Introduction

Mechanical, electrical and plumbing (MEP) systems are an important part of building services and can have many different functions.

Typically designed by specialised consultants and contractors, MEP systems can present complex challenges in terms of coordination and detailing. They must satisfy multiple objectives and criteria for design, installation, commissioning, operation, and maintenance.

Some of the challenges involved include:

• Spatial co-ordination; avoiding hard and soft clashes.
• Multiple parts functioning effectively together as a single system.
• Complex installation, testing operation and maintenance procedures.

Mechanical

Mechanical systems most commonly relate to heating ventilation and air conditioning systems, but they can also relate to transportation systems such as lifts and escalators, elements of infrastructure, industrial plant and machinery, and so on.

Heating ventilation and air conditioning can be used in buildings to:

• Maintain internal air quality.
• Regulate internal temperatures.
• Regulate internal humidity.

For more information see: Heating ventilation and air conditioning.

See also:

• Building heating systems.
• Cooling systems for buildings.
• Mechanical ventilation.
• Mechanical and electrical.
• Mechanical engineer.

Electrical

Electrical systems might include:

• Power supply and distribution.
• Information and telecommunications systems.
• Control systems.
• Security and access systems.
• Detection and alarm systems.
• Interior and exterior lighting.

Clearly there is a great deal of overlap between mechanical and electrical systems, with many systems including both mechanical and electrical components, hence the term M&E (mechanical and electrical).

For more information, see:

• Building management systems (BMS)
• Building automation and control system (BACS).
• Fire detection and alarm system.
• Access control in buildings.
• CCTV.
• Mechanical and electrical.
• Electrical engineer.

Plumbing

Plumbing refers to any system that allows the movement of fluids, typically involving pipes, valves, plumbing fixtures, tanks and other apparatus.

Plumbing systems might be used for:

• Heating and cooling.
• Waste removal.
• Potable cold and hot water supply.
• Water recovery and treatment systems.
• Rainwater, surface and subsurface water drainage.
• Fuel gas piping.

For more information see:

• Building heating systems.
• Cooling systems for buildings.
• Greywater recycling.
• Sustainable urban drainage systems.
• Passive water efficiency measures.
• Rainwater harvesting.
• Types of water.

MEP systems and BIM

MEP engineers should have access to accurate design information to enable the planning of MEP systems layout, as complex configurations, particularly in congested spaces, can prove very difficult to plan during the design stage.

Using building information modelling (BIM), MEP engineers are able to access critical design data while contributing to a building process that can be more efficient, result in fewer problems on site, and produce the optimum system design.

(Collect)