MEP Coordination in Building and Industrial Projects

Coordination of mechanical and electrical systems to detail their configuration provides a major challenge for complex building and industrial projects. Specialized consultants and contractors design and construct these systems. Computer tools can assist with this activity, but fragmentation of responsibility for these systems and the knowledge required for their design make this difficult. This paper reports initial results from a research project to develop a computer tool to assist in coordinating MEP systems. It describes current practice, a revised work process using a computer tool, the required knowledge, development of a prototype system. These results confirm the feasibility of capturing specific types of distributed knowledge required and developing a computer tool to assist with MEP coordination, along with the potential to implement the tool and significantly improve this important project process. Phase two of the project, now underway,will add construction and operations and maintenance knowledge to the tool and further develop its capability.