06 April 2022

What is MEP Engineering?

In the construction world, MEP stands for “mechanical, electrical, and plumbing.”

 

MEP engineering is the science and art of planning, designing, and managing the MEP systems of a building. An MEP design company specializes in those skills. Also known as mechanical, electrical, and plumbing engineering consulting firms, they are important across all stages of the construction process. They assist with decision-making, cost estimation, construction administration, documentation, building management, and building maintenance.

 

MEP systems are a building’s central nervous system. MEP systems are responsible for the “creature comfort” features of a structure. They make a building livable and pleasant, no matter if it is a single-story home or a 50-story skyscraper.

Without well-designed solutions from an MEP firm like MEMO Sarl, buildings are caves. Mechanical, electrical and plumbing engineers turn a building’s interior into the cozy spaces we all know and enjoy.

 

The M-E-P in MEP engineering are:

 

 

The mechanical design elements of a building, most especially the heating and cooling systems, help make life inside more comfortable. These systems allow us to occupy buildings in hot and cold temperatures, under all weather conditions.

 

The electrical system in a building keeps the lights on, keeps our devices powered, and keeps the other systems running. Architectural lighting design and plans are crucial components of the electrical engineering process.

 

Where would we be without plumbing? Water is what sustains us. Plumbing systems provide fresh water for drinking, cleaning, and more. And they take the storm and sanitary wastewater away, safely.

 

Most often, an MEP engineering firm is hired for large commercial or institutional projects, such as office buildings, stadiums, schools, or hospitals. The scale of these buildings requires extensive planning and execution. But consulting engineering can be used anywhere, on buildings of any size, on any piece of real estate.

 

 

Common MEP Engineering Services

A wide range of services can fall under the umbrella of MEP design or mechanical engineering. Only the largest engineering firms might offer every service. In the real world, most MEP engineering companies provide a set of core services, then augment those with specialty services such as architectural lighting, commissioning, sustainability, or energy management.

 

8 top services an MEP firm might provide are:

 

1. Mechanical Engineering / HVAC Engineering

  • Heating, Ventilating, and Air Conditioning Systems
  • Central Plant Design
  • Exhaust Systems
  • Direct Digital Control (DDC) Systems
  • Chilled Water Systems
  • Heating Water Systems

 

2. Electrical Engineering

  • Comprehensive Electrical System Design
  • Onsite Power Generation Requirements and Distribution
  • Critical Power Systems
  • Integration of IT and AV Into Overall Building Design
  • Device Coordination and Arc Fault Services
  • Lightning Protection Systems
  • Fire Alarm Systems

 

3. Plumbing Engineering

  • Domestic Cold and Hot Water Systems
  • Domestic Waste and Vent Systems
  • Fuel Gas Piping Systems
  • Storm Water Systems
  • Performance Specification of Automatic Sprinkler Systems
  • Water Conservation Systems

 

4. Energy Management

  • Geothermal Heat Pump Systems
  • Chilled Beam Systems
  • Displacement Ventilation
  • Dedicated Outside Air Systems
  • Underfloor Air Distribution Systems
  • Thermal Storage Systems
  • Energy Recovery
  • Free Cooling Systems
  • Utility Monitoring

 

5. Lighting Design

  • Architectural Lighting Plan Design
  • Life Cycle Cost-Benefit & ROI analysis
  • Dark Sky Compliance and Ordinance Coordination
  • Illuminance Calculations
  • Color Temperature Analysis
  • On-site Lighting Mock-Ups
  • On-site Aiming and Adjustments
  • Custom Lighting Design
  • International Design and Lighting Specifications
  • Lighting Control Design
  • Renderings and Other Lighting Visualization Techniques

 

6. Communication Technologies

  • Voice, Data, and Video Integration
  • Security and Alarm Systems Integration
  • Audio/Visual System Design

 

7. Commissioning

  • Design Stage Reviews
  • Functional Testing
  • Owner Training
  • System Documentation

 

8. Sustainable Design

  • Sustainability Designs That Are Cost Effective For All Systems
  • Alternative Energy
  • Energy Conservation Technologies
  • Energy Modeling
  • LEED Consulting

 

Many engineering firms use 3D modeling and other tools to optimize their product engineering.

 

Copyrights 2023, MEMO Sarl.

02 February 2024

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