mastering autodesk revit mep 2012 [electronic resource]

Mastering
Autodesk
®
Revit
®
MEP 2012
Don Bokmiller
with Simon Whitbread
and Joel Londenberg
Senior Acquisitions Editor: Willem Knibbe
Development Editor: Gary Schwartz
Technical Editors: Simon Whitbread and Don Bokmiller
Production Editor: Eric Charbonneau
Copy Editor: Sharon Wilkey
Editorial Manager: Pete Gaughan
Production Manager: Tim Tate
Vice President and Executive Group Publisher: Richard Swadley
Vice President and Publisher: Neil Edde
Book Designers: Maureen Forys and Judy Fung
Compositor: Jeff Lytle, Happenstance Type-O-Rama
Proofreaders: Scott Klemp, Paul Sagan, and James Saturnio, Word One New York
Indexer: Ted Laux
Project Coordinator, Cover: Katherine Crocker
Cover Designer: Ryan Sneed
Cover Image: © Pete Gardner/DigitalVision/Getty Images
Copyright © 2011 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc., Indianapolis, Indiana
Published simultaneously in Canada
ISBN: 978-1-118-06681-2 (pbk)
ISBN: 978-1-118-15297-3 (ebk)

ISBN: 978-1-118-15299-7 (ebk)
ISBN: 978-1-118-15298-0 (ebk)
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10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
Dear Reader,

Thank you for choosing Mastering Autodesk Revit MEP 2012. This book is part of a family of
premium-quality Sybex books, all of which are written by outstanding authors who combine
practical experience with a gift for teaching.
Sybex was founded in 1976. More than 30 years later, we’re still committed to producing consis-
tently exceptional books. With each of our titles, we’re working hard to set a new standard for
the industry. From the paper we print on, to the authors we work with, our goal is to bring you
the best books available.
I hope you see all that reflected in these pages. I’d be very interested to hear your comments and
get your feedback on how we’re doing. Feel free to let me know what you think about this or
any other Sybex book by sending me an email at If you think you’ve found
a technical error in this book, please visit . Customer feedback is
critical to our efforts at Sybex.
Best regards,

Neil Edde
Vice President and Publisher
Sybex, an Imprint of Wiley
To my wife, my family, and my friends, with much
gratitude.
—Don Bokmiller
To my wife and daughter for all their support, all the
time, thank you.
—Simon Whitbread
To my wife, my colleagues, and to the entire AUGI
community.
—Joel Londenberg
Acknowledgments
Thank you, Shelley, for knowing exactly the support I needed to accomplish this task. Thank
you also for sacrificing so much time for this. Thanks to my family for your kindness and
encouragement.

I have had the great opportunity to work with many wonderful people who have influenced
my career and provided wisdom, guidance, and friendship. Thanks to Dave Sammons and
Mike Taylor for sharing so much insight on what it takes to collaborate and work as a team and
for being such good friends. Thank you, Kevin Austin, for giving me the opportunity to learn,
research, and grow as a professional. Thanks to Jim Bish for knowing pretty much everything.
Thank you to everyone else at Inlet Technology; my time there has proved to be invaluable. I
also want to thank my friends and colleagues at Clark Nexsen, where I have been given the
opportunity to grow and learn in such a wonderful working environment, which I could never
take for granted. Thanks Johan, Tom, Scott, Willie, Leslie, Kyle, Mickey, and Bobby. You guys are
the best!
I cannot bypass the opportunity to thank all the incredible people at Sybex. Thank you,
Willem, for once again keeping things moving. Thank you, Gary and Eric, for being such great
editors. I’m sure there are many others who have worked hard to bring this book together.
Thank you, all!
Thank you, Simon, for your input and insight. Thanks also for your friendship. Joel, thanks
so much for stepping in and providing much needed support. It has been my pleasure to work
with you both.
—Don Bokmiller
To my wife, Carole, thanking you for your support over the past few months while working
on this project doesn’t go anywhere near the thanks due for all your hard work and patience
while I have been writing late into the night. Your support over the years has helped me achieve
so much—what else can I say but thank you and I love you? Thanks also to my daughter, Jess,
a beautiful person whose hard work at school will take her places—she makes me laugh. I also
want to say thanks to my Mum and Dad, although they live on the other side of the planet, their
encouragement has helped me succeed when my high school teachers just laughed in my face.
In the past few years I have had so many exciting opportunities to develop, learn, teach, and
travel. I would not have been able to do any of this without the full support of my family. Thank
you also to JASMAX architects. After moving to New Zealand, I picked up Revit at version 5.1,
meaning that I (and they) had an early introduction to Revit. The transition back into building
services was so much simpler with the newly developing toolset, and I was lucky enough to

