What is the role of HVAC engineers in BIM services?

On a hot day, mid-summer you come sweating, and the moment you enter your office, there is a relief from that scorching heat. All thanks to the contribution of the HVAC engineers, that helps experience the maintained indoor environment. And with the use of BIM, HVAC engineers now use more intelligent and advanced tools. Integrating BIM design and modeling for HVAC systems gives engineers greater confidence, makes tasks more productive, and reduces the coordination complexity.

HVAC Engineering

HVAC, which stands for Heating, Ventilation, and Air Condition is a trade which focuses on maintaining indoor air quality and temperature. Any commercial setup will have an HVAC system to run its daily operations smoothly. These systems play a huge role in maintaining the indoor air quality, which impacts the lung-health and overall well-being of the occupants.

Or even in case of sophisticated data-centers, where things are highly sensitive; HVAC systems are the backbone for maintaining clean high-quality air and temperature conditions aligning with ultra-precise parameters.

Such advanced HVAC systems are designed and modeled through BIM, and then installed on-site. There is a detailed procedure behind the complex engineering of aligning all the pipelines of different materials like copper, steel, and PVC.

The Importance of HVAC Engineering

As the construction industry contributes to almost 40% of the global carbon emissions, sustainable HVAC designs are the need of the hour. The HVAC engineers here use BIM to design such energy-efficient systems. Additionally, there is a concern for safety as HVAC systems are placed in coordination with electrical lines.

Hence, HVAC engineers use BIM to perfectly coordinate various trades, resolving all the clashes. They use software like Revit to craft detailed, parametric 3D models, which are further passed through automated clash detection in Navisworks. Now, all this is possible with the integration of BIM with HVAC designs. But what is BIM with HVAC design and installation, and how are HVAC engineers using it? Let’s shed light on it, starting with:

What is BIM in HVAC Design and Installation?

Building Information Modeling (BIM) is the process of digitally representing a structure or a specific area of that structure via 3D models. These models are built based on specific construction data derived from 2D drawings developed in software like AutoCAD.

Its role in HVAC design is invaluable, considering the complexity of the systems. HVAC systems of any commercial or, let’s say, mixed-use buildings penetrate through several isolated areas.

They cross electrical lines, beams, and columns, ensuring no clash with these building elements. BIM helps create these designs virtually in 3D, which helps in early detection of clashes and design issues.

construction specialists identify such issues and resolve them long before installing the systems on-site. The virtual 3D model is also used to optimize the designs, aiming for cost-efficiency, lower material wastage, accurate cost estimates, and an efficient procurement process.

BIM lays out diverse possibilities in HVAC design, bringing about designs that control air quality efficiently.

This is what BIM helps with in HVAC designs, infusing certainty and ensuring fewer reworks during the installation process. Now, let’s see how an HVAC engineer leverages their BIM expertise at different levels of the design and installation process of HVAC systems.

Role of a HVAC Engineer in Accurate and Efficient Design

The primary support that HVAC engineers provide is converting 2D mechanical drawings into precise 3D models. They focus on the accuracy of HVAC designs, ensuring that each element coordinates well with other trades.

Recognized BIM services providers like Pinnacle Infotech provide you with LOD values that span from LOD 100 to 500. With BIM, you can get detailed air conditioning systems 3D models with LOD 500 specification, and also be compliant with the respective standards and codes.

HVAC engineers also provide point cloud conversion support to HVAC consultants and mechanical contractors. As it falls under mechanical engineering, HVAC engineers ensure that these models are seamlessly placed within the architectural, structural, electrical, and plumbing frameworks of a building.

BIM also enhances productivity and fast-forwards design and installation workflows without a hitch.

Fast-forward complex design processes

BIM software applications like Revit from Autodesk let HVAC engineers create standard templates and libraries.

These allow them to minimize the modeling work by 25-35%, eliminating the need for specifying ducts, dampers, chillers, or diffusers every time.

Additionally, templates help in maintaining consistency in duct sizes, pressure clashes, and insulation thickness. This reduces design discrepancies, enhances effectiveness in collaboration, and makes shop drawings more accurate for HVAC technicians.

All these benefits fast-forward the complex design process by optimizing workflows and allowing designers to stay aligned with the contractor's requirements without much rework.

What can a team of HVAC engineers help with?

Since BIM enhances design accuracy, inter-trade coordination, and communication, here are the areas where an HVAC engineer can support you.

2D to 3D Conversion

Traditional 2D drawings pose risks of errors while installing HVAC components. This happens due to the lack of accuracy while creating shop drawings.

HVAC engineers accurately convert these 2D drawings into 3D models. The accuracy is defined by the parameters for individual elements, their materials, and other specifications for accurate climate control systems.

HVAC Duct Shop Drawings

Installing HVAC ducts in coordination with other trades such as plumbing and electrical, becomes tiresome if shop drawings are not accurate.

With the creation of 3D BIM models, HVAC BIM engineers can generate shop drawings directly from the models with engineering optimization. This eliminates any errors that might be there with traditionally created shop drawings, just like local HVAC companies.

Since the model is accurate, clash-free, and aligned with every specified requirement from contractors and other industry standards, the shop drawings generated are ready for on-site use.

Constructability Reviews

Reviewing the model for constructability issues is another critical task conducted by HVAC engineers.

Even perfectly clash-free models can also have underlying design issues that might be overlooked. Due to the complexity of such systems, there are issues found with accessibility during installations.

HVAC engineers conduct regular meetings with project stakeholders and collaborate in a Common Data Environment (CDE) for model quality checks.

Quantity Takeoff

One of those extremely intricate tasks, when done manually in the HVAC industry, is takeoff and estimation of MEP systems.

With BIM, the task becomes a cakewalk, though surprising, but it is true. As the BIM model progresses with data integrated for elements, a detailed Bills of Quantities (BOQ) document is also generated automatically.

BIM-driven BOQs and Bills of Materials (BOMs) are dynamic; which means they get updated as per design reviews. This was not possible with traditional processes which make it increasingly complex for automatic control systems.

With the integration of BIM technology, the processes become easier, and the productivity increases. So, these were the areas where an HVAC engineer will support during the design and installation of HVAC systems.

Can you consider HVAC Engineering as a career?

HVAC engineer career paths offer multiple on-site opportunities rather than office work. Someone who is always up for meeting new people and wants to thrive in a rapidly growing industry, HVAC is the one to choose.

Each day brings new challenges with new projects every week for aspiring HVAC engineers. However, if you are directly looking for a job and also want to enhance your skills further, an apprenticeship would be the best choice, but it can take the same amount of time as a bachelor's degree. Also, those willing to pursue a career in HVAC should have Maths and Science in their high school diploma.

Wrapping Up

HVAC engineers, with the help of BIM, revolutionize air conditioning HVAC design and installation workflows. From enhanced design accuracy to more productivity and reduced errors in documentation, shop drawings, and HVAC discipline, use BIM services to ensure sustainable and energy-efficient HVAC engineering technology. If you also want to become an HVAC engineer, always enroll in training provided by a genuine BIM service provider.

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