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3 Move mouse cursor to the center of lower left room, then click.
4 Click the leftmost Modify button on ribbon to finish placing the first Room.
Note: If the Visual Style on View Control Bar is set to Wireframe, please set it to Hidden Line
to see the light blue Interior Fill.
In architectural drawings we usually don’t tag (label) narrow spaces like shafts. Next we
delete those shaft rooms that Revit automatically created.
7 Window select the region as shown that contains three restroom shafts.
Attention! When we deleted rooms, the associated tags were also deleted.
11 According to the drawing below correct all room names and numbers.
1 - 13 Add Room Information 101
Use the same method, according to the drawing below complete all the rooms on second
floor.
Mechanical (Discipline)
HVAC (Sub-Discipline)
Floor Plans (to create HVAC spaces and zones, place mechanical equipment)
1 - Mech
2 - Mech
Roof - Mech (to place rooftop mechanical equipment)
2 - 1 Prepare Mechanical System Modeling 105
Ceiling Plans (to place HVAC equipment on and above ceilings, run ductworks)
1 - Ceiling Mech
2 - Ceiling Mech
3D Views
{3D} (default 3D view, each project at least has one)
Elevations (to run and examine ductworks outside the building)
East - Mech
North - Mech
South - Mech
West - Mech
Sections (to run and examine ductworks inside the building)
Section 1
Plumbing (Discipline)
Plumbing (Sub-Discipline)
Floor Plans (to place plumbing fixtures and equipment, run pipes)
1 - Plumbing
2 - Plumbing
3D Views
3D Plumbing (additional 3D view which is optional)
Elevations (to run and examine pipes outside the building)
East - Plumbing
North - Plumbing
South - Plumbing
West - Plumbing
The view name starting with “1 -“ and “2 -“ means “first floor” and “second floor”. We can
add more floor plans or roof plan based on our needs.
The so called “Ceiling Plan” is Reflected Ceiling Plan (RCP), which is a plan view of a
structure above the cutting plane.
Since in this chapter we only model the HVAC systems of the building, to simplify and
reduce confusing, let’s delete all the views under the Plumbing sub-discipline and Plumbing
discipline.
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2 In Project Units dialog box, click the example button of Length Format.
3 In Format dialog box, for Units select Centimeters, for Rounding select 2 decimal places,
for Unit symbol select cm, put a check mark on Suppress on trailing 0’s.
4 Click OK to complete the settings of Length format, but not yet to finish the whole
settings.
2 - 1 Prepare Mechanical System Modeling 107
8 Click OK to complete the settings of Air Flow format, click OK again to finish the settings
of Project Units.
Note: For consistency, we set the Length format same as the Length format in Architecture
Project.
2 In Import/Link RVT dialog box, find and select the exercise file: \Architectural\c Office
Building.rvt
3 At the bottom of dialog box, verify Positioning: is Auto - Origen to Origen, then press
Open.
The line works of linked model is grey out with brightness of 50%.
2 - 1 Prepare Mechanical System Modeling 109
4 Click Manage tab, then click Additional Settings to expand its drop down list, select
Halftone / Underlay.
5 In Halftone/Underlay dialog box change Brightness from 50% to 70%, press OK.
Now we can see the line works of linked model become darker.
6 Select the imported architectural background model, on Modify panel, click (Pin).
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2 As the figures shown below, select and drag the host’s level symbols to the right of link
model’s level symbols.
2 - 1 Prepare Mechanical System Modeling 111
3 Click the 400 cm of Level 2; enter 370 to change its height to 370 cm.
4 Click the leftmost Modify button on ribbon.
6 On the Options Bar at the bottom of the Modify | Place Level ribbon, verify that Make
Plan View is checked, then click the Plan View Types... button.
7 In Plan View Types dialog box, ONLY select Floor Plan, then press OK.
10 Move mouse cursor to a little bit up of Level 2 line, when seeing a blue dashed line
appear at the top of Level 2, press down the mouse button. Thus we create a Level 3
level line.
13 Move mouse cursor to a little bit up of Level 2 line, when seeing a blue dashed line
appear at the top of Level 2, press down the mouse button. Thus we create a Level 5
level line.
Rename Levels
When creating new levels Revit will give us some temporary names, thus we should rename
them to the names we want.
15 Double click the name of Level 3, enter Roof to change its name to Roof. When Revit
asks if you want to rename the corresponding views, press Yes.
16 Use the same method, rename Level 4 to Ceiling 1, rename Level 5 to Ceiling 2.
17 Click Ceiling 1 level, on Properties palette, set its Computation Height to 5.2 cm.
18 Click Ceiling 2 level, on Properties panel, also set its Computation Height to 5.2 cm.
Note: When creating new levels, all we have to do is to create them in one elevation view
or in one section view, after creation, other elevation or section views can see them.
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Rename Views
In Project Browser we can see there are 3 new floor plan views, they have the same names
as the names of associated levels, however, views are not necessary to have the same name
as their associated levels, we can rename them to the names according to their usages.
19 In Project Browser, select newly added floor plan views, right click mouse button, on
Context Menu, select Rename,
rename Ceiling 1 to 1 - Plenum,
rename Ceiling 2 to 2 - Plenum,
rename Roof to Roof - Mech, respectively.
When Revit asks if you want to rename the corresponding level and views, all answer No.
If we answer Yes, the associated level and the other views it created will also be renamed,
this is not what we want.
2 On Properties palette, scroll down to View Template, click Mechanical Plan button.
3 In Assign View Template dialog box, set Name to <None>, click OK.
Attention! We have to set View Template to <None> in order to edit its View Range.
4 Click View Range’s Edit… button. In View Range dialog box, change Cut plane’s Offset
from default’s 120 cm to 60 cm.
Because the default 120 cm Offset was too high, it was above Level 2.
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5 Use the same method, open 2 - Plenum floor plan view, set its View Template to
<None>, then change View Range’s Cut plane’s Offset from 120 cm to 60 cm.
2 On Properties palette, scroll down to View Template, click Mechanical Plan button.
3 In Assign View Template dialog box, set Name to <None>, click OK.
2 - 1 Prepare Mechanical System Modeling 117
4 Click View Range's Edit… button. In View Range dialog box, set Cut plane Offset to 200
cm; set Bottom to Level Below (Ceiling 2), Offset 5 cm; set View Depth to Level Below
(Ceiling 2), Offset 5 cm.
Now on Roof - Mech view we can see the interior walls of second floor, the purpose is that
when we place rooftop AC units on this view we can position them at the right spots.
6 Type VG, click Annotation Categories tab, find and turn off Elevations (4 elevation
symbols).
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7 Type ZA (Zoom All) to zoom the entire model to fit the drawing area.
The MEP modeling in this book, basically we can turn off all 4 elevation symbols (South, East,
North, West) on all floor plan and ceiling plan views, this can reduce the zooming
operations during the editing. If we want open these elevation views, we can just double
click the south, east, north or west elevation view names in Project Browser. But we have to
do the above VG settings for each floor plan views.
