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Welcome to

THE NEXT BIG THING

M.E.P.

(Mechanical, Electrical, & Plumbing)

ENGINEERING

THE MILLENNIUM WAY

Why MEP is said MILLENNIUM way of ENGINEERING?

Try to find out an engineering solution which is designed and built by only one type of engineer. Let us think about mechanical solution, may be vehicle? Oops, electrical and electronics engineering is deeply involved. An electrical vehicle? Again at least mechanical and electrical engineers are involved. A beautiful mall, or tower? civil, mechanical, electrical, electronics, IT, engineers are involved.

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In short, we can say, any significant solution of millennium involves multiple engineering solutions to be co-designed and has to co-exist. When more and more types of engineering become part of a common solution then we need a common platform on which:

  • Different engineering solution can be designed together

  • Different engineering team can work together, in parallel

  • A mechanism is available to resolve any conflict between different team

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First such type of synergetic solution is established between Mechanical, Electrical and Civil engineering, which is called M.E.P. which stands for Mechanical, electrical and plumbing. This solution is created for construction industry in which following solutions can be worked upon by different team:

  • HVAC (Heating, ventilation and Air-conditioning) – Mechanical engineers

  • Electrical design and layout – Electrical engineers

  • Piping & Plumbing – Mechanical / Civil engineers

  • Fire-fighting – Civil/Mechanical engineers

All three engineers (Mechanical, Electrical, and Civil engineers work on single MEP solutions on their parts.

SOUNDS GREAT. HOW DOES MEP WORK?

Similar to any software solution, MEP is also a software solution. There are multiple MEP solutions, we will take example of best performing solution, based on industry acceptance, which is Revit-MEP, by Autodesk, USA.

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The first solution is built for the construction industry which involves multiple engineering solutions. The conceptual part of the solution is called BIM (Building Information Modeling). Although, prima facie, it seems to be civil engineering solution but this solution is built to facilitate co-working and co-functioning of multiple engineering teams. Let us see how exactly it works in industry to clarify the concept:

Case Study

Let us take an example of a hypothetical project to build a brand new Taj Mahal enlarged replica which will be taller than Burj Khalifa.

Sounds interesting? Lots of engineering? Let us see how modern engineers would take it up and accomplish the task with help of MEP

The minimum project requirements for our case may be listed below:

  • Structurally sound building –Structural engineering (Civil)

  • Provision of fresh and healthy air inside the building – Air conditioning (Mechanical)

  • Electrification of the building, power backup – Electrical engineering

  • Security systems (CCTV) and Access control – Electrical engineering

  • Water supply, return, sewage handling – Civil engineering

Apart from above basic requirement, we may think more than 100 additional requirements, however let us focus on these primary requirements to be met by different types of engineers in collaboration with each other. 

technical content

Typically, following phases are followed by MEP professional to plan, execute and monitor a project:

 

Phase 1:

Architect creates 3D model of the building on software like Revit Architecture or 3DS Max to visualize the concept. After confirmation from all stakeholders, the model is given to different engineering teams.

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Phase 2: 

  • Mechanical engineer adds Air conditioning, piping and plumbing details.

  • Civil Engineers adds, beams, columns and slab details.

  • Electrical engineers adds electrical equipment and layout details.

And returns their updated model to architect.

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Phase 3:

Architect merges these updated models on Navisworks software to find conflicts between updated models. These conflicts may be, for example, A/C duct, or duct may be passing through a wall where a beam has been added by civil engineer. All such conflicts are resolved by mutual agreement between teams and final model with all engineering element is frozen for construction to begin.

 

Phase 4:

Architect distributes finalized model with all engineering solutions added to it and all team starts working together

 

Above approach gives following on ground benefits:

  • No-conflict of solution results in parallel working, saves time and cost.

  • Added solution clarity helps in mass procurement and timely availability of good and equipment. US companies are claiming to save 20% of procurement cost.

  • Improved quality of solution due to minimized rework by eliminating conflicts.

  • Safety and local regulations are also verified during design stage itself. 