start with Revit Systems, taught to me by my friend and mentor Wesley Benn.
Thank you to everyone at Sybex who has helped and encouraged me with the writing and
technical editing of this book, especially Willem, Gary, and Pete.
Finally, a special thanks to Don Bokmiller. Mate, if you hadn’t liked my AUGI comments so
much, I wouldn’t be here right now, having the opportunity to thank you and counting you as a
friend.
—Simon Whitbread
Rachel, my lovely wife, you’ve always shown tremendous confidence in me, without which
I’m sure I would have very little success.
To my longtime Revit colleague and Autodesk University co-speaker, Jarrod Baumann; we’ve
certainly proved that two heads are much, much better than one.
I also want to express my gratitude to the entire community of helpful users collaborating on
www.augi.com and other similar sites. As a whole, you remain my primary source of help for the
stickiest of software problems.
—Joel Londenberg
About the Authors
Don Bokmiller is a BIM manager at Clark Nexsen Architecture and Engineering
in Norfolk, Virginia. He has worked in the AE design industry since 1996 when he
started out as a CAD technician in the electrical department. He eventually
became one of a few CAD managers as the company grew, while also participating
as an electrical designer on several projects. When Revit Systems came along, he
participated in the Autodesk Beta program and has continued to do so for each
release. His current position is to optimize the company’s use of Revit MEP. Don
has also worked as an application specialist for Inlet Technology, an Autodesk reseller, where he
supported clients of various sizes and company structures on their use of Revit MEP. He has taught
classes and given presentations to local engineering organizations. Don is an AUGI member and
attends Autodesk University whenever possible.
Simon Whitbread, Revit and CAD implementation specialist, started using Revit
at release 5.1. He has over 25 years of experience in the building services and
architectural industries. Since the early 1990s, he has been involved in developing

and managing CAD and IT systems. Since moving to New Zealand in 2002, he has
led the implementation of Revit Architecture at JASMAX, one of New Zealand’s
leading architectural practices, and more recently he has been providing support
and training for Revit MEP, Revit Architecture, and AutoCAD to companies in the
United Kingdom, New Zealand, Australia, Singapore, and Dubai. Simon enjoys spending time
with his family, is a member of AUGI, Twitter, and the organizing committee for the Revit
Technology Conference (RTC).
Joel Londenberg is currently the BIM manager for ACH Mechanical Contractors,
an HVAC contractor operating throughout Southern California. He has been an
independent training and implementation consultant specializing in Autodesk
Revit MEP, and has many years of experience with leading MEP design for a wide
range of projects. He has also worked with several major HVAC equipment manu-
facturers to develop their Revit content for distribution.

Contents at a Glance
Introduction xxi
Part 1

•

General Project Setup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Chapter 1  •  Exploring the User Interface 3
Chapter 2  •  Creating an Effective Project Template 25
Chapter 3  •  Worksets and Worksharing 67
Chapter 4  •  Project Collaboration 89
Chapter 5  •  Multiplatform Interoperability: Working with 2D and 3D Data 125
Chapter 6  •  Parameters 143
Chapter 7  •  Schedules 169
Part 2

•

Revit MEP for Mechanical Design . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 201
Chapter 8  •  HVAC Cooling and Heating Load Analysis 203
Chapter 9  •  Creating Logical Systems 227
Chapter 10  •  Mechanical Systems and Ductwork 247
Chapter 11  •  Mechanical Piping 271
Part 3

•

Revit MEP for Electrical Design . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 291
Chapter 12  •  Lighting 293
Chapter 13  •  Power and Communications 317
Chapter 14  •  Circuiting and Panels 351
Part 4

•

Revit MEP for Plumbing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 379
Chapter 15  •  Plumbing (Domestic, Sanitary, and Other Piping) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 381
Chapter 16  •  Fire Protection 399
X
|
Contents at a GlanCe
Part 5

•

Managing Content in Revit MEP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .411