8 Open 1 - Mech, 1 - Plenum, 2 - Mech, 2 - Plenum, 1 - Ceiling Mech, 2 - Ceiling Mech six
plan views respectively, proceed the previous two steps:
6 Use VG to turn off Elevations.
7 Type ZA to zoom model to fit the drawing area.
Save your work
When all finished, Click the File Tab, select Save As, then select Project, in Save As dialog
box, create a Mechanical Exercise folder at a convenient location on your hard drive, enter
01 Mechanical Setup Finished for File name, then click Save. Click the File Tab again then
select Close.
2 - 2 Create Spaces
Besides modeling building information, Revit has the capabilities to do energy analysis and
lighting calculation. In order to calculate building heating and cooling loads, we have to
create (place) spaces everywhere in the building, whether they are occupied spaces or
unoccupied spaces, thus to get the correct results.
Open the exercise file: \Mechanical\02 Create Spaces.rvt
2 - 2 Create Spaces 119
Duplicate Views
1 In Project Browser, select 1 - Mech floor plan view, right click mouse button, on Context
Menu, select Duplicate View -> Duplicate.
2 Select duplicated 1 - Mech Copy 1 view, right click mouse button, on Context Menu,
select Rename, rename it to 1 - Space.
3 In Project Browser, select 2 - Mech floor plan view, right click mouse button, on Context
Menu, select Duplicate View -> Duplicate.
4 Select duplicated 2 - Mech Copy 1 view, right click mouse button, on Context Menu,
select Rename, rename it to 2 - Space.
Important! We have to turn on the Room Bounding of linked architectural model in order to
use its room enclosures to create spaces.
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Create Spaces
1 In Project Browser, double click 1 - Space under Floor Plans to open Floor Plan: 1 - Space
view.
2 On View Control Bar, set Detail Level to Coarse to simplify the line work of interior walls.
4 On Properties palette, set Constrain Upper Limit to Ceiling 1, set Limit Offset to 0 cm.
5 Scroll down to find Space Type in Energy Analysis category, click <Building>, when Revit
displays a little … square button on its right, click it.
6 In Space Type Settings dialog box, find and select Office - Enclosed, press OK.
2 - 2 Create Spaces 121
7 On Modify | Place Space ribbon, select (or make sure already turn on) Tag on Placement.
9 Continue to move cursor to the center of two other rooms on the right and click. Click
the leftmost Modify button on ribbon to end the command.
Automate Spaces
10 Again, select Space on the Analyze ribbon.
11 On Modify | Place Space ribbon, make sure Tag on Placement already been turned on,
click Place Spaces Automatically.
12 Press Close.
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Now Revit extracted the room information (name and number) from the linked
architectural file and transferred them into the corresponding space tags of our spaces.
Although we could create space by picking each individual room, but use Place Spaces
Automatically can put space tags right in the centers of the spaces, and use Space Naming
tool to transfer tag information very quickly. Another good thing of using Place Spaces
Automatically is that Revit will search all the spaces for us, so there won’t be any missing.
Attention! When creating space, we have to pay attention to its Constraint Upper Limit and
Offsets.
15 Type VG, find and expand Spaces, turn on Interior under Spaces, press OK.
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Now we can see all spaces fill with light green color.
17 On the Options Bar at the bottom of the Modify | Space Tags ribbon, turn on the Leader.
2 - 2 Create Spaces 125
20 Same situation, add leaders to the other two shaft space tags, drag them to the right
and rename them correspondingly.
Note: When we created spaces with associated tags in one plan view, the other plan views
of the same floor (level) will also have those spaces but don’t have tags. For example,
in this model we created spaces in Space - 1 view, Mech - 1 view gets the identical
spaces but does not have tags on them. Nevertheless, we can use copy and paste
method to copy space tags to the view that needs them. Or, we can go to the view
that already has spaces to re-tag them.
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22 On Properties palette, change their Upper Limit to Roof, set Limit Offset to -21 cm, scroll
down to find Energy Analysis, uncheck Occupiable, set their Condition Type to
Unconditioned.
Note: When Revit calculates Heating and Cooling Loads it won’t count those Unconditioned
spaces.
2 - 2 Create Spaces 127
26 Type VG, find and expand Spaces, turn on Interior and Reference under Spaces, press
OK.
Now in plenum floor plan we can see 6 spaces (3 restroom shafts, Elec/Mech Room and 2
stairwells) which have Upper Limit higher then grid ceiling.
Note: When turning on Spaces Reference, we can see the crossing lines of the spaces.
2 - 2 Create Spaces 129
29 This time we don’t use Place Spaces Automatically, rather we directly place the space as
shown below. When finished, click the leftmost Modify button on ribbon.
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30 Use the above methods, according to the figure below, finish second floor’s spaces.
Notice: When creating second floor spaces we don’t need to do the restroom shafts, since
we already extended first floor restroom shaft spaces to the bottom of the roof. If
we have Revit Place Spaces Automatically, then we will get 3 overlapped shaft
spaces. If that is the case, we have to delete second floor restroom shaft spaces.
Don't forget to set second floor Elec/Mech room Upper Limit to the bottom of roof. Set
second floor HVAC shaft Base Offset to -20 cm, Upper Limit to the bottom of roof also,
uncheck Occupiable, set Condition Type to Unconditioned.
31 Like first floor plenum, finish second floor plenum’s space. On Properties palette, set
Upper Limit to Roof, set Limit Offset to -20 cm, scroll down, enter Plenum for Name, on
Energy Analysis category, put a check mark next to Plenum.
2 - 2 Create Spaces 131
4 Type VG, click Annotation Categories tab, find and turn off Levels.
5 Click Model Categories tab, find and expand Spaces, turn on Interior and Reference,
press OK.
6 On Properties palette, find and uncheck Crop Region Visible. Now the Crop Region box
disappeared.
7 As the following figures, move around mouse cursor to highlight each space, or pick
spaces.
(Stairwell space)
2 - 2 Create Spaces 133
(Shaft spaces)
(Plenum spaces)
Now Section 1 view moved to Sections (building Section) under HVAC Sub-Discipline and ???
is gone.
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4 In Space Type Settings dialog box, find and select Office - Open Plan, press OK.
2 - 2 Create Spaces 135
7 In Space Type Settings dialog box, find and select Conference Meeting/Multipurpose,
press OK.
The table below shows different interior heat gains of a few different space types.
Space Type Area per Person Lighting Load Density Power Load Density
Office - Open Plan 20.000 m² 11.84 W/m² 16.15 W/m²
Conference Meeting 2.000 m² 13.99 W/m² 10.76 W/m²
/Multipurpose
Lounge/Recreation 4.000 m² 13.02 W/m² 5.81 W/m²
Restrooms 10.000 m² 9.69 W/m² 3.23 W/m²
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Use the same method and according to the table below to finish all space’s Energy Analysis
Space Type of first floor and second floor.
