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Revit Services Outsourcing

Introduction

Revit MEP drafting services provide you with an accurate version of the building plan, enabling the creation of detailed coordinated drawings of various systems. It is essential to identify the location of MEP components during the design development stage to keep the project cost within budget.

Outsourcing MEP Modeling requirement facilitates effective collaboration amongst multiple engineering trades. Since engineering and designing firms often make changes to the MEP projects, Revit MEP drafting service providers to update the master model, by executing coordinated system checks for design interference and accurate installation. This way, Revit family creation facilitates MEP Engineers.

A skilled drafter usually links the mechanical model to the plumbing part by conducting a space allocation for MEP coordination check, saving hassles at the time of engineering review.

Benefits of Implementing Revit MEP Drafting Services

Revit MEP services enable all AEC project stakeholders to take accurate decisions with comprehensive information shared by the Revit model. Proficient Revit MEP engineers provide detailed HVAC plans for designing the mechanical facility, resulting in enhanced building performance and design visualization.

Revit drafting services are also integrated with Building Information Modeling for CAD to BIM conversion, model creation and coordination.

Streamlined Documentation: Implementing Revit BIM, AEC professionals streamline the process of design documentation, maximizing construction productivity. To take an instance, using Revit, a single design change in a system can be automatically updated across the building model.

Smooth Coordination & Installation: Since Revit is equipped with all facets of MEP modeling, there is smooth coordination and installation. Clash free model helps spatial coordination amongst equipment, improving HVAC duct routing and plumbing.

Accurate Cost Estimation and BOQ: MEP outsourcing also helps to make the right building performance analysis through accurate cost estimation and Bill of Materials.

Construction Documentation Support: A support for construction documentation is another Revit MEP advantage that helps to enhance the quality of project delivery.

Also Read – MEP Plans in Building Construction

What comes under MEP Drafting Services?

BIM engineering firms enable the creation of accurate and detailed MEP drawings for coordinating amongst various building systems, facilitating engineering consultants, general contractors, HVAC contractors, fabricators, builders, project owners and facility managers.

All fabrication details, as well as installation locations, are embedded in the MEP shop drawings for identifying optimal routes, clearing clashes amongst trades.

MEP BIM Drafting Services include:

• Construction & Coordination Drawings
• Shop Fabrication Drawing
• Spool Drawings
• Penetration Drawings
• Isometric Drawings
• As Built Drawings
• Erection Layouts

MEP BIM drafting solutions can be further divided into mechanical, electrical and plumbing segments:

Mechanical Drafting includes heating & cooling systems layout with fire protection system, HVAC duct and pipe layouts.

Electrical Drafting involves riser diagram, circuits for lighting, wire & cable drawings, panels, cable-tray and distribution layouts.

Plumbing Drafting encompasses domestic water systems layout with drainage water piping and natural gas piping system. Further, there are water distribution plans and diagrams as well as isometric drawings and sectional drawings.

BIM MEP drawing software tools used in the process:

Revit

AutoCAD

Fabrication CADMEP

Navisworks

Industry Professionals using MEP BIM & MEP CAD Drafting Services

General contractors – GCs have to supervise the work of numerous subcontractors during the construction process and ensure that their work gets accomplished on time and under budget.

Outsourcing Revit MEP modeling from engineering consultants help them to get detailed and specific information about electricians, plumbers and HVAC workers.

Technicians – Getting the blueprint in hand, technicians confidently install piping and plumbing for wastewater, ductwork, electrical wires, conduits and fire protection buffering.

Wondering what is MEP draftsman doing in this regard? The MEP drafters consider several aspects of the project as an integrated whole so that no system of the physical property hinders the work of the other.

They ensure that the structural aspects of the building projects with varied architectural elements work cohesively as a unit within the building framework. Seeking Revit architecture outsourcing helps everything run in a synchronized way starting from foundation to wall and ceilings to what’s placed on the roof.

The Process of MEP Drafting Services

In the modern world, drafting services are produced through Computer-Aided Drafting software applications like AutoCAD drafting, Inventor, CAD Duct, Revit, etc. Some other technologies like Geographical Information Systems, Asset Management Systems, etc. are also used for the construction project.

Workflow – Shop Drawing Creation- Initially a shop drawing should be created considering all features. All details should be included in the shop drawings like duck, pipes, wiring, conduit on a coordinated blueprint

Approval by Team -MEP coordinated shop drawings should be approved and signed by all team members

Compliance with Industry Standards – The drawings should comply with a set of industry standards like SMACNA, NFPA, IEEE, ASHRAE, etc and internal standards of clients for understanding project documents.

