Top 5 BIM Benefits for Mechanical and HVAC Contractors
Optimally performing HVAC and duct equipment are crucial as they promote comfort, temperature consistency, improved air quality, and energy efficiency. Often, HVAC contractors face challenges in the model, fabricating, and installing mechanical or HVAC equipment on site in the absence of BIM processes and tools. Contractors using conventional methods face challenges in design and construction, such as a lack of skilled resources to generate accurate 3D HVAC models or substandard quality of BIM deliverables.
BIM offers a host of benefits to mechanical and HVAC contractors by enabling them to execute HVAC installation and assembly as per the HVAC layout. Adopting BIM has enabled various project trades and supply chain teams to gain greater collaboration with model-based processes and single-source 3D deliverables. The ability to improve construction performance outcomes for mechanical or HVAC planning, layouts, and construction are crucial before actual work commences on site.
In this blog, we discuss 5 BIM benefits for mechanical and HAVC contractors that enable high precision, diminish mistakes, and improve collaboration.
Challenges faced by HVAC contractors with conventional methods
Lower collaboration between project teams draws a greater probability of errors in the design, fabrication, and installation of HVAC equipment. These errors or mistakes lead to rework and project delays.
Conventional 2D drawings fog contractor clarity on resolving onsite mechanical or HVAC issues leading to greater clashes and RFIs.
Workflows based on a legacy approach reduce precision and productivity across the building lifecycle.
Lack of visualization and interference-ridden mechanical and HVAC documentation provokes manufacturing waste.
The absence of new capabilities for mechanical contractors diminishes prefabrication opportunities.
A recent analytics report from 2019, states that contractors with a progressive mindset are expanding their use of BIM for higher encouragement, collaboration, and model-based workflows for various teams and supply chains. (Source: constructconnect.com)
Top 5 BIM Benefits for Mechanical and HVAC Contractors
1. Greater collaboration between trades reduces installation errors
HVAC systems can be classified based on distribution and processes. Heating, cooling, and ventilation are primary processes that need specific distribution equipment to achieve occupant comfort in a building. With a series of parameters to select the right HVAC equipment including building age, climate control, project designer and budget, architectural design, etc. multiple stakeholders must collaborate.
Coordinated modeling air ducts, water pipes, fan coils, air conditioning, heat ventilation handling equipment reduces fabrication and installation errors through clash-free 3D modeling. Collaborating on a single source of truth drives positive field coordination for specialty contractors and other stakeholders. Advanced BIM workflows supported by 3D modeling software support mechanical and HVAC contractors to complete projects quicker with diminished re-engineering.
An Oman-based General Contracting company outsourced its MEP clash detection requirements for a large airport project to Hitech CADD Services. The team at Hitech CADD Services created a coordinated and clash-free MEP 3D model with subsequent MEP coordination drawings. The clash-free 3D Revit MEP model at LOD 400 with clash detection reports reduced RFIs and diminished field conflicts. The client was able to save $7M with 100% components installed.
2. Precise 2D drawings extracted from clash-free 3D HVAC models
Specialty contractors like mechanical and HVAC require 3D model-extracted 2D drawings that are coordinated and clash-free. Shop drawings obtained from 3D models provide higher clarity for onsite staff to achieve quick and hassle-free installation. Accurate and complete documentation from data-rich 3D models reduces RFI count during actual construction and preconstruction.
Fabrication drawings of ducts, air filters, cooling towers, water chillers, boilers, etc. extracted with exact dimensions and specifications enable easy installation of HVAC components.
More than 70% of mechanical contractors use BIM to create shop drawings and spatial coordination on more than half of their projects. (Source: construction.com)
3. Automated BIM-based workflows drive greater precision for 3D HVAC models
Automation reinforced 3D models driven by BIM software such as Dynamo, APIs, or plugins are highly accurate and fuel better data management for specialty contractors. Integrating powerful Dynamo workflows into Revit capabilities enhances accuracy and data validity in the 3D models leading to better construction documentation.
The use of custom Revit families for HVAC equipment supports fabricators with improved fabrication insights and higher installation productivity.
4. 3D visualization via HVAC models reduce cost, time, and material waste
Mechanical or HVAC contractors can use 3D visualization to reduce material waste and calculate the exact costs. 3D models enriched with accurate quantity takeoffs and cost estimates with 5D BIM help fabricators and contractors save on manufacturing costs.
Furthermore, precise scheduling with 4D BIM of mechanical or HVAC equipment onsite through immersive walkthroughs streamlines the construction process.
Hitech CADD Services were approached by a project management solutions firm from Saudi Arabia to create a 3D MEP model with LOD 500 for a Healthcare construction project. The team created a clash-free 3D MEP model at LOD 500, enabling the client to lower risks and diminish rework.
Collaboration between various trades and accurate material takeoffs resulted in time savings and streamlined construction.
5. Offsite fabrication of HVAC equipment improve quality and onsite safety
Prefabrication of mechanical or HVAC equipment in an offsite factory boosts manufacturing efficiencies. Manufacturing heavy HVAC equipment in a controlled environment improves worker safety whilst fabrication and assembly.
Moving large mechanical equipment requires swift logistics processes for onsite installation. Specialty contractors can leverage 4D scheduling capabilities by taking data and tracking it to enhance the installation quality.
Conclusion
BIM tools have become an increasingly important part of the construction process for mechanical contractors, HVAC companies, and MEP modeling firms. BIM has significantly transformed project design through highly accurate 3D visualizations, design communication, and construction insights. Contractors are increasingly moving from CAD-based processes to 3D BIM due to the many benefits BIM offers.
The adoption of BIM for spatial coordination and constructability insights will continue to provide contractors with multiple advantages to save both money and time.
About Author:
Harika Singh is an academician and published writer. Her passion for engineering and technology reflects in the in-depth coverage she provides on technology trends. 20 years of work association with institutes of repute across India and the US positions her to provide valuable insights to business stakeholders on achieving scalability and operational efficiencies through digitalization.