2 - 3 Create Zones
When analyzing the energy consumption of a building, we can group spaces into different
zones to differentiate their HVAC systems or HVAC requirements, then specify Service Type,
Heating/Cooling/Outdoor Air information for those zones, thus we don’t have to specify
these information for every space.
2 - 3 Create Zones 137
2 Type VG, find and expand HVAC Zones, turn on Interior Fill and Reference Lines. Click
Annotation Categories tab, find and turn off Sections, press OK.
Now Revit displays the Edit Zone ribbon and has the Add Space button turned on.
4 On Properties palette, enter 1 - Office - South for Name, then continuously pick 5 office
and one guest room spaces on the south side of the building.
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6 Use the same method, select Zone on Analyze ribbon again, pick 3 office, a lounge and a
conference spaces on the north side of the building to create a zone named 1 - Office -
North.
7 Select Zone on Analyze ribbon again, pick Open Office 112 space on the west side of the
building to create a zone named 1 - Open Office - West with only one space.
2 - 3 Create Zones 139
8 According to the table and figure below, complete the rest zones of first floor except
two stairwells spaces.
Zones Spaces
1 - Office - South Office 101, 102, 104, 105, 106, Guest Room 103
1 - Office - North Office 107, 108, 109, Lounge 110, Conference 111
1 - Open Office - West Open Office 112
1 - Open Office - East Open Office 113
1 - Conference Conference 114
1 - Restroom Men’s Room 115, Ladies Room 116
1 - Elec/Mech Elec/Mech 117
1 - Entrance - North Rear Entrance 118
1 - Corridor Corridor 119
1 - Entrance - South Front Entrance 120
1 - Shaft Shaft 123, 124, 125
1 - Plenum Plenum 126
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9 In Project Browser, double click 1 - Plenum under Floor Plans to open that view.
10 Type VG, find and expand HVAC Zones, turn on Interior Fill and Reference Lines, click
Annotation Categories tab, find and turn off Sections, press OK.
2 - 3 Create Zones 141
11 Click the Analyze tab, select Zone, pick Plenum 126 space to create a zone named 1 -
Plenum with only one space.
12 In Project Browser, double click 2 - Space under Floor Plans to open that view.
13 Type VG, find and expand HVAC Zones, turn on Interior Fill and Reference Lines, click
Annotation Categories tab, find and turn off Sections, press OK.
14 According to the table and figure below, complete all the zones of second floor except
two stairwells spaces.
Zones Spaces
2 - Office - South Office 201, 202, 203, 205, 206, 207, Conference 204
2 - Office - North Office 208, 209, 210, 211, 212, 213, Janitor 220
2 - Open Office - West Open Office 214
2 - Open Office - East Open Office 215
2 - Conference Conference 216
2 - Restroom Men’s Room 115, Ladies Room 116
2 - Elec/Mech Elec/Mech 219
2 - Corridor Corridor 221, 222
2 - Shaft Shaft 225
2 - Plenum Plenum 226
Stairwell - South Stairwell 121, 223
Stairwell - North Stairwell 122, 224
142 Chapter 2 Mechanical Air Systems
16 In Project Browser, double click 1 - Space under Floor Plans to open that view.
17 Type WT (Window Tile) to tile 1 - Space and 2 - Space views side by side.
2 - 3 Create Zones 143
18 Type ZA (Zoom All) to zoom the entire model to fit the drawing area for both views.
Rename Views
Since we added zones in those two Space views under Floor Plans, we rename them to
Space and Zone.
27 In Project Browser, select 1 - Space view, right click the mouse button; rename it to 1 -
Space and Zone.
28 In Project Browser, select 2 - Space view, right click the mouse button; rename it to 2 -
Space and Zone.
4 On Properties palette, click Edit Type button. In Type Properties dialog box, put a check
mark on Show Title parameter, press OK.
6 In Choose Space Type and Color Scheme dialog box, select HVAC Zones and Scheme 1,
press OK.
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7 Select the color fill legend we just placed, on Modify | Color Fill Legends ribbon, select
Edit Scheme.
8 In Edit Color Scheme dialog box, enter Level 1 HVAC Zones for Scheme Definition Title,
press OK.
2 - 4 Zone Color Fill Legend 149
9 In Project Browser, double click 2 - Space and Zone under Floor Plans to open Floor Plan:
2 - Space and Zone view.
10 Same situation, use VG to turn off HVAC Zones Reference Lines.
11 Click the Analyze tab, select Color Fill Legend. Like first floor, place a color fill legend at
the upper right of the building.
12 In Choose Space Type and Color Scheme dialog box, select HVAC Zones and Scheme 1,
press OK.
13 Select the color fill legend we just placed, on Modify | Color Fill Legends ribbon, select
Edit Scheme.
150 Chapter 2 Mechanical Air Systems
14 In Edit Color Scheme dialog box, select Scheme 1 on the left, then click the Duplicate
button below.
Attention! Now the Schema 2 displayed on the left is the current color scheme.
Now the colors of these two zones became grey and orange respectively.
We can set different color combinations of the legends of our own likes, but it’s better to
duplicate the schema to a new one, then make changes on the new one, so we can keep
the original one just in case we still need it.
2 - 5 Energy Analysis
Open the exercise file: \Mechanical\05 Energy Analysis.rvt
2 In Project Information dialog box, click the Edit… button next to Energy Settings.
3 In Energy Settings dialog box, verify that Ground Plane is Level 1, Project Phase is New
Construction, then press the Edit… button next to Other Options.
Note: We can also click the Analyze tab and find Energy Settings tool at the very end of the
ribbon.
2 - 5 Energy Analysis 153
4 In Advanced Energy Settings dialog box, verify that Building Type is Office; HVAC System
is Central VAV, HW Heat, Chiller 5.96 COP, Boilers 84.5 eff.
5 Click <Building> next to Schematic Types, when Revit showing a little square button at
its right, click it.
6 In Schematic Types dialog box, click All button to turn on all overrides.
2 In New Schedule dialog box, select Spaces for Category, enter Heating and Cooling Loads
for Name, press OK.
3 In Schedule Properties dialog box, select Name, Number, Calculated Cooling Load,
Calculated Heating Load from Available fields, click Add parameter(s) button to add
them to Schedule fields. Move Number to the very top.
2 - 5 Energy Analysis 155
Now Revit created a schedule based on the fields (parameters) we selected and the sorting
method we set. In this schedule we see that all the values for Calculated Cooling Load and
Calculated Heating Load are Not Computed, this is because we haven’t asked Revit to
calculate these loads.
2 In Heating and Cooling Loads dialog box, click Boston, MA next to Location parameter,
when Revit showing a little square button at its right, click it.
