Top 5 Most Common MEP BIM Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

The construction market in the USA is very demanding. Contractors, sub-contractors and MEP engineers always remain under stress due to tight deadlines and high competition. Any rework or miscoordination can lead to a spoiled project. With its intricate designs and seamless coordination, BIM has been invented to address all of these problems and improve the lives of construction professionals.  But still, many construction teams experience project delays and cost overruns.  This is because some BIM professionals fail to consider certain elements and data inputs while creating 3D models using BIM software, which may lead even the most well-planned projects to create chaos.

How does it feel to invest in BIM professional services and still face issues on the site for MEP installation? It definitely leads to a cranky position and disputes among contractors and BIM experts. Have you ever encountered this situation in your professional life as a BIM service provider? If yes, then this blog is for you. In this, we will cover the top 5 most common MEP mistakes, which are the leading causes of failed and uncoordinated BIM models. So let’s start.

Top 5 Most Common Mistakes for Designing MEP BIM Models

Let’s uncover these mistakes.

1. Not Understanding Project Details

The first thing required to build a comprehensive and accurate BIM plan for MEP installations is the project specifications and details. Most of the professionals ignore this, which is a big mistake. A BIM expert must understand these details by discussing them with the client, such as the type of project. Discussion with clients and getting insights from previous projects helps to understand the voltage distribution, air pressure and pipes and ducts specifications at the earliest design stage, which smooths the rest of the designing process. Besides this, the MEP installations at residential, commercial and industrial projects are also different, so understanding each sector’s requirements is also very helpful for understanding the scope and materials requirements.

According to Do Carlo, the chances of creating accurate shop drawings and BIM models increase when experts connect with contractors to confirm the details. This helps to align all the team members, even at the initial design stage. Therefore, always create detailed documents with general specifications of the project scope and send them to the contractor for confirmation.

2. Misalignment of Penetrations

One of the biggest mistakes is the misalignment or misunderstanding of penetrations in 3D designs. Penetrations are the holes in floors and slabs created for the installation of pipes, ducts, and fire dampers. These holes should be in accordance with a pipe of a specific size. If they are small, then pipes cannot fit into them, and if they are large, the pipes and ducts will be lost in these penetrations. BIM specialists integrate these penetrations into 3D designs without obtaining approval for the material specifications from the project owner and contractor. Adding these holes to the 3D design at an earlier stage, without knowing the material specifications, leads to installation issues and reworks for the construction team.

Therefore, it is essential to create a presentation and discuss it with the clients during the meeting sessions to obtain approved submittals. This will prevent wrong alignments of penetrations and smooth the process of MEP installations.

3. Lack of Coordination

Lack of communication between the BIM specialists and the construction crew is also a significant cause of poor shop drawings. When the BIM team does not collaborate with the construction team and does not understand the requirements, it creates a mess at the construction site. As MEP installation requires various components from three different systems, such as electrical conductors, pipes, fittings, ducts, and HVACs, the installation or fixation points of these components can overlap, leading to more costly repairs and re-installations.

Therefore, it is essential for BIM professionals to use clear communication channels, such as cloud-based platforms and software, should hold regular meetings to discuss shop drawings at different stages, so that effective communication and suggestions from the contractor side can improve the work. The mutual understanding of the BIM team and the MEP contractor makes the execution process very easy.

4. Poor Load Calculations for MEP Systems

Poor Load calculation at the time of BIM design is another critical factor that questions the reliability and integrity of the whole project. When the loads at the initial stages are mis-calculated, it results in choosing the incorrect material, such as inappropriate breakers, cables, and pipes for HVAC systems, etc. When contractors follow these designs and install the wrong materials, then the resulting building will face voltage drops, overheated equipment damage, and MEP system failure.

As all mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems are connected, poor load calculation for the electrical system not only impacts the electrical installation, but it also impacts both other systems as well, such as the HVAC system, which may get an inaccurate power supply and result in breakdowns. Such mistakes at the BIM stage make the sustainability goals meaningless and reduce building safety. Therefore, the BIM experts need to get in touch with the electrical professionals for the calculation of load to get approval from the project owner and contractor, and then create a detailed 3D model.