Chapter 17  •  Solid Modeling 413
Chapter 18  •  Creating Symbols and Annotations 443
Chapter 19  •  Creating Equipment 465
Chapter 20  •  Creating Lighting Fixtures 491
Chapter 21  •  Creating Devices 515
Chapter 22  •  Details 535
Chapter 23  •  Sheets 557
Appendix

•

The Bottom Line . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 581
Index 603
Contents
Introduction xxi
Part 1

•

General Project Setup 1
Chapter 1  •  Exploring the User Interface 3
The Ribbon 3
Tabs 3
Contextual Tabs 6
Family Editor Tabs 7
Customizing the Ribbon 8
Quick Access Toolbar 9
User Interface Features 10
Options Bar 10
Properties Palette 11

View Control Bar 12
Status Bar 15
Info Center 16
User Interface Control 16
Menus and Settings 17
Keyboard Shortcuts 19
Graphics 21
Context Menus 21
The Bottom Line 23
Chapter 2  •  Creating an Effective Project Template 25
Understanding Templates 25
Understanding the Project Browser Organization 26
Determining Which Views Are Grouped Together 27
Sorting Views within Groups 27
Determining the Number and Types of Views Needed 28
Number of Levels 29
Plan Types 29
Creating a Working View 29
Choosing How to Display Each View 30
Visibility Settings for Template Views 32
Visibility Settings Shortcut: View Templates 35
Schedule Views 36
Establishing Project Settings 37
Object Styles 38
Drafting Line Settings 39
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Contents
Export Settings 43
Annotation Styles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46

Project Units 50
Project Phases 50
Defining Preloaded Content and Its Behavior 52
Annotation Families 53
Component Families 54
System Families 56
MEP Settings 59
Creating Sheet Standards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61
Titleblocks 61
Sheet Organization 62
Preset Sheets 62
The Bottom Line 65
Chapter 3  •  Worksets and Worksharing 67
Understanding Central Files 67
Creating a Central File 68
Creating a New Workset 72
Working with Local Files 74
Creating a Local File 74
Synchronizing a Local File with the Central File 76
Managing and Using the Power of Worksets 79
Taking Ownership of Worksets 79
Working with Model Elements and Their Worksets 80
Controlling Visibility and Worksets 83
Enhancing Communication 85
The Bottom Line 87
Chapter 4  •  Project Collaboration 89
Preparing Your Files for Sharing 89
Working with Linked Revit Files 92
Linking Revit Files 92
Using Shared Coordinates 95

Managing Revit Links 97
Controlling Visibility of Revit Links 99
Coordinating Elements within Shared Models 104
Monitoring Elements 104
Responding to Change Alerts 109
Reconciling Hosting 110
Maintaining Project Coordination 111
Working with Non-Revit Files 112
Linking CAD Files 112
Exporting Your Revit File to a CAD Format 115
Using Image Files in a Revit Project 117
Contents
|
XIII
Setting Options for Quality Control 120
Using Revit Server 122
The Bottom Line 123
Chapter 5  •  Multiplatform Interoperability: Working with 2D and 3D Data 125
2D Data Types 126
MicroStation 2D DGN 127
DXF 127
2D Data for Standard Details 127
2D Data for Plans Sections and Elevations 129
3D Data Types 135
Revit Project File 135
Revit Family File 137
ADSK 138
IFC 138
AutoCAD DWG 139
SketchUp 140

Point Clouds 140
The Bottom Line 141
Chapter 6  •  Parameters 143
Understanding Parameter Properties 143
Parameter Naming 144
Type Parameters 145
Instance Parameters 145
Parameter Discipline, Type, and Grouping 147
Using Parameters in Families 149
Dimensional Parameters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 149
Parameter Types 150
Type Catalogs 152
Formulas 154
Coded Parameters 155
Lookup Tables 156
Using Shared Parameters 157
Using Parameters in Projects 161
Project Parameters 161
Parameters in Schedules 162
Creating and Using Parameters in Families and Schedules 164
View and Sheet Parameters 165
The Bottom Line 167
Chapter 7  •  Schedules 169
Defining Schedules 169
The Fields Tab 171
The Filter Tab 173
XIV
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Contents
The Sorting/Grouping Tab 175

The Formatting Tab 177
The Appearance Tab 179
Editing a Schedule 179
Scheduling Component and System Family Data 181
Mechanical Equipment Schedules 182
Lighting Fixture Schedules 183
System Family Schedules 184
Model Component Schedules 188
Using Schedules for Design and Analysis 189
Schedule Keys 189
Panel Schedules 192
Using Schedules for Project Management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 195
Sheet List 195
View List 197
Note Block 197
The Bottom Line 199
Part 2

