In all honesty, MEP engineering is often perceived and associated with a construction project’s design, plus approvals received from numerous relevant authorities plus councils and city bodies. The aim of this post is to help many understand the common building issues that keep popping up and keep causing problems.
Areas of opportunity and ways of solving problems will be identified too. In what ways does MEP engineering help? A question of a million dollars will be answered. The answers are based on observations and quantum analysis provided by project advisory professionals.
MEP Engineering – what is it anyway?
MEP stands for Mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems. The MEP engineers deal with it and its systems. They maintain the effectiveness and efficiency of energy and water consumption in buildings and homes.
When these installations are designed and installed optimally, they help reduce the wastage of resources, and expenses are reduced by large margins. Moreover, MEP engineering-based design is instrumental in improving indoor environments for humans. They are helpful in improving the quality of air and water supplied.
What does MEP engineering help with and how do MEP engineers help too?
Here are some of the best ways MEP engineers have helped improve buildings, building codes, building designs, and the overall construction processes:
Correcting and fixing errors and violations of numerous building codes and local laws
Building codes are created by various local governments in terms of regulating new construction and infrastructural projects, even for the purpose of renovation. After formulation and implementation, most of these codes are usually rechecked and reviewed. Periodically they are updated and upgraded too. When needed, new codes replace old ones as per amendments in laws.
Most of the time, buildings are subject to codes when they are either under construction or being renovated. No property is ever in need of any forcible update, especially whenever a new building code comes in. However, local laws are applicable and have some requirements applicable to all sorts of buildings and homes.
If there is a lack of compliance with the local laws and the building codes, then both the building, its owners, and its makers will be having legal and financial consequences. Hence issues in such regard should be fixed at their earliest.
Building codes and local laws cover technical aspects quite nicely. Any and all violations spotted can often be covered under the noses of building owners and municipal authorities. But MEP engineers working with municipal authorities are often able to sniff them out with relevant ease. They inspect buildings to look for issues and fix them as early as they can.
When building code violations are uncovered by MEP engineers, they help building owners overcome those issues. The solutions devised are approved with the aid of local building authorities (provided the local building authorities check the solutions). This helps avoid hefty penalties and gives building owners a huge sigh of relief.
Energy efficiency aids in cutting down utility expenses
It is unfortunate that MEP installations consume a lot of energy (HVAC equipment especially). Energy efficiency tactics and measures are only selected after careful performance evaluation and consideration.
The common perception about energy efficiency is that it negatively impacts energy efficiency and indoor environment quality. Yet, none of this is true because both aspects of buildings are improved through energy efficiency.
Each building is unique and was built differently. The unique combination of energy efficiency measures changes depending on the requirements each building has. The best configuration is applied to a building after careful consideration of the needed modifications and amendments with proper consultation and testing.
In all honesty efficiency measures are designed differently for homes, buildings, offices, industries, warehouses, stadiums, and the like. Others can be used in most buildings because of their versatile nature. LED lighting and HVAC systems for instance need regular upgrades and they are recommended whenever an energy audit takes place.
Noncompliance with recommendations of energy audits results in heavy penalties. Project Advisory experts often call for avoiding these penalties in areas where energy audits have stringent requirements.
Water conservation is a necessity
In most places, energy bills are more expensive than water bills. Conservation of both is compulsory to reduce the bills, wastage, and adverse environmental impact. In older buildings, water consumption is perceived to be high because old plumbings are not that good anymore.
Water conservation is necessary. The wastage from old plumbings doesn’t help. Water generated from condensation from air conditioning systems can be collected for use, or be put in a conservation tank for future usage. Moreover, improving plumbing systems and taps along with other fixtures paves the way for a reduction in water wastage.
Prolongation claims experts reveal that in most buildings, a lot of contractors have often used average plumbing fixtures and taps plus faucets in a lot of projects. The aim was to control expenses and this resulted in residents becoming irate and concerned. After a series of audits were conducted, contractors were ultimately held responsible for the debacle.
Conclusion
Maintenance, Engineering, and Plumbing (MEP) are often perceived as a hassle. In today’s challenging times, the role of MEP and its engineers has become more challenging than it was in previous times.
Moreover, MEP engineers need to be involved in engineering audits to ensure everything is done right. In case of anything going sideways, they need to be involved in all aspects from advisory and consulting to the works and ensuring compliance in the long run.
