Table of Contents

Dedication iii
Preface xiv
Chapter 1: Introduction to AutoCAD MEP

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Introduction 1-2
Getting Started with AutoCAD MEP 1-2
AutoCAD MEP Interface Components 1-2
New Tab 1-3
Create 1-3
Learn 1-3
Drawing Area 1-3
Command Window 1-4
ViewCube 1-4
In-canvas Viewport Controls 1-4
Application Status Bar 1-4
Drawing Status Bar 1-9
Invoking Commands in AutoCAD MEP 1-11
Command Line 1-11
Ribbon 1-12
Application Menu 1-13
Tool Palettes 1-13
Menu Bar 1-13
Shortcut Menu 1-14
AutoCAD MEP Dialog Boxes 1-15
Starting a New Drawing 1-16
Open a Drawing 1-17
Use a Template 1-17
Start from Scratch 1-18
Use a Wizard 1-19
Saving Work 1-23
Places List 1-24
File Name 1-25
Files of type 1-25
Save in 1-25
Views 1-26
Create New Folder 1-26
Up one level 1-26
Search the Web 1-26
Tools Drop-Down list 1-26
Auto Save 1-27
Backup Files 1-27
Changing Automatic Timed Saved and Backup Files into
AutoCAD MEP File Format 1-27
Using the Drawing Recovery Manager to Recover Files 1-27
EPD Backup Files 1-28
 vi AutoCAD MEP 2015 for Designers

Closing a Drawing 1-29

Opening an Existing Drawing 1-29
Opening an Existing Drawing Using the Select File Dialog Box 1-29
Opening an Existing Drawing Using the Startup Dialog Box 1-32
Opening an Existing Drawing Using the Drag and Drop Method 1-32
Quitting AutoCAD MEP 1-33
Creating and Managing New Workspace 1-33
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Creating a New Workspaces 1-33

Modifying the Workspace Settings 1-34
AutoCAD MEPS Help 1-34
Autodesk Exchange Apps 1-36
InfoCenter Bar 1-36
Additional Help Resources 1-37
Self Evaluation Test 1-37

Chapter 2: Getting Started with AutoCAD MEP

Introduction 2-2
Workflow 2-2
Specifying the HVAC Parameters 2-2
Starting a Project 2-3
Linking System File to the Architectural Plan 2-3
Specifying Spaces and Zones 2-3
Calculating Loads 2-3
Project Browser 2-3
Creating a New Project File 2-4
Project Navigator 2-5
Project Tab 2-5
Construct Tab 2-10
Views Tab 2-11
Sheets Tab 2-15
Space 2-17
Creating Spaces 2-17
Editing Spaces 2-22
Zone 2-30
Workspaces 2-30
HVAC 2-31
Piping 2-31
Electrical 2-31
Plumbing 2-31
Schematic 2-31
Architecture 2-31
Customize 2-32
Self-Evaluation Test 2-33
Review Questions 2-33
Table of Contents vii

Chapter 3: Working with Architecture Workspace

Introduction 3-2
Architecture Workspace 3-2
Creating Walls 3-2
Wall 3-2
Curtain Wall 3-8

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Curtain Wall Unit 3-9
Creating Doors 3-9
Door 3-9
Opening 3-12
Door/Window Assembly 3-13
Creating Window 3-13
Window 3-13
Corner Window 3-13
Creating Roofs and Slabs 3-15
Roof Slab 3-15
Roof 3-19
Slab 3-20
Creating Stairs and Railings 3-21
Stair 3-21
Railing 3-32
Stair Tower 3-37
Creating grids, Beams, Columns, and Braces 3-37
Enhanced Custom Grid 3-37
Custom Grid Convert 3-40
Column Grid 3-40
Column 3-43
Custom Column 3-44
Beam 3-46
Brace 3-46
Creating Primitives 3-47
Box 3-47
Pyramid 3-47
Cylinder 3-47
Right Triangle 3-48
Isosceles Triangle 3-48
Cone 3-48
Dome 3-48
Sphere 3-48
Arch 3-49
Gable 3-49
Barrel Vault 3-49
Drape 3-49
Doric 3-50
Tutorial 1 3-50
Tutorial 2 3-54
 viii AutoCAD MEP 2015 for Designers

