Mastering Revit MEP Systems Tutorial

On this episode of BIM After Dark Live I will be joined by David Butts to talk about mastering Revit MEP Systems. However, this will not be your typical "click here" demonstration of MEP Systems in Revit....

David and I will discuss understanding the workflow more than the features. It’s about changing a mindset to understand the relationship between objects in design and model, and how relevant data transverses between objects. It what CAD guys still don’t get – the deliverable is no longer going to be about the sheet, it’s going to be about the data towards a true set of digital twins.

Some of the topics we will touch on include:
- Reviewing the four step process of Revit MEP system design
- How systems alter perspective towards the MEP design tools
- Understanding the failure of traditional CAD for MEP and overcoming it
- Looking towards new deliverables with clients and consumers

David is the Engineering Technology Manager for Gannett Fleming with over 35 years of experience in the architecture, engineering, and construction field. He has design experience for a variety of project types, and he was an Autodesk University top-rated speaker for labs and lectures in 2011, 2016 and 2019.

So sit back, relax, and let's geek out!!

Links Mentioned:
Connect wit David on LinkedIn -

Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction
04:33 Introducing David Butts
10:54 The Four Steps to MEP Systems
11:15 Step 1 - Select and Add Target and Source Equipment for Revit MEP Systems
17:45 Step 2 - Create Target Source Relationship for Revit MEP Systems
25:40 Step 3 - Create Connecting Geometry for Revit MEP Systems
34:00 Can you Mirror a Revit MEP System
35:40 Step 4 - Tag, Schedule, & Dimensions Revit MEP Systems

Here are some links to all of the hardware and software I use:

** Some of the above links are affiliate links, meaning you don’t pay anything more but I may get a small commission for a sale… Cheers! **

Thanks for watching " Mastering Revit MEP Systems Tutorial "

[dabutts]

Wanted to clarify this - the target connector in HVAC should be PRESET/In and the connector on the source should be CALCULATED/Out...just watched the video and figured I should make sure this is clear - great question!!

[alexandersolsilva]

Jeff, THANK YOU! for all you do, and for involving MEP in the conversations. This is SO IMPORTANT.
The more we understand each other, the better we can collaborate.
The more, the merrier 🙂

[saeedbabaei]

David Butts!
I owe you my entire BIM career man... Thank you for this beautiful presentation.
Thanks Jeff for hosting. 😉

[AIWorks]

man.. I was struggling with the problem you just mensioned. The problem is linking the connectors. When you use the link connectors button, it doesn't really connect one to one. It sends the flow to somewhere other outlet a little bit.... That's simple and nice solution. Thank you man. This is exactly what I was searching for.

[SuperAfgmusic]

Nice show thanks. Iam hvac guy designing hvac system for more then 10 years now but i did all this in Magicad for autocad first and now in those last 6 years do this in magicad for revit. The last one year do all stuff in BIM360 still using Revit and Magicad. I guess Magicad users are just in Europe.

[bernardduncan]

Awesome presentation David! Glad to hear you are continuing journey of Revit MEP.

[matthewshultz]

Finally, more MEP content. I am looking forward to the show and looking to learn from the EXPERT! I do both Mechanical and Plumbing for Residential, Commercial, and Industrial. I'm working on bringing the Plumbing guys out of the AutoCAD stone age.

[alexandersolsilva]

I love it!
It is great to have people like David Butts becoming an Icon or a SuperStar.
Crazy how you can affect other's peoples life so much.

Balkan, David, Jeff...keep it up brothers, you are really making an impact =)

[mep_guy]

David literally just started the the pod off with The MOST IMPORTANT concept in REVIT for MEP. Amazing! I'm currently working on Creating a Domestic Water System and Booster Pump Course and this is the core concept. I create all my fixtures first! These are the driving force behind calculations. In engineering, what is the driving factor behind a calculation. The Input and Givens! I'll be doing some videos on all this stuff! I rarely get to watch experts explaining REVIT MEP. I love youtube! I Hope to reach out to David. I'm just blown away!

[livingthedream]

Tuning in from Aus on a Saturday for PD! Rvt Architectural Tech Consultant making a shift to Rvt MEP, the interested start in Arcitecture school with our Building Services studies, and the fact the lines between the disciplines are becoming more blurred/connected.

Great video it reinforces why my gut has led me to wanting to focus more in on MEP (beyond Revit too), only had conversations this week about breaking the 2D Drafting Stigma, and focusiong on 3D for future designs.

Hit home with the having fun with the industry, doing cool things, and tuning into great podcasts like these after hours, thanks for another awesome video!

[Gazcoigne]

fantastic video, great to listen to a true MEP expert and not the millions of other architects bluffing MEP really badly.

[quiksilver]

You totally spoke my language when you talked about using generic elements like walls and such. I feel like I deal with this topic way too often.