3 In Location Weather and Site dialog box, we can use Internet Mapping Service to search
and spot, or use Default City List to set project’s location. Here we don’t make any
change, just press OK to use the default location.
2 - 5 Energy Analysis 157
4 Back to Heating and Cooling Loads dialog box, click Details tab.
5 Select 1 - Office - South zone, then press Highlight button.
6 Press the … buttons of Heating Information and Cooling information on previous figure
respectively.
8 Expand the 1 - Office - South zone and select 106 Office space.
Here we can set Space Type, Construction Type, People Occupancy and Electrical Loads for
individual space.
Surface Analysis
Next we will spread out all the surfaces that relate to the calculations of heating and cooling
loads of that space.
9 Press Analytical Surfaces radio button.
2 - 5 Energy Analysis 159
10 Press the Highlight button at upper right to clear Highlight. Then press the Isolate button.
Calculate Loads
17 Press the Calculate button at the bottom. Momentarily, Revit generates a Heating and
Cooling Loads Reports for us.
2 - 6 Place Air Terminals 163
Attention: This Heating and Cooling Loads Reports is very thorough, use the scroll bar
scrolling down to browse more details, such as the calculation for each zone and
for each space. It lists all the load calculation related modeling information.
18 In Project Browser, double click Heating and Cooling Loads under Schedule/Quantities
to open that schedule.
Now the schedule displays the values of Calculated Cooling Load and Calculated Heating
Load. Since we set shaft and plenum spaces to Unconditioned earlier, thus their loads
remain Not Computed.
1 In Project Browser, select Heating and Cooling Loads schedule, right click mouse button,
on Context Menu, select Duplicate View -> Duplicate.
2 Rename the duplicated schedule to Cooling Supply Airflow.
7 In Calculated Value dialog box, enter Airflow Delta for Name, for Discipline select HVAC,
for Type select Factor, the Formula enter (Actual Supply Airflow-Calculated Supply
Airflow)/Calculated Supply Airflow, press OK.
10 In Conditional Formatting dialog box, select Not Between for Test, enter 0 % and 5 % for
Value, set Background Color to red.
Note: Less than 0 % means not enough cooling; more than 5 % means too cold that wastes
energy.
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11 Press OK twice to finish the settings and create a Cooling Supply Airflow schedule.
In this schedule we can see that all the values for Actual Supply Airflow are 0 L/s, and the
percentages of Airflow Delta are -100% with red background. This is because we haven’t
placed any supply diffuser in these spaces.
Add Diffusers
4 Type WT (Window Tile) to tile 1 - Ceiling Mech view and Cooling Supply Airflow schedule
side by side.
5 Type ZA (Zoom All) to zoom the entire model to fit the drawing area.
Supply Diffusers
6 Click the Systems tab, then select Air Terminal.
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7 In Family/Type Selector, click the down arrow to find and select M_Supply Diffuser
family 600 x 600 Face 300 x 300 Connection type diffuser.
8 On Properties palette, set Constrain Level to Ceiling 1.
9 Place the first supply diffuser on the ceiling grid of 101 Office as shown below. Click the
leftmost Modify button on ribbon.
Note: Since 1 - Ceiling Mech view does not have space tags, we cannot tell the number and
name of a space, but when we move mouse cursor touching the invisible reference
line of a space, the pop-up tooltip and Status Bar will display its name and number.
Now in the schedule we see that the Calculated Supply Airflow of 101 Office is 77.0 L/s
(Liter per second), the Actual Supply Airflow is 235.0 L/s, and the Airflow Delta is 205.20%.
Because the Airflow Delta exceeds 5%, therefore it still has red background.
Note: 235 L/s is the default air flow of this supply diffuser.
2 - 6 Place Air Terminals 169
Now the red background color of Airflow Delta disappeared, since the supply airflow of 101
Office has satisfied our design requirement.
11 Next, place two supply diffusers on the ceiling grid of 102 Office as shown.
Now we see the Actual Supply Airflow of 102 Office is 470.0 L/s.
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12 Select both diffusers in 102 Office, on Properties palette, change their Flow to 55 L/s.
14 Select that diffuser, on Properties palette, change its Flow to 45 L/s, uncheck RightArrow
and LeftArrow.
Now we see the diffuser in 103 Guest Room only displays the up and down arrows. The
airflow of this room has also met our design requirement.
Return Diffusers
15 Select Air Terminal on Systems ribbon again.
16 In Family/Type Selector, click the down arrow to find and select M_Return Diffuser
family 600 x 600 Face 300 x 300 Connection type diffuser.
17 On Properties palette, set Constrain Level to Ceiling 1.
18 Place one return diffuser in each of 101 Office, 102 Office and 103 Guest Room as
shown. Click the leftmost Modify button on ribbon.
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19 Select all these three return diffusers, on Properties palette, uncheck all four direction
arrows.
Note: Since the air system uses the plenum space above grid ceiling to collect return air and
uses second floor shaft to convey air back to roof AC unit, therefore we don’t worry
about the air flow of return diffusers.
Exhaust Grilles
20 Select Air Terminal on Systems ribbon again.
21 On Modify | Place Air Terminal ribbon select Load Family.
Note: We don’t install ceiling return diffuser in restroom, rather we use shafts and roof
exhaust fans to exhaust restroom odors to outside.
Note: For Elec/ Mech room, stairwells and shafts we don’t install diffusers. Elec/ Mech
room and north stairwell could use transfer grilles and ducts to provide some
ventilation. But if in warmer areas we need provide cooling air for them.
2 As the following figure, pick a supply diffuser as you like, right click mouse button.
3 On Context Menu, select Select All Instances -> Visible in View.
Now on Properties palette, we see that there are 56 supply diffusers selected.
5 In Tag All Not Tagged dialog box, verify Only selected objects in current view radio
button is on, on Category list, select Air Terminal Tags, verify that Leader is unchecked ,
verify Tag Orientation is Horizontal, then click OK.
Now all the supply diffusers are tagged, we can see the L/s and the Mark number for each
supply diffuser.
6 As the following figure, pick a diffuser tag as you like, right click mouse button, on
Context Menu select Edit Family.
2 - 6 Place Air Terminals 177
7 In Family Editor screen, select the 1i text and the horizontal line between the two texts,
then on Properties palette, uncheck Visible.
8 On ribbon, click Load into Project and Close.
9 When Revit asks if you want to save changes to M_Diffuser Tag.rfa? Press No.
10 In Family Already Exists dialog box, press Overwrite the existing version.
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2 Type VG, find Mechanical Equipment; click the Override… button of Projection/Surface
Patterns.
3 In Fill Pattern Graphics dialog box, set Pattern to Solid fill, set Color to Cyan, press OK.
6 In Family/Type Selector, click the down arrow to find and select M_VAV Unit - Parallel
Fan Powered family Size 3 - 200mm Inlet type VAV box.
