In an ideal world, every system in a building would work together in perfect harmony. In practice, achieving that goal depends heavily on the processes involved in the building design stages. Developers or stakeholders without mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) coordination experience may start the building design phase and mistakenly include MEP systems engineers only after they have a final layout in mind. This approach can cause problems, including when building laboratories and classroom facilities with unique MEP requirements. Integrating the design for these systems from the beginning can reduce expensive conflicts and provide a better result, given the challenges of these complex building functions. 

Reasons to Integrate Plumbing and Mechanical Systems in the Design Process 

Building and room designs often need revision, but the inclusion of systems experts early in the process can reduce problems with implementation. With this approach, MEP engineers can outline their needs and point out areas where there might be conflict with the planned design. For example, design should take into account that running electrical lines next to plumbing lines may present safety risks if leaks occur. Early input in the design process allows electrical and plumbing engineers to weigh in on these potential conflicts to avoid problems with the final design and implementation. 

Costs of Failing to Coordinate MEP Systems 

In order for a laboratory or other facility to function as designed, MEP experts should provide input during the initial design stages. When mechanical, plumbing or laboratory contractors are brought on at the last minute to execute parts of a design that they did not have input in shaping, they are more likely to encounter problems, such as: 

• Conflicting needs between HVAC, electrical, and plumbing 

• Design flaws that place critical infrastructure components far from the areas they are intended to serve 

• Changes to designs that affect schedules and necessary equipment 

• Costly delays as these problems are mitigated 

To avoid higher costs and potential overrun, coordination from the outset is a best practice. 

Examples of Challenges of Complex Systems 

Potential problem areas include (but are not limited to): 

• Deionized Water Lines: Deionized water supply is a common requirement of laboratories and medical manufacturing facilities, for which pure water is an absolute necessity. Deionization involves the removal of dissolved salts and minerals that can contaminate testing equipment and the tests themselves. Some piping materials may leach their elements, contaminating the water and rendering it unusable. The use of specific piping materials, such as pure polypropylene or PVDF, is required to ensure that the deionized water remains in its pure state for use. 

• Chemical Waste Drainage: In the absence of a proper drainage system, chemical waste can contaminate rooms or put students and workers at risk. Plumbing engineers must evaluate the types of chemical waste that will be produced in the facility and implement a design using materials that will not corrode and will not leach the chemicals into other parts of the building. Drainage should be a closed system that moves chemical waste into an appropriate receptacle for on-site neutralization or for transport to a qualified organization for proper disposal. 

• Air Balance Controls: Laboratories and other complex classroom facilities may require a delicate air balance to ensure participant safety and avoid contamination of the equipment or specimens. These requirements usually call for specific standards in airflow, filtration, and pressure differentials. The system needs a steady airflow that factors in higher levels of filtration, along with a specific number of air changes per hour, to minimize the presence of hazardous particles. Precise standards for humidity control may require the use of dehumidifiers or humidifiers, calling for a steady supply of water or proper drainage for the mechanical system. 

Designing a building to house complex processes and systems requires integration of important infrastructure from the beginning. Designers, architects, and developers who fail to consult MEP engineers early in the design process may pay more for fixes and still get a result that is not as effective. By integrating these systems into the original building design, contractors can ensure peak performance and safety for laboratories and specialized facilities. 

AUTHOR BIO: Megan Tansom is the Marketing Manager at H2I Group, a nationwide subcontractor specializing in building innovative spaces for education, athletics, research, and healthcare. She leads marketing strategy and communications, aligns marketing and sales efforts, and drives lead generation initiatives. With more than a decade of experience, Tansom specializes in content development, branding, partner marketing, and event management. Known for her collaborative leadership and results-driven approach, she excels in crafting strategies that elevate brand visibility and engage target audiences.