MEP21272

Automating Plumbing Design in Revit

Derek K. Main
CannonDesign

Learning Objectives
 Automate flow calculation in storm piping
 Automate flow calculation in gas piping
 Automate flow calculation in hot water return and other piping systems
 Produce automated schedules and calculation sheets

Description
Autodesk Revit MEP is a powerful design tool in the BIM world. While we can’t automate the
entire design of plumbing systems in Revit, there are various workflows that we can automate
for a quicker, more efficient way of design. Utilizing Revit, this class will show how we can use
Revit’s piping systems, families with more useful information and manipulation of some
parameters to automate various workflows in our plumbing designs. These workflows include
automating the flow areas in sq. ft. or GPM in roof drainage piping, required CFH in gas piping,
and GPM in hot water return piping. The information in the families used will also allow us to
create schedules for our drawings or calculation sheets.

Your AU Expert
Derek Main is a plumbing engineer who has been with CannonDesign for 9 years. While
working as an engineer, he is also the plumbing group’s Building Information Modeling (BIM)
development leader for the firm. He has an Associate of Applied Science degree in CADD, as
well as a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering Technology. Notable projects that Main
has worked on include large healthcare facilities such as the Gates Vascular Institute and the
Buffalo Clinical and Translational Research Center in Buffalo, New York, and the John R. Oishei
Children’s Hospital (also in Buffalo). He has also worked on educational facilities, including the
James Center for Molecular and Life Sciences at Eckerd College in St. Petersburg, Florida, and
other building types such as dormitory buildings, parking ramps, and stores for Wegmans Food
Markets. In addition, Main also co-authored “Advanced Building Information Modeling” in
Plumbing Engineer (July 2014, clarification August 2014) and he is a Revit MEP Mechanical
Certified Professional.

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Table of Contents Page No.
Introduction 3
Automate Flow Calc. In Storm Piping 4
Automate Flow Calc. In Gas Piping 8
Automate Flow Calc. In HWR & Other Piping Systems 11
Producing Automated Schedules And Calculation Sheets 15

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Introduction
This class will show what is required to automate some basic tasks in your plumbing
design, utilizing the advantages of building information modeling (BIM). If we understand what
Revit wants, it is much easier to get what we want out of the model. A fairly solid understanding
of how piping systems act, as well as understanding the family editor environment is helpful but
not required for understanding the concepts in this class.

Also, a few quick points before we begin:

In Revit, there are eleven piping system classifications, but not all can calculate flow.
Domestic cold and hot water can calculate both fixture units and flow. Sanitary can calculate
fixture units only, and both hydronic return and supply calculate flow only. System types can be
duplicated and renamed, however it is important to use the correct system classifications when
modeling pipe to take advantage of them.

For piping systems to populate flow, they can only have one open end (such as the
incoming service), all other ends must be capped and flow direction needs to be consistent.

When in the family editor, it is important to have all pipe connector settings set correctly.
The system classification for the connector should be consistent with the piping it will connect
to, the flow configuration and direction also need to be set correctly. The shared parameters
utilized in the family should be well organized and linked to the pipe connector as well.

Use of shared parameters is very important. These parameters can be used in both the
family and project environment, be tagged and scheduled, as well as be used with Dynamo.
There should be some thought put into how the shared parameters are organized, named, their
discipline and what type they are.

For some basics on systems, connectors, parameters and schedules, you may want to
view the Autodesk Revit HELP page, as well as a few AU classes online including:

(AU2014) MP6879 – Get Connected Autodesk Revit MEP Connectors Demystified; S. Zirbes
(AU2014) MP7059 – Revit MEP Parameters: Much More Than Flexible Families; J. Baumann,
Joel Londenberg, Don Bokmiller

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Automate Flow Calculation In Storm Piping
With the available piping system classifications in Revit, it is commonly thought of that
storm piping should be set to the sanitary type, or a duplicate of it. While sanitary piping
systems can total waste fixture units throughout the connected piping, they can’t calculate flow.
For storm piping we want to calculate the flow through piping in either drained square feet or
gallons per minute; depending on your preference or what is required per code. Hydronic return
can be used for storm piping, as it can calculate flow. This type can be duplicated or each
system name can be renamed if desired.

Since we are using the out of the box flow parameter and a system type that can
calculate flow, the majority of the setup we need to do is in the family editor environment.

Family Editor:

With the roof drain family open, we first need to create a few shared parameters.
Parameters are needed for roof area, wall wash, rainfall rate, total area (roof area + wall wash)
and a parameter that will combine these and be linked to the pipe connector. It is important for
these parameters to be shared parameters because this information can then be tagged or
scheduled as well. These parameters can be of the number and flow type, but it is important to
make sure which are set to type or to instance.

After the parameters are created, we need to input a formula for the parameter being
used for flow. In the example these parameters are named SQFT FLOW and GPM FLOW.

To show the drainage in square feet, we simply input (TOTAL AREA) * 1 GPM.
Factoring by 1 GPM is needed because Revit uses GPM as the unit for flow. If you don’t
include this, you will see the “Inconsistent Units” error that I’m sure everyone has been
frustrated with at some point. (You can get the “inconsistent units” error if you don’t input the
correct units or if you have an imbalanced formula.)