5. Not Following Regulatory Codes

Rules and regulations are essential factors for a successful MEP installation. Failing to follow regulatory practices when designing a BIM model can lead to project failure. Various national-level authorities, such as NEC, have shared guidelines for MEP installations. Ignoring these guidelines will lead to the selection of substandard material and further disasters and consequences, such as costly reworks and late approvals. Non-competent BIM designs lead to potential electrical hazards, fire explosions, and poor drainage systems. This all breaks the trust of the project owner with the contractor and loses the purpose of BIM coordination.

BIM Professionals must create designs in accordance with local laws and ordinances.  The regulations vary from state to state. That’s why,always stay up to date on the most recent regulations so that you can fulfil the authority’s and the coordination’s goals for accuracy.

Do you want an expert to handle MEP design with accuracy?

Tips for Coordinated MEP 3D BIM Design

If you are new to the BIM field or learning to integrate real-world specifications in BIM software, we have experts’ advice and suggestions to improve your learning process.

The following are a few expert tips and suggestions to create a foolproof BIM 3D model.

• Always schedule meetings with your clients at the start of the project to understand their vision, requirements, and project scope, so that you can create BIM designs that align with the project scope.
• Always get submittal approvals from the project contractor and then integrate the penetrations of exact sizes in the BIM design. It will give a real-world feel and smooth the process of pipes and duct fittings.
• Make sure to keep the contractors and subcontractors in the loop throughout the design integrations through communication software or a cloud-based shared system. It will help to get their suggestions and approvals for various steps easily, and keep them on the same page.
• Calculate the load of the electrical system accurately. Cross-check it and confirm with any professional so that there will be no loopholes in the final design due to load calculations.
• Maintain and upgrade your sheets for local regulations and follow them to avoid mishaps such as late approvals, hefty fines, and delayed works.

Are You Looking for an Error-Free model?

Are you worried that even after spending thousands of dollars, you will still get inaccurate BIM models and your MEP installations will face design errors and coordination issues? You are not alone or thinking weird. Many contractors face the same fear before spending their hard-earned money on BIM designs, because BIM designs are not only a 3D model, but also a proper guidebook for contractors. Following wrong designs will lead them towards poor work, breaking the trust of clients, and affecting their marketing reputation. Therefore, contractors want to connect with the reliable BIM experts. Here are a few tips to choose the most trustworthy BIM professional

• Check the portfolio
• Always select the expert who has experience of almost two years.
• Ask him about the previous reviews
• Check the success ratio of their last designs
• Ask them about defined deliverables at the start of the work
• Ask for continuous support in case of a design change
• Get quotations from three to four companies and then choose the one with the best services and affordable prices.

BIM Modeling Bring Years of Experiece for 3D MEP Designs

Our company works in different states in the country. We have experienced professionals from all over the country who have successfully delivered digital walkthroughs of MEP projects and helped contractors to install all mechanical, electrical, and plumbing installations with efficiency and precision.

If you want to connect with our experts to discuss your project, click on the following button and book a free meeting to discuss your work and get a quote.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to avoid BIM design mistakes?

Requesting information, early clash detection, scheduling meetings at the start, and in between the process to get submitted approvals from the contractors and project owners eliminates the BIM design mistakes.

What is the process to choose the best BIM professional?

The following is a step-by-step guide to choosing the best BIM professional

• Search online
• Choose the top 3 to 4 professionals
• check their portfolios,
• Get a quote from all of them, and then
• Finalize the one with the best services and good client reviews.

Why are MEP design mistakes costly?

Any small mistakes, such as wrong penetrations, inaccurate material specification errors, lead to costly errors, delays, and wastage of material. That’s why MEP design mistakes are expensive.

What is the role of approving submittals and RFI (request for information)for an improved coordination process?

It is a professional and formal way to prepare a document, maintaining all the material specifications and sending them to the contractor and project owner for approval, and integrating them into the MEP design after their approval. It smooths the installation process without any costly work.