Trusting professionals with specific phases of the process – Qualified and experienced drafters should be trusted with a specific phase of the process. MEP service technicians should use a predetermined set of symbols & notation, which is readable and comprehensible to the entire crew.

Different types of MEP Drawings

Different types of MEP drawings help the proper and efficient establishment of the building. Some of them include:

MEP Shop Drawing Detailing

The drawing gets completed for different aspects all contributing to overall project accuracy. Typically, this refers to the annotations, dimensions and elevations.

Steel fabricators use shop drawings while shaping and forming rebar or steel for use in construction. Other facets of MEP drawings are compliant with industry standards and conform to client requirements.

Penetration Drawings

These are essential when an electrician, plumber or technician needs to pierce through the building wall. They are required to know the exact locations along with the guidance for wall penetration.

Penetration drawings help the workers to know the exact locations of the electrical conduit, water pipe, and ductworks along with the necessary clearance.

Block-out and Sleeve Drawings

Some of the technical documents used by contractors in steel and cement work are called block-out and sleeve drawings. These drawings provide a significant amount of critical information, like ceiling and floor clearance for cut-outs concerning HVAC, conduit and piping work.

Sleeves involve a special type of block-out detailing, determining the specific hole-placement work along with ductwork and pipes.

Pipe Spool Drawings

In Mechanical, Electrical and Plumbing work, a spool involves a group of parts that get prepared in a shop and consequently shipped to an installation location.

The drawings associated with the spools are called pipe spool drawings and are used by shop workers, arranging the required spools for a particular building project.

As Built Drawings

Often, it is essential to update the plans and drawings for reflecting changes in the plan. In the construction sites, modifications are made during the actual construction.

As-built’ drawings show what’s constructed as opposed to what’s planned for the construction. Contractors need these drawings for checking what’s perceptible at the site and make modifications throughout the way.

Co-ordination Drawings

MEP Coordination drawings provide clarity for the entire team to work on a specific project. On the construction site, there are HVAC technicians, plumbers, electricians together with the GCs and other team members.

Coordination drawings offer the bird’s eye view of the construction, where everything is integrated to make a unified whole. A comprehensive coordination drawing helps to achieve seamless integration in the building, avoiding technical conflicts with apt 3D BIM clash detection. This leads to a reduced chance for human error or overall change orders, enabling earlier project finish dates and less wastage of resources.

What Sets Apart Great MEP Drafting Services?

To set up a successful construction project, start with proper planning and documentation. To provide the best experience from inception to conception, a BIM firm should use the highest quality of drawings. Or else, the project could be destined to repeat failures, execute costly clashes, and end up accomplishing the work extending beyond the schedule and budget.

So, avoid this by appointing MEP drafters who are committed, and efficient. Do you want to know how to use Revit MEP? Or, want to get good MEP services?

Schedule a meeting with a proficient Revit MEP designer and get to know the perfect Revit MEP cost for your construction. Tejjy Inc. BIM Services Provider in USA, is there to support you with your Building Information Modeling needs and MEP CAD services.

Take a look at the BIM Project Case Study of Tejjy Inc.

• BIM for Clash Detection of Dc Courthouse Project
• Revit BIM Modeling in USA
• BIM for Northeast Water Purification Plant Expansion Project

Step into the world of Intelligence Working with BIM and resolve all your project problems at pre-construction by Outsource Revit MEP Drafting Services.

3D Laser Scanning Process

What is 3D Laser Scanning?

3D Laser scanning is a non-destructive technology that is used to capture the spatial geometry of the structure in the form of a point cloud in order to develop accurate multi-dimensional digital representations of the built asset.

It captures the finest geographical details with the precision of the targeted points of the structure regardless of its surface features or dimensions. 3D laser scanning also facilitates the construction industry with accurate topographical data of the land/contour as it is used as a method for surveying.

The 3D laser scanning technology works on LiDAR technology (Light Detection and Ranging) ; hence it is also referred to as LiDAR scanning. The high-definition LiDAR scanner, targeted to a point, throws out laser rays in order to capture the structure’s geometry. The rays emitted from the 3D scanner reflects back to the scanner after a collision with the surface.

The distance travelled by the laser rays is known as the time of flight. The reflected rays come back to the scanner, loaded with accurate information of the physical geometry. The BIM engineers use the point cloud data for the development of a detailed three-dimensional model of the facility.

How Is Laser Scanning Performed On-site?

Let’s check out the detailed step-wise procedure of 3D laser scanning given below: –

PLANNING

Gathering Site information – Architects and engineers collaboratively work with the clients to understand their project scope in order to provide optimal solutions based on their requirements and project specifications. The project scope is listed down in detail to ensure all the points are covered.