•

Revit MEP for Mechanical Design . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 201
Chapter 8  •  HVAC Cooling and Heating Load Analysis 203
Modeling Spaces for Building Load Analysis 203
Space Modeling 204
Placing Spaces 204
Space Properties Schedule 206
Modifying Space Properties 207
Zones 209
Building Construction 211
Performing Heating and Cooling Load Analysis 213

Load Analysis 216
Weather Data 216
Outdoor Air Infiltration 217
Sliver Spaces 218
Details 218
Heating and Cooling Loads Report 219
Exporting gbXML Data to Load-Simulating Software 223
The Bottom Line 225
Chapter 9  •  Creating Logical Systems 227
Managing Systems 227
Why Are Systems Important? 227
Mechanical Settings 229
System Browser 230
Setting Up Air Systems 231
Understanding Parameters 231
Creating Mechanical Systems 233
Contents
|
XV
Setting Up Piping Systems 238
Understanding Parameters 239
Creating Pipe Systems 240
Creating Fire-Protection Systems 242
Setting Display Properties of Systems 242
System Filters 243
The Bottom Line 245
Chapter 10  •  Mechanical Systems and Ductwork 247
Air Distribution Components 247
Mechanical Equipment Components 249
Air Conditioning/Handling Units 249

VAV Boxes 251
Ductwork 251
Duct Types and Routing 254
Creating New Duct Types 254
Using Automatic Duct Routing 255
Using Manual Duct Routing 259
Duct Sizing 264
Choosing a Duct Sizing Method 264
Using the Duct Routing Tools 267
The Bottom Line 269
Chapter 11  •  Mechanical Piping 271
Mechanical Pipe Settings 271
Creating Piping Systems 272
Creating Pipe Types 273
Selecting Fittings for Pipe Types 275
Choosing a Pipe Material 278
Adjusting the Pipe Sizing Table 278
Using the Fluids Table 279
Pipe Routing Options 279
Automatic Pipe Routing 279
Manual Pipe Routing 280
Pipe Fittings 286
Using Pipe Fitting Controls 286
Placing Fittings 286
Visibility of Pipes 287
The Bottom Line 289
Part 3

•

Revit MEP for Electrical Design 291
Chapter 12  •  Lighting 293
Efficient Lighting Design 293
Spaces and Lighting 293
XVI
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Contents
The Reflected Ceiling Plan 296
Lighting Worksets 298
Lighting Analysis 298
Hosting Options for Lighting Fixtures and Devices 301
Light Fixtures in a Ceiling 302
Lighting Fixtures in Sloped Ceilings 303
Ceiling Changes 304
Overhead Fixtures in Spaces with No Ceiling 304
Wall-Mounted Lights 305
Switches 306
Site Lighting 308
The Site Plan 308
Site Lighting Layout 310
Site Lighting Analysis 310
The Bottom Line 315
Chapter 13  •  Power and Communications 317
Modeling Methods for Power and Systems Devices 317
Using Annotation Symbols 319
Using Face-Hosted Families 319
Avoiding Interference of Symbols 322
Creating Circuits 325
Creating a Fire Alarm System Model 325
Fire Alarm Riser Diagram 326

Fire Alarm Diagram Using Drafting Tools and Symbols 327
Placing Devices and Equipment Connections 328
Disconnect Switches 330
Distribution Equipment and Transformers 331
Switchboards 332
Panels 333
Other Equipment 337
Creating Power Distribution Systems 338
Power Diagrams 341
Tips for Creating Power Diagrams 341
Modeling Conduit and Cable Tray 342
Defining Electrical Settings 343
Placing Conduit in a Model 345
Placing Cable Tray in a Model 348
Creating Family Types 348
The Bottom Line 349
Chapter 14  •  Circuiting and Panels 351
Establishing Electrical Settings 351
Wiring Settings 352
Voltage Definitions 354
Contents
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XVII
Distribution Systems 355
Load Calculations 355
Creating Circuits and Wiring for Devices and Fixtures 359
Editing Wiring 362
Editing Circuits 365
Drawing Wires Manually 367
Controlling Wire Display 370

