Best MEP Software

MEP software stands for mechanical, electrical, and plumbing software. MEP software is a subset of CAD software that is specifically designed for users in the mechanical, electrical, or plumbing fields to improve the overall design of their projects.

Key Benefits of MEP Software

• Speed up electrical, mechanical, and plumbing designs with modeling and drafting outputs
• Reduce errors by identifying problems within the visual design
• Streamline the engineering design process by using a single model
• Improve building element energy analysis and structural analytical modeling
• Project overall construction cost for particular models

When engineers are designing the infrastructure of a building, whether it’s related to heating and cooling or electrical circuitry, every calculation in the design must be met with precision. This is why mechanical, electrical, and plumbing design requires diligent planning and qualified engineering professionals. MEP software allows engineers to break down and visualize these complex designs so they can improve overall workflows and speed up the design of projects from start to finish. Key use cases include:

Improved collaboration — A major reason to use MEP software is to improve collaboration. With one design at the center of an engineering project, anyone on the team can jump into the design and help where needed. This allows everyone to monitor the progress of the design and conduct joint work so the entire workflow is streamlined.

Better client communication — Having a design in 3D software such as MEP offers a great visual aid for businesses to display to their clients. When a client enlists a group of engineers to create a design, they often need to communicate every detail of their needs. With these needs in mind, engineers can incorporate sustainability needs and commercial aspects that clients require within the design structure. After engineers finish the design within the 3D MEP software, it can easily be displayed to clients, and they can work together to solve problems by tinkering with it in the 3D design.

Save time — MEP software can save time by displaying whether location conflicts are detected within a design. If an engineer spends countless hours designing a structure on paper, they cannot identify how certain designs overlap with other parts of a building. With 3D MEP software, however, location conflicts are immediately detected and engineers can make quick changes. This concept can be applied to all aspects of engineering design, as 3D modeling within the software allows for immediate changes, saving users plenty of time.

BIM MEP software — BIM MEP software is a type of MEP software that falls under building information modeling. When engineers are designing a building, they must be aware of how each change in the building’s infrastructure will affect the energy efficiency of the building. MEP software for BIM enables engineers to see how each modification to the plumbing and electricity will affect the overall energy flow of the building. This allows engineers to focus on energy, solar study, and heating and cooling analysis in regards to the building they are designing.

CAD MEP software — General-purpose CAD allows users to draft mock-ups of 3D designs. With CAD MEP software, users can draft and design those 3D systems with specific tools for mechanical, electrical, and plumbing. This allows engineers to design more effective systems.