ES122429-L

Perfecting the System for Revit – HVAC System

Exercises
David A. Butts
Gannett Fleming

Learning Objectives
• Learn comprehensive steps for controlling project system settings, including
mechanical and electrical system project settings
• Learn how to capitalize on the system sizing and analysis tools, and learn how to
maximize project performance when you don't need these features
• Understand how to create the target and source relationship between equipment
without routing a duct, pipe, or wire
• Learn how to improve the quality of your construction documents by capitalizing on
system-based features

Description
Revit software systems help us to define the MEP (mechanical, electrical, and plumbing) design
in several ways, but the main purpose is to understand the relationships between system
equipment, such as air terminals to air handling units, or from light fixture to panel. This hands-
on lab will teach you the comprehensive steps needed for controlling project system settings,
and then it will demonstrate how to capitalize on (or disable) sizing and analysis tools related to
the system. We’ll cover creating the target-source relationship between parts, and then we’ll
review using the systems to improve the quality of your documentation. On top of this, you’ll get
a project template that already defines everything in the class, so you can take advantage of
these topics right away. The class will cover HVAC (heating, ventilating, and air conditioning)
and piping, so come and join us for this fast-paced but thorough lab—you’ll be glad you did!
This session features Revit MEP and Revit.

Your AU Expert
David Butts is an Autodesk Expert Elite Team member and Building Information Modeling (BIM)
specialist for Gannett Fleming with over 30 years of experience in the architecture, engineering,
and construction field. He is responsible for implementation, training, BIM project support, and
management for engineering design applications, including Revit, AutoCAD P&ID, AutoCAD
MEP, Navisworks, and more. He was an Autodesk Authorized Training Center (ATC) training
manager and application engineer for an Autodesk Reseller for 13 years, providing
implementation and training services across the United States, and serving as a subject matter
expert for Autodesk, Inc.’s, Building Design Solutions. He has design experience for a variety of
project types, and is an Autodesk University top-rated speaker for labs and lectures. He
authored training videos for 4D Technologies through the 2018 product cycle and presents BIM
topics for other industry associations annually.

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Perfecting the HVAC System for Revit
When you are designing a project, there’s a big difference in how you approach your work in
CAD project versus a BIM project. In BIM there are tasks you have to complete that never came
up in a 2D project, but then there was a high likelihood of signals getting crossed, and systems
being incorrectly defined. Revit’s system tools, which have been around since the beginning of
the MEP tools, continue to be refined and improved. That is the focus of this session, and
hopefully you will take away some information to help you leverage the benefits for these tools.

In this document, the specific steps for editing HVAC system settings, and creating the systems,
are covered. Refer to the document, BES227181-LPerfecting the System Intro - DB, for the
work process overview.

For this exercise, begin by opening the BES227181-L-MEP.RVT model. Make sure the HVAC
FIRST FLOOR view is the current view.

Defining Project HVAC System Settings

When you start from a template, you can include predefined settings that apply to the most
common project types. Behind the scenes, there are common project tools that impact how
duct, pipe, circuiting and more are defined in the project model, so it is a logical place to start
when working with systems. To begin, review the MEP project settings that affect all systems in
the project.

1. From the Manage tab, settings panel, click MEP Settings:

2. Click Mechanical Settings, and then click Duct Settings:

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 Set the Air Density to 0.0765.
Air Density and Air Dynamic viscosity are project specific settings used in duct system
sizing.

3. Select Angles:

Select Set an Angle Increment as the default for duct elbow fitting settings, and set the
value to 5 degrees. This forces all ducts in a project, included layouts defined by the system,
to be placed in specific angle increments.
4. Select Conversion:

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 Change the Branch Duct Type to use Round Duct: Taps / Short Radius.
This sets the default duct type and routing offset elevation for mains and branches, and
comes in handy when using the auto-layout tools for connected HVAC system
classifications (based on supply, return and exhaust air).
5. Select Round to see the default round duct sizes:

Deselect all ½” sizes from the Used in Size Lists and Used in Sizing columns.
Default sizes for rectangular/oval/round duct and what is used for the size list, as well as for
default sizes used by the duct system sizing tool.

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6. Select Calculation:

For Calculation Method, select the Colebrook Equation pressure drop calculation.

