King Fahd University Of Petroleum and Minerals

College of Environmental Design

Architectural Engineering Department
Date: April 14th, 2016
Dear Sir,
Design Phase Checklist for Effective Coordination of MEP Systems
This research aims to establish checklist for effective coordination of MEP systems in residential buildings
during early design stage to eliminate interruptions during construction phase. Ensuring proper coordination
during early design stage will minimize clashes between MEP systems and all other buildings systems
components which will impact construction phase largely through reducing technical queries, delay in
completion, rework and disruption of workflow. On the other hand, proper coordination of these systems will
lead to minimizing waste in resources, budget overrun, rework, project delay, conflict and interruptionsetc.
Notes:
The questionnaire is constructed to collect data for residential projects in Saudi Arabia to evaluate the
importance of MEP systems coordination process for projects participants. The importance of each design

guideline is scaled from 5 (most impotent) to 1 (least important).

This checklist is designed to be implemented as requested during the all stages (10%, 30%, 60% and

90%) of design phase.

The collected data and analyzed results are used only for research purposes.
Expected return date: no later than April, 23rd, 2016.

Thank you.
Please return this questionnaire once filled to the following e-mail:
mohdalaamri@gmail.com
Mohammad Ali AlJuhani
0554393930
KFUPM- Dhahran.

Questionnaire Survey
Part One: General Information
1) Respondent Information:
Name (Optional)
Office or Company
Name
Phone
E-Mail Address
Office or Company
Address
2) Years of Experience:
Less than 5 years
5 10 years
10 20 years
Over 20 years
3) Respondent Position:

Owner Representative (Design,

Construction)
Architectural Engineer
Mechanical Design Engineer
Electrical Design Engineer
Plumbing Design Engineer
Design Coordinator
Mechanical Construction Contractor
Electrical Construction Contractor
Plumbing Construction Contractor
Other (please specify):

Example.

4) Type of Projects that you mainly worked on:

Residential Buildings (high-rise of 20+ floors)
Residential Buildings (high rise of less than 20 floors)
Residential Buildings (low-rise)
Educational Buildings
Office Buildings
Recreational Buildings
Sports Buildings
Commercial Buildings
Other (please specify):
Part Two: Design Phase Checklist for Effective Coordination of MEP Systems.

Checklist for Mechanical Systems

Coordinate the size and location (northing, easting and invert) of the chilled water
01.
piping system between the civil and the mechanical design teams.
02.

Ensure coordination between the mechanical and structural design teams to avoid
clashes between the drop beams and the HVAC ducts, and the chilled water piping.

Not Important

Somewhat Important

Important

Very Important

Design Phase Checklist for Effective Coordination of MEP Systems

Extremely Important

Importance Level

03.

Coordinate the size and location of penetrations of the HVAC ducts and chilled
water piping through the roof, walls and floors with the architectural and structural
design teams.

04.

Communicate the weight of the mechanical component such as chillers, air

handling units, package air conditioning units, with structural design team.

05.
06.

Coordinate the location of fresh air intake, exhaust fan louver and other openings
with the structural and architectural design teams.
Coordinate the height and the type of the false ceiling with the architectural
design team to ensure that all utilities above the ceiling fit properly. Ensure that
hangers and insulation are considered for space requirements.

07.

Coordinate the location of supply air diffusers with the false ceiling components
including lights, sprinkler heads, fire/ smoke detectors, WIFI transmitters, electrical
conduit, fire water lines and chilled water lines.

08.

Ensure that all duct work and its components such as VAV, duct re-heater, fan coil
units and return diffusers are well coordinated with all other ceiling components.

09.

Ensure the accessibility and clearance of all ceiling mounted HVAC components
such as VAV, duct re-heater volume damper, fan coil units.

10.

11.
12.

13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.

20.
21.
22.

Coordinate the location and size of the mechanical equipment room with the
architectural design team to ensure that there is adequate room for the removal of
coils and tube bundles from air handlers and chillers
Coordinate the location and appearance of the access door for ceiling duct
accessories with the architectural design team.
Coordinate the location of space control devices (thermostats, humidistats and
pressure sensors, as applicable) with the architectural team.
Ensure coordination between the mechanical and electrical design teams to avoid
clashes of ceiling electrical components (conduit, wire trench and WIFI
transmitters) and electrical and telecom rooms with HVAC components such as air
duct, refrigerant pipes and chilled water pipes.
Ensure that duct insulation is considered during the sizing of duct penetration.
Ensure that the condensation pans for ceiling mounted HVAC components are
easily installed and accessible for maintenance and auxiliary pans are provided as
needed.
Ensure that all HVAC equipment are safely located and easily installed and
maintained.
Coordinate the location of air wall distribution items, such as grills and registers,
with the architectural and structural design teams.
Coordinate the location of return air diffusers/ openings with the architectural
layout of the space to prevent foul air generated from toilets and kitchens.
Ensure that all mechanical equipment, powered ductwork accessories, and power
requirements and locations are communicated to the electrical design team to
avoid discrepancy on drawings.
Coordinate on grade HVAC equipment with the electrical, civil, architectural and
structural design teams for proper installation, operation (noise level) and
maintenance.
Ensure consistency between the client specifications, utilities providers and design
documents for the mechanical systems.
Ensure consistency between the elements of the mechanical construction
documents, including drawings, bill of quantities and pay items descriptions.

