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98 Chapter 1 Architectural Modeling

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.

5 Again, select Room on Architecture ribbon.


6 This time on Modify | Place Room ribbon, select Place Rooms Automatically.

Now Revit placed 24 named “Office” rooms for us.


1 - 13 Add Room Information 99

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.

8 On Modify | Multi-Select ribbon, select Filter.

9 In Filter dialog box, only select Rooms category, press OK.

Now only 3 shaft Rooms are filtered.


10 Press Del key to delete them. When Revit displays the warning message, just close it.
100 Chapter 1 Architectural Modeling

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.

Save your work


When all finished, Click the File Tab, select Save As, then select Project, in Save As dialog
box, navigate to Architectural Exercise folder, enter 13 Room Information Finished for File
name. Click the File Tab again then select Close.
Up to here we have finished the Architectural modeling of this chapter. Readers can open
the exercise file: \Architectural\14 Architectural Modeling Finished.rvt to take a look of the
final result of this office building.

Architectural Background File - c Office Building.rvt


The c Office Building.rvt file in Architectural folder which will be used as architectural
background for MEP modeling in this book is the file that has some minor touches of the
finished drawing, such as: adjustments of ceiling grid in some rooms, adding a hanging side
wall for grid ceiling in south stairwell and adding reference lines for lighting fixtures and air
diffusers to facilitate readers when laying out them.
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103

Chapter 2 Mechanical Air Systems


In this and next chapters, we will model the Mechanical Systems of the office building that
we created in chapter 1.
In chapter 2, we model the Air Systems. The air systems of this office building is from the
roof top AC units to send the cool airs to the VAV boxes in the plenum spaces above ceilings,
then from the VAV boxes to distribute cool air to supply diffusers of each space. Return airs
are collected by return diffusers and plenums back to the roof top AC units. First floor
return airs also use second floor shaft to transfer airs to roof AC unit. Restroom return airs
are not back to roof AC units, instead, they are exhausted by the restroom shafts and
exhaust fans on the roof. (Please refer to the finished drawings at the end of this chapter)
In chapter 3, we model the heating systems. The heating systems of this office building is
from the boilers in Elec/Mech room to use hydronic piping system sending heating water to
the radiators of perimeter rooms. (Please see the finished drawing at the end of Section 3-
7)
We assume that this office building is built at Boston, MA, USA (Revit project default
location), the modeled mechanical systems can suitable to the buildings located at places
with similar weather of this area.
104 Chapter 2 Mechanical Air Systems

2 - 1 Prepare Mechanical System Modeling


1 Start Revit 2019. In starting screen, under the Project Section, select “Mechanical
Template”.

Note: If the Starting Screen does not display


”Mechanical Template”, or your Mechanical
template file is not Metric, select “New…” under
Projects. In New Project dialog box, press
Browse… button to find and open
C:\ProgramData\Autodesk\RVT 2019\Templates
\US Metric\Mechanical-Default_Metric.rte
mechanical template file. Then press OK.

Examine the Preset Views of Mechanical template


2 In Project Browser, take a look of all the Views that the template file has.

The views in a project are arranged in a tree structure


beginning with major disciplines then sub-disciplines
then different kinds of views. Under a major discipline
we can add more sub-disciplines based on our needs
such as Fire Protection. Under a sub-discipline we could
have views for Floor Plans, Ceiling Plans, 3D Views,
Elevations and Sections. Each view serves a particular
need.

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.
106 Chapter 2 Mechanical Air Systems

3 Hold Ctrl key, select all 7 views


under Plumbing discipline, then
press Del to delete them.
Please note, now the Plumbing
discipline is gone.

Set Project Units


1 Click the Manage tab, then select Project Units.

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

5 On Discipline dropdown list, select HVAC.


6 Click the example button of Duct Size.
7 In Format dialog box, for Rounding select 1 decimal place, for Unit symbol select mm,
put a check mark on Suppress on trailing 0’s.

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.

Load Architectural Background Drawing


1 Click the Insert tab, select Link Revit.
108 Chapter 2 Mechanical Air Systems

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).
110 Chapter 2 Mechanical Air Systems

Thus the linked architectural drawing won’t be moved accidentally.


7 Click the leftmost Modify button on ribbon.

Change the Preset Height of Level 2


Since the default height of Level 2 in Mechanical template is 400 cm, we have to modify it
to match the height in architectural background model.
1 In Project Browser, double click South under Elevations to open Elevation: South view.

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.

Add New Levels and Views


Since there are only Level 1 and Level 2 levels in Mechanical template, we have to add
more levels according to architectural background model.
5 Click the Architecture tab, select Level.

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.

8 In Offset: box, enter 370.


9 On Draw panel, click (Pick Lines) button.
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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.

11 In Offset: box, enter 260.


12 Move mouse cursor to a little bit up of Level 1 line, when seeing a blue dashed line
appear at the top of Level 1, press down the mouse button. Thus we create a Level 4
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.

14 Click the leftmost Modify button on ribbon.


2 - 1 Prepare Mechanical System Modeling 113

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.

Note: 5.2 cm is the thickness of grid ceilings.

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.
114 Chapter 2 Mechanical Air Systems

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.

Modify View Ranges of Plenum Floor Plans


1 In Project Browser, double click 1 - Plenum under Floor Plans to open Floor Plan: 1 -
Plenum view.
2 - 1 Prepare Mechanical System Modeling 115

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.
116 Chapter 2 Mechanical Air Systems

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.

Modify Roof - Mech Floor Plan View


1 In Project Browser, double click Roof - Mech under Floor Plans to open Floor Plan: Roof -
Mech view.

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.

5 On View Control Bar, set Visual Style to Wireframe.

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).
118 Chapter 2 Mechanical Air Systems

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.

Turn on Room Bounding Parameter


1 Select the linked architectural background model.
2 On Properties palette, click Edit Type button.
3 In Type Properties dialog box, put a check mark on Room Bounding parameter, press OK.

4 Click the leftmost Modify button on ribbon.

Important! We have to turn on the Room Bounding of linked architectural model in order to
use its room enclosures to create spaces.
120 Chapter 2 Mechanical Air Systems

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.

3 Click the Analyze tab, select Space.

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.

8 Move cursor to the center of bottom left room and click.

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.
122 Chapter 2 Mechanical Air Systems

Now Revit created 22 spaces for us.

Extract Room Names from Linked Architectural Model


13 Click the Analyze tab, select Space Naming.

14 In Space Naming dialog box, just click OK.


2 - 2 Create Spaces 123

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.
124 Chapter 2 Mechanical Air Systems

Now we can see all spaces fill with light green color.

