly to the architectural or mechanical drawings. Changes made in the field are documented by hand on an as-built set of drawings. These drawings are then entered into the cad drawings and provided to the customer.