Building Services
Digital engineering for building services
Enabling competitive advantage for building services engineers across the UK
With a rapidly changing and evolving industry, the requirements placed upon building services consultancies have grown far beyond what has been traditionally expected. Although laying out pipework, ductwork and electrical distribution remains a fundamental project requirement, visualization, coordination, and clash resolution have now also become familiar project related activities. As we move into an era of smart buildings, digitally captured asset related data is being used more and more to drive a condition-based monitoring and maintenance approach. Building services engineers are progressively forming a virtual backbone of a building, therefore our building services consulting services can support and partner with you in order to embed the necessary understanding and skills across your organization.
The benefits of digital engineering for building services
Pre-project assessments
... to manage risk
Project technical reviews and assessments
... to stay on track
Project coordination and support
... to maintain high quality
Clash detection and resolution
... to support collaboration
Project information management optimisation
Project workflows
... that enable efficiency gains
Standards development
... to support quality and compliance
Application of asset data
The application of COBie and Uniclass 2015 data, and the processes, procedures and technology used to apply it are commonplace in many projects nowadays. However, this all-important part of project delivery can sometimes be consigned to the list of slightly less pressing jobs that can end up being dealt with only when time permits. The reality is that this information can be a contractual requirement that must be delivered at key stages of the project. It is also true that if applied as the project progresses, the inclusion of asset related data to your project is a much less daunting and time-consuming task. With a range of courses and bespoke building services consulting offerings, let Symetri guide you in the application of asset data for your project.
The roles of engineers and technicians in building services
Historically engineers have produced the necessary calculations to design the systems that would be installed into a building, with technicians translating those calculations through a series of marked up drawings into CAD. With the rise of Building Information Modelling and Revit MEP that relationship has come under some scrutiny with varying opinions on how this relationship has changed and where these two roles are headed. While there may be no definitive answer it has been clear to see that in many cases the two roles have been brought closer together, with engineers embracing new technologies that involve the use of traditional CAD skills that compliment the design aspect of their role, and technicians seizing the opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of engineering design practices and principles. Whatever your role in this industry, it has undoubtedly moved into the digital engineering space where collaboration at every level is fundamental to project success. At Symetri we have the tools and experience to bring your delivery teams together and demonstrate the collaborative benefits of digital engineering for building services.
2D details vs 3D supports and fixings in Revit MEP
While this might seem like a fairly trivial subject it does have far reaching implications and requires some consideration as to what the project goals and requirements might be. Revit MEP 2D details will provide the information required for the installation of such things as pipe, duct or runs of electrical tray while not significantly increasing the file size. However, 2D details cannot be quantified and they cannot be used in the process of coordination and clash detection. Revit 3D components added to your Revit project to display support and fixing arrangements can be quantified and used for coordination and clash detection but will have a greater impact on file size and perhaps machine performance. The resolution of clashes in the digital environment to prevent costly delays on site is a significant part of most projects, therefore the use of 3D component might seem the obvious choice, however, there may be other considerations that have a bearing on that decision and it may not be as straight forward. Here at Symetri we can show you how to create content and use both methods for adding this level of detail to your project, giving you the tools to make the most appropriate decision based on project requirements.
Design applications and interoperability
With many market leading design applications in use for building services you may have questions concerning the functionality of Revit MEP for design, and the interoperability of your existing design products with Revit MEP. Here at Symetri we have worked with many design consultancies and specialist contractors to establish best working practices and workflows between Revit MEP and whichever design application is in use. Get in touch and find out how our consultants can provide a detailed understanding of design using Revit MEP and the interoperability with your existing applications through our Building Services Consulting Services.
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