Use Leaders to annotate small shaft spaces


16 Click the tag of shaft space of left restroom.

17 On the Options Bar at the bottom of the Modify | Space Tags ribbon, turn on the Leader.
2 - 2 Create Spaces 125

18 Drag the tag to the upper left as shown.


19 Rename the tag name to Shaft and tag number to 123.

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.
126 Chapter 2 Mechanical Air Systems

Modify Shaft Spaces


Since three restroom shafts go all the way to roof, we need to set their Upper Limit to the
bottom of roof.
21 Hold Ctrl key; select 3 shaft spaces of restrooms.

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

Modify Upper Limits of Elec/Mech Room and Stairwells


23 Select Elec/Mech space, on Properties palette, set its Upper Limit to Level 2, set Limit
Offset to -20 cm.
24 Select both stairwell spaces, on Properties palette, set their Upper Limit to Level 2, set
Limit Offset to 0 cm.

Create Plenum Spaces


25 In Project Browser, double click 1 - Plenum under Floor Plans to open that view.
128 Chapter 2 Mechanical Air Systems

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

27 Click the Analyze tab, select Space.


28 On Properties palette, set Upper Limit to Level 2, set Limit Offset to -20 cm, set Base
Offset to 5.2 cm, scroll down, enter Plenum for Name, in Energy Analysis category, put a
check mark next to Plenum (Note: Revit grays out Occupiable and Condition Type, and
change Space Type to Plenum).

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.
130 Chapter 2 Mechanical Air Systems

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

Create Section View to Examine Spaces

1 After finished all spaces of


the building, in Project
Browser, double click 1 -
Space under Floor Plans to
open that view.
2 Click the Section button
on Quick Tool Bar, from
top to bottom draw a
section line as shown.

3 Double click the section symbol to open the section view.


132 Chapter 2 Mechanical Air Systems

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)

8 In Project Browser, click + in front of ??? to expand Section 1 view.


9 On Properties palette, set its Sub-Discipline to HVAC.

Now Section 1 view moved to Sections (building Section) under HVAC Sub-Discipline and ???
is gone.
134 Chapter 2 Mechanical Air Systems

Energy Analysis Space Type


In order to get more accurate Cooling Loads Calculation (in Section 2-5), we should assign
appropriate Energy Analysis Space Type for each space.
1 In Project Browser, double click 1 - Space under Floor Plans to open that view.
2 Hold Ctrl key select two Open Office spaces.
3 On Properties palette, scroll down to find Space Type in Energy Analysis category, click
Office - Enclosed, when Revit displays a little … square button on its right, click it.

4 In Space Type Settings dialog box, find and select Office - Open Plan, press OK.
2 - 2 Create Spaces 135

5 Hold Ctrl key select two Conference spaces.


6 On Properties palette, scroll down to find Space Type in Energy Analysis category, click
Office - Enclosed, when Revit displays a little … square button on its right, click it.

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
136 Chapter 2 Mechanical Air Systems

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.

Spaces Energy Analysis Space Type


Office 101, 102, 104, 105, 106, 107, 108, 109, Office - Enclosed
201, 202, 203, 205, 206, 207, 208, 209, 210,
211, 212, 213
Open Office 112, 113, 214, 215 Office - Open Plan
Conference 111, 114, 204, 216 Conference Meeting/Multipurpose
Guest Room 103 Office - Enclosed
Lounge 210 Lounge/Recreation
Men’s Room 115, 217, Ladies Room 116, 218 Restrooms
Elec/Mech 117, 219 Electrical/Mechanical
Janitor 220 Office - Enclosed
Front Entrance 120, Rear Entrance 118 Lobby - Hotel
Corridor 119, 221, 222 Corridor/Transition
Stairwell 121, 122, 223, 224 Stairway
Shaft 123, 124, 125 Office - Enclosed

Save your work


When all finished, click the File Tab, select Save As, then select Project, in Save As dialog box,
navigate to Mechanical Exercise folder you created in previous section, enter 02 Spaces
Finished for File name. Click the File Tab again then select Close.

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

Open the exercise file: \Mechanical\03 Create Zones.rvt


1 In Project Browser, double click 1 - Space under Floor Plans to open that view.

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.

3 Click the Analyze tab, select Zone.

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.
138 Chapter 2 Mechanical Air Systems

5 On Edit Zone ribbon, select Finish Editing Zone.

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
140 Chapter 2 Mechanical Air Systems

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

Define Multi-Level Zones


15 Click the Close Hidden Windows button on Quick Toolbar.

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.

19 Click the Analyze tab, select Zone.


20 On Properties palette, enter Stairwell - South for Name, pick the south stairwell space in
left window 1 - Space view , then pick the south stairwell space in right window 2 -
Space view.

21 On Edit Zone ribbon, select Finish Editing Zone.


144 Chapter 2 Mechanical Air Systems

22 Select Zone on Analyze ribbon again.


23 On Properties palette, enter Stairwell - North for Name, pick the north stairwell space in
right window 2 - Space view, then pick the north stairwell space in left window 1 - Space
view.

24 On Edit Zone ribbon, select Finish Editing Zone.


25 In Project Browser, double click 2 - Plenum under Floor Plans to open that view.
26 Same as first floor Plenum, use Plenum 226 space to create a zone named 2 - Plenum.
2 - 3 Create Zones 145

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.

Save your work


Click the File Tab, select Save As, then select Project, in Save As dialog box, navigate to
Mechanical Exercise folder, enter 03 Zones Finished for File name. Click the File Tab again
then select Close.
146 Chapter 2 Mechanical Air Systems

2 - 4 Zone Color Fill Legend


Open the exercise file: \Mechanical\04 Zone Color Fill Legend.rvt
1 In Project Browser, double click 1 - Space and Zone under Floor Plans to open Floor Plan:
1 - Space and Zone view.
2 Use VG to turn off HVAC Zones Reference Lines.

3 Click the Analyze tab, select Color Fill Legend.


2 - 4 Zone Color Fill Legend 147

4 On Properties palette, click Edit Type button. In Type Properties dialog box, put a check
mark on Show Title parameter, press OK.

5 Place a color fill legend at the upper right of the drawing.

6 In Choose Space Type and Color Scheme dialog box, select HVAC Zones and Scheme 1,
press OK.
148 Chapter 2 Mechanical Air Systems

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.
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14 In Edit Color Scheme dialog box, select Scheme 1 on the left, then click the Duplicate
button below.