Self-Evaluation Test 3-60

Review Questions 3-61
Exercise 1 3-61

Chapter 4: Creating the HVAC System
Introduction 4-2
Equipment 4-2
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Air Handler 4-2

Air Terminal 4-6
Fan 4-7
Damper 4-8
VAV Unit 4-9
Equipment 4-9
Duct Line 4-11
Sizing the Duct Line 4-11
Routing the Duct Line 4-12
Duct 4-12
Duct 4-12
Flex Duct 4-18
Duct Fitting 4-20
Duct Fitting 4-20
Duct Custom Fitting 4-22
Duct Transition Utility 4-23
Tutorial 1 4-23
Self-Evaluation Test 4-32
Review Questions 4-33
Exercise 1 4-33

Chapter 5: Creating Piping System

Introduction 5-2
Adding Equipment 5-2
Heat Exchanger 5-2
Pump 5-4
Tank 5-5
Valve 5-5
Equipment 5-6
Creating Pipe lines 5-7
Pipe 5-7
Parallel Pipe 5-14
Adding Pipe Fittings 5-14
Pipe Fitting 5-14
Pipe Custom Fitting 5-16
Creating a Custom Multi-view Part 5-17
Tutorial 1 5-27
Self-Evaluation Test 5-41
Review Questions 5-41
Exercise 1 5-42
Table of Contents ix

Chapter 6: Creating Plumbing System

Introduction 6-2
Plumbing Workspace 6-2
Filter 6-2
Pump 6-2
Shower 6-3

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Sink 6-5
Water Closet and Urinal 6-5
Equipment 6-7
Plumbing Line 6-7
Properties Palette 6-9
Plumbing Fitting 6-11
Properties Palette 6-12
Tutorial 1 6-13
Self-Evaluation Test 6-20
Review Questions 6-21
Exercise 1 6-21

Chapter 7: Creating Electrical System Layout

Introduction 7-2
Adding Equipment 7-2
Generator 7-2
Junction Box 7-2
Switchboard 7-3
Equipment 7-4
Panel 7-4
Description 7-6
Style 7-7
Align to Objects 7-7
Rotation 7-7
Justification 7-7
Preset Elevation 7-7
Elevation 7-7
System 7-7
Create circuits 7-7
Circuit Settings 7-7
Name 7-8
Rating 7-9
Voltage phase-to-neutral 7-9
Voltage phase-to-phase 7-9
Phases 7-9
Wires 7-9
Main type 7-9
Main size (amps) 7-9
Design capacity (amps) 7-9
Panel type 7-9
Enclosure type 7-10
 x AutoCAD MEP 2015 for Designers

Mounting 7-10
AIC rating 7-10
Fed from 7-10
Notes 7-10
Device 7-10
Description 7-10
Style 7-10
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Layout method 7-10

Align to objects 7-12
Rotation 7-12
Justification 7-12
Preset Elevation 7-12
Elevation 7-12
System 7-12
ID 7-12
Insert tag 7-12
Electrical Property 7-12
Cable Tray 7-13
System 7-13
Elevation 7-14
Horizontal 7-14
Vertical 7-14
Width 7-14
Height 7-14
Use Rise/Run 7-14
Use Routing 7-15
Cable Tray Fitting 7-15
Wire 7-15
Description 7-16
Style 7-16
Segment 7-16
Height 7-17
Offset 7-17
Radius 7-17
Preset Elevation 7-17
Elevation 7-17
System 7-17
Show circuits from the panels 7-17
Circuit 7-17
Connected circuits 7-17
Connected load 7-17
Hot size 7-17
Neutral size 7-18
Ground size 7-18
New Run 7-18
Conduit 7-18
Routing preference 7-18
Nominal size 7-18
Table of Contents xi