7 On Properties palette, set Constrain Offset to 310 cm.
8 Move the VAV box to the upper right of 101 Office, press Space Bar to rotate it to the
orientation shown, then place it. Click the leftmost Modify button on ribbon.
10 Click the Manage tab; then click MEP Settings button to drop down its list; then select
Mechanical Settings.
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In order to emphasize the selected objects, we set object Selection and Pre-selection colors
to Red.
14 Click the File Tab, select Options at bottom right.
15 In Options dialog box, click Graphics on the left, set both Selection and Pre-selection
colors to Red, press OK.
Note: User can set objects Selection and Pre-selection colors for his/her needs to facilitate
editing the drawings.
18 When Revit displays Create Duct System dialog box, press OK.
22 On the Options Bar under Generate Layout ribbon, set Solution Type to Network, then
click Settings… button on the right.
2 - 7 Create Secondary Supply Air Systems 185
23 In Duct Conversion Settings dialog box, verify that Duct Type is Rectangular Duct: Radius
Elbows / Tees; set Offset to 310 cm.
24 Click Branch on the left, verify that Duct Type is Rectangular Duct: Radius Elbows / Tees,
set Offset to 310 cm, set Flex Duct Type to Flex Duct Round : Flex - Round, keep
Maximum Flex Duct Length to 180 cm, press OK.
25 Click the arrow button on Options Bar repeatedly, when Revit shows the layout solution
as same as the solution shown on the left figure, click Finish Layout.
186 Chapter 2 Mechanical Air Systems
Attention! The bottom of VAV Box is 288.25 cm which allows it to sit on top of the 265.2 cm
interior wall.
43 Drag the flex duct from the bottom of the VAV box to the center of diffuser of its lower
right; then click the mouse button.
44 Select Mechanical Equipment on Systems ribbon; place the same VAV box in Front
Entrance as shown.
2 - 7 Create Secondary Supply Air Systems 189
53 On the Options Bar, click the arrow button repeatedly, when Revit shows the layout
solution as same as the solution shown on the left figure below, click Finish Layout.
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54 Select Mechanical Equipment on Systems ribbon; place the same but rotate 90 degree
VAV box at the lower right of Open Office.
55 Use the same method to create a system and generate layout solution of connecting 4
supply diffusers to VAV box as shown, but Not To click Finish Layout.
57 Select the vertical branch duct as shown on the left figure, drag it right to the location as
shown on the middle figure, then click Finish Layout.
60 Use the same method to create a system and generate layout solution of connecting 2
supply diffusers to VAV box as shown, but Not To click Finish Layout.
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63 When the right horizontal branch duct is not interfering with the return diffuser, click
Finish Layout.
65 Use VG to turn off Levels in Annotation Categories and c Office Building.rvt in Revit Links.
72 In Duct Sizing dialog box, set Sizing Method to Friction 0.4 Pa/m, for Constraints, set
Branch Sizing to Calculated Size Only, set Restrict Height to 280 mm, press OK.
Now we see all the ducts and fittings shrank a little bit.
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73 As the following figure, use the same method and duct sizing settings to size the ducts
on the south side of the building.
Use the methods showing above, according to the drawings below, place the rest VAV
boxes, create systems and connect diffusers, and size the ducts for the first floor secondary
supply air systems.
2 - 7 Create Secondary Supply Air Systems 197
2 In Filters dialog box, press the New button at the bottom left to create a Round Duct
filter, for Categories, select Ducts, for Filter Rules, set Family Name equals Round Duct.
2 - 8 Create Primary Supply Air Systems 199
3 Press OK back to Visibility/Graphic Overrides Filters dialog, then press the Add button.
4 In Add Filters dialog box, select Round Duct, press OK.
5 Click the Override… button of Projection/Surface Lines, in Line Graphics dialog box, set
Color to RGB 000-222-000, press OK.
11 Select Duct on Systems ribbon, from the right side of horizontal duct draw duct down
then left as shown.
2 - 8 Create Primary Supply Air Systems 201
12 Same situation, on right side of building, draw a horizontal duct and an L shape ducts
taps to it.
3 In Select Connector dialog box, select Connector 0 : Supply Air : Round 200 mm : Row
direction In, press OK.
4 Then select the horizontal duct outside the office to connect them together.
13 In front entrance, select the upper connector the VAV box, right click mouse button; on
Context Menu select Draw Duct.
14 Draw duct up then right to connect to the vertical main duct on the right.
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Use the methods above, according to the drawing below, finish connecting the rest VAV
boxes to the adjacent main ducts.
Check Connectivities
17 Move mouse cursor on top of a primary duct on each side, press Tab key a few times to
examine the connections of VAV boxes and primary ducts.
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18 Click the button on Quick Toolbar to view the primary ducts in 3D.
3 As shown below, by following the direction of air flow, pick the points at about 40 cm
after the VAV boxes tapping the main duct to split the main ducts into many pieces.
When we split the main ducts Revit actually inserted a 6 mm short round union between
the split ducts. Then when we re-size the primary ducts Revit will alter the ducts at these
split points and replace these unions with round transitions.
6 In Duct Sizing dialog box, set Sizing Method to Velocity 5.1 m/s, for Constraints, set
Branch Sizing to Calculated Size Only, uncheck Restrict Height, press OK.
Now we can see the left side main ducts have been split into many segments with different
sizes, they shrank gradually while toward the ends.
2 - 9 Size Primary Supply Air Ducts 209
7 Same situation; select the primary ducts on right side, use Velocity Method to re-size them.
Modify Splits
1 Select the left side 2 split vertical ducts as shown. On Properties palette we can see their
Diameters are the same: 175.0 mm.
2 Select the right side 2 split vertical ducts as shown. On Properties palette we can see
their Diameters are the same: 200.0 mm.
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3 Select the lower side 4 split horizontal ducts as shown. On Properties palette we can see
their Diameters are the same: 140.0mm.
4 Click the Manage tab; then click MEP Settings button to drop down its list; then select
Mechanical Settings.
When Revit sizes the ducts, it rounds up duct sizes only to those sizes defined in Mechanical
Settings. This is why some split ducts have the same sizes.
6 Select and delete the union fittings between the split ducts that have same sizes (those
the black arrows pointed in previous two drawings).
8 Zoom in the right side to take a look of the split primary ducts with different sizes.
From the Heating and Cooling Loads Calculation in section 5, the Peak Cooling Total Load of
this building is 113,931 Watt, divide by 2 (stories), we get 56,965.5 Watt, therefore we
choose 63 kW AC Unit.
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6 Press space bar to adjust the orientation of this AC unit and put it near to second floor
shaft.
Attention! Since these two shafts have openings at roof, we have to put exhaust fans aside
first, then move them to the centers of the shafts.
