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Index of Revit MEP Family Parameters - OOTB

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    #1

    Index of Revit MEP Family Parameters - OOTB

    In preparation for creating our company families library, I compiled a list of all the family parameters included Out of the Box with Revit MEP 2016.

    My goal is to avoid creating custom families, and parameters whenever possible - especially where there is already a place for the information. Autodesk did not have any documentation (I asked them), so I used the Family Templates and recorded the parameters in each. I plan to distribute to each discipline (M,E,P,FP,T) to familiarize them with Revit's organization, and also to get input on BIM parameters that we will need to add for scheduling and families.

    This is what I have found:
    Note: Based on Revit MEP 2016 Family Templates.Note: Parameters listed below are Text unless noted otherwise.Note: “Type” parameters cannot vary by instance. “Instance” Parameters can vary for each individual instance placed, and are usually followed by (default). Parameters listed below are “Type” Parameters unless noted “-per instance.”

    All Revit MEP Families contain the following basic parameters, grouped under “Identity Data.”
    • Type Image (Image)
    • Keynote (select from associated csv keynote file)
    • Model
    • Manufacturer
    • Type Comments
    • URL (URL)
    • Description
    • Assembly code (select from Uniformat Selection Box)
    • Cost

    There are also specific parameters included with some MEP Family Categories. Below is a list of MEP Family Categories, and their specific parameters.
    Air Terminals (Registers, Grilles, Diffusers):
    • Max Flow (Air Flow)
    • Min Flow (Air Flow)
    • Cable Tray Fittings:
    • Use Annotation Scale (Y/N - per instance)
    • Communication Devices:
    • No specific parameters for Communication Devices.
    • Conduit Fittings:
    • Use Annotation Scale (Y/N - per instance)
    • Bend Radius (Conduit Size - per instance)
    • Possible to add "Connector" parameters - see below.

    Data Devices:
    • No specific parameters for Data Devices.
    • Possible to add "Connector" parameters - see below.

    Duct Accessories (dampers, filters, smoke detectors):
    • Use Annotation Scale (Y/N - per instance)
    • Possible to add "Connector" parameters - see below.

    Duct Fittings:
    • Use Annotation Scale (Y/N - per instance)
    • Possible to add "Connector" parameters - see below.

    Electrical Equipment (Panels, Switchgear):
    • Voltage
    • Wattage
    • Enclosure (per instance)
    • Mounting (per instance)
    • Panel Name (per instance)
    • Neutral Rating (demand factor)
    • Neutral Bus (Y/N)
    • Ground Bus (Y/N)
    • Bussing
    • SubFeed Lugs (Y/N)
    • MCB Rating (Current)
    • Mains Type
    • Feed (per instance)
    • Circuit Naming (Panel Name/Prefixed/Standard/By Phase - per instance)
    • Circuit Prefix Separator (per instance)
    • Circuit Prefix (per instance)
    • Modifications (per instance)
    • Mains (Current – per instance)
    • Short Circuit Rating (per instance)
    • Max #1 Pole Breakers (Integer - per instance)
    • Distribution System (Linked to Systems Tool - per instance)
    • Possible to add "Connector" parameters - see below.

    Electrical Fixtures (Receptacles, Junction boxes):
    • No specific parameters for Electrical Fixtures.
    • Possible to add "Connector" parameters - see below.

    Fire Alarm Devices (Smoke Detectors, Pull Stations, Annunciators):
    • No specific parameters for Fire Alarm Devices.
    • Possible to add "Connector" parameters - see below.

    Generic Models:
    • No specific parameters for Generic Models.

    Lighting Devices (Switches, Controls, Sensors):
    • No specific parameters for Lighting Devices.
    • Possible to add "Connector" parameters - see below.

    Lighting Fixtures (Ceiling, Wall, Recessed Lights):
    • Lamp
    • Wattage Comments
    • Calculate coefficient of Utilization (Y/N – per Instance)
    • Coefficient of Utilization (Number - per instance)
    • Apparent Load (Apparent Power)
    • Possible to add "Connector" parameters - see below.