15 When Revit displays New Color Scheme


dialog box, press OK to accept Schema 2
for the Name.

Attention! Now the Schema 2 displayed on the left is the current color scheme.

16 Enter Level 2 HVAC Zones for Scheme Definition Title.


17 Scroll down the zone list, change 2 - Corridor’s color to grey, change 2 - Shaft’s color to
orange, press OK.
2 - 4 Zone Color Fill Legend 151

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.

Save your work


Click the File Tab, select Save As, then select Project, in Save As dialog box, navigate to
Mechanical Exercise folder, enter 04 Zone Color Scheme Finished for File name. Click the
File Tab again then select Close.
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2 - 5 Energy Analysis
Open the exercise file: \Mechanical\05 Energy Analysis.rvt

Project Information and Energy Settings


1 Click the Manage tab, select the Project Information.

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.

7 Set Roofs Analytic Construction to 8 in lightweight concrete (U=0.7291 W/(m²·K)).

8 Press OK four times to end the settings.


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Space Heating and Cooling Load Schedule


1 Click the Analyze tab, select Schedule/ Quantities.

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

4 Click Sorting/Grouping tab, set Sort by: Number, Ascending.


5 Press OK to finish the settings.

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.

Heating and Cooling Loads


1 Click the Analyze tab, select Heating and Cooling Loads.
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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.

Here we can do Heating and Cooling settings for this zone.


The default temperature settings have two decimal places, due to the conversions from
Fahrenheit to Celsius. Their original Fahrenheit temperatures of Heating Set Point and
Heating Air Temperature are:
70 °F equals 21.11 °C
90 °F equals 32.22 °C
Cooling Set Point and Cooling Air Temperature are:
74 °F equals 23.33 °C
54 °F equals 12.22 °C
7 Press OK to end the settings.
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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.

11 Zoom in 106 Office, and expand all its surface elements.


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12 Select the Floors of 106 Office.

13 Select the Exterior Walls of 106 Office.


2 - 5 Energy Analysis 161

14 Select the windows of 106 Office.

15 Select one of the Interior Walls that has a Door on it.


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16 Select the Ceiling of 106 Office.

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.

Save your work


Click the File Tab, select Save As, then select Project, in Save As dialog box, navigate to
Mechanical Exercise folder, enter 05 Energy Analysis Finished for File name. Click the File
Tab again then select Close.

2 - 6 Place Air Terminals


Open the exercise file: \Mechanical\06 Place Air Terminals.rvt

Cooling Supply Airflow Analysis


First we create a Cooling Supply Airflow schedule to help us design the supply air diffusers.
164 Chapter 2 Mechanical Air Systems

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.

3 On Properties palette, click Edit... button next to Fields.


4 In Schedule Properties dialog box, remove Calculated Heating Load from Schedule fields.
5 Add Calculated Supply Airflow and Actual Supply Airflow from Available fields to
Schedule fields.
6 Click Add Calculated parameter button.
2 - 6 Place Air Terminals 165

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.

8 Click Formatting tab at the top of dialog box.


9 Select Airflow Delta field, then click Conditional Format... button.

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

1 Click the Close Hidden Windows


button on Quick Toolbar.

2 In Project Browser, double click 1


- Ceiling Mech under Ceiling
Plans to open Ceiling Plan: 1 -
Ceiling Mech view.
2 - 6 Place Air Terminals 167

3 Use VG to turn off Sections in Annotation Categories.

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

Adjust Supply Diffuser Airflow


10 Select the diffuser we just placed, on Properties palette, change its Flow to 80 L/s.

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.

55 x 2 = 110 L/s, so 102 Office has met our design requirement.


13 Pan model to left, place one supply diffuser on the ceiling grid of 103 Guest Room as
shown.
2 - 6 Place Air Terminals 171

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.

22 In Load Family dialog box, find and open C:\ProgramData\Autodesk\RVT 2019


\Libraries\US Metric\Mechanical\MEP\Air-Side Components\Air Terminals\
M_Exhaust Grille - Rectangular Face Square Neck - Hosted.rfa.
23 On Properties palette, set Constrain Elevation to 230 cm.
24 Place an exhaust grille on the shaft wall in each restroom as shown.
2 - 6 Place Air Terminals 173

Note: We don’t install ceiling return diffuser in restroom, rather we use shafts and roof
exhaust fans to exhaust restroom odors to outside.

Diffuser Air Flow Arrows


Personally I don’t like to display the air flow arrows for return diffusers. Turn them off can
simplify the drawing. Without showing return air flow arrows we can still tell them by their
one diagonal line symbols. On the contrary, the exhaust grilles we placed on the restroom
shaft walls, this family needs an air flow arrow, so it would be much easier for us to identify
them on floor plan view.

Finish First Floor Air Diffusers


Please follow the green diffuser reference lines provided by author to finish placing all the
diffusers on first floor (note: the orange reference lines are lighting fixtures), and use
Cooling Supply Airflow schedule to calculate and modify the airflows of supply diffusers.
Don’t forget to adjust the diffuser arrows of 104 Office and 119 Rear Entrance.
174 Chapter 2 Mechanical Air Systems

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.

Tag Air Diffusers


After finishing all the diffusers, next we shall tag (label) the CFM for all supply diffusers.
1 Use VG to turn off Ceilings.
2 - 6 Place Air Terminals 175

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.

4 Then click the Annotate tab, select Tag All.


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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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Now all supply diffuser tags only show L/s values.

Save your work


Click the File Tab, select Save As, then select Project, in Save As dialog box, navigate to
Mechanical Exercise folder, enter 06 First Floor Air Terminal Finished for File name. Click
the File Tab again then select Close.
2 - 7 Create Secondary Supply Air Systems 179

2 - 7 Create Secondary Supply Air Systems


Open the exercise file: \Mechanical\07 Create Secondary Supply Air Systems.rvt
1 In 1 - Ceiling Mech view, use VG to turn off Air Terminal Tags in Annotation Categories.

Place VAV (Variable Air Volume) Boxes


In order to stand out the VAV boxes in the drawing, first we use VG to set the color of
mechanical equipment to Cyan.
180 Chapter 2 Mechanical Air Systems

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.

4 Press OK to finish the settings.


5 Click the Systems tab; then select Mechanical Equipment.
2 - 7 Create Secondary Supply Air Systems 181

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.

Please notice that the PrimaryToSupplyRatio of this VAV unit is 0.200000.

9 Select the VAV box we just placed.


We can see that the Outlet dimensions
of this type VAV box are: 350.0 mm x
280.0 mm.

