Collaboration with Consultants - who models what

[kmmb_bradley]

I am trying to gather some information about how other offices handle coordinating between Structural, MEP, ID, and Architectural Revit models and deciding who draws what in their model. There are many things Architecture needs to own in terms of code/accessibility requirements as well as locating things in the plan. However, if all consultants are in Revit, what is the best way to avoid a lot of duplicated work between consultants but at the same time own all the things we as architects need to own? We work as the architecture firm in hospitality and multi-family residential projects. 

I think we have mostly figured out structural - we own the floor slabs, they own the columns and footings in their model. 

MEP and ID are much harder. We need to own the power/data locations, the plumbing fixture locations and accessibility requirements (toilet, sink, shower/tub), the lighting locations (all but decorative). Often since ID owns the specs for these, they have them in their model. Electrical often likes to have lighting/power in their model so they can run their schedules and circuiting information. 

I know it is inevitable that some things will be duplicated in several models, but does any one have some tips or best practices of how to divide responsibility of who is drawing what in their model (between MEP, ID, and Archicture)? Even though we as architects own a lot of it, it seems inefficient (and to negate the purpose of a collaborative Revit model) for us to draw so many things that already exist in consultant models. 

Thank you!

[RobDraw]

It's all a matter of who is designing what. Yes, other trades need to reference the designated consultants information and often display it some fashion. How that is done is up to them. They can link in other models so that they are actually referencing the consultants design.

Coming from the MEP side, we could display electrical outlets and lighting fixtures from the architect's and/or ID models and only model connectors at the appropriate locations. Most MEP firms don't use that approach and actually have the outlets and fixtures in their models so that they can be displayed according to their standards. Approaches can vary quite a bit as to how they coordinate.

[kmmb_bradley]

Thanks for your input! I know there is no ‘right’ answer, I’m just trying to gather as much industry perspectives from various disciplines to create our general office rule of thumb of what we model vs what we use via a consultant model link.

[constantin.stroescu]

Ideally , a good BEP - BIM Execution Plan , in order to plan all these responsibilities in the first stage of project development will be very useful:

Have a look at these materials:

https://aecuk.files.wordpress.com/2012/09/aecukbimprotocol-v2-0.pdf

https://www.thenbs.com/knowledge/what-is-a-bim-execution-plan-bep

https://bimcorner.com/creating-a-successful-bim-execution-plan-part-1/