4 Drag the section far clipping control arrow to the location as shown.
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5 On Properties palette, set section’s Sub-Discipline to HVAC. (Now we can see Section 2
in Project Browser)
6 Double click the section symbol to open this section.
9 Drag the upper and lower Crop Region control circles to expand the view.
10 On Properties palette, uncheck Crop Region Visible.
11 Select the left connector (Out) at the bottom of the AC unit, right click mouse button; on
Context Menu select Draw Duct.
12 In Family/Type Selector select Rectangular Duct family Mitered Elbows / Tees type duct.
13 On Status Bar, set Width to 508 mm, set Height to 900 mm.
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14 Draw duct down to first floor plenum aligning to the center of round duct (as shown on
the left figure), then turn left pass through that round duct (as shown on the right
figure). When finished, click the leftmost Modify button on the ribbon.
3 Select the right side of the rectangular duct, then select the round duct on its right, Voila!
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4 Select the left side of the rectangular duct, then select the round duct on its left, Voila!
Now we used these 35 return diffusers created a Mechanical Return Air 1 system.
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5 On Modify | Duct Systems ribbon click Select Equipment. Then select the roof AC unit.
6 Click the leftmost Modify button on the ribbon.
Notice: The color of roof AC unit changed from blue to black, because now it is an
equipment that belongs to two systems, a supply system and a return system.
10 Click the button on Quick Toolbar and zoom in to see the return duct just drew.
Attention! Now the color of exhaust fan and grille all became green which is the color for
exhaust air system.
7 Same situation, use the exhaust grille in Men’s Room and the roof exhaust fan right
above it to create a Mechanical Exhaust Air 2 system.
Now we can clearly tell 3 air systems in our model: Supply is blue, Return is magenta,
Exhaust is green.
2 - 10 Add AC Unit and Exhaust Fans 227
11 On View Control Bar, set Visual Style to Shaded to take a look of 3D shaded effect.
5 Add roof AC unit and connect primary ducts to it, create second floor return air system,
add second floor restroom exhaust grilles to first floor exhaust systems.
Please refer to the sections 6 to 10 and base on the drawing below to finish the second
floor air systems.
Be aware! When creating second floor air systems, there are a lot of settings need to repeat.
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Now we have gone through the mechanical air system modeling of an entire office building.
Readers can open the exercise file: \Mechanical\12 Mechanical Air System Finished.rvt to
take a look of the final modeling result.
231
4 In Filters dialog box, press the New button at lower left to create a VAV Box filter, for
Categories select Mechanical Equipment, for Filter Rules set Family Name equals
M_VAV Unit - Parallel Fan Powered.
5 Press the New button again to create a Rooftop AC Unit filter, for Categories select
Mechanical Equipment, for Filter Rules set Family Name equals M_Rooftop AC Unit - 53-
88 kW - Bottom Return Connection.
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6 Press the New button again to create a Rooftop Exhaust Fan filter, for Categories select
Mechanical Equipment, for Filter Rules set Family Name equals M_Centrifugal Fan -
Rooftop - Upblast.
7 Press OK back to Visibility/Graphic Overrides Filters dialog, click Add button to add VAV
Box to filter list and turn it off.
8 Click Model Categories tab, turn off Air Terminals, Duct Fittings, Ducts, Flex Ducts, HVAC
Zones and Spaces.
3 - 1 Prepare Hydronic Piping Modeling 235
9 Click Annotation Categories tab, turn off Section too, then press OK.
10 Type WT (Window Tile) to tile 1 - Hydronic Piping and {3D} views side by side.
11 Type ZA (Zoom All) to zoom the entire model to fit the drawing area.
Now we can see in 1 - Hydronic Piping view all the Mechanical Air System components have
been turned off.
12 Use the same method, duplicate 2 - Mech view to a 2 - Hydronic Piping view, do the
same VG settings as 1 - Hydronic Piping view. (as from step 7 to 9)
Note: The VG component’s on/off such as VAV box, Air Terminals, need to be done on each
view, but the filter’s name (like VAV Box) and rules are only set once.
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15 Click Model Categories tab, also turn off Air Terminal, Duct Fittings, Ducts and Flex Ducts.
16 On View Control Bar, set Visual Style to Hidden Line.
17 Type WT and Type ZA.
Now we can see in 3D Hydronic Piping and 2 - Hydronic Piping views all the Mechanical Air
System components are turned off.
Since the M_Radiator - Hydronic Fin Tube family came with Mechanical template can not
place on (attach to) the walls of a linked architectural model. We can only go to the
architectural model to attach this radiator. Therefore we need to load another radiator
family.
2 Click Insert tab, then select Load Family.
Unfortunately, the System Classifications of both connectors of this radiator were set to
Hydronic Supply. We need to change one of them to Hydronic Return in order to make it
work. (Note: Author has found this is a mistake of Metric version of this family, the Imperial
version of this family, its right connector is classified as Hydronic Return system)
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5 In Family Editor screen, select the right connector of the radiator, then on Properties
palette, change its System Classification from Hydronic Supply to Hydronic Return. On
ribbon, click Load into Project and Close.
6 When Revit asks if you want to save changes to M_Radiator - Hosted.rfa? Press No.
3 - 2 Place Radiators and Boilers 239
7 In Family Already Exists dialog box, press Overwrite the existing version.
Place Radiators
1 In Project Browser, double click 1 - Hydronic Piping under Floor Plans to open Floor Plan:
1 - Hydronic Piping view.
2 Click the Systems tab; then select Mechanical Equipment.
3 In Family/Type Selector, click the down arrow to find and select M_Radiator - Hosted
family 25 type radiator.
4 On Properties palette, enter 142 cm for Length, set Flow to 0.25 L/s.
5 Place this radiator in 101 Office as shown.
Tip: When placing the radiator, it’s better to place it away from the window a little (which
would be easier), then use the Align tool to align it with that window.
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6 Click the Modify tab; use Align tool to align the center of the radiator to the center of
the left window.
7 Select the properly placed radiator, click Array tool on the ribbon, on Options Bar
uncheck Group and Associate checkbox, enter 6 for Number, then pick a start point on
screen, drag the second point to the right, enter 240 cm to array 6 radiators.
8 Use the same method; place a vertical radiator on the west wall outside 101 Office.
3 - 2 Place Radiators and Boilers 241
9 Use the Array tool to array 6 radiators up with 240 cm intervals as shown.
According to the following figure finish placing all the radiators of first floor. Note: the
window at rear entrance is a smaller one, when placing set its length to 91.5 cm.
Attention! It is not recommended to use Mirror tool when placing radiators, because it will
flip their In and Out connectors and cause the changing of their flow directions.
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Place Boilers
1 Click the Systems tab; select Mechanical Equipment.
2 In Family/Type Selector, find and select M_Boiler family Standard type boiler.
3 Place two boilers in Elec/Mech Room on the north side of the building, then dimension
them similar to the figure shown below.
4 Select the placed boilers, use modify dimension method to position them to the
relations shown below.