10 Click the Manage tab; then click MEP Settings button to drop down its list; then select
Mechanical Settings.
182 Chapter 2 Mechanical Air Systems

11 In Mechanical Settings dialog box, select Rectangular under Duct Settings.

We see there is no 280.0 mm on rectangular duct size list.


12 Press New Size… button, enter 280 mm, press OK to add this duct size to the list.

13 Press OK again to end the settings.


2 - 7 Create Secondary Supply Air Systems 183

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.

Connect VAV Boxes to Diffusers


16 Select the supply diffuser in 101 Office.
184 Chapter 2 Mechanical Air Systems

17 On Modify | Air Terminals ribbon, select Duct on Create Systems panel.

18 When Revit displays Create Duct System dialog box, press OK.

19 On Modify | Duct Systems ribbon select Select Equipment.

20 Select the VAV box we placed.

21 On Modify | Duct Systems ribbon select Generate Layout.

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

26 Use VG to turn off the Pattern of Flex Ducts.

Thus we can see the edges of Flexible Duct.


27 Select Mechanical Equipment on Systems ribbon; place the same VAV box in 102 Office
as shown.

28 Select both supply diffusers in 102 Office.

29 On Modify | Air Terminal ribbon select Duct.


30 When Revit displays Create Duct System dialog box, press OK.
2 - 7 Create Secondary Supply Air Systems 187

31 On Modify | Duct Systems ribbon; select Select Equipment.


32 Select the VAV box we just placed.

33 On Modify | Duct Systems ribbon; select Generate Layout.


34 On Options Bar, set Solution Type to Network, 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.

35 Select Mechanical Equipment on


Systems ribbon; place the same
VAV box in 103 Guest Room as
shown.

Attention! The bottom of VAV Box is 288.25 cm which allows it to sit on top of the 265.2 cm
interior wall.

36 Select the diffuser in 103 Guest Room.


37 On Modify | Air Terminal ribbon select Duct.
38 When Revit displays Create Duct System dialog box, press OK.
188 Chapter 2 Mechanical Air Systems

39 On Modify | Duct Systems ribbon select Select Equipment.


40 Select the VAV box we just placed.
41 Notice! Here we do not use Generate Layout tool, we just click the leftmost Modify
button on ribbon to finish creating the system.
Because the distance between diffuser and VAV box is pretty close, we can draw a flexible
duct to connect them together instead of using the steps of Generate Layout and finding
Solution.
42 Select the connector at the bottom of the VAV box, right click mouse button; on Context
Menu select Draw Flex Duct.

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

45 Select the four supply diffusers of Front Entrance.


46 On Modify | Air Terminal ribbon select Duct.
47 When Revit displays Create Duct System dialog box, press OK.
48 On Modify | Duct Systems ribbon select Select Equipment.
49 Select the VAV box we just placed.

50 On Modify | Duct Systems ribbon select Generate Layout.


51 On the Options Bar under Generate Layout ribbon, set Solution Type to Network, then
click Settings… button on the right.
52 In Duct Conversion Settings dialog box, click Branch on the left, set Duct Type to
Rectangular Duct: Mitered Elbows / Tees, set Flex Duct Type to None, press OK.

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.
190 Chapter 2 Mechanical Air Systems

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.

56 Select Edit Layout on the leftmost of Generate Layout ribbon.


2 - 7 Create Secondary Supply Air Systems 191

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.

Now the vertical ducts avoided the middle return diffuser.


58 Zoom to the upper left of the building.
59 Select Mechanical Equipment on Systems ribbon; place the same VAV box on top of the
conference room wall as shown.

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.
192 Chapter 2 Mechanical Air Systems

61 Select Edit Layout on the leftmost of Generate Layout ribbon.


62 Select the left horizontal branch duct as shown on the left figure; hold Ctrl key select the
right horizontal branch duct as shown on the middle figure, then drag the move symbol
up to the location as shown on the right figure.

63 When the right horizontal branch duct is not interfering with the return diffuser, click
Finish Layout.

64 Click the button on Quick Toolbar to view our model in 3D.


2 - 7 Create Secondary Supply Air Systems 193

65 Use VG to turn off Levels in Annotation Categories and c Office Building.rvt in Revit Links.

66 Select the highlighted 10 mitered duct elbows.


194 Chapter 2 Mechanical Air Systems

67 In Family/Type Selector, change them to M_Rectangular Elbow - Radius family 1 W type.

68 Select highlighted 2 mitered duct elbows above the conference room.


2 - 7 Create Secondary Supply Air Systems 195

69 In Family/Type Selector, change them to M_Rectangular Elbow - Radius family 1.5 W


type.

Size the Ducts


70 As the following three figures, move mouse cursor on or select one conference room
duct, press Tab key a few times, when seeing all the ducts are highlighted, press mouse
button to select them.

71 On Modify | Multi-Select ribbon, select Duct/Pipe Sizing.

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.
196 Chapter 2 Mechanical Air Systems

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

Save your work


When all finished, Click the File Tab, select Save As, then select Project, in Save As dialog
box, navigate to Mechanical Exercise folder, enter 07 Secondary Supply Air Systems
Finished for File name. Click the File Tab again then select Close.
198 Chapter 2 Mechanical Air Systems

2 - 8 Create Primary Supply Air Systems


Open the exercise file: \Mechanical\08 Create Primary Supply Air Systems.rvt

Draw Primary Main Ducts


Before drawing primary main ducts, in order to differentiate primary and secondary ducts,
we use VG’s Filter to set a different color to primary ducts.
1 Type VG, click Filters tab first, then press Edit/New… button.

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.

Now we see Round Duct is on the filter’s Name list.

5 Click the Override… button of Projection/Surface Lines, in Line Graphics dialog box, set
Color to RGB 000-222-000, press OK.

6 Press OK again to finish the settings.


7 Click Systems tab, select Duct.
200 Chapter 2 Mechanical Air Systems

8 In Family/Type Selector select Round Duct family Taps type.


9 On Options Bar or Properties palette, verify that Diameter is set to 300 mm and Offset is
set to 310 cm.
10 On left side of building draw a horizontal duct as shown. Click the leftmost Modify
button on the ribbon.

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.

Connect VAV Boxes to Primary Ducts


1 Select the VAV box in 101 Office.

2 On Modify | Mechanical Equipment ribbon select Connect Into.


202 Chapter 2 Mechanical Air Systems

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.