On-Site Setup – The laser scanning experts carry a Leica laser scanner, a tripod, backup batteries, an instruction manual and an iPad. The Team firstly inspects the conditions on-site, to ensure and deliver quality scans.

This process includes checking on-site obstacles, any irregular movement that can affect the scans and planning the arbitrary scanner path to complete the process in the estimated time.

During the process, the iPad connects to the laser scanner through the BLK360 cyclone application that provides us with a database to capture the view and store it as a virtual file for post-processing.

SCANNING

Capturing points – Highly trained project managers efficiently scan each site with Leica laser scanners, capturing millions of data points. The scanner is navigated into different potential locations to trace the physical information.

Each point is tracked in a sequence to get the best-scanned results. All the scans are linked to create a monolithic structured product for post-processing. Levels are checked in the captured model while scanning, which may differ if the scanner is not placed on a levelled surface as per the previous scan.

Point Cloud data conversion – Engineers register and process the point cloud, removing noise and setting the coordinate system to provide the most precise measurements. Providing such an amount of accuracy requires a thorough inspection of the captured points. Leica Cyclone 360 software is used to access, fix and convert the captured files.

If there are randomized issues, then the engineer rearranges the scene to align correctly through the vertical and horizontal axis. After all the model verification, the team runs a final QA/QC to make sure that the engineers deliver a highly accurate product. The virtual captured files are then converted into a point cloud format.

DELIVERY

3D Model Generation – The engineers take over the Point cloud file to generate 2D and 3D deliverables as per the demands of the project, which includes the Level of Development (LOD) and Construction Information Building Information Exchange (COBie) Facility Management data generation requirement, using Autodesk REVIT software for modeling.

High Definition Scanning (3D Laser Scanning) Benefits

The LiDAR 3D scanning technology has several benefits over the traditional methods, that the construction industry can leverage. Let’s explore the benefits of 3D laser scanning for construction.

The 3D scanners capture accurate spatial data of the scanned structure with utmost precision.

It facilitates the architects and engineers with enhanced planning and design of the construction project.

The point cloud scanning process allows the professionals to perform scans and capture geometries from a safe spot, eliminating the need to access the risky areas for taking measurements.

The point cloud data provides the as-is information of the construction project for hassle-free maintenance and facility management operations of the project.

3D laser scanning and as-builts drawings in construction helps civil engineers and architects with required data for renovation and retrofitting of the structures.

The reality capture technology can perform the scans usually faster than the traditional methods, with utmost accuracy, providing the scan results at a faster rate.

It assists construction owners to save the overall cost of the construction project.

The detailed 3D model of the structure developed using the point cloud scanning facilitates a well-optimized workflow for construction activities.

Disadvantages of LiDAR Technology

Let’s check out the disadvantages of 3D LiDAR scanning technology for the construction, below: –

• It is way more expensive than the traditional survey instruments, resulting in an increased budget.
• Reality capture requires proper training to operate and scan the objects.
• The scanners cannot capture the data of hidden geometries as the laser cannot go through the surface for acquiring spatial data.

Applications of Laser Scanning in Construction Industry

Laser scanning is widely used in the architecture, engineering and construction industries. It has several applications that highly benefit the building industry. Architectural engineers and construction professionals are incorporating Building Information Modeling and drone technologies to capture the real-world environment. Let us explore the applications of laser scanning technology.

• 3D Modeling and construction designing
• Reverse Engineering
• Planning and construction management
• Accurate surveying of various types of topography
• Maintenance and facility management of the buildings
• Retrofitting and renovation of the heritage sites

Also read – Architectural Engineering & Construction Planning With BIM & Drone

Conclusion

The construction engineering business has been shifting towards digitization in order to harness the benefits of digital technologies such as digital twinning and 3D laser scanning.

The point cloud scanning technology has been a true saviour for the architecture, engineering and construction business. Though digital scanning technology has some demerits, the benefits of the technology outweigh the negatives.

Along with several benefits such as cost-efficacy, time-efficacy, accuracy and precision, 3D scanning has a suite of applications for the construction and architecture business. The AEC industry has started adopting digital technologies and leveraging their benefits for the betterment and quality-assured outcomes.

Scan to BIM Terms

Breaking down Scan to BIM Terms  

The architecture, engineering and construction industry is moving towards digitization. Digital technologies are gradually replacing traditional techniques and workflow systems in the construction industry. Scan to BIM is one such method, which is currently the talk of the town. Scan to BIM, also known as Field to BIM, is a technology that creates an accurate digital representation of the built asset through laser scanning and Building Information Modeling, otherwise known as BIM. Scan to BIM or Field to BIM revolves around a few other digital techniques that are interrelated and assist the technology to perform effectively.