Managing Circuits and Panels 371
Circuit Properties 371
Wire Properties 371
Panel Properties 372
Other Panels and Circuits 374
Using Schedules for Sharing Circuit Information 375
The Bottom Line 376
Part 4

•

Revit MEP for Plumbing 379
Chapter 15  •  Plumbing (Domestic, Sanitary, and Other Piping) 381
Working with Plumbing Fixtures 381
Working with Architectural Linked-in Plumbing Models . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 385
Create Custom Pipe Assemblies 386
Copy/Monitor Plumbing Fixtures 389
Choosing Pipe Settings and Pipe Routing Options 391
Sloping Pipe 391
Annotating Invert Elevation and Slope 392
Using Fittings 394
Using Pipe Fitting Controls 394
Placing Valves 394
Setting Visibility of Piping . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 396
The Bottom Line 398
Chapter 16  •  Fire Protection 399
Understanding the Essentials of Placing Fire Protection Equipment 399
Point of Connection 399
Fire Pump Assembly 401
Fire Riser Assembly 402

Sprinkler Heads 404
Creating Fire Protection Systems 404
Creating a Fire Protection Wet System 407
Filtering Fire Protection Systems 408
Using Mechanical Joint Fittings 409
Fire Protection Pipe Settings and Routing 410
The Bottom Line 410
XVIII
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Contents
Part 5

•

Managing Content in Revit MEP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 411
Chapter 17  •  Solid Modeling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .413
Solids and Voids 413
Extrusions 414
Blends 416
Revolves 417
Sweeps 419
Swept Blends 421
Joining Geometry 422
Voids 423
Reference Planes and Lines 428
Constraints and Dimensions 431
Visibility Control 435
In-Place Massing 437
The Bottom Line 441
Chapter 18  •  Creating Symbols and Annotations 443

Using Drafting Tools in Revit 443
Drawing Arcs 445
Creating Filled Regions 446
Building a Symbol Library 447
Generic Annotations 447
Subcategories 448
Text and Labels 449
Detail Components 451
Controlling Visibility of Lines, Regions, and Annotations 452
Using Visibility Parameters 453
Using Constraints 456
Using Labels and Tags 458
Label Format Options 459
Labels and Line Work 461
The Bottom Line 462
Chapter 19  •  Creating Equipment 465
Modeling MEP Equipment 465
Hosting Options 466
Family Categories 466
Detail Level 469
Geometry for Connection Points 469
Equipment Pads 470
Adding Connectors to Equipment Families 471
Duct Connectors 475
Pipe Connectors 477
Electrical Connectors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 478
Multiple Connectors in Families 480
Contents
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XIX

Creating Clearance Spaces 487
Adding Parameters and Constraints 489
The Bottom Line 490
Chapter 20  •  Creating Lighting Fixtures 491
Understanding Types of Lighting Fixture Families 491
Nonhosted Lighting Fixtures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 492
Face-Hosted Lighting Fixtures 496
Face-Hosted Families for Wall-Mounted Lights 497
Fixture Types Based on Dimensions 498
Fixture Types Based on Fixture Performance and Lighting Characteristics 498
Naming Conventions 500
Performing a Lighting Analysis 501
Light Source Location 502
Light Source Definitions 503
Light Source Parameters 504
Using Fixture Families as Intelligent Objects 506
Using Parameters 506
Adding Connectors 507
Representing Light Fixtures on Construction Documents 508
The Bottom Line 513
Chapter 21  •  Creating Devices 515
Modeling Device Geometry 515
Category and Parameters 516
Geometry and Reference Planes 517
Using Annotations for Devices 522
Adding Parameters and Connectors 528
Using Parameters for Labels 528
Adding Connectors 529
The Bottom Line 532
Chapter 22  •  Details 535

Drafting and Detailing Tools 535
Line Styles 535
Regions 536
Detail Components 539
CAD Details 542
Using Drafting Views 543
Converting Details 543
Strategies for Creating a Detail Library 547
Inserting 2D Elements 549
Inserting Views 550
Model Detail Views 551
Plan Callouts 551
Section Callouts 554
The Bottom Line 555
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Contents
Chapter 23  •  Sheets 557
Creating a Titleblock 557
Using Existing CAD Graphics 558
Using Text and Labels 559
Using Logos and Images . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 562
Working with Sheets in a Project 562
Organizing Project Browser Sheets 564
Placing Views on Sheets 566
Working with Viewports 568
Adding Annotations 569
Placing Schedules 570
Using Sheet Lists 571
Making Sheet Revisions 574