5 Select the VAV box in 102 Office.


6 On Modify | Mechanical Equipment ribbon select Connect Into.
7 In Select Connector dialog box, select Connector 0 : Supply Air : Round 200 mm : Row
direction In.
8 Select the horizontal duct outside the office to connect them together.
2 - 8 Create Primary Supply Air Systems 203

9 Select the VAV box in Open Office.


10 On Modify | Mechanical Equipment ribbon select Connect Into.
11 In Select Connector dialog box, select Connector 0 : Supply Air : Round 200 mm : Row
direction In.
12 Select the same horizontal duct 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.
204 Chapter 2 Mechanical Air Systems

Use the methods above, according to the drawing below, finish connecting the rest VAV
boxes to the adjacent main ducts.

15 Select the highlighted 5 round elbows.


2 - 8 Create Primary Supply Air Systems 205

16 In Family/Type Selector, change their type from 1.5 D to 2 D.

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.
206 Chapter 2 Mechanical Air Systems

18 Click the button on Quick Toolbar to view the primary ducts in 3D.

Save your work


Click the File Tab, select Save As, then select Project, in Save As dialog box, navigate to
Mechanical Exercise folder, enter 08 Primary Supply Air System Created for File name. Click
the File Tab again then select Close.

2 - 9 Size Primary Supply Air Ducts


In this section we will use Velocity Method to size the primary supply air ducts.
Open the exercise file: \Mechanical\09 Size Primary Supply Air Ducts.rvt

Divide Primary Ducts


1 In Project Browser, double click 1 - Ceiling Mech under Ceiling Plans to open that view.
2 Click Modify tab, select Split Element.
2 - 9 Size Primary Supply Air Ducts 207

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.

Size Primary Ducts


4 Move mouse cursor on top of a primary duct on left side, press Tab key a few times, when
seeing all connected primary ducts are highlighted, press mouse button to select them.
208 Chapter 2 Mechanical Air Systems

5 On Modify | Multi-Select ribbon select Duct/Pipe Sizing.

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.
210 Chapter 2 Mechanical Air Systems

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.

5 In Mechanical Settings dialog box, select Round under Duct Settings.


2 - 9 Size Primary Supply Air Ducts 211

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).

7 Click the button on Quick Toolbar to view our model in 3D.


212 Chapter 2 Mechanical Air Systems

8 Zoom in the right side to take a look of the split primary ducts with different sizes.

Save your work


Click the File Tab, select Save As, then select Project, in Save As dialog box, navigate to
Mechanical Exercise folder, enter 09 Primary Supply Air Duct Sizing Finished for File name.
Click the File Tab again then select Close.
2 - 10 Add AC Unit and Exhaust Fans 213

2 - 10 Add AC Unit and Exhaust Fans


Open the exercise file: \Mechanical\10 Add AC Unit and Exhaust Fans.rvt
1 In Project Browser, double click Roof - Mech under Floor Plans to open Floor Plan: Roof -
Mech view.

2 Use VG to turn off Sections in


Annotation Categories.

3 Click Systems tab, select Mechanical Equipment.


4 On Modify | Place Mechanical Equipment ribbon select Load Family.

5 In Load Family dialog box, find and open C:\ProgramData\Autodesk\RVT 2019


\Libraries\US Metric\Mechanical\MEP\Air-Side Components\Air Conditioners\
M_Rooftop AC Unit - 53-88 kW - Bottom Return Connection.rfa, in Family/Type Selector
select 63 kW type AC Unit.

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.
214 Chapter 2 Mechanical Air Systems

6 Press space bar to adjust the orientation of this AC unit and put it near to second floor
shaft.

7 Select Mechanical Equipment on System ribbon.


8 On Modify | Place Mechanical Equipment ribbon select Load Family.
9 In Load Family dialog box, find and open C:\ProgramData\Autodesk\RVT 2019
\Libraries\US Metric\Mechanical\MEP\Air-Side Components\Fans and Blowers\
M_Centrifugal Fan - Rooftop - Upblast.rfa.
10 On Modify | Place Mechanical Equipment ribbon select Place on Face.

11 Place two exhaust fans on top of the restroom shafts.


2 - 10 Add AC Unit and Exhaust Fans 215

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.

Draw Supply Duct Riser


1 In Project Browser, double click 1 - Ceiling Mech under Ceiling Plans to open that view.
2 Use VG to turn on Sections in Annotation Categories.
3 From bottom to top draw a section line passing through second floor shaft.

4 Drag the section far clipping control arrow to the location as shown.
216 Chapter 2 Mechanical Air Systems

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.

7 Use VG to turn off Levels.

8 On View Control Bar set Detail Level to Fine.


2 - 10 Add AC Unit and Exhaust Fans 217

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.
218 Chapter 2 Mechanical Air Systems

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.

15 Select the last horizontal duct we just drew.


16 On Modify | Duct ribbon select Cap Open Ends to add an end cap on its left.
2 - 10 Add AC Unit and Exhaust Fans 219

17 Click the button on Quick Toolbar to view model in 3D.

Connect Primary Ducts to the Riser


1 Zoom in the primary supply duct riser.
2 Click Modify tab, select Trim/Extend Single Element.

3 Select the right side of the rectangular duct, then select the round duct on its right, Voila!
220 Chapter 2 Mechanical Air Systems

4 Select the left side of the rectangular duct, then select the round duct on its left, Voila!

Create Return Air System


1 Type ZA (Zoom All) to see the entire model.
2 Select any a return diffuser in drawing, right click mouse button, on Context Menu select
Select All Instances -> Visible in View.
2 - 10 Add AC Unit and Exhaust Fans 221

Now we have selected 35 return diffusers.

3 On Modify | Air Terminals ribbon select Duct.


4 When Revit displays Create Duct System dialog box, press OK.

Now we used these 35 return diffusers created a Mechanical Return Air 1 system.
222 Chapter 2 Mechanical Air Systems

5 On Modify | Duct Systems ribbon click Select Equipment. Then select the roof AC unit.
6 Click the leftmost Modify button on the ribbon.

Now the color of all 35 return diffusers become magenta.

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.

7 In Project Browser, double click Section 2 to return to that view.


8 Select the right connector (In) at the bottom of the AC unit, right click mouse button; on
Context Menu select Draw Duct.
2 - 10 Add AC Unit and Exhaust Fans 223

9 Draw a 50 cm return duct down as shown.

Attention! The color of return ducts is magenta.

10 Click the button on Quick Toolbar and zoom in to see the return duct just drew.

11 On View Control Bar, set Visual Style to Wireframe.


224 Chapter 2 Mechanical Air Systems

Now we can clearly see the return duct.


