OUR PEOPLE

Our coordination department has the capabilities and resources to coordinate HVAC piping, sheet metal and plumbing systems and is always on the leading edge of CAD technology. We currently are using AutoCAD MEP which automatically develops a 3D drawing with our specialty software packages. We currently have four full-time coordinators with years of industry experience and all of them are capable of drafting any of these systems. Our coordination is done in house except on some occasions where it is, and will be, necessary to hire an outside consulting engineering firm, such as structural or electrical if the documents require.

We have been involved with BIM projects since 2007 and the technology is nothing new to us. We draw all our projects in 3D and utilize Navisworks software for collision detection when required. We also take the lead role in the collision detection process with the other MEP trades. All the pipe routing, duct routing, and equipment layout are determined by the CAD operator with assistance from the project manager or foremen when required.

The CAD files when completed become a data base for fabrication for our pipe and sheet metal shops. When we complete a shop drawing, a bill of materials and fabrication drawing is also completed simultaneously. This helps us get our material ordered quickly and correctly and lets us get our pipe and sheet metal into our fabrication shop immediately, which helps when the schedule is tight. Several other components of the process are captured from the data base and used for ordering various types of materials and equipment. Our CAD files also generate the data required for use with the Total Station. We use the Total Station for laying our sleeves, hangers, and equipment.

Finally, we have adopted STRATUS in 2024.  STRATUS connects the office to the shop to the field, with order definitions, shop fabrication tools, and field installation and tracking tools, all leveraging the investment in BIM at the front end of the project.  In general, STRATUS offers model-centric planning and tracking workflows that are replacing disconnected spreadsheets and paper processes.