6 In Project Browser, double click 3D Hydronic Piping under 3D Views to open the view
that only displays the hydronic systems.
4 In Filters dialog box, press the New button at bottom left to create a Hydronic Supply
filter, for Categories, select Pipe Fittings and Pipes, for Filter Rules, set System Type
equals Hydronic Supply.
3 - 3 Create First Floor Pipe Runs 245
5 Press the New button again to create a Hydronic Return filter, for Categories, select Pipe
Fittings and Pipes, for Filter Rules, set System Type equals Hydronic Return.
6 Press OK back to Visibility/Graphic Overrides Filters dialog, then press the Add button.
7 In Add Filters dialog box, select Hydronic Return and Hydronic Supply, press OK.
Now we see Hydronic Return and Hydronic Supply are on the filter’s Name list.
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8 Select Hydronic Supply, click the Override… button of Projection/Surface Lines, in Line
Graphics dialog box, set Color to RGB 255-000-128, press OK.
9 Select Hydronic Return, click the Override… button of Projection/Surface Lines, in Line
Graphics dialog box, set Color to RGB 128-000-255, press OK.
3 When Revit displays Create Piping System dialog box, press OK.
6 Click the leftmost Modify button on ribbon to finish creating the supply system.
4 On the Options Bar under Generate Layout ribbon, set Solution Type to Perimeter, then
click Settings… button.
3 - 3 Create First Floor Pipe Runs 249
5 In Pipe Conversion Settings dialog box, set Offset to -50 cm, click Branch on the left, set
Offset to -50 cm as well, then press OK.
The Inset value is the horizontal offset distance from the perimeter equipment (radiators)
that insetting to the perimeter piping, set it to 0 cm means there is no offset.
7 Click the arrow button on Options Bar repeatedly, when Revit shows the layout solution
that all perimeter pipes run through the radiators as same as the solution shown on the
figure below, click Finish Layout.
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8 When Revit displays a warning dialog box on the bottom right, close it.
The warning message means the pipe runs did not connect to the boiler properly. That’s all
right; we will fix that later.
The pipe run we see is a single line piping drawing.
9 On View Control Bar, set Detail Level to Fine. Then the single line drawing became
double line drawing.
10 Click the Thin Line button on Quick Toolbar so double line piping can be seen more
clearly.
3 - 3 Create First Floor Pipe Runs 251
4 In Pipe Conversion Settings dialog box, set Offset to -35 cm, click Branch on the left, set
Offset to -35 cm as well, then press OK.
4 Click the leftmost Modify button on ribbon to finish creating the supply system.
Attention! When creating systems for the right side we only include radiators, we don’t
include boiler. Later, when we generate the pipe run and connect them to the
left side, they will be merged to the left side systems that contain boiler.
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6 On Options Bar, set Offset to 290 cm, set Diameter to 80 mm, then click Solutions.
4 On Options Bar, set Offset to 305 cm, set Diameter to 80 mm, then click Solutions.
5 On Options Bar, set Solution Type to Perimeter, set Inset to 22.5 cm.
3 - 3 Create First Floor Pipe Runs 257
6 Click the arrow button on Options Bar repeatedly, when Revit shows the layout solution
that all perimeter pipes are 22.5 cm off from the radiators as same as the solution
shown on the figure below, click Finish Layout.
7 When Revit displays the following warning message, just close it.
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Note: If we don’t satisfy the system and pipe runs that we created and want to redo them,
first we need to delete all the pipe runs; then we (press F9 to) open the System
Browser to find and delete that system.
When connecting the right side pipe runs to the boiler, in order to see the locations of
lighting fixtures and diffusers, we need to raise the height of view Cut plane and set Visual
Style to Wireframe.
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3 On Properties palette, click View Range's Edit… button. In View Range dialog box change
Cut plane Offset from 120 cm to 300 cm.
Now we can see the reference lines of lighting fixtures (in orange) and diffusers (in green).
Note: Since many horizontal piping (and ducts) are hung at different heights, therefore we
always want to adjust the view ranges to examine the piping that we are working on.
5 Follow the following 3 figures, first, click the end point of supply pipe on the right side,
right click mouse button, on Context Menu select Draw Pipe, then draw pipes bypassing
stair steps, lighting fixtures and second boiler’s outlet to the point near to the outlet of
first boiler.
3 - 4 Connect First Floor Piping to Boiler 261
Attention! When making the last turn to go up, make sure to snap and line up with the first
boiler outlet.
6 Same situations, click the end point of return pipe on the right side, right click mouse
button, on Context Menu select Draw Pipe, then draw pipes bypassing stair steps,
lighting fixtures and second boiler’s outlet to the point as shown.
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7 Dimension the distances between pipes and wall faces and between them like the figure
shown below.
8 Select dimensioned pipes, use modify dimension method to move them to the relations
as shown.
11 Click the blue mark on the corner of LEFT, BACK and TOP of 3D View Cube to switch to
that viewing angle.
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15 Select the highlighted return pipe shown on the left figure, then Revit connected them
together.
3 - 4 Connect First Floor Piping to Boiler 265
16 Select highlighted elbow as shown. On Modify | Pipe Fittings ribbon select Connect Into.
17 Select the highlighted supply pipe shown on the left figure, then Revit connected them
together.
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18 Adjust view to display the back side of the boilers, delete the highlighted supply pipe.
19 Select the remaining elbow; click the rotate icon on its side to turn it upward.
3 - 4 Connect First Floor Piping to Boiler 267
20 Select the elbow on the back of the boiler, click the + above to change it to T.
21 As shown below, select highlighted elbow of supply pipe, on Modify | Pipe Fittings
ribbon select Connect Into, then select the highlighted supply pipe above the boiler to
have Revit connect them together.
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22 As shown below, select highlighted T of return pipe, on Modify | Pipe Fittings ribbon
select Connect Into, then select the highlighted return pipe above to have Revit connect
them together.
23 Select the boiler for first floor heating, on Modify | Mechanical Equipment ribbon select
Connect Into, then select the supply pipe above, thus Revit T-in to the supply pipe right
on the top of the boiler’s outlet.
3 - 4 Connect First Floor Piping to Boiler 269
25 Type ZA (Zoom All) to see the entire connections of first floor hydronic piping.
26 Move cursor to any pipe, press Tab key a few times to check the connection of the
systems.
Note: The exercise file already finished laying out all the radiators on second floor.
1 In Project Browser, double click 2 - Hydronic Piping under Floor Plans to open that view.
3 - 5 Create Second Floor Pipe Runs 271
Now we can see the first floor boilers and some pipe runs of first floor Hydronic piping.
Note: The VG filter overrides such as color, style, need to be done on each view that uses
them, but the filter’s name and rules are only set once.