Since this return duct was drawn from the return air connector of the AC unit, therefore it is
added to Mechanical Return Air 1 system.
The first floor return air is collected via first floor plenum, then conveyed up via second
floor shaft, then sucked by this return duct under the AC unit.

Create Exhaust Air Systems


1 On View Control Bar, set Visual Style back to Hidden Line.
2 Select the exhaust grille (on the shaft wall) in Ladies Room.
2 - 10 Add AC Unit and Exhaust Fans 225

3 On Modify | Air Terminals ribbon select Duct.


4 When Revit displays Create Duct System dialog box, press OK.

Now we created a Mechanical Exhaust Air 1 system.


5 On Modify | Duct Systems ribbon click Select Equipment. Select the roof exhaust fan
right above the grille.

6 Click the leftmost Modify button on the ribbon.


226 Chapter 2 Mechanical Air Systems

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.

8 Type ZA (Zoom All) to see the entire model.

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

Check System Connectivities


9 Move mouse cursor on top of any a duct in drawing, press Tab key a few times to
examine the connections of entire supply air systems.

10 Type VG, click Revit Links tab, turn on c Office Building.rvt


228 Chapter 2 Mechanical Air Systems

11 On View Control Bar, set Visual Style to Shaded to take a look of 3D shaded effect.

Save your work


Click the File Tab, select Save As, then select Project, in Save As dialog box, navigate to
Mechanical Exercise folder, enter 10 AC Unit and Exhaust Fans Added for File name. Click
the File Tab again then select Close.
Up to here is the mechanical modeling of first floor air systems. Readers can open the
exercise file: \Mechanical\11 First Floor Air System Finished.rvt to take a look of the
modeling result.

2 - 11 Second Floor Air Systems


Basically the creation of second floor air systems is same as the first floor; we can use the
same methods and procedures:
1 Layout air terminals including: supply diffusers (according to Cooling Supply Airflow
schedule), return diffusers and restroom exhaust grilles.
2 Create secondary supply air systems, layout VAV boxes and connect supply diffusers to
them, use friction method to size secondary ducts.
3 Draw primary main ducts, connect VAV boxes to them.
4 Use velocity method to size primary ducts.
2 - 11 Second Floor Air Systems 229

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.
230 Chapter 2 Mechanical Air Systems

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

Chapter 3 Hydronic Piping Systems


In this chapter we will create Hydronic Piping Systems for a two story office building. We
first layout the radiators around the perimeter rooms, then connect the boilers in first floor
Elec/Mech room to the radiators of both floors.
Although hydronic piping systems and mechanical air systems are two independent systems
that can be modeled separately (in Revit MEP Step by Step 2017 version), but in 2018 and
2019 versions we continue to add hydronic piping to the mechanical air systems file that we
created in previous chapter which makes the project file more complicated, nevertheless
readers can learn how to manage a much complicated Revit project in these newer versions.
232 Chapter 3 Hydronic Piping Systems

3 - 1 Prepare Hydronic Piping Modeling


Since we are going to model the Hydronic Piping Systems in Mechanical project drawing, we
need to create separate views for just viewing the Hydronic Piping Systems.
Open the exercise file: \Mechanical\12 Mechanical Air System Finished.rvt
1 In Project Browser, select 1 - Mech view, right click the mouse button, on Context Menu
select Duplicate View -> Duplicate.
2 Rename the newly created 1 - Mech Copy 1 view to 1 - Hydronic Piping.

3 Type VG, click Filters tab, then press Edit/New... button.


3 - 1 Prepare Hydronic Piping Modeling 233

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.
234 Chapter 3 Hydronic Piping Systems

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.
236 Chapter 3 Hydronic Piping Systems

13 In Project Browser, duplicate {3D} view to a 3D Hydronic Piping view.


14 Type VG, click Filter tab, add VAV Box, Rooftop AC Unit and Rooftop Exhaust Fan three
filters and turn them off.

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.

Save your work


When done, Click the File Tab, select Save As, then select Project, in Save As dialog box,
navigate to Mechanical Exercise folder, enter 12 Hydronic Piping Setup Finished for File
name. Click the File Tab again then select Close.
3 - 2 Place Radiators and Boilers 237

3 - 2 Place Radiators and Boilers


Open the exercise file: \Mechanical\13 Place Radiators and Boilers.rvt

Load Additional Radiator Family


1 In Project Browser, expand and take a look of the Mechanical Equipment families.

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.

3 Load C:\ProgramData\Autodesk\RVT 2019\Libraries\US Metric\Mechanical\MEP


\Air-Side Components\Heat Distribution Devices\M_Radiator - Hosted.rfa 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)
238 Chapter 3 Hydronic Piping Systems

Edit (Modify) Radiator Family


4 In Project Browser, select just loaded M_Radiator - Hosted family, right click mouse
button, on Context Menu select Edit.

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.
240 Chapter 3 Hydronic Piping Systems

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.
242 Chapter 3 Hydronic Piping Systems

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.

5 Delete the dimensions of boilers.


3 - 2 Place Radiators and Boilers 243

6 In Project Browser, double click 3D Hydronic Piping under 3D Views to open the view
that only displays the hydronic systems.

Save your work


Click the File Tab, select Save As, then select Project, in Save As dialog box, navigate to
Mechanical Exercise folder, enter 13 Radiators and Boilers Placed for File name, then click
Save. Click the File Tab again then select Close.
244 Chapter 3 Hydronic Piping Systems

3 - 3 Create First Floor Pipe Runs


Open the exercise file: \Mechanical\14 Create First Floor Pipe Runs.rvt
1 In Project Browser, double click 1 - Hydronic Piping under Floor Plans to open that view.

Set First Floor Piping View Range


For first floor hydronic piping, in order to see the piping connecting to the radiators under
the slab, we set the View Bottom to -100 cm; on the other hand, in order to see the piping
running above boiler without seeing the second floor Hydronic piping, we set View Top at
312 cm of Level 1.
2 On Properties palette, click View Range's Edit… button to set view range as follow:

Set Hydronic Piping Colors


3 Type VG, click Filters tab first, then press Edit/New… button.

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.
246 Chapter 3 Hydronic Piping Systems

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.

10 Press OK again to finish the settings of hydronic piping color.


Since a Hydronic piping system contains a Hydronic Supply and a Hydronic Return two
systems, we create two logic systems for them first, then do the pipe runs for them. Besides,
to avoid pipe running too long, we divide the pipe runs into two sides, left and right, after
finished, we connect two side pipe runs to the boiler in Elec/Mech room.

