BIM is the Tool for Engineers and MEP Professionals

Cost overruns, missed deadlines, and even canceled projects have plagued the building industry. Over the years various solutions have been proposed and technologies developed. Not until the advent of Building Information Modelling (BIM) did a solution deliver on what it promised. Initially seen as an addition to CAD software, many dismissed the tool initially. Only once the collaborative benefits were seen did the industry begin to take note. The tool has proved incredibly useful for both engineers and MEP professionals, helping all parties involved deliver completed projects on time and sometimes even with cost savings as the cherry on top.

BIM's Advantage

Traditionally, problems would begin with the drawing preceding construction. When these are compared with drawings later in the project's lifespan there would be vast differences. But why? The preceding drawings that were done at the start often do not include adequate planning for mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) components. Further, preceding drawings and 3D MEP drawings might not be compatible with different software packages. Both factors would result then in important components clashing, meaning time needed to be taken to fix these clashes which would hopefully not impact the budget too much. These clashes would often occur in the actual construction phase, meaning that time and costs could skyrocket in order to fix the clash.

One of BIM's key advantages, and for the foreseeable future, is seamless collaboration. Enabled by the technology all the various disciplines behind a construction project can collaborate on the same 3D model avoiding clashes even before construction begins. This may be why the BIM marketplace is estimated to grow to 8.8 billion USD by 2025. Being able to insert MEP components in the planning stages certainly helps all those involved develop a better-shared vision for the project's completion right from the outset. This not only prevents the creation of excess grey hairs for those involved but helps keep costs down right from the initial planning phases.

A Practical Example

As an example, when looking to build a factory or any other large industrial complex, building a true 3D environment first will decrease revisions of drawing even in the planning phase. This is the case as a properly coordinated 3D model will include plumbing, electrical, HVAC, and other possible health services on the same model. This requires all parties to collaborate meaningfully, but the current technological state of BIM certainly allows for this. Not only does BIM allow for MEP components but architectural components like finishes, partitions, facades, and other structural elements. The advantages of this are several including improved logistical planning and sequencing.

Central to the BIM philosophy of collaboration is enabling all parties to view the same model and any adjustments made to it in real-time. In the event of a clash of conflicting components, something the software will make abundantly clear, the model can be updated, and all parties informed of the update meaning no one is left in the dark or stuck with an out-of-date drawing that has been revised several times. This ability is made more efficient by saving models to the cloud for even easier access. The creation of a 3D BIM model can also be quicker with better allowances for spatial coordination making bim for engineers a game-changer.

BIM poses several advantages, its ability to create collaborative 3D models is not only beneficial to engineers but also to MEP installers. When it comes time for installation by having areas already mapped out or cordoned off will help reduce fire risks and allow for future construction to occur with fewer hitches.