Attention! When we connected first floor right side supply and return piping to the boiler,
the Hydronic Supply 2 and Hydronic Return 2 systems were merged into
Hydronic Supply 1 and Hydronic Return 1 systems, therefore the systems we
created here are still Hydronic Supply 2 and Hydronic Return 2.
10 On Options Bar, set Offset to 0 cm, set Diameter to 80 mm, then click Solutions.
11 On Options Bar, set Solution Type to Perimeter, then click Settings… button.
12 In Pipe Conversion Settings dialog box, set Offset to -50 cm, click Branch on the left, set
Offset to -50 cm as well, then press OK.
18 On Options Bar, set Offset to 0 cm, set Diameter to 80 mm, then click Solutions.
19 On Options Bar, set Solution Type to Perimeter, then click Settings… button.
3 - 5 Create Second Floor Pipe Runs 275
20 In Pipe Conversion Settings dialog box, set Offset to -35 cm, click Branch on the left, set
Offset to -35 cm as well, then press OK.
26 When Revit displays the following warning message, just close it.
27 In Project Browser, double click 3D Hydronic Piping to view both floor pipe runs in 3D.
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When connecting second floor pipe runs to boiler, in order to see first floor Elec/Mech
room and the locations of lighting fixtures and diffusers, we need to lower the height of
view Cut plane and set Visual Style to Wireframe.
3 On Properties palette, click View Range's Edit… button. In View Range dialog box change
Cut plane Offset from 120 cm to -25 cm.
3 - 6 Connect Second Floor Piping to Boiler 279
Now we can see first floor Elec/Mech room and the reference lines of lighting fixtures and
diffusers.
5 Use window select method to delete these four vertical pipes and four elbows as shown.
8 Follow the following 4 figures, first, click the end point of supply pipe on the left side,
right click mouse button, on Context Menu select Draw Pipe, then draw pipes bypassing
diffuser, lighting fixtures, and stair steps to connect to the supply pipe on the right side.
Attention! When pipe turning to the boiler, make sure to snap to the outlet of the second
boiler.
3 - 6 Connect Second Floor Piping to Boiler 281
Attention! When making the last turn to go up, be sure to snap to the supply pipe above.
9 Follow the following 3 figures, click the end point of return pipe on the left side, right
click mouse button, on Context Menu select Draw Pipe, then draw pipes bypassing
diffuser, lighting fixtures, and stair steps to connect to the return pipe on the right side.
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Attention! When making the last turn to go up, be sure to snap to the return pipe above.
The reason that we run pipe like this is to leave the lower left corner space for water heater
and its piping above.
3 - 6 Connect Second Floor Piping to Boiler 283
11 Move cursor to any pipe of first floor, press Tab key a few times, when seeing all
radiators, piping and boiler are highlighted, press down mouse button to select them.
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12 On View Control Bar, click Temporary Hide/Isolate button, select Hide Element on the
list.
Now the selected first floor hydronic piping systems were hidden. We also see the window
has a cyan border which means this view is in Temporary Hide/Isolate mode.
13 Click the blue mark on the corner of LEFT, FRONT and TOP of 3D View Cube to switch to
that viewing angle.
3 - 6 Connect Second Floor Piping to Boiler 285
15 Select the boiler for second floor heating, on Modify | Mechanical Equipment ribbon
select Connect Into.
16 In Select Connector dialog box, select Connector 0 : Hydronic Supply : Round : 80 mm :
Row direction Out, press OK.
17 Select the supply pipe above, thus Revit T-in to the supply pipe right on the top of the
boiler’s outlet.
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18 Select the boiler again, on Modify | Mechanical Equipment ribbon select Connect Into.
Notice: This time we don’t see the Select Connector dialog box, because there is only one
connector left, that is Connector 1 : Hydronic Return : Round : 80 mm.
19 Select the return pipe above, thus Revit T-in to the return pipe from the boiler’s inlet on
its back.
Now we have finished the connections of piping and boiler of second floor.
20 On View Control Bar, click Temporary Hide/Isolate button, select Reset Temporary
Hide/Isolate on the list.
Now we can see the first floor hydronic piping systems again.
3 - 6 Connect Second Floor Piping to Boiler 287
21 Type ZA (Zoom All) to see the entire pipe connections of both floors.
22 Move cursor to any pipe of second floor, press Tab key a few times to check the system
connection of second floor.
1 Click the blue mark on the corner of RIGHT, BACK and TOP of 3D View Cube to switch to
that viewing angle. Zoom in the region as shown.
Since the piping above boilers are too high to install pumps, we need to do some
adjustments.
3 - 7 Add Circulator Pumps 289
3 Select two Tees above the boilers, on Properties palette, set their Offset to 180 cm to
move them down.
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Notice: This time we don’t see the Select Connector dialog box, because there is only one
connector left, that is Connector 2 : Hydronic Supply : Round : 80 mm.
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3 In Pipe Sizing dialog box, set Sizing Method to Velocity 2.5 m/s and Friction 250 Pa/m,
for Constraints, set Branch Sizing to Calculated Size Only, uncheck Restrict Size, press OK.
Now the supply pipe coming out from the first floor boiler increased (from 80 mm to 100
mm). The branch supply pipes to the radiators also increased a little bit (from 25 mm to 32
mm).
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4 Move cursor to one return pipe of the first floor, press Tab key a few times, when seeing
all return pipes are highlighted, press down mouse button to select them.
Now the first floor return pipes from the radiators also increased a little bit (from 25 mm to
32 mm).
3 - 7 Add Circulator Pumps 295
7 Select supply and return pipes of second floor, use the same method to calculate their
sizes.
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After sizing, next figure labeled the diameters of supply pipes connecting to the boilers.
Please notice there are three tees above boilers became bigger, because the pipes beneath
them have enlarged (from 80 mm to 100mm).
3 Click Manage tab, select Snaps, in Snaps dialog box, check the Snap Off box, then press
OK to turn off all snap modes.
7 In Type Properties dialog box, change Suction Nominal Diameter and Discharge Nominal
Diameter from 40.0 mm to 80.0 mm, press OK.
8 Place the first pump on the supply pipe at the location shown on the left figure. (Right
figure shows the actual location of the pump)
3 - 7 Add Circulator Pumps 299
9 Continue to place the second pump on the supply pipe at the location shown on the left
figure. (Right figure shows the actual location of the pump)
14 Place the third pump on the supply pipe at the location shown on the left figure. (Right
figure shows the actual location of the pump)
15 Continue to place the fourth pump on the supply pipe at the location shown on the left
figure. (Right figure shows the actual location of the pump)
3 - 7 Add Circulator Pumps 301
16 Select the first pump; press the up arrow key to nudge (push) it up a little bit to center it
to the pipe.
17 Same situations, nudge the other three pumps to the centers of the pipes.
Rotate Pumps
18 In Project Browser, double click the 3D Hydronic Piping view and zoom to the boilers
and pumps.
19 Select the first pump; click the rotation icon to turn it upright.
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