First Floor Left Supply System


1 Select the radiators on the left side of the building as shown.
3 - 3 Create First Floor Pipe Runs 247

2 On Modify | Mechanical Equipment ribbon, on Create Systems panel select Piping.

3 When Revit displays Create Piping System dialog box, press OK.

4 On Modify | Piping Systems ribbon select Select Equipment.

5 Select the upper boiler in Elec/Mech room.

6 Click the leftmost Modify button on ribbon to finish creating the supply system.

First Floor Left Return System


1 Again, select the radiators on the left side of the building.
2 On Modify | Mechanical Equipment ribbon, select Piping as well.
3 When Revit displays Create Piping System dialog box, press OK.
248 Chapter 3 Hydronic Piping Systems

4 On Modify | Piping Systems ribbon select Select Equipment as well.


5 Select the same boiler in Elec/Mech room.
6 Click the leftmost Modify button on ribbon to finish creating the return system.

First Floor Left Supply Pipe Run


1 Select the radiator in Rear Entrance as shown. (or any other radiator on left side)

2 On Modify | Mechanical Equipment ribbon select Generate Layout.

3 In Select a System dialog box select


Hydronic Supply 1, press OK.

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.

6 On the right of Options Bar, set Inset to 0 cm.

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.
250 Chapter 3 Hydronic Piping Systems

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

First Floor Left Return Pipe Run


1 Move cursor to the radiator in Rear Entrance (or any other radiator on left side), press
Tab key repeatedly, when the Status bar on the bottom left displays Piping Systems :
Piping System : Hydronic Return 1, press down mouse button.

2 On Modify | Mechanical Equipment ribbon select Generate Layout.


3 On the Options Bar under Generate Layout ribbon, set Solution Type to Perimeter, then
click Settings… button.
252 Chapter 3 Hydronic Piping Systems

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.

5 On the right of Options Bar, verify that Inset is 22.5 cm.


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.
3 - 3 Create First Floor Pipe Runs 253

First Floor Right Supply System


1 Select the radiators on the right side of the building as shown.
2 On Modify | Mechanical Equipment ribbon, select Piping.
3 When Revit displays Create Piping System dialog box, press OK.

4 Click the leftmost Modify button on ribbon to finish creating the supply system.

First Floor Right Return System


1 Again, select the radiators on the right side of the building.
2 On Modify | Mechanical Equipment ribbon, select Piping as well.

3 When Revit displays Create Piping System


dialog box, press OK.
4 Click the leftmost Modify button on ribbon
to finish creating the 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.
254 Chapter 3 Hydronic Piping Systems

First Floor Right Supply Pipe Run


1 Select any radiator on the right side as shown.
2 On Modify | Mechanical Equipment ribbon select Generate Layout.
3 In Select a System dialog box select Hydronic Supply 2, press OK.

4 On Generate Layout ribbon select Place Base.

5 Spot the Base at the location as shown.


3 - 3 Create First Floor Pipe Runs 255

6 On Options Bar, set Offset to 290 cm, set Diameter to 80 mm, then click Solutions.

7 On Options Bar set Solution Type to Perimeter.


8 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
left figure below, click Finish Layout.
256 Chapter 3 Hydronic Piping Systems

First Floor Right Return Pipe Run


1 Move cursor to any radiator on the right side, press Tab key repeatedly, when the Status
bar on the bottom left displays Piping Systems : Piping System : Hydronic Return 2, press
down mouse button.

2 On Modify | Mechanical Equipment ribbon select Generate Layout.


3 On Generate Layout ribbon select Place Base, then spot the Base at the location as
shown.

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.
258 Chapter 3 Hydronic Piping Systems

8 In Project Browser, double click the 3D Hydronic Piping view.

9 On View Control Bar, set Detail Level to Fine.


10 Type VG, click Revit Links tab, turn off c Office Building.rvt
11 Click Filters tab, add Hydronic Supply and Hydronic Return; set their color to RGB 255-
000-128 and RGB 128-000-255 respectively, then press OK.

Now the 3D view displays colored piping.


3 - 4 Connect First Floor Piping to Boiler 259

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.

Save your work


Click the File Tab, select Save As, then select Project, in Save As dialog box, navigate to
Mechanical Exercise folder, enter 14 First Floor Pipe Runs Finished for File name. Click the
File Tab again then select Close.

3 - 4 Connect First Floor Piping to Boiler


Open the exercise file: \Mechanical\15 Connect First Floor Piping to Boiler.rvt
1 In Project Browser, double click 1 - Hydronic Piping under Floor Plans to open that view.
2 Zoom in the Elec/Mech Room as shown.

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.
260 Chapter 3 Hydronic Piping Systems

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.

4 On View Control Bar change Visual Style to Wireframe.

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.
262 Chapter 3 Hydronic Piping Systems

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.

9 When all finished, delete the dimensions.


3 - 4 Connect First Floor Piping to Boiler 263

Note: Sometimes we use dimension method to position objects precisely; sometimes we


just select them and use arrow keys to move (adjust) them approximately.

10 In Project Browser, double click the 3D Hydronic Piping view.

11 Click the blue mark on the corner of LEFT, BACK and TOP of 3D View Cube to switch to
that viewing angle.
264 Chapter 3 Hydronic Piping Systems

12 Delete the highlighted pipes and elbow fittings.

13 Select highlighted elbow as shown.

14 On Modify | Pipe Fittings ribbon select Connect Into.

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.


266 Chapter 3 Hydronic Piping Systems

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.
268 Chapter 3 Hydronic Piping Systems

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

24 Zoom out a little to view the connections of first floor’s boiler.

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.

Save your work


Click the File Tab, select Save As, then select Project, in Save As dialog box, navigate to
Mechanical Exercise folder, enter 15 First Floor Boiler Connected for File name. Click the
File Tab again then select Close.
270 Chapter 3 Hydronic Piping Systems

3 - 5 Create Second Floor Pipe Runs


Open the exercise file: \Mechanical\16 Create Second Floor Pipe Runs.rvt

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.

Set Second Floor Piping View Range


For second floor hydronic piping, in order to see the boilers located in first floor Elec/Mech
room, we set View Bottom to 130 cm of Level 1.
2 On Properties palette, click View Range's Edit… button to set view range as follow:


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.

Set Second Floor Hydronic Piping Colors


3 As same as 1 - Hydronic Piping view, use VG to set the colors of Hydronic Supply and
Hydronic Return piping. Also set the Detail Level to Fine.

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.

