MEP Shop and Spool Sheets via BIM - How it is Shaping the Onsite MEP Installation?

In this technological era, precise and relevant data serves as fuel for efficient construction. When it comes to critical aspects of a design like MEP shop drawings, there has to be accurate in the layouts and details to make the on-site process smoother and clash-free. Being among Quality BIM Service Providers in California, working with ENR-ranked Architecture and General Contracting firms, our team experienced how BIM is re-shaping the MEP industry.

Although plumbing spool sheets and MEP drawings have been there for a long time, how has the introduction of BIM aided in enhancing their workflow? What role does BIM play to help the improvement in outputs of these drawings? Let’s find out.

What is MEP Shop Drawings?

MEP shop drawings are the set of drawings that comprise mechanical, electrical, and plumbing details required for the fabrication and installation of systems on-site. With all the services integrated into these drawings, the information of each element is provided to the contractor ranging from the layout of services to their fixtures and functionality.

What are Plumbing Spool Sheets?

Plumbing spool sheets are the details of the assembly of pipes and the related components needed for pre-fabrication in the workshops for further installation. These serve as a guide for plumbers on-site and with clarity on every component. Spool sheets are one of the essential drawings needed for execution as they ensure accuracy in the manufacturing and assembly of spools.

Types of MEP Drawings

1. Detailed Shop Drawings

Detailed Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing shop drawings are generated prior to the construction stages. These drawings have the installation and fabrication details for each of the MEP systems. The role of these drawings is to provide precise dimensions of each element/item being used in the MEP system.

2. Penetration Drawings / Sleeve Drawings

As mechanical, electrical, and plumbing elements are usually passing through the slab, floor, and walls, the opening size and their accurate locations are provided in the penetration drawings. These illustrate the conduits, plumbing sleeves, electrical cables, ducts, and cable tray details.

3. As-built Drawings

As-built drawings are developed after the construction has been completed in order to understand how the systems have been laid. It gives a clear picture of the proposed layouts and the finely executed details.

4. Coordination Drawings

With several systems being a part of the project, there’s always room for clashes. This is where coordination drawings come into the picture. BIM aids in clash coordination to ensure that none of the systems hinders any other element, as a result, coordinated drawing is extracted.

5. Pipe Spool Drawings

Plumbing spool sheets give details about all the pipes, flanges, and fittings that are manufactured in the workshops before taking them on-site. For each spool, a single sheet is generated that has details of the pipe layout including the pipe material and quantity which aids the manufacturing and onsite installation teams.

6. Hanger Drawings

Hanger drawings give details about the supports suspended from the slab that takes the load of the heavy MEP equipment. Revit MEP modeling helps in the placement of these components easily and with accuracy.