Technical Knowledge

Systems Expertise.

Every mechanical and plumbing system we coordinate is governed by a specific code. Our team works to IMC for mechanical, IPC and UPC for plumbing, ASHRAE 90.1 for energy compliance, SMACNA for ductwork fabrication, and NFPA 99 for medical gas — so coordination decisions are grounded in what the code actually requires, not what looks reasonable in the model.

IMC — Mechanical IPC / UPC — Plumbing ASHRAE 90.1 — Energy SMACNA — Ductwork NFPA 99 — Medical Gas
Mechanical Systems ↓ Plumbing Systems ↓

Mechanical Systems

Coordinated to IMC · ASHRAE · SMACNA · ASME B31

Mechanical
HVAC Ductwork & Distribution

Duct routing for supply, return, and exhaust — rectangular, round, and oval profiles — coordinated with structural, piping, and architectural ceilings. We model duct to installation tolerance, not clearance tolerance, and flag every location where SMACNA gauge or velocity requirements affect routing decisions.

SMACNA ASHRAE IMC NFPA
How We Help Contractors
  • Clearance coordination against structure, piping, and cable trays before shop drawing issue
  • Seismic and hanger spacing flagged per SMACNA and local jurisdiction requirements
Mechanical
Chilled Water Systems

Chilled water supply and return piping from chiller plant to AHU coil connections. We coordinate pipe sizing per system pressure drop, insulation envelope, and hanger clearances — and model valve packages, strainers, and balancing stations as discrete geometry that fabrication can use directly.

ASHRAE ASME B31 IMC
How We Help Contractors
  • Pipe rack and support geometry coordinated with structural framing — no field-fit surprises
  • Valve and strainer packages modeled to exact face-to-face dimensions for prefabrication
Mechanical
Hydronic Heating Systems

Hot water heating distribution — boiler headers, zone piping, terminal unit connections, and expansion tank tie-ins. We model expansion loops, anchor points, and pipe penetrations through fire-rated assemblies at coordination stage so structural and fire protection contractors can respond before steel is in place.

ASHRAE ASME B31 IMC NFPA
How We Help Contractors
  • Expansion loop geometry and anchor-to-guide spacing modeled — no field measuring against spec
  • Fire-rated penetration sleeves flagged and coordinated prior to slab pour
Mechanical
VRF / VRV Systems

Variable refrigerant flow systems — outdoor unit placement, refrigerant piping headers, branch selectors, and indoor unit connections. We model pipe length equivalency constraints and elevation change limits against manufacturer data to prevent system capacity loss before installation begins.

ASHRAE IMC Mfr. Specs
How We Help Contractors
  • Total equivalent pipe length calculated per branch — refrigerant sizing validated before routing is fixed
  • Outdoor unit pads and vibration isolation coordinated with structural loadings
Mechanical
Exhaust & Ventilation

Toilet exhaust, kitchen exhaust, laboratory fume hood exhaust, and general exhaust systems — coordinated through ceiling plenums and routed to exterior discharge. We track minimum separation from intake to exhaust termination per ASHRAE 62.1 and flag code conflicts before they become sheet metal rework.

ASHRAE IMC §§501–507 SMACNA IBC
How We Help Contractors
  • Intake-to-exhaust separation distances verified in model — code compliance documented per zone
  • Duct shaft sizing and access coordinated with architectural before drywall is framed
Mechanical
Refrigerant Piping

Refrigerant liquid and suction lines for split systems, chillers, and condensing units — routed through mechanical rooms, risers, and above-ceiling spaces. We model to ASME B31.5 joint spacing, oil trap requirements, and seismic bracing intervals so the refrigeration contractor can pull permits from the model geometry.

ASHRAE ASME B31 IMC
How We Help Contractors
  • Oil trap and double-riser geometry modeled for vertical line sets — no field-fabricated traps
  • Refrigerant machinery room ventilation requirements flagged per ASHRAE 15 at coordination stage

Plumbing Systems

Coordinated to IPC · UPC · ASPE · NFPA 99

Plumbing
Domestic Hot & Cold Water

Cold water supply and hot water recirculation — from meter to fixture rough-in. We model to IPC fixture unit counts, velocity limits, and pressure zone requirements. Water heater connections, recirculation pump tie-ins, and backflow preventer assemblies are modeled as complete spool geometry, not simplified centerlines.

IPC UPC ASPE ASSE
How We Help Contractors
  • Pressure zone boundaries modeled — PRV locations confirmed before rough-in
  • Recirculation loop modeled to balancing valve locations — thermal dead-legs eliminated in coordination
Plumbing
Sanitary Drainage & Venting

Sanitary waste and vent systems from fixture connections through horizontal mains to the building drain. Slope is enforced in model geometry — not noted on drawings and assumed in the field. We track developed length to vent stacks, wet vent applicability, and air admittance valve placement restrictions per IPC chapter by chapter.

IPC UPC ASPE IBC
How We Help Contractors
  • Slab penetrations coordinated with structural drawings — no late-stage core drilling
  • Invert elevations extracted from model and cross-checked against civil site drainage
Plumbing
Storm Drainage

Roof drain leaders, secondary overflow drains, and below-grade storm connections. We model storm drainage at required slopes, coordinate leader locations with architectural roofing details, and verify that primary and secondary drain outlet invert elevations comply with IPC overflow requirements before the roof deck is placed.

IPC UPC ASCE 7 IBC
How We Help Contractors
  • Roof drain and overflow drain locations confirmed against structural framing bays before SD issue
  • Leader routing coordinated through occupied spaces to minimize exposed pipe at ceiling
Plumbing
Medical Gas Systems

Oxygen, medical air, nitrous oxide, vacuum, and WAGD piping for healthcare and laboratory environments. NFPA 99 governs zone valve locations, alarm panel tie-ins, source equipment clearances, and labeling requirements — all modeled as coordination geometry so the piping contractor can sequence installation around structural and interior finish milestones.

NFPA 99 ASPE HTM CGA
How We Help Contractors
  • Zone valve box locations coordinated with wall types and access panel requirements
  • Separation distances from electrical panels and other services enforced in model geometry
Plumbing
Grease Waste & Interceptors

Kitchen grease waste piping from floor sinks, floor drains, and fixture connections to grease interceptors — with correct slope enforcement and venting to prevent siphonage. We model interceptor access clearances, cleanout locations, and maintenance access paths so the grease trap can actually be serviced after the restaurant opens.

IPC UPC PDI AHJ
How We Help Contractors
  • Grease interceptor sizing and placement confirmed against local AHJ requirements before slab pour
  • Cleanout locations modeled to code intervals — no field additions after tile is set
Plumbing
Condensate Drainage

Condensate drain lines from air handling units, fan coil units, VAV boxes, and VRF indoor units — routed to drain points without creating trap-to-trap conditions or negative pressure reversals. IMC §307 mandates secondary overflow provisions and we coordinate those drain pan outlets against ceiling system clearances before ductwork is installed.

IMC IPC ASHRAE Mfr. Specs
How We Help Contractors
  • Condensate drain routing checked for slope continuity — trap-to-trap conditions identified and resolved at model stage
  • Secondary overflow drain termination coordinated with ceiling tiles and visible discharge locations