In earlier releases, you could only use the built in formulas while making minor modifications
in the duct system. Now, you can choose between different formulas to calculate pressure
drop, including the Colebrook, Haaland and Altshul-Tsal equations:

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Defining Project HVAC System Types

Revit gives you the ability to add your own system types, which are based on predefined system
classifications. While the classifications control the calculations used, the type lets you define
specific settings, such as whether calculations are performed, the graphics settings that appear
in a view, the abbreviation used in a label, and rise/drop symbology. The system types can be
predefined in a project, and are accessed using the Project Browser tool.

1. From the Project Browser, expand the Families section, and expand Duct Systems:

These are examples of duct system types that can be used in a project, and can be added
to your project template using the Transfer Project Standards tool located on the Manage
tab from this project when you get back to the office.
2. Double click on Supply Air to open the type properties:

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3. Click Edit for Graphics Overrides:

Select Color, and then choose Cyan as the color for the line graphics. Click OK to exit the
Line Graphics dialog.

This will override the default object style settings for any view the duct appears in (but can
be overridden by a view filter or object override)

4. Click Calculations:

Choose All for the default.

If you are not using duct sizing, leave this set to None or Performance only. Revit runs
calculations as items are placed, and continues running when set to All, but Performance
only runs calculations on demand.

5. Set the Abbreviation to SP:

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 Revit will track the abbreviations stored as a list in a project, allowing you to select from
different options as the project progresses.

6. Click OK to exit the system type properties dialog.

Defining an HVAC System

In a project, a system is defined by a target, which is a piece of equipment that receives air, fluid
or power. When associated with a system, the target defines the flow or load associated with
the system. In order to have a well-formed system, a piece of equipment may be required, and
be the source for the air, fluid or power. When sizing systems, a well-formed system is defined
by having a target and source associated with each other. When defining the system, the place
to start is with the target.

1. From the HVAC FIRST FLOOR VIEW, use a selection window to pick the air terminals:

2. Once the terminals are all selected, click Duct from the Modify | Air Terminals tab:

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3. When the Create Duct System dialog appears, enter then name MEETING ROOM
SUPPLY AIR, and then click OK.

Naming the system makes it easier to track when adding schedules or using the System
Browser.

4. Select the Edit System tool from Modify | Duct Systems tab, System Tools Panel:

The source equipment can be selected at several different points, including the Modify |
Duct System tab when the system is first defined, or after the initial system has been
created.

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Click Cancel to exit without saving changes.

5. From the ribbon, System tab, Mechanical tab, click Mechanical Equipment. From the
Type Selector on the Properties palette, make sure the VAV Unit – Single Duct, 4” size
is the current family and type. Set the offset elevation to 11’ 7 ¼” (you’ll see why in a
minute). Place the unit above the three air terminals as shown:

6. Click Modify to complete placement of the equipment. Next, to edit the system and add
the equipment, place your mouse over one of the previous air terminals, and then tap
the TAB key. The current duct system will be highlighted:

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Note: You can also edit a duct system by selecting an air terminal, and then clicking the
Duct System tab when it appears:

7. Choose Select Equipment, and select the VAV Unit:

SOURCE

TARGETS

The system is now a well-formed system, and includes targets (the air terminals) and a
source (the VAV unit).

8. Check the air terminal instance values related to flow – air flow and pressure drop are
used in system sizing calculations. Set the Airflow for each diffuser to 100 CFM:

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The system is now ready for sizing, and the connected duct will track the air flow values.

At this point, you can choose to use the Generate Layout tool, which uses the system settings to
route the duct based on variety of solutions, or you can manually add duct to the view. When
the system is not defined, the act of routing the duct will create the system – so either method
can be used.

The Role of the Connector

The MEP connector is what distinguishes engineering content from architectural

versions. The connector defines the system and key parameters that help share key
data needed for analysis and sizing.

The connector is edited in the Revit family. Begin by opening the VAV Unit – Single
Duct.rfa file.

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1. From the 3D view, rotate the view to show the round connector. Select the round duct
connector element and then review the Properties:

2. The connectors in this family are considered the parent connection in a system. Flow
configuration determines how the flow is calculated, and flow direction is the data
associated with the connector. For example, the airflow is considered out from the main
air handler in to the VAV unit, so leave the direction set to in.

