Revit - Changing sprinkler head types

[fpdesignmike]

Hi, I am trying to figure out how to change the pendent type sprinkler head that seems to be the default type when imported from hydrcad. The head information is correct, but the 3D model always seems to be a pendent type model when I need a concealed type model. I've loaded the family of a viking concealed head VK462 from their website, but have been unsuccessful in changing (editing) the imported pendent to that family. I am not that familiar with Revit so when I do a search I am most likely using the wrong terminology so this is my last hope. The error I keep getting is "can't use this type in this host". Please help!

[nathan.chapman]

That error is because you are trying to swap for say a level hosted family with a face hosted.  More than likely the hydracad head is a level hosted and you are trying to place a face/Ceiling.

[fpdesignmike]

Thanks Nathan, ok so how would I go about changing a level hosted to a face hosted or vice versa? Is that even what I need to do? 

[nathan.chapman]

Going from Face to level hosted.  The easiest way is to open the face hosted family and start a new level hosted family.  Copy geometry from the face hosted and past into the level.  Make sure you new family family category is set to Sprinklers.  Now if your not really familiar with Revit and the family editor you might run into trouble and not know how to proceed.  Family creation and editing is one of those things you don't want just anyone doing.

[fpdesignmike]

I checked the Family Category and Parameters of each head and under Host the Value was blank. Both heads are under the Sprinklers category so I'm not sure what that means.

[andrea.kikuchi]

Hi @fpdesignmike, 

Would you mind posting the family here so I can take a look at it? 

Thanks!

[fpdesignmike]

Hi Andrea,

I uploaded the Revit file with the pendent head and the family of the concealed type I am trying to change it out with. Let me know what you think. Thanks!

[andrea.kikuchi]

Thanks for uploading. The problem with this family is that it's an imported .dwg file and not actual Revit geometry. It's oriented incorrectly and you're going to have a hard time using it in a project because it's not a "real family". It amounts to an image block which cannot be manipulated in any way.

In the project you sent there is a concealed sprinkler head that is created with Revit geometry, does this one work for your needs?

[fpdesignmike]

Yeah, I just need the head to look like a concealed head and retain the product information. Where is the concealed head type located in the revit drawing?

[andrea.kikuchi]

I see now what your issue is. When the head is attached to the upright pipe the family works as intended when changed to concealed (it moves the head down into the pipe) but when you choose the downward pendant pipe the head does not move into the concealed position. This is because of the way the family is built; it's made to move down below the reference plane to be recessed but does not work when upside down in the pendant orientation.

If you can find a well made family this would solve your issue. You can try loading some of the families that come with Revit, and instead of trying to replace the head that's there, delete the existing head and re-host the new one. That should resolve the error you are getting.

[fpdesignmike]

Ok, I was hoping there would be a way to change out all the heads in one shot because the project I'm working on has thousands of heads. The sprinkler model was imported from a cad based program that converts to Revit which maybe why it's being fussy. I at least understand a bit more now so thank you. They'll have to live with the pendent type model for now, but thanks for the help!