Printing Sheets 575
Exporting Sheets 577
The Bottom Line 579
Appendix

•

The Bottom Line 581
Chapter 1: Exploring the User Interface 581
Chapter 2: Creating an Effective Project Template 582
Chapter 3: Worksets and Worksharing 583
Chapter 4: Project Collaboration 584
Chapter 5: Multiplatform Interoperability: Working with 2D and 3D Data 585
Chapter 6: Parameters 585
Chapter 7: Schedules 586
Chapter 8: HVAC Cooling and Heating Load Analysis 587
Chapter 9: Creating Logical Systems 588
Chapter 10: Mechanical Systems and Ductwork 589
Chapter 11: Mechanical Piping 589
Chapter 12: Lighting 591
Chapter 13: Power and Communications 592
Chapter 14: Circuiting and Panels 593
Chapter 15: Plumbing (Domestic, Sanitary, and Other Piping) 594
Chapter 16: Fire Protection 595
Chapter 17: Solid Modeling 595
Chapter 18: Creating Symbols and Annotations 597
Chapter 19: Creating Equipment 598
Chapter 20: Creating Lighting Fixtures 599
Chapter 21: Creating Devices 600
Chapter 22: Details 600

Chapter 23: Sheets 601
Index 603
Introduction
Welcome to Mastering Revit MEP 2012. We have worked diligently to bring you a book that takes
you through the core features and functionality of Revit MEP 2012 from both the design and
documentation perspectives.
Revit MEP started out as Revit Systems in 2006, and in just a few years it has been on a fast-
track development pace in order to bring it up to speed with the Revit Architecture and Revit
Structure platforms. The 2012 release of Revit MEP is the most improved and enhanced version
of the software yet. When Revit Systems was first released, it was primarily to allow MEP engi-
neers to join the move toward BIM that was being taken on by architects and structural engi-
neers. The features and functionality were, in the opinion of most, limited to provide a complete
MEP project. The development team has been listening to the needs of users and has delivered
tools and features in this release that have been desired by many from the beginning. We now
have tools that make modeling sloped piping much easier than before, new control of engineer-
ing systems display, worksharing enhancements, and many other new features.
The primary focus of this book is, of course, on the MEP disciplines, but there is plenty of
information that applies to Revit in general. The idea behind the format is to take you through
the major points of the design process and requirements for completing a building design and
project submittal. This book focuses on building engineering, but it may also be helpful for
other types of engineering projects such as process piping design or any others that require a
combination of data and model components.
The book is written in five parts, the first of which covers general functionality that is use-
ful for all disciplines. You will find suggestions throughout the book for including features and
components in your project templates. The first part does not cover every pick and click avail-
able in the software; it approaches the use of Revit from a best-practices standpoint, which we
hope will inspire you to think about ways to make Revit MEP 2012 work best for you. Any topics
not covered were not omitted to imply that they are unimportant but simply because you can
find information about these features in the documentation provided by Autodesk and in the
Revit MEP 2012 Help menu.

The next three parts of the book are MEP-specific and have been written to cover the key
design areas of each individual discipline. Again we focus on best practices by relating our
professional experience with not only the software but also the design industry. In an effort to
tie it all together, the fifth part of the book contains information on how to optimize your Revit
experience by learning the tools and features available for creating the various components that
make up an MEP model.
XXII
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IntroduCtIon
Who Should Buy This Book
This book is intended for readers who are at least somewhat familiar with Revit MEP. It is not
intended to be a “how-to” book by simply explaining picks and clicks; it is more for readers who
are looking to find ideas on how to make the software work for them. Engineers, designers, and
CAD technicians will all find useful information related to their workflows. If you are looking
to move further with your Revit MEP implementation, you should find this book to be a useful
resource. Even if you find that you know the topics discussed in this book, we hope you will be
inspired to think of new ways to improve your Revit MEP experience.
What’s Inside
Here is a glance at what’s in each chapter:
Part 1: General Project Setup
Chapter 1: Exploring the User Interface The ribbon interface is designed for optimal
workflow. In this chapter, you will discover the features of the user interface that allow
you to work efficiently. There are some new features in Revit MEP 2012 that improve the
user interface dramatically.
Chapter 2: Creating an Effective Project Template The key to success with Revit
projects is to have a good template file. Chapter 2 takes you through the major areas of
a template file, offering ideas for settings that will make starting a project as simple and
efficient as possible.
Chapter 3: Worksets and Worksharing This chapter guides you through the process
of setting up a project file in a multiuser environment. The features of a worksharing-en-