    Mechanical Equipment (Boilers, Furnaces, Fans):
    • No specific parameters for Mechanical Equipment.
    • Possible to add "Connector" parameters - see below.

    Nurse Call Devices:
    • No specific parameters for Nurse Call Devices.
    • Possible to add "Connector" parameters - see below.

    Pipe Accessories (Connectors, Valves, and In-Line Water Heaters):
    • Use Annotation Scale (Y/N – per instance)
    • Loss Method (Not Defined, K Coefficent, or K Coefficient from Table)
    • K Coefficient Table (linked to Project Settings)
    • Possible to add "Connector" parameters - see below.

    Pipe Fittings:
    • Use Annotation Scale (Y/N – per instance)
    • Loss Method (Not Defined, K Coefficent, or K Coefficient from Table)
    • K Coefficient Table (linked to Project Settings)
    • K Coefficient (Number)
    • IsCustom (Y/N – per instance)
    • Possible to add "Connector" parameters - see below.

    Plumbing Fixtures (Sinks, Water Closets, Tubs, Drains):
    • Vent Connection (Y/N)
    • Waste Connection (Y/N)
    • CW Connection (Y/N)
    • HW Connection (Y/N)
    • CWFU (Fixture Units)
    • HWFU (Fixture Units)
    • WFU (Fixture Units)
    • V

    Security Devices:
    • No specific parameters for Security Devices.
    • Possible to add "Connector" parameters - see below.

    Sprinklers:
    • Diameter (Pipe Size)
    • Orifice Size (Pipe Size)
    • Temperature Rating (Temperature)
    • K-Factor (Number)
    • Pressure Class (Standard or High Pressure)
    • Orifice (Standard, Small, or Extra Large)
    • Coverage (Standard or Extended)
    • Response (Standard or Quick)
    • Possible to add "Connector" parameters - see below.

    Telephone Devices:
    • No specific parameters for Telephone Devices
    • Possible to add "Connector" parameters - see below.


    ***************[Updated]**************
    "Connectors" - can be nested into families above to allow Revit MEP Systems Calculations
    Here is a list of their parameters. Also refer to Autodesk Help – Connector Properties

    Electrical Connector:
    System Type: Data, Telephone, Security, Fire Alarm, Nurse Call, Controls, Communication
    • [*=1]Utility (Y/N) – will export connector as a site utility to AutoDesk Exchange File
      [*=1]Connector Description
    System Type: Power Balanced
    • [*=1]Number of Poles (Integer)
      [*=1]Power Factor State (Lagging/Leading)
      [*=1]Load Classification (HVAC, Lighting, Motor, Power, Other)
      [*=1]Load Sub-Classification Motor (Y/N)
      [*=1]Voltage (#.##V)
      [*=1]Apparent Load (#.##VA)
      [*=1]Power Factor (Number 1.0)
      [*=1]Utility (Y/N) – will export connector as a site utility to AutoDesk Exchange File
      [*=1]Connector Description (text)
    System Type: Power Unbalanced
    • [*=1]Same as Power Balanced except Apparent Load broken into phases
      [*=1]Apparent Load Phase 1 (#.##VA)
      [*=1]Apparent Load Phase 2 (#.##VA)
      [*=1]Apparent Load Phase 3 (#.##VA)


    Duct Connector:
    • Flow Factor (Number)
    • Loss Coefficient (Number)
    • Flow Configuration (Calculated,Preset,System)
    • Flow Direction (In, Out, Bi-directional)
    • System Classification (Supply Air, Return Air, Exhaust Air, Other, Fitting-specify angle, Global)
    • Loss Method (Not Defined, Coefficient, Specific Loss)
    • Pressure Drop (#.## in-wg)
    • Flow (#.## CFM)
    • Shape (Round, Rectangular, Oval)
    • Height
    • Width
    • Diameter
    • Utility (Y/N) – will export connector as a site utility to AutoDesk Exchange File
    • Connector Description (Text)


