Hassanain, M A; Aljuhani, M; Sanni-Anibire, M O and Abdallah, A (2019) Interdisciplinary design checklists for mechanical, electrical and plumbing coordination in building projects. Built Environment Project and Asset Management, 9(1), pp. 29-43. ISSN 2044-124X
Abstract
Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to develop and assess interdisciplinary design checklists for mechanical, electrical and plumbing (MEP) systems' coordination, for building projects, in Saudi Arabia. Design/methodology/approach: Relevant documents were acquired including: heating, ventilation and air conditioning schedules; ductwork and chilled water pipes layout; and technical queries, among others, from residential and school projects. Next, factors influencing MEP systems' coordination were extracted, and verified to ensure clarity and validity. They were formulated into design checklist items for MEP systems. Finally, the checklist items were assessed through a questionnaire based on a five-point Likert scale of importance. Respondents were comprised of mechanical, architectural, construction, electrical engineers, design coordinators and quality assurance managers. Data were then analyzed using the relative importance index. Findings: This study presents 63 design checklist items. The items for each discipline were grouped under four categories, highlighting specific considerations. The findings revealed that careful consideration and communication between the mechanical, structural and architectural design teams was paramount in achieving proper mechanical coordination. Furthermore, it was found that constant communication between the electrical and the other design teams was necessary, to avoid electrical design conflicts. Finally, fire safety consideration was found to be most important in plumbing systems' coordination. Originality/value: The checklists for facilitating the MEP coordination process in building projects aim at minimizing waste in resources and enhancing the overall quality and productivity. In the absence of existing checklists, this paper provides a practical benefit to design professionals to alert them to devote more effort to the dominant category of checklist items.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | building projects; checklist; coordination; design; facility performance; mep |
| Index terms: | plumbing, fire safety, architectural design, coordination, air conditioning, methodology, documents, Likert scale, questionnaire, productivity, relative importance index, design team, quality assurance, validity, ventilation, manager, Saudi Arabia, electrical engineer |
| Subjects: | quality assurance, environmental engineering, professional development, Geography, health safety and environment, research methods, design practice, management, professional practice, practitioner, air quality, mechanical systems, evaluation and assessment methods, data collection methods, profession, risk assessment |
| Topics: | Sustainability, Roles and Professions, Risk Management, Geographical Context, Research Practice, Information Management, Engineering Principles, Business Strategy, Health and Safety, Organizational Design, Quality Management, Design Practice |
| Descriptive scope: | 4 PCTA |
N.B. Descriptive scope is a count of how many of the five facets of empirical research are indicated by the words used in title, abstract and keywords. It is not intended as a judgement on the research; merely a count of the kind of word we would expect to indicate Phenomenon, Concepts, Theoretical framing, Empirical techniques, Analytical techniques. If all five are present, then a code of “5 PCTEA” will indicate this. If you feel the coding for this record is questionable, we welcome discussion around the terms we matched or the way we categorized them. The facet you would expect may not be coded, or a facet may be coded inappropriately. This can also bear on a larger question, of which facets should be treated as defining in construction management research. Please get in touch, and we will look at it. More details here