Below in this article, we will be looking at a glossary of terms and technologies that are directly or indirectly connected to Scan to BIM. We’ll also look at the benefits and the interoperability of the technology or the concept with scan to BIM.

🏠 1. Building Information Modeling (BIM)

Also known as BIM, Building Information Modeling is a concept that bridges people, technology and processes for the enhancement of building design, planning and construction.

The holistic process integrates multidisciplinary models to generate a single detailed model of the structure. The BIM model assists engineers, contractors and architects from the design stage to the handover stage with enhanced construction project management.

BIM is a part of the scan to BIM process. The field to BIM technique scans the physical asset in order to acquire the as-is data in the form of a point cloud. The point cloud data is used for developing a real-time data-integrated virtual model of the facility.

🏠 2. Scan to BIM

Scan to BIM is a process that involves digitally capturing a built asset or a constructed facility in the form of laser-scanned point cloud data, which is then used to create, build, and maintain a 3D BIM model. It is also known as Field to BIM.

The process of scanning, as explained above, is carried out using a high-definition LiDAR scanner. The laser-scanned point cloud data is processed and converted into a data-rich three-dimensional building information model of the structure.

Also Read –  Point Cloud to BIM Conversion

🏠 3. Virtual Design and Construction

 

VDC or virtual design and construction is the process of simulating each phase of a construction project before the commencement of work on the construction site. VDC enables us to create and manage a multi-disciplinary collaborative BIM model for efficient planning and management of construction activities on site.

BIM VDC is a broad topic to discuss. It allows construction professionals from disciplines to work collaboratively on a virtual platform. The BIM models developed using Scan to BIM are simulated with real-time data. The simulation helps to evaluate the workflow of the construction activities, determining the estimated time and the projected construction cost.

🏠 4. 3D Laser Scanning

3D Laser scanning is a technology that scans the object using laser scanners in order to create a digital representation of the object. Laser rays from the 3D scanner incident on the surface of the object reflect back with precise information such as dimension and appearance, in the form of points, known as the point cloud data.

The point cloud data is digitally processed in software programs in order to form an accurate and data-rich three-dimensional representation of the object. Laser scanning is also used as a modern-day method for surveying the topography.

🏠 5. Digital Twin

A digital twin is a digital replica of the built asset represented virtually. It shows the real-world conditions of the building with simulations of the construction processes and activities. The process of creating a digital twin is known as digital twinning. A digital twin is created by general contractors after the completion of the construction of the civil engineering project. It facilitates construction professionals to visualize the project conditions during the maintenance and renovation phase.

🏠 6. As-built 

An as-built is the as-is design of a built asset that is represented as a 2D plan or a 3D model, digitally. As-builts represent the exact and current condition of the structure accurately and are mostly used for renovation and restoration of a structure.

The Scan to BIM workflow is used to develop as-built BIM models and as-built CAD drawings of the structure. It laser scans the built asset precisely with accurate point-cloud data in order to generate a data-rich 3D Revit BIM model using the scanned data.

🏠 7. 4D Planning and Scheduling

4D is the 4th dimension of the BIM model. The 4th dimension of BIM facilitates the digital construction model with precise scheduling and time-related parameters for construction activities. It helps to streamline the construction activities and facilitates faster project completion.

Using 4D project scheduling, the engineers can integrate time parameters in the 3D Revit model. It facilitates the top-to-toe evaluation of the schedule of construction activities. 4D BIM assists project engineers to optimize the project schedule.

Also Read – 4D BIM Construction Scheduling & Simulation Services

🏠 8. 5D BIM – Cost Estimation & Quantity Take-off

5D BIM is basically adding the cost element into the BIM model. Adding cost to the model gives an approximate idea about the overall budget of the construction project.

5D also facilitates engineers with an overall and activity-wise estimate of the total quantity of building materials to be used for the project.

Cost accuracy is one of the important factors in construction as it plays a vital role during project execution. Using BIM, the gap between the estimated cost and the actual cost of the construction project can be reduced to a great extent.

🏠 9. 6D Sustainability and Energy Consumption

Adding the 6th dimension of BIM represents the energy requirement of the built asset. 6D BIM analyzes the energy consumption for the whole construction project and gives estimated energy calculations in the design stage. Evaluating the energy consumption and illumination during the pre-construction stage provides an estimate of the energy and lighting-related cost. 

🏠 10. 7D Facility Management

It is the 7th dimension of the building information model. Integration of 7D in BIM facilitates the engineers and facility managers with facilities and operation management.