Guidelines for Electrical Systems

Ensure that there is no clash between the locations of the smoke and heat
01.
detectors, and the lighting fixtures.

Not Important

Somewhat Important

Important

Very Important

Design Phase Checklist for Effective Coordination of MEP Systems

Extremely Important

Importance Level

02.

Ensure that there is no clash between the locations of the electrical fixtures such
as smoke and heat detectors, lighting fixtures, and the other ceiling components
such as sprinkler heads and air diffusers.

03.

Coordinate the location and opening size of the electrical panels, and the circuit
breakers with the architectural design team.

04.
05.
06.
07.
08.
09.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.

Confirm that the appropriate electrical power voltage and phase are supplied as
specified in the equipment schedules.
Confirm that the disconnect switches are provided with no conflict with other
equipment such as HVAC units.
Coordinate the equipment which needs emergency power with the other members
of the design team.
Ensure that the minimum separation distance is maintained for electrical system
components.
Coordinate the location and size of the main feeder cable sleeve with the civil and
structural design groups.
Ensure to collect all equipment power requirements for the adequate sizing of the
main cable.
Ensure proper working clearance for all electrical enclosures and panels supplying
all equipment.
Ensure coordination of electrical site components such as distribution
transformers and the building entrance.
Ensure coordination between false ceiling components to avoid interference of low
voltage cables and lighting installations with other ceiling components.
Ensure that fire alarm control panels are located in visible and accessible
locations.
Ensure coordination between low voltage cables and outdoor utilities including
potable water pipes, waste water pipes and irrigation pipes.
Coordinate the location of site substations with the civil design team.
In precast walls, coordinate all types of conduits to be extended correctly to the
power sockets, and between the panels.
Coordinate between the telecommunications team and the civil and architectural
design teams to provide a continuous conduit from the slab on grade to the
ceiling for access point.
Coordinate the height of the lightning protection system with the other
components on the roof.
Ensure consistency between the client specifications and design documents for
the mechanical systems.
Ensure consistency between the elements of the mechanical construction documents,
including drawing, bill of quantities, pay items description.

Checklist for Plumbing Systems

Coordinate the size and location of all potable water supply pipes, sanitary piping,
01. vent stake and plumbing fixtures With the architectural and structural design
teams.
02.

Ensure the provision of access to all plumbing installations, including plumbing

fixtures, floor drains, floor cleanouts, wall cleanouts and isolation valves.

03.

Communicate the power requirements of all equipment such as electric water

heater, automatic faucets and flush valves, garbage disposal, water pumps with
the electrical design team.
4

Not Important

Somewhat Important

Important

Very Important

Design Phase Checklist for Effective Coordination of MEP Systems

Extremely Important

Importance Level

04.
05.
06.
07.
08.
09.
10.
11.

Coordinate with the civil design team to ensure the adequacy of the city water
pressure to supply the highest floor of the building.
Ensure that the pipes penetrating the fire rated walls are provided with fire
stopping material.
Ensure that the penetration size of the hot water pipes is adequate to
accommodate the installation of thermal insulation.
Ensure coordination between the mechanical and structural design teams for the
locations and sizes of pipe sleeves.
Ensure that the condensation pipe for indoor HVAC units is provided and
coordinated with all of the false ceiling components as per code requirements.
Ensure that the diameter of the Tie-in point for the sewer system is compatible.
Ensure that the mechanical rooms are provided with floor drains.
Coordinate the location of electric water heaters with the architectural design
team.

12.

Ensure that the grease interceptor is provided as per the client requirements, and
ensure its accessibility for maintenance.

13.

Coordination with the architect to provide pipe chase for plumbing pipe work.

14.

Coordinate the requirements of the mechanical equipment room such as fire/

potable water pump with the architectural design team.

15.

Coordinate all piping of plumbing installation with the structural design team to
avoid interference with foundation systems.

16.

Ensure that rain leader pipes are coordinated with the architectural drawings.

17.
18.
19.
20.
21.

Ensure that the minimum separation distance is maintained between potable

water pipes and sewer drainage pipes.
Coordinate the location of plumbing fixtures such as lavatories, water closet with
the other toilet hardware.
Coordinate the size allocated for plumbing items such as bathtub, shower tray
with the architectural design team.
Ensure consistency between the client specifications and design documents for
the plumbing systems.
Ensure consistency between the elements of the plumbing construction
documents, including drawing, bill of quantities, pay items description.

Thank you