Due to the large and complex nature of construction projects, specialized workers are required to fulfill various building and design concepts. As such, projects involve working with many different kinds of professionals. Coordinating work becomes a task in itself, which is where MEP comes in.
What is MEP in construction?
MEP is an acronym that stands for “mechanical, electrical, and plumbing” engineering. It’s used to refer to the three technical fields in construction that are responsible for making buildings suitable for living and habitation.
Installations under each MEP umbrella are typically done in tandem, with a high degree of collaboration required to coordinate all three disciplines.
The benefits of an MEP system
MEP in construction is important during the planning and decision-making phases, ensuring accurate cost estimation and documentation. However, it’s also important once buildings have been completed and maintenance is required.
During the design stage, using an MEP approach ensures communication and collaboration, which improves accuracy and minimizes the risk of overlapping conflicts, helping you achieve better results. It’s an integrated and more efficient system, where coordination would otherwise be difficult in isolation.
Mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems make use of somewhat similar resources, so one significant advantage of an MEP system is that it can prevent equipment conflicts. Plus, it helps with sustainability by increasing conservation. Working together, MEP professionals can make an effort to make buildings more resource-efficient while improving building performance.
Professionals may propose, for example, cleaner and more sustainable electric energy to power mechanical systems, reducing consumption and strain on the power grid. Plumbing experts may also collaborate with the two other disciplines to conserve water usage.
What does MEP stand for in construction?
Here’s how we define each individual component of MEP in construction and their importance in construction.
M – Mechanical engineering
While residential and commercial buildings use a variety of mechanical systems, mechanical engineers in construction projects are responsible for HVAC systems—i.e., heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems. These systems control temperature, humidity, and ventilation to promote comfort and keep air pollutants low.
Mechanical work on construction projects involves ensuring that HVAC equipment is correctly sized and finding the best routes for heat distribution and air conditioning systems, working with piping, refrigerant lines, and air ducts.
An MEP engineer needs to consider the requirements of an HVAC system and choose which design is most optimal for the building. A major concern for mechanical engineers is efficiency in electricity and water consumption, which is why collaboration with electrical and plumbing engineers is crucial.
E – Electrical engineering
The ‘E’ in MEP in construction stands for electrical engineering, which involves finding the best routes for electrical wiring and conduits. One of the jobs of an electrical engineer is to brainstorm ways to save material, such as laying out wiring in a certain way to minimize circuit length.
Unlike mechanical systems, electrical systems have more flexibility in design since they can be easily routed around objects and take up less space. Still, collaborating with mechanical and plumbing professionals is needed to avoid location conflicts for installations.
Electrical engineers deal with, for example, lighting installations and the amount of energy they consume. One particular area that requires collaboration with mechanical engineers is HVAC, as electrical engineers are responsible for designing the circuits that will power the equipment and allow them to function safely.
P – Plumbing engineering
MEP in construction also involves specialized professionals for plumbing. For residential properties, plumbing engineers deal with sewerage, natural gas, rainwater collection and storage, and water pressure. They also collaborate with mechanical and electrical engineers to provide services for heated water. For commercial properties, their responsibilities are more expansive and may include plumbing services like air compression, oxygen control, hydroponics, and irrigation.
Much like ductwork for mechanical engineers and wiring for electrical engineers, plumbing experts focus primarily on laying out piping routes. They’re subject to certain code requirements and must follow local laws.
Many plumbing installations require interaction with mechanical and electrical systems. Water pumps, for example, run on electricity, while hot water systems use a heat exchanger that connects with a space heating boiler (which mechanical engineers deal with).
What is the role of an MEP engineer in construction?
MEP in construction requires engineers to both design and implement mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems. Additionally, they must also consider factors like sustainable building, automation, energy consumption, and fire protection systems. They often assist with project specification audits to ensure the project will move along smoothly, functioning as a source of advice and information for purchase and installation decisions.
Coordination and administration are another aspect of their responsibilities. While they specialize in the mechanical, electrical, and plumbing fields, their obligations help building owners maximize profit margins and remain within budget while assisting with strategic decision-making concerning processes and materials.
Oversee professionals better with Bridgit
MEP in construction requires collaboration between many professionals. So how do you manage workers and facilitate communication in the best possible way? Modernizing your process with technological solutions makes workforce management easier and more efficient.
Bridgit Bench is a workforce management solution that allows users to track project progress and manage construction personnel. Our cloud-based organizational dashboard system integrates with various project management platforms, including Salesforce, Procore, bambooHR, Autodesk, and HubSpot.
Utilize our platform’s people intelligence to plan your workforce strategically, grow and retain your top talent, and realize the full potential of your employees. Track any field relevant to your business (like certifications or contract stage) and see which project roles are unfilled.
Project intelligence allows you to leverage historical project data to make informed bidding and staffing decisions. Meanwhile, pursuit intelligence lets you forecast your project pipeline and make better decisions to put forward a winning team.
Improve your workforce management by choosing Bridgit today!
Michel Richer
Michel Richer is the Content Marketing Manager at Bridgit. He got his start in the construction industry at an early age with a local restoration company. Michel is driven to propel the construction industry forward by helping to eliminate outdated, ineffective processes.