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3. Loss method can be set to specific pressure loss (provided by the manufacturer),
loss coefficient and not defined. The last option should only be set when the system
calculation method is set to none. Since this part requires that specific loss value be
entered, the Pressure drop parameter is active.

To allow the part to be edited in a project (instead of opening the family to make a
change), you must associate the parameter to either a family parameter or shared
parameter. Select the icon on the right side of the Pressure drop line in Properties:

4. The Associate Family Parameter dialog appears. You can select Supply Air Pressure
Drop from the available parameters, which match the formatting of the data:

Note: this value can be changed from “in-wg” to “PSI” or other format from the Manage
tab, Settings panel, Project Units tool, and selecting the HVAC discipline, Pressure
value:

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5. After selecting the parameter, the pre-assigned value will appear on properties, and will
be greyed out:

6. To change this value, select the family types tool located on the Properties panel:

7. The default type is the 4” inlet connection type. Under Mechanical, for Supply Air
Pressure Drop, change the value to 0.012. Under Mechanical – Flow, set the Air Flow
to 300 cfm:

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8. After making the adjustments, click OK to save the changes.
9. This step is Optional: The Connector Link tools can help the family pass the
connector information from one connector to another. In order for the information to be
passed, the connector System Type must be set to Global, instead of Supply Air. Flow
direction and flow values can pass when these cases are met.

Note that while this step is not required for this part since it is considered an end-of-line
source, it can be useful if the VAV unit is defined as a duct accessory, and placed as an
inline component.
To allow the air flow and pressure values to be linked from the primary supply inlet to the
supply air outlet, select the connector in the model, and then click Link Connectors, from
the Modify | Connector Element tab:

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 Once the tool is selected, click on the rectangular outlet connection:

The two connectors are linked, and the round connector is defined as the primary
connector. Information from this connector will pass to the outlet connector #2.

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Again, the link is only required when the part is used as a duct accessory, or
intermediary object, such as damper or inline filter. The parameters for flow can be
linked via formula, when the family is used as mechanical equipment.

To remove the link, select one of the connectors, and click Remove Link:

Once the link is removed, the total air flow and pressure drop on the rectangular connector
will be based on the values assigned to the air terminals that make up the system. The
properties assigned to the round connector, the inlet, will be used to define data as a target,
and will be transmitted to the air handling unit servicing this unit.

10. Next, load the unit into the model. From the Modify tab, Family Editor panel, click Load
into Project and Close. When prompted, click Overwrite the existing version and its
parameter values:

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 11. The current version in the model will be updated.

Using the Duct Sizing Tools

Once you have all of the systems types, connectors and systems defined, the next step is to
leverage the system to check the duct sizes. While most ducts are sized using external analysis
programs such as HVAC Solutions, Trace, IES and more, it’s nice to be able to make
adjustments as needed, without having to return to the analysis application.
Begin by opening the model, BES227181-L-MEP-Analysis.rvt. Open the view, HVAC FIRST
FLOOR.
1. From the Project Browser, expand Families, and then expand Duct systems. Double
click Supply Air, or right click and select Type Properties. Change the Calculations
parameter to All:

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2. Click Ok to close the dialog.
3. From the HVAC FIRST FLOOR view, use the TAB selection method to select all of the
duct and air terminals:

4. Once the items are selected, select the System Inspector tool – the System Inspector
dialog will appear:
5. Click Inspect and note the location of the primary (red) and secondary (blue) flow paths:

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6. As you select a duct, the analytical data about the segment will appear:

Test several segments and note the differences. Click Finish to complete the command.

7. Next, use the TAB selection tool again, and then select the Duct/Pipe Sizing tool from
the Analysis panel. The Duct Sizing dialog will appear:

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8. Make sure Velocity is set to 1000. Change the Sizing Method to Friction, making sure
the value is set to 0.12, and then set the Branch Sizing to Match Connector Size:

9. Click OK, and the duct will be resized.

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Note that there may wind up being a few pieces that don’t size the exact direction you
want – but these can be easily modified. Using the System Inspector in conjunction with
the sizing tools can get you the best results.

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