Second Floor Left Hydronic Systems


4 As shown below, select the radiators on the left side of second floor. Like the right side
of first floor, use these radiators to create Hydronic Supply 2 and Hydronic Return 2 two
piping systems (without picking boiler equipment).
272 Chapter 3 Hydronic Piping Systems

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.

Second Floor Left Supply Pipe Run


5 Select any radiator on the left side as shown.
6 On Modify | Mechanical Equipment ribbon select Generate Layout.
7 In Select a System dialog box select Hydronic Supply 2, press OK.

8 On Generate Layout ribbon select Place Base.

9 Spot the Base at the location as shown.


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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.

13 On the right of Options Bar, set Inset to 0 cm.


14 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
left figure, click Finish Layout.
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Second Floor Left Return Pipe Run


15 Move cursor to any radiator on the left side, press Tab key repeatedly, when the Status
bar on the bottom left displays Piping Systems : Piping System : Hydronic Return 2, press
down mouse button.

16 On Modify | Mechanical Equipment ribbon select Generate Layout.


17 On Generate Layout ribbon select Place Base, then spot the Base at the location as
shown.

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.
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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.

21 On the right of Options Bar, set Inset to 22.5 cm.


22 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 left figure, click Finish Layout.
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Second Floor Right Hydronic Systems


23 As shown below, select the radiators on the right side. Like the left side, use these
radiators to create Hydronic Supply 3 and Hydronic Return 3 two piping systems
(without picking boiler equipment).

Second Floor Right Supply Pipe Run


24 Like the left side, refer to the Base location shown below to complete Hydronic Supply 3
pipe run of right side.
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Second Floor Right Return Pipe Run


25 Like the left side, refer to the Base location shown below to complete Hydronic Return 3
pipe run of right side.

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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Save your work


Click the File Tab, select Save As, then select Project, in Save As dialog box, navigate to
Mechanical Exercise folder, enter 16 Second Floor Pipe Runs Finished for File name. Click
the File Tab again then select Close.

3 - 6 Connect Second Floor Piping to Boiler


Open the exercise file: \Mechanical\17 Connect Second Floor Piping to Boiler.rvt
1 In Project Browser, double click 2 - Hydronic Piping under Floor Plans to open that view.
2 Zoom in the region as shown.

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.


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4 On View Control Bar change Visual Style to Wireframe.

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.

6 Click Manage tab, then select Snaps.

7 In Snaps dialog box, uncheck the Length


dimension snap increments check box,
press OK.
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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.
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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.
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10 In Project Browser, double click the 3D Hydronic Piping view.

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.
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14 Zoom in the region as shown.

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.
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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.

Save your work


Click the File Tab, select Save As, then select Project, in Save As dialog box, navigate to
Mechanical Exercise folder, enter 17 Second Floor Boiler Connected for File name. Click the
File Tab again then select Close.
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3 - 7 Add Circulator Pumps


Open the exercise file: \Mechanical\18 Add Circulator Pumps.rvt

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.
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2 Delete the highlighted pipes and elbow fittings.

3 Select two Tees above the boilers, on Properties palette, set their Offset to 180 cm to
move them down.
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4 Select the T of right boiler.


5 On Modify | Pipe Fittings ribbon select Connect Into.
6 Select the shorter supply pipe above to connect them together.

7 Select the T of left boiler.


8 On Modify | Pipe Fittings ribbon select Connect Into.
9 In Select Connector dialog box, select Connector 1 : Hydronic Supply : Round : 80 mm :
Row direction Bidirectional, press OK.
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10 Select the left supply pipe above to connect them together.

11 Select the T of left boiler again.


12 On Modify | Pipe Fittings 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 2 : Hydronic Supply : Round : 80 mm.
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13 Select the other supply pipe above to connect them together.

Now we have finished the adjustments of the piping above boilers.

Size Hydronic Pipes


Before adding circulator pumps we use Velocity and Friction method to size these hydronic
pipes.
1 Move cursor to one supply pipe of the first floor, press Tab key a few times, when seeing
all supply pipes are highlighted, press down mouse button to select them.
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2 On Modify | Multi-Select ribbon, select Duct/Pipe Sizing.

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.

5 On Modify | Multi-Select ribbon, select Duct/Pipe Sizing.


6 Use the same sizing settings that calculating supply pipes to calculate the return pipes.

Now the first floor return pipes from the radiators also increased a little bit (from 25 mm to
32 mm).
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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).

Insert Circulator Pumps


1 In Project Browser, double click 1 - Hydronic Piping under Floor Plans to open that view.
2 Zoom in the region as shown.
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3 Click Manage tab, select Snaps, in Snaps dialog box, check the Snap Off box, then press
OK to turn off all snap modes.

Create New Pump Type


When inserting pumps, the diameter of pump connectors should match the size of the pipe.
Before modify the diameter of pump connectors, we create a new type so we can keep the
original one.
4 Click Systems tab, then select Mechanical Equipment.
5 In Family/Type Selector, find and select M_Inline Pump - Circulator family 4.6 LPS - 2.9
Meter Head type pump.
6 Click Edit Type, in Type Properties dialog box, press Duplicate… button to duplicate a 4.6
LPS - 2.9 Meter Head 80.0 mm Diameter type.
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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)
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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)

10 When done, click the leftmost Modify button on ribbon.


11 Select Mechanical Equipment on Systems
ribbon again.
12 On Properties palette click Edit Type, in
Type Properties dialog box, press
Duplicate… button to duplicate a 4.6 LPS -
2.9 Meter Head 90.0 mm Diameter type.
13 In Type Properties dialog box, change
Suction Nominal Diameter and Discharge
Nominal Diameter from 80.0 mm to 90.0
mm, press OK.
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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)
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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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20 Same situations, upright the other three pumps.

21 Type ZA (Zoom All) to see the entire hydronic piping systems.


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22 Type VG, click Revit Links tab, turn on c Office Building.rvt

Save your work


Click the File Tab, select Save As, then select Project, in Save As dialog box, navigate to
Mechanical Exercise folder, enter 18 Circulator Pumps Added for File name. Click the File
Tab again then select Close.
Now we have finished the hydronic piping systems of this office building. Readers can Open
the exercise file: \Mechanical\19 Hydronic Piping Finished.rvt to take a look of the final
modeling result. In Chapter 7 Interference Check we will make minor adjustments of two
hydronic pipes in this model.
The hydronic piping system used for boilers and radiators in this chapter can also be used
for many other mechanical systems such as chiller chill water and cooling tower condensate
water.

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