Best way to alter MEP model?

[m_hunt-RDA]

Hi everyone,

I am working on a healthcare project and it's one of our first in revit. We have a model from our MEP consultants which has everything ranging from the electrical wall fixtures (plugs, lightswitches, nurse call etc) to the ductwork and vents. 

Previously, we have asked MEP to separate their model into the 'visible' wall mounted elements and the 'non-visible' and we have taken 'ownership' of the 'visible' and copied the items into our model. This has allowed us to align all the wall fixings with worktops/furniture etc, because both myself and my director are very fussy about these kinds of things - and when the model comes in from MEP all sockets are at different heights and not spaced evenly etc. This has meant that if there are any changes, we have had to make them on behalf of MEP - which has been annoying and time-consuming. 

We were wondering if there is a better way to do this? Is there a way for both of us to be able to control a model? We are separate companies with separate servers etc. Ideas will be very much appreciated!

[HVAC-Novice]

So you use Revit the first time, but you want to force the designers (who likely have more experience) to do it your way? I hope you communicated to them upfront what to do and don't expect them to make changes after they put in work to design. 

Models typically get split up based on discipline, or specific areas (i.e. a wing of the hospital per model). Splitting up between visible and behind the wall is... unusual and one may lose the functionality. I envision a sink in the visible model, and the pipes in the wall in the invisible model. I imagine the pipe flow calcs won't work, at least not easily. 

[m_hunt-RDA]

This isn't the first time we have used Revit, and our MEP engineers have less experience than we do - hence the strange splitting into visible and non-visible which was their idea last time. We are at the early stages right now so want to get this sorted now rather than having to change at a later date.

What would be your idea for us being able to move certain items of theirs?

[s.borello]

Sounds like a coordination meeting or meetings with MEP are necessary.  Arch can always place the elec. outlets in critical areas and have Elec. copy locations.   Good luck.

[RDAOU]

@m_hunt-RDA 

I think you are overcomplicating both your life and that of the MEP Engineers...They do not need to split their fixtures and you do not need to do their work. 

Let them do all the work including placing all fixture...Then when you link their model into yours you can simply use Copy/Monitor on the Mechanical Fixtures which you feel have impact on the Architectural model. When any of those monitored fixtures are shifted/modified in either models, the other party will receive a notification stating that this MEP Fixture has been moved or changed and whether they/you want to approve or deny.

This way they do their work and you do yours and when it comes to those final fix MEP fixtures where you want to watch out for, you have Revit monitoring them for you (so no one can change them behind your back)

Below is more info on the workflow...

What Elements Can I Copy or Monitor? | Revit Products 2020 | Autodesk Knowledge Network

Workflow: Copy/Monitor for Linked Models | Revit Products 2020 | Autodesk Knowledge Network

Copying MEP Fixtures | Revit Products 2020 | Autodesk Knowledge Network