Consulting-Specifying Engineer - August 2007 - (Page 28)

Drawings in two and three dimensions are generated from the BIM database. As data changes or as work progresses, the virtual building model is modified. BIM reduces errors firms indicated that design-build and work for contractors is a major source of projects. When we first started asking firms how much of their work was design-build, this project Two new tools will be essential in the future: Integrated Design is a radical approach to project delivery; used in conjunction with Building Information Modeling, it will change the nature of MEP design work. because everyone involved in the project has access to the same information. BIM, of course, is an ideal tool for the integrated design approach. Finding markets, finding clients In addition to identifying what’s new with respect to design tools and approaches, in surveying the Giants firms, we also wanted to get an overall picture of their fundamental business operations: questions such as what markets are important, how are they finding clients and what types of work are they subcontracting to specialty firms. We asked the Giants 100 firms to give us a breakdown on their primary markets (see Figure 1). From a look at the chart, one can identify some of the major markets for these firms. Work on facilities for colleges and universities continues to be strong, and for the K-12 market as well. Healthcare has been a hot market for the last half decade, and isn’t likely to subside any time soon. Just as significant as how these MEP engineering firms describe their markets is their characterization of how they find work (see Figure 2). Some of these findings are predictable. Direct contracts with owners, contracts with architects and government contracts are major sources of business. But it’s interesting that a considerable percentage of these delivery method was still new. Design-build is no longer in its infancy. Figure 3 gives a general idea of what type of work is being subcontracted out by these firms. Here again, most results aren’t particularly surprising. Almost all of these firms look to outside specialty firms for help on acoustics, and security and fire protection system design is often handed over to the firms that specialize in this area. In 2001, when the U.S. economy was in a recession, we described the challenges that MEP design firms faced in finding new business. In the years since, our Giants firms have reported generally optimistic forecasts. Those are some of the new tools that MEP engineering firms are using to maintain an edge in a competitive business environment. But what do they see as their primary business challenges? Compliance with increasingly stringent industry codes has become a challenge for these firms as well. The revisions to the seismic codes, meeting and exceeding ASHRAE 90.1, International Building Code changes, application of NFPA 96 to smaller systems and satisfying the arc-flash requirements are some of the major concerns. And finally, especially as of late, the shortage of qualified engineering recruits remains a problem within the industry, according to these firms. Along with the speed of change in technology and the pursuit of LEED accreditation, these firms say that recruitment is a challenge to overcome both now and in the future. For more about the 2007 Giants 100 online, go to www.csemag.com/giants. Plumbing Fire/Smoke Control Systems Design Security Systems Design Electrical Systems Design Lighting Controls Construction Management Commissioning Boiler Systems Design Chilled Water Systems Design LEED Certification CFD Modeling Energy Modeling Acoustics Controls/BAS Design and/or Control Sequences 10 20 30 40 50 60 Number of Responses Figure 3: Work subcontracted by Giants, based on total responses per category 28 Consulting-Specifying Engineer • AUGUST, 2007 http://www.csemag.com/giants

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Consulting-Specifying Engineer - August 2007

Contents M/E Roundtable Giants 100 Pullout Poster Giants Stand Tall: CSE Giants 100 Report Electrical Design for Tall Buildings HVAC and Fire Safety for Elevator Systems How to Beat the Codes GAS Technology Supplement Recovering Waste Heat from Boilers New Applications for Tankless Water Heating Systmes Techniques Improve for Powder Coating MDF New Tools Available for Heat Treating Steel Direct Drive Engines

Consulting-Specifying Engineer - August 2007

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