Specify cut length 7-18

Cut length 7-18
Justify 7-18
Horizontal Offset 7-18
Vertical Offset 7-19
Slope Format 7-19
Slope 7-19

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Bend Angle 7-20
Bend Radius 7-20
Connection Details 7-20
Preferences 7-20
Style 7-20
Parallel Conduits 7-21
Conduit Fitting 7-21
Description 7-21
System 7-21
Part 7-22
Current Size 7-24
Nominal Diameter 7-24
Other Dimensions Rollout 7-25
Elevation 7-25
Specify rotation on screen 7-25
Rotation 7-25
Connection Details 7-25
Circuit Manager 7-25
Create New Circuit 7-26
Create Multiple Circuits 7-28
Delete Circuit 7-29
Show Circuited Devices 7-30
Circuit Report 7-30
Cut Circuit 7-30
Copy Circuit 7-30
Paste Circuit 7-31
Calculate Wires 7-31
Tutorial 1 7-31
Self-Evaluation Test 7-43
Review Questions 7-43
Exercise 1 7-43

Chapter 8: Representation and Schedules

Introduction 8-2
Creating Vertical Section 8-2
Enable Live Section 8-3
Disable Live Section 8-3
Toggle Body Display 8-3
Reverse 8-4
Generate Section 8-4
 xii AutoCAD MEP 2015 for Designers

Creating Horizontal Section 8-5

Creating a Section Line 8-6
Creating Elevation Line 8-6
Creating Hidden Line Projection 8-6
Slicing the model 8-7
Refreshing Sections and Elevations in a Batch 8-8
Inserting Detail Components 8-9
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Edit Database 8-10

Add Group 8-10
Add Component 8-11
Edit 8-18
Delete 8-18
Creating Schedules 8-18
Air Terminal Devices Schedule 8-19
Fan Schedule 8-28
VAV Fan Powered Box (Electric Heat) Schedule 8-28
Space Engineering Schedule 8-28
Duct Quantity Schedule 8-28
Duct Fabrication Contract Schedule 8-28
Table 8-28
Pipe & Fitting Schedule 8-30
Pipe Quantity 8-30
Mechanical Pump Schedule 8-30
Mechanical Tank Schedule 8-30
Device Schedule 8-31
Lighting Device Schedule 8-31
Conduit & Fitting Schedule 8-31
Electrical & Mechanical Equipment Schedule 8-31
3-Phase Branch Panel Schedule 8-31
1-Phase Branch Panel Schedule 8-32
Distribution Board Schedule 8-33
Switchboard Schedule 8-33
Panel Schedule 8-33
Plumbing Fixture Schedule 8-34
Plumbing Fixture & Pipe Connection Schedule 8-34
Water Heater (Gas) Schedule 8-34
Door Schedule 8-34
Door Schedule - Project Based 8-34
Window Schedule 8-34
Room Schedule 8-35
Space Schedule - BOMA 8-35
Space Inventory Schedule 8-35
Wall Schedule 8-35
Schedule Styles 8-35
Table Editing 8-35
Tutorial 1 8-43
Self-Evaluation Test 8-45
Table of Contents xiii

Review Questions 8-45

Exercise 1 8-46

Chapter 9: Working with Schematics

Introduction 9-2
Schematic Workspace 9-2
Equipment 9-2

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Schematic Symbol 9-2
Schematic Line 9-6
Schematic Line Styles 9-6
Schematic Representation of an Existing System 9-15
Tutorial 1 9-17
Self-Evaluation Test 9-25
Review Questions 9-25
Exercise 1 9-26

Chapter 10: Project

Starting a New Project File 10-7
Creating Categories in the Project 10-8
Creating Architectural Drawings 10-9
Creating HVAC Drawings 10-20
Creating Piping Drawings 10-40
Creating Electrical Drawings 10-49

Index I-1