The performance of the building as a whole depends heavily on MEP design. The proper precautions must therefore be taken to guarantee that all MEP systems are created and run in a manner that maximizes efficiency.
It’s common for people to believe that the system must closely resemble the ideal module. This isn’t necessarily the case, though. The impact of over-designing systems on energy efficiency has frequently been just as detrimental as the impact of a system with poor design.
The three technical disciplines of mechanical, electrical, and plumbing engineering, or MEP consulting services , include the systems that make building interiors suitable for occupant usage. Whether it’s a laboratory to work in or a 50-story structure, MEP systems transform buildings from empty rooms into cozy environments that are welcome and liveable.
Some of the most important structural elements of your building are the mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) systems. MEP Systems Assessments give you the actionable knowledge you need to maximize and sustain the performance of your building, whether you’re assessing a property for potential acquisition or performing routine capital requirements planning.
For many commercial real estate sites, having efficient and dependable MEP systems can make the difference between a successful investment and a catastrophic loss. With the upfront information supplied by a good MEP Systems Assessment, such as those carried out by EBI’s Registered Engineers and Building Health experts, property owners, investors and managers can avoid system downtime and expensive repairs down the line.
Because of how interconnected they are, best MEP service installations are frequently handled as a unit. This prevents disagreements over equipment placement, which are a common problem when MEP systems are built separately. Due to this intricacy, modern engineering consulting businesses use software to expedite this design process. A computer may automate simple, repetitive operations, freeing up MEP design experts to concentrate on other things.
Need for best practice for MEP design
The why must be addressed first before we can go on to the what. Is this truly necessary? is usually the first query that pops into one’s head while discussing best practices for system design. In a word, sure, I suppose. Absolutely. The effectiveness of the building and its overall performance are closely related to MEP in construction, and this has an effect on how much energy the building uses. Our environment is immediately impacted by this energy use, which is directly proportional to the global energy consumption. As a result of the cumulative nature of this effect, it is essential to address the core causes of each building’s energy efficiency by maximizing building performance through best design practices.
Adhere the sustainability principle
Reduce, recycle, and reuse are cited as the sustainable design tenets. In a sense, this idea summarizes all best practices in general. Every resource must be employed as many times as is humanly possible before being discarded while designing MEP for a building. Practically speaking, actions like directing the extracted air over the condensing unit or reusing treated effluent water to irrigate planted areas are beneficial at increasing the net utilization of the resources that are available.
Effective utilization of site potential
Every building site has a few inherent advantages that can be used to improve building efficiency. From the MEP’s point of view, considering the building’s orientation can assist make the most of the wind and sunlight to improve lighting and ventilation. In order to collect as much solar energy as possible and meet the needs of the tenants, solar panels may also be placed.
Optimum material use
The MEP system’s effectiveness is significantly influenced by the materials used in the construction. The load on the building’s HVAC systems, for instance, can be decreased by using the material with the best heat-transfer coefficient for the building’s location and orientation.
Improve air quality using air curtain
The occupant’s degree of comfort, productivity, and health are significantly influenced by indoor air quality, which indirectly controls energy use. In order to ensure that interior air quality is enhanced, it is imperative to use fresh air handling units with superior heat recovery options or air curtains that can minimize the thermal exchange via the building envelope.
Use of smart technology to reduce energy consumption
In order to manage the building’s energy usage, smart technology, which includes machinery with high COP or EER ratings, is a benefit. To lessen the building’s electrical load and consequently cut down on energy use, MEP systems should incorporate smart technology like inverter-based compressors, passive solar building design, motion sensors for conditioned lighting, and even fluorescent lights rather than incandescent bulbs.
Precise installation, regular maintenance update training method
If the installation is not done correctly, using the right material and having the perfect design will only get you so far. Sustainable construction designs must be implemented precisely and kept up with on schedule. In order to operate a system as efficiently as possible, it is also essential to provide operators with regular training and updates from businesses that offer expert MEP design and services.
Wrapping Up
The performance of buildings can be greatly increased by a variety of additional techniques and behaviors. Nevertheless, for the proper implementation of the systems designed, it is essential that architects, MEP experts, and contractors collaborate. It’s probable that installation of the aforementioned MEP system would encounter practical challenges; in these situations, optimizing the system rather than making alterations or short-cuts is necessary.