    Pipe Connector:
    • K Coefficient (Number)
    • Flow Factor (Number)
    • Flow Configuration (Calculated, Preset, System)
    • Flow Direction (In, Out, Bi-directional)
    • Loss Method (Not Defined, Coefficient, Specific Loss)
    • Allow Slope Adjustments (Y/N)
    • System Classification (Hydronic Supply, Hydronic Return, Sanitary, Vent, Domestic Hot Water, Domestic Cold Water, Other, Fire Protection Wet, Fire Protection Dry, Fire Protection Pre-Action, Fire Protection Other, Fitting-specify angle, Global)
    • Flow (#.## GPM)
    • Pressure Drop (#.## in-wg)
    • Diameter
    • Utility (Y/N) – will export connector as a site utility to AutoDesk Exchange File
    • Connector Description (Text)


    Cable Tray Connector:
    • Angle
    • Height
    • Width
    • Utility (Y/N) – will export connector as a site utility to AutoDesk Exchange File
    • Connector Description (Text)


    Conduit Connector:
    • Angle
    • Height
    • Width
    • Utility (Y/N) – will export connector as a site utility to AutoDesk Exchange File
    • Connector Description (Text)
    Last edited by jamiew; January 25, 2018, 04:33 PM.
    Tags: bim management, parameter
    #2
    Thanks for the contribution Jamie - but 2 points to note:

    1. Had you asked, you'd have learnt others have completed this exercise before, and might have shared.
    2. A table, Excel or otherwise, would make this infinitely more useable!


    Now some observations:

    1. Whatever you do, do not take the parameters in an .rft as the be-all-end-all... A great many OOTB parameters, particularly for MEP content, only show up in a project.

    2. You may not want to duplicate OOTB parameters, but in application you will almost certainly devise your own when you acknowledge some of the (many) failings of OOTB's parameters (unit types, type/instance assignments, etc) - especially when it comes to developing content and your best-practice workflows.

    Take for example OOTB's <Fire Rating> - it's category-locked, and otherwise inaccessible, so if you want other categories to populate values into the same column it's a no go... so (in my experience) <Custom Fire Rating> gets applied to, and wins over, all.

    Same with things like (the OOTB) <Cost>... you may very quickly tire of running different sums for different things to calculate <Cost> against (i.e. linear-lengths, or areas, or volumes)

    3. Consider also futureproof developments are almost always best started with the most current version of anything... so with 2016 trailing off into the distance, you really should get your mitts on 2018, or even hold off till 2019 is released.

    Comment

      #3
      Thanks, useful info.

      Originally posted by jamiew View Post
      Electrical Fixtures (Receptacles, Junction boxes):
      • No specific parameters for Electrical Fixtures.

      But there are specific parameters associated wit Connectors. So for example if you place a power/data/controls connector you will get different standard parameters for the associated panel or system. Might be useful to add these to your list.
      "One must imagine Sisyphus happy." Albert Camus - "The innovator has for enemies all those who have done well under the old conditions, and lukewarm defenders in those who may ​do well under the new." Nicolo Machiavelli -"Things that are too complex are not useful, Things that are useful are simple." Mikhail Kalashnikov

      Comment

        #4
        Thanks for the input. Should I add the connector parameters as a separate group, or as a sub group under each family type that accepts them. I am hoping to make this readable to non-revit users.

        Comment

          #5
          Group? Connector(s) could just be another (set of) column(s) to populate against your (category) line items.

          Comment

            #6
            Another point that is similar to / an expansion of what snowy said above, is that you won't be able to access any of the connector properties in a project until you relate/assign them to a similar (type of) parameter. This means you will need to create your own version of those parameters.

            The connector's parameters only exist to pass information to another connector.

            Comment

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