To show the drainage in GPM, the formula we input is just a little longer. We would then
input .0104 GPM * RAINFALL * (TOTAL AREA). We factor .0104 because 1 square foot is
equal to .0104 GPM at one inch of rainfall per hour.

TYPE PROPERTIES IN THE FAMILY EDITOR

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 Now that our parameters are set, we have to make a couple adjustments to the pipe
connector in the family. Set the system to hydronic return, the flow configuration to preset, and
the flow direction to out. Select the [=] button in the flow parameter and select the parameter
used for flow.

PIPE CONNECTOR PROPERTIES IN THE FAMILY EDITOR

Lastly, under project units, we need to set the unit symbol for flow to none. This will
remove the GPM suffix within the parameter value. While Revit think’s our flow is in GPM, it will
show as only a number, and we can show units as a suffix in our tags.

REMOVING UNITS FOR THE FLOW PARAMETER

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Project Environment:

In the project environment, there is another change we need to make. Like we did in the
family editor, we need to set the unit symbol for flow to none under the piping discipline. The
tags will instead show a suffix for the flow parameter to specify units.

When creating the tags, if we wanted to tag the storm piping with the flow in square feet,
the tag would use three parameters; size, type and flow. The first two would be followed by a
break, then the last parameter, flow, would have a suffix of GPM or S.F. If you wanted to show
the area drained in a tag for the roof drain, instead of using the flow parameter in the tag, you
would use the TOTAL AREA parameter with the appropriate suffix.

LABEL PARAMETERS IN PIPE AND ROOF DRAIN TAGS

There are a few ways we can input the area drained for each roof drain. If the architects
are modeling each roof section per drain, it is very easy to get the area. If not, (which is more
likely) the next best option is to create an area plan or places spaces at each roof area with
separators to find the total area for each. Then, input the areas for each drain manually, by
using a schedule, or with a Dynamo script. If there are areas with wall wash, manually enter
these and the family will add that automatically via the formula in the TOTAL AREA parameter.

EMBEDDED SCHEDULE TO QUICKLY ADD SF VALUES TO THE ROOF DRAINS

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 With the areas added for each drain, each segment of pipe will now show the flow for
each connected drain throughout the system. You can then tag the piping with size, type and
flow, as well as size accordingly.

IMAGE OF STORM ISOMETRIC WITH FLOW POPULATED THROUGH PIPING AND TAGGED

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Automate Flow Calculation In Gas Piping
Revit doesn’t provide a system classification for gas piping, but since hydronic supply
can calculate flow, we will use it for gas piping in this example. Again, you can always duplicate
or rename the system names if you want.

Family Editor:

In the family editor, we need to add shared parameters for the INPUT (Btu/h) and for the
flow to be transferred through the pipe connector to the associated piping. In this example, we
will call that CFH FLOW.

To convert Btu/h to CFH, we know that 1 CFH is 1000 Btu/h for Natural Gas and 2500
Btu/h for Propane (Lp). When entering the formula into the CFH FLOW parameter, we need to
divide INPUT BTU by this number, then factor by 1 GPM. Again, as we had done for the storm
piping example we need to let Revit think we want to transfer the flow of GPM. We remove the
units for flow and view this as just a number, using a suffix of CFH in our tags.

TYPE PROPERTIES IN THE FAMILY EDITOR

One thing to take note of when setting up your parameters; You may have decided to set
the INPUT parameter to a type with units of Btu/h, which makes sense. However, Revit uses
display units of Btu/h for several parameters for both HVAC and Electrical disciplines. This can
be troublesome because not all parameters have their own internal base units and Revit will
want to convert Btu/h to VA; for example, the HVAC heating load parameter does not have its
own internal units. We know that Btu/h, VA as well as watts are units of power where 1 Btu/h is
equal to 0.23907107 volt amps or watts, so this conversion Revit does will still work however
there is a sight rounding discrepancy. While a more accurate conversion value can be
specified, there is a way around the units being converted to VA. Instead of thinking the units
have to be Btu/h, we can assume it is per hour and use units of Btu, with the parameter type set
to energy. Revit will retain the proper units when inputted into the formula, and there won’t be
any odd rounding.

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 PROJECT UNITS FOR VARIOUS PARAMETER TYPES

Next, in the pipe connector set the system to hydronic supply, flow configuration to
preset and flow direction to in. Select the [=] button in the flow parameter and select the
parameter used for flow.

PIPE CONNECTOR PROPERTIES IN THE FAMILY EDITOR

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Project Environment:

In the project environment, set the unit symbol for flow to none. For the equipment tags,
use the INPUT BTU parameter with a suffix of Btu/h or the CFH FLOW parameter with a suffix
of CFH. For the pipe tags, use the flow parameter with a suffix of CFH.

LABEL PARAMETERS IN PIPE AND EQUIP TAGS

After placing equipment with the inputted gas loads, each segment of pipe will now show
the connected CFH throughout the system and we can then tag and size the piping accordingly.

