Using Construction, Operations, and Maintenance Knowledge to Better Coordinate Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing Systems in Buildings

The coordination of mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) systems has become a major challenge for complex buildings and industrial plants. MEP coordination involves locating equipment and routing connecting elements for each system to avoid physical interferences, allow full system functionality, and comply with several types of criteria. Current MEP coordination practice uses a process of sequentially overlaying and comparing drawings from multiple systems, during which representatives from each MEP trade work together to detect, and eliminate spatial and functional interferences between MEP systems. This multi-discipline effort is time-consuming and expensive. More significantly, knowledge critical to the project life cycle is overlooked during the process. Using examples from several case studies, this paper demonstrates how integrating construction, operations, and maintenance knowledge into the process of MEP coordination can improve the design of mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems in buildings. The results of this research provide a foundation for a revised work process, using information technology, and assist in multi-discipline coordination efforts.