[valorvdc]

David did not disappoint, as usual, great discussion guys!

[Cokoladni]

Regarding you epiphany around minute 48, it is better to do the core shafts before modeling each flor routing, you dont need to place terminals in each room, you can just total design values by room and decide which duct, and pipe exit from shaft goes to which room.
In my experience project that did not do their shafts first had a lot more problems than those that do not, because when the shaft is ready you just have to focus on the routing, if its not, you have to assume to which shaft you are routing to...
So just to clarify, imo, it best to do room loads, shaft (and vertical pens), tech rooms, then floor by floor layouts. Much less rework down the line.

[tylerkottmyer]

New here but I'm loving the conversations so far. I'm still in school for lighting and electrical design and was wondering if you've had many people talk about troubleshooting lighting calculations in Revit (probably Elum Tools plugin but I've been hearing about some alternate options recently). As I move closer to graduation, I've found the firms I talk to want to move from standalone software like AGi32 to Revit, but are frustrated by both Autodesk and manufacturer supplied families which block the light source and therefore produce incorrect lighting calcs. This may just be a me problem, but I'll live in hope that there is an interest out there.

[sundarapandim]

Revit MEP – HVAC Doubts

1. How many no of Supply (or) Return Terminal should place per Space/Room/Zone. Is there any calculation method or formula or factors ?
2. How to connect AHU(Air Handling Unit) with Transformer (Power Supply) ?
3. How to Calculate Duct SIZING (Velocity and friction Value) .
4. Why We create schedule and quantities generally for HVAC & Electrical ?

Revit MEP – Electrical Doubts

1. How many Lighting Pictures should place per Space/Area . Is there any formula or method to calculate this.
2. How to Adjust Wattage value as per no of lighting picture and why we create schedule & quantities comparision.
3. In Electrical Panel report I received room 1, 2, 3 in single row and word mentioned as “Dwelling Unit”. I could not understand the meaning.
4. How to connect Fire alarm/Nurse Call/TELE COMMUNICATION Devices with switches and power supply (transformer).

[matthewshultz]

I wanted to post this separately, with the huge influx of Multifamily development projects in the US, we need to have a series on BIM and multifamily developments. The scale of these projects can be daunting, we're talking anywhere from 8 unit townhome stacks to 400+ unit mega developments on huge acreages, usually a Five-on-One wood construction atop parking deck or multiple 4 story wood frame buildings on a lot. MEP systems break down fast with lots of connections, a true plumbing model of the 425 unit complex I'm currently modeling would have performance issues and likely not run on older machines. How do we break down dwelling units vs the rest of the building? How do MEP systems work in these complex buildings, especially massive interconnected systems like electrical and plumbing? Typically, with printed CDs, the units are modeled separately with the building plans only showing risers, load centers, and AHU locations. The MEP giants handle a lot of these projects and from my experience, most are still done in AutoCAD. My firm is less than 50 people and these projects have been quite tricky to handle, but would be highly profitable if we had a good workflow. I get the feeling that very small firms would hesitate to pick up a multifamily project if they are only using Revit. Any tips or tricks? Most architecture firms I work with are switching to Revit and the growing pains in Multifamily are showing on their end as well.

[vickistevens]

Hi - love the tutorials, and am thinking of subscribing but have found that some courses require 2020 and above, I have the 2019 version. Will I still get value from the courses even if I don't have updated version/s and what if I was to use Revit Lite?

[Barbzy]

Would love to see your proven examples on removing the need for Single Line Diagrams for Electrical Engineering on a 40 Story building. You want me to Model every Riser Tray DB, Switchboard, House Boards, Tenancy Boards. Transformers. "Just model them? in Schematic Design? . Would love to have an easier way. What Industry do you work in? Board Manufacturers, Approvals for breakers?

[trevs]

Interesting comment referring to "AutoCAD making us lazy & Revit return us back to having to know everything before you start".
Unless I miss understood what was actually meant, I'd say it was the opposite.
Maybe the work discipline or field may make this different (& typical work practices from differing countries) but from my experience and observations of those in the work place around me is the opposite (I'm in Building Services HVAC workshop/construction).
2D AutoCAD you still needed to collect your building information, Architecture & Structure, work out your working space ie:u/s soffits and clearance space between ceiling and soffit etc.
Once done I would start working on my Mech Service and co-ordinating with other trades drawings. Essentially not much different to the procedure when working back on the drawing board.
Working in Revit this "base" work has become very easy/quick/non existent as you collect the respective models from Architect & others and all that info is visually right there without knowing the numbers.
I've seen some quizzical unsure looks on some people when I ask them something like "what's it say on the structural drawings"
I'd say definitely people have gotten "lazy" by relying on a 3D model and/or not gaining the old school skills of simply reading a drawing (& what drawings to look for).