1. Mastering Autodesk Revit MEP 2016
CHAPTER 15: Plumbing (Domestic, Sanitary, Other)

2. Plumbing
Fixtures
Copy/Monitored from the architectural model or placed in plumbing model
Parameters are necessary to apply appropriate code data
Added directly to the fixture families and managed via Type Properties
Type Catalog with preloaded values
Plumbing fixtures normally are placed by the architect during schematic design to coordinate usability and meet the requirements of governing codes. From a plumbing design point of view, there are some different criteria that must examined.
One question to ask is do you as the designer want to use the plumbing fixtures that the architect has used in their model to connect your piping to or will you substitute them with your company standard?
In the United States there are two major plumbing codes: Uniform Plumbing Codes and International Plumbing Codes. To further complicate matters some states will adopt one of these two codes and then add their own amendments creating their own state code.
You can apply this information through the use of parameters. This can be done a couple different ways. First it can be edited in the family itself by selecting a plumbing fixture family and editing the information through type properties. The second way to edit the information is to create a type catalog. The use of type catalogs allows the user to easily produce more information about different types or models of the same family.

3. Plumbing Pipe Assemblies Categorized as plumbing fixture families
Made up of nested fitting families along with sweeps to represent pipe, preassembled in standard plumbing configurations
Constructed to line up with fixtures in linked model
The designer has the choice of using the architectural supplied plumbing fixtures or replacing them with the designer’s plumbing fixtures that have already been edited with proper connectors and scheduling information.
An alternative to copy/monitoring architectural fixtures is to create custom pipe assemblies. Custom pipe assemblies are fittings preassembled or modeled to line up in the locations of the linked architectural plumbing fixtures. These are created using the plumbing fixture families.

4. Plumbing Linked Fixtures Copy/Monitor
Custom pipe assembly families can be set to monitor the fixtures in a linked architectural model
Coordination Review warnings when changes are made to fixture locations
Type mapping to associate assemblies with fixtures
To use this method of copying/monitoring, the plumbing designer must turn off the plumbing fixtures on the linked architectural model so that the plan does not show double fixtures. Following this method without constant coordination review can lead to costly mistakes because the Copy/Monitor feature does not automatically update to show the new fixtures that the architect may have added.
If the plumbing fixtures that the architects are using match the same orientation of your pipe assemblies, you can copy/monitor the pipe assemblies directly behind the plumbing fixtures. Now when your architect moves a plumbing fixture, you will receive a warning that you need to coordinate your view. You will also have the capability to copy and change all of the plumbing fixtures on multiple levels all at one time. This can be a huge time-saver.

5. Plumbing Piping System Pipes
Custom types can be created by duplicating others
Parameters of the type can be adjusted for Material, Class, and Connection Type
Naming by material makes for easier takeoffs
Pipe types can be created by duplicating existing types and renaming them. It is a good idea to create pipe types for the materials you will be using.
Once they are created, you can assign specific fittings to be used in the routing preferences. The fittings must be loaded into your project to be used by a pipe type.

6. Plumbing Piping System Pipe Fittings
Routing Preferences allow for greater flexibility
Fittings are dependent on size of pipe
Lookup table can be assigned for proper sizing
K Coefficient Table can be used, or a static value applied
Under Fitting Parameters there are Elbow, Preferred Junction Type, Tee, Tap, Cross, Transition, Union, and Flange. Before you can adjust the rest of your system pipe type parameters, you need create the fittings that go with your system pipe types.

7. Plumbing Piping Material and Sizing
Available materials and their sizes are defined in Mechanical Settings
New materials can be created based on others
Roughness, Connection type, and Schedule can be modified for new material
Sizes can be added or removed for availability in project
If you want to create a new pipe material, you can duplicate an existing pipe material and rename it to the new pipe material as required. You can change connection type and schedule of pipe. This is all done in the Mechanical Settings dialog box.

8. Plumbing Piping Automatic Routing Routing Solutions
Network – solutions with main running through center and branching off
Perimeter – solutions with main running around components and branching in
Intersections – pair of imaginary lines extending from each connector; perpendicular lines extend from connectors and intersections are potential junctions
Custom – becomes available when you begin to modify any other solution type
Slope value can be assigned prior to routing
There are a couple of routing options when you set out to design your piping model: the auto-route option and the manual routing option. The smaller a system, the more beneficial the auto-route feature. If you have a large system you are designing, then manual routing will benefit you more due to the nature of designs changing more often.

9. Plumbing Piping Manual Routing Pipe drawn at specified elevation
Slope value
Manual Routing
Pipe drawn at specified elevation
Justification settings – Top, Bottom, or Middle of pipe
Slope value for run applied if necessary
Pipe can be drawn from connection points on equipment or fixtures
Size acquired from connector data
Vertical runs can be drawn in section view or plan views (by changing offset during run)
Trim tool used for easy completion of runs
Slope direction toggle
The advantage of using this option is that the designer has total control over workflow. When routing manually, start your piping out at the elevation that you know will be most likely out of the way of other disciplines. Cutting sections when routing piping can really improve the success of your coordination of your Revit model.
When routing sanitary sewer, it is best to manually route the main first to establish where the sanitary is going to be leaving the building and make sure it has been coordinated with the civil engineer. For sloping pipe to work properly, it needs to have a starting point and an ending point.

10. Plumbing Piping Placing Fittings
Most valve fittings are set to Break Into behavior so they will attach directly to the pipe they are placed in
Many fittings have grips to adjust direction
When you need to add valves to your piping, select the Home tab > Pipe Accessories, use the type selector, and select the type of valve you want to use. Most valves are break into type so you can place into the pipe type, and it will break into the piping and connect.
Many fittings have grips that allow for easy editing. The flip arrows grip lets you change the direction of a fitting without having to disconnect it from the run.