There are enormous such benefits of MEP solution, which we can keep writing and counting. Isn’t it?

IT'S AMAZING, I DID NOT KNOW ABOUT IT.

When did MEP start? How is it progressing? How is the future?

Look at complete history, journey and main points in attached report by clicking here.

 

The present and future is bright in following countries:

  • The India

  • UAE

  • The UK

  • Europe (selected countries as detailed in report), and

  • The USA.

Countries are listed in sequence of job prospects as of Jun 2019, means maximum job is available in the India!

How DO I make My ENGINEERING CAREER in MEP?

(As a Mechanical, Electrical, or Civil engineer)

MEP-Mechanical

There are four major sections of MEP:

  • HVAC solution

  • Electrical supply and control solution

  • Piping and plumbing

  • Fire-fighting

 

A MECHANICAL ENGINEER should learn:

  • Fundamentals of HVAC, design approach for HVAC, duct layout and air mixing options and associated solutions. Basically a mechanical engineer would own the HVAC solution.

  • Piping is another field in which mechanical engineer should be proficient. If needed plumbing can also be added to portfolio of a mechanical engineer, particularly when skilled civil engineer is unavailable.

  • Fire-fighting system is also to be included in the portfolio of mechanical engineer.

  • Generic understanding of electrical solution and electrical layout is also needed to ensure mutual coexistence. For example, how to avoid keeping duct just above wires, or how to connect different electrical equipment to electricity supply, etc.

Overall, Mechanical engineers are big beneficiary of working in MEP solution in country like India, where there is already a huge scarcity  of skilled manpower is prevailing. We invite mechanical engineers to plan their career in MEP area, for a prosperous career, both inside and outside the India.

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An ELECTRICAL ENGINEER should learn:

  • Fundamentals of core electrical design, load calculation, equipment sizing, electrical room sizing, illumination calculations, electrical layout and schedule preparation.

  • P&ID, Hazardous area classification, knowledge of different standards, like, IEC/ANSI/IEEE/

  • Cable selection, sizing and cable routing layout concepts

  • Earthing and Lightening protection

  • Substation design

  • ELV (extra low voltage) equipment design

  • Development of single line diagram

  • Control schematic for electric design

  • Basic understanding of HVAC, piping and plumbing for interdisciplinary coordination.

Overall, Electrical engineers are playing to significant role while working in MEP solution where most of the equipment are controlled by electricity. Role of electrical engineers becomes pivotal to create final MEP solution. 

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A CIVIL ENGINEER should learn:

  • RCC design of slabs, beams, columns based on IS codes

  • Finalization of beam and column sizing for different types of loads

  • Analysis of design in suitable software (preferably STAAD.Pro and ETABS)

  • Addition of beams, columns, slabs in 3D model

  • Water supply, plumbing design and layout

  • Fire detection and suppression system design and layout planning

  • Basic understanding of HVAC, Electrical, and piping for interdisciplinary coordination.

Overall, Civil Engineers should play a central role in the MEP solution as the structure originally becomes to them. Due to scarcity of skilled Civil engineers, their role is also taken by other engineers. We advise civil engineers to upscale their skill to play most important role in the creating MEP solution.

MEP-Elecrical
MEP-Civil

How long it takes to learn? How about FEE?

Since it will be domain learning as well as latest technology learning and practice, we advise to plan for at least 4 to 6 months of focused learning and practice. You can cut on the practice part but it will come back and bite you. There is no point in just knowing the concept and not practicing. It is like, you remember all mathematical formula and do not practice mathematics problem. In such case, you will not be able to score marks in exam. So practice is a must. There is no shortcut, and no superstar was made overnight. You have to spend your time and energy on your career. It is exciting field, progressing field. So go with all needed skills and knowledge and be the Rockstar from day one of your MEP journey!

 

If you have any further question then connect with Azuko at coordinates given in footer. Azuko likes to speak to its students and advices best suitable career option after knowing the interest and capabilities of the students. Fee is also decided based on the advised courses. Be rest assured, you will like the fee offered by Azuko.

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