7D BIM collects top to toe information of the built asset. A facility manager utilizes the information to carry out effective and hassle-free maintenance and/or the renovation of the facility.

Also Read – Facility Management Operations

🏠 11. Level Of Development/Detail

BIM Levels of Development (LOD) is an industry-standard and an integral part of the Building Information Modeling process that defines the details of the geometry of a building at each stage or level. It also represents the complexity of the detail of the project. LOD BIM varies from 100 to 500.

The level of details increases with the increase in numbers. For example, LOD 100 shows the most basic detail about the structure whereas LOD 500 represents a highly detailed BIM model.

 

 

🏠 12. Level Of Accuracy

The Level of Accuracy – LOA, is the measure for acceptable tolerance of errors in a building information model. The LOA number represents the accuracy level of a BIM model. LOA 10 is a model with the least accuracy. It is used as a rough measurement.

The tolerance range of errors in LOA 10 is between 5 cm to 15 cm. LOA 50 represents the highest level of accuracy of a BIM model. The range of acceptable errors is between 0 mm to 1 mm. LOA 20 to LOA 30 is the most commonly used range for scan-to-BIM workflows.

🏠 13. Computer-Aided Design (CAD)

Computer-Aided Design, abbreviated as CAD, is a process to create 2D and 3D designs of real-world objects digitally. In civil engineering, CAD design and drafting services are used to create different types of building drawings and plans for a structure.

The Scan to BIM process delivers the as-built documentation of the constructed facility. The as-built documents can be in the form of CAD drawings or BIM models. So, we can say that CAD drafts are also a part of Scan to BIM and are interrelated in a way to the technology, assisting the construction and maintenance of the built asset.

🏠 14. Clash Detection

Clash detection is a process of identifying intra and interdisciplinary hard, soft and workflow collisions among various disciplines such as architecture, structure and MEP. Later on, the identified clashes are resolved digitally using software programs like Navisworks and Revit.

Clash detection and resolution help to resolve the probable errors during the pre-construction stage in order to carry out hassle-free construction.

🏠 15. BIM Implementation Plan

A BIM Implementation Plan, BIP, is a document assisting construction professionals in recognizing all of the many benefits that come with applying BIM in the various phases of the construction project throughout its lifecycle.

When we talk about a BIM Implementation Plan, it assists project managers in keeping the construction activities on track. It enables effective management of the project, ultimately saving time and the overall cost of the construction project.

🏠 16. BIM Execution Plan

A BIM Execution Plan (BEP/BXP) is a complete construction document that assists the project team in recognizing and executing the function that BIM plays in the various stages of construction management throughout the project lifecycle.

It facilitates the construction project managers and engineers throughout the lifecycle of the construction project from the design and planning stage to the handover.

🏠 17. COBie

Construction Operations Building Information Exchange or COBie is an international standard governing the exchange of information on managed assets, such as space and equipment. It is strongly related to approaches to the design, development, and management of built assets based on BIM.

COBie is basically a sheet containing the same information as in the BIM model. The BIM model represents the data digitally in a model format whereas the COBie represents data in a sheet format.

Also Read – COBie & its Relation to BIM

🏠 18. Common Data Environment

The Common Data Environment (CDE) for BIM is a single source of information for the entire team involved in the project. It is used to collect, organize, and distribute construction documentation, the graphical model, and other non-graphical project data.

Having a centralized repository of information enhances communication among team members and helps to eliminate duplication of efforts and errors in data entry.

🏠 19. Industry Foundation Classes

IFC, Industry Foundation Classes is an object-based open file format, developed and managed by building SMART. IFC enables inter-operability and hassle-free sharing of information and data of the construction project between different software programs.

🏠 20. Revit Families

 

Revit families are a cluster of 2D and/or 3D block-type elements that assist BIM modelers in the creation of a BIM model of a structure or an asset. Further, the Revit families are classified as system families, loadable families and in-place families.

Some examples of Revit families are doors, windows, furniture items, etc. Customized Revit families can also be created as per the requirements of the clients.

Conclusion

Scan to BIM is a technology that enables construction engineers and BIM experts to develop highly accurate building information models and as-built documentation through precise laser scanning. In this article, we learnt about the 20 important terms and concepts that revolve around Scan to BIM technology. These terms are interrelated to each other and are frequently used in combination with scan to BIM. Through this article, we’ve got basic knowledge about various terminologies such as VDC, BIM, 3D laser scanning, LOD, LOA, and more. It further helps the construction stakeholders to work collaboratively and seamlessly throughout the construction project lifecycle.