IMAGE OF GAS ISOMETRIC WITH FLOW POPULATED THROUGH PIPING AND TAGGED

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Automate Flow Calculation In HWR & Other Piping
Now that you’ve seen how the flow parameter can be manipulated, you probably have
an idea of how else the parameter could be used. For example, the flow through hot water
return piping can be populated in GPM and total counts of gas outlets in lab or medical gas
piping can be populated for use with a sizing scale to size piping.

Flow For HWR Piping:

Since Revit needs piping systems to only have one direction of flow, all open ends need
to be capped. Since any open ends in the hot water piping system are capped for proper
automation of fixture units and flow, we may have some open ends in the hot water return piping
(That “tee” where the HWR begins is not really interconnected, the return side of the pipe is
capped so the hot water can only flow one way). If we create a “cap” family for the open ends of
the hot water return piping, we can use a GPM RETURNED shared parameter in this family.

TYPE PROPERTIES IN THE FAMILY EDITOR

For the pipe connector, set the flow configuration to preset, the flow direction to out, and
the system classification to domestic hot water (if your HWR system is a duplicate of hot water,
named as hot water return). Select the [=] button for the flow parameter and select the shared
parameter you’re using for flow.

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 PIPE CONNECTOR PROPERTIES IN THE FAMILY EDITOR

After all open ends of the piping are capped with appropriate GPM values, each
segment of pipe will now show the connected GPM returned throughout the system, and we can
then tag and size the piping accordingly.

IMAGE OF WATER ISOMETRIC WITH FLOW POPULATED IN PIPING AND TAGGED

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Outlet Counts For Lab Or Medical Gas Piping:

Another instance where we could use piping systems and the flow parameter is for
counting the total outlets in lab or medical gas piping. In the family type properties, we can
create a shared parameter for OUTLET COUNT, where we can set a value of 1 for each outlet.

TYPE PROPERTIES IN THE FAMILY EDITOR

In the properties for the pipe connector, we set flow configuration to preset, flow direction
to in and again the system classification can be set to hydronic supply. Select the [=] button for
the flow parameter and select the shared parameter you’re using for the count value.

PIPE CONNECTOR PROPERTIES IN THE FAMILY EDITOR

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 In the project environment, all connected piping will show the total outlets connected in
that section of piping. When selecting the piping, we can view the number of connected outlets
as well as the length of piping to then use for sizing with a pipe sizing calculator. In addition,
these totals can be used for future reference, quicker layout revisions, etc.

AUTOMATED COUNTING OF OUTLETS IN MEDICAL AIR PIPING .

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Produce Automated Schedules And Calculation Sheets
Since we have input valuable information into the modeled elements, we can also use
this for our automated schedules. Automated schedules can be placed on drawing sheets,
used as calculation spreadsheets for our design narratives, or just used as a working tool in the
project environment.

Schedules For Drawing Sheets:

Placement on drawing sheets is the most common use for automated schedules.
Schedules for backflow preventers, heaters, pumps, fixtures, drains, regulators, etc. can all be
scheduled automatically. Initial setup with schedules in the template and parameters
prepopulated in the families will allow for these to populate themselves while working; the only
thing you’ll need to do is place them on sheets and verify that everything looks correct.

AUTOMATED SCHEDULES PLACED ON DRAWING SHEET

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Schedules For Calculation Spreadsheets:

A or B sized title blocks can be created for calculation sheets to include with
design narratives for scheduled information such as gas loads, fixture unit loads, roof
drainage calculations, etc. In the header section the project name, number, location,
date, etc. can all be parameters from the project information of your model. The
automated schedule can then be placed on the sheet for insertion to the pdf for your
design narrative.

For example, if we need to show fixture unit loads for all fixtures in a building, we
can easily schedule these parameters in the model. We can show tag, description,
quantity, waste, cold and hot fixture units as well as totals. If we want to show 75% hot
we can utilize a calculated value for that column. These can be sorted alphabetically, as
well as by level or area. Additional notes can be located below the schedule as text.
The end result is a page that looks very similar to previously utilized excel spreadsheets.

SCHEDULED FIXTURE UNIT LOADS TO INCLUDE IN A DESIGN NARRATIVE FOR A DORMITORY BUILDING

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FIXTURE UNIT LOADS SCHEDULE WORKING VIEW

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Schedules As A Working Tool:

Schedules can also be used to speed up some design tasks. For example, we
can create a pipe schedule for sizing all modeled storm piping. Since each pipe has
actual size and populated flows, we can use calculated values and formulas to find the
required pipe size at that flow. An additional column with a yes/no parameter and color
applied can be used to quickly identify pipe segments where the actual modeled pipe
size is not equal to the required pipe size. This example uses conditional statements in
the formula with flow values that correspond to the horizontal storm drainage pipe sizing
tables of an applicable plumbing code. It is also recommended that long formulas be
typed in notepad, and copied into the calculated value in the schedule for easier
creation.

AUTOMATED SCHEDULE USED TO QUICKLY ADJUST MODELED PIPE SIZES

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