abled file are explained in a manner that promotes ideas for project workflow efficiency.
Chapter 4: Project Collaboration Revit has many features that make project collabora-
tion easy to manage. In this chapter, you will learn about ways to use the power of Revit
MEP to coordinate your design and documents with other members of the project team.
Chapter 5: Multiplatform Interoperability: Working with 2D and 3D Data This chapter
provides best-use techniques for importing non-Revit data into your projects. You will learn
about the data types available and how to use them effectively in your Revit project files.
Chapter 6: Parameters Parameters are the intelligence within a BIM project. This chapter
explores how parameters can be used in both projects and families for applying computable
data to your Revit models. The creation of shared parameters and their use is also covered.
Chapter 7: Schedules The best way to extract the data contained in your Revit project
model is to use the power of schedules. In this chapter, you will learn the tools available
for scheduling model components and how to use schedules to manage data within your
projects. The panel schedule template feature is also covered in this chapter.
Part 2: Revit MEP for Mechanical Design
Chapter 8: HVAC Cooling and Heating Load Analysis Mechanical design must first
start with understanding how your building will perform in different weather conditions
and climates. In Chapter 8, you will learn that properly produced building loads can en-
sure that the mechanical design has been sized for maximum efficiency, saving energy
and money while reducing the impact on the environment.
IntroduCtIon
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Chapter 9: Creating Logical Systems In Chapter 9, you will learn how to set up logical
systems and how each system is affected by the type of systems you have created. From
mechanical systems to fire protection systems, all have a certain role to play in BIM.
Chapter 10: Mechanical Systems and Ductwork Understanding how to route ductwork
successfully can lead to error reduction and better coordination. In Chapter 10, you will
learn how to locate mechanical equipment and how to use the proper routing methods for
ductwork.

Chapter 11: Mechanical Piping Routing mechanical piping can be a daunting task. In
this chapter, you will learn how to route and coordinate your piping and how, through
these techniques, you can speed up production and take full advantage of what Revit
MEP 2012 has to offer.
Part 3: Revit MEP for Electrical Design
Chapter 12: Lighting In this chapter, you will learn how to place lighting fixtures into
your projects, including site lighting. The use of lighting switches is also discussed, along
with the relationship between lighting fixtures and the spaces they occupy. This chapter
also covers the basics for using Revit MEP for lighting analysis.
Chapter 13: Power and Communications In Chapter 13, the basics for placing power
and communication devices into a model are covered. You will also learn how to place
electrical equipment and connections for use in distribution systems. Conduit and cable
tray modeling tools are also explored in this chapter.
Chapter 14: Circuiting and Panels Creating systems for your electrical components is
just as important as it is for mechanical components. In this chapter, you will learn how
to set up your projects to your standards for wiring, create circuits within your model,
and create panel schedules to report the loads. The tools for load classification and de-
mand factors are also covered in this chapter.
Part 4: Revit MEP for Plumbing
Chapter 15: Plumbing (Domestic, Sanitary, and Other Piping) In this chapter, you
will learn how to modify plumbing fixture families and create custom systems to speed
up plumbing design. You will also learn how to use the Copy/Monitor features in ways
never discussed before.
Chapter 16: Fire Protection Fire protection systems protect buildings and lives. You
will learn how to lay out a fire pump system and assemble components to help in your
design process. You will learn how to coordinate with other disciplines and how to enter
into the BIM arena effectively through the use of Revit MEP 2012.
Part 5: Managing Content in Revit MEP
Chapter 17: Solid Modeling The foundation for custom content creation is having the
ability to create the forms required to build component families. In this chapter, you will

learn how to use the tools available in Revit MEP to create model geometry. You will also
learn how to make geometry parametric, increasing its usability.
Chapter 18: Creating Symbols and Annotations Because so much of MEP design infor-
mation is conveyed with schematic symbols, it is important to have the symbols and annota-
tive objects commonly used for projects. Revit MEP has the tools needed to create schematic
symbols for use in component families or directly in projects. In this chapter, you will learn
how to use these tools and how to create constraints within families for display of the sym-
bols in your projects.