PipeFab provides complete solutions for Fire Protection design, Review, installation drawings and Pipe Fabrication

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BLD227308
Revit for Pipe Fabrication (PipeFAB for Revit)
Ibrahim Naeem
3DFire Pty Ltd
Louis Slankamenac
3DFire Pty Ltd
Description
When it comes to Modelling and producing Shop Drawings for pipes in Revit we face many
challenges.
With PipeFAB tools we can cut down human errors and improve efficiency by concentrating on
the following:
1. Pipe listing and Fabrication tools:
- Cut multiple pipes to desired length quickly.
- List Pipes and get running dimensions schedules for Pipe Fabrication.
- List Welded Pipes
- Automate Pipe Numbering.
- Export Cutting sheets to Excel.
- Export Cutting Sheets to Excel file readable to CNC Machine.
- Quick and easy checking tool for Fabrication Reports and Revit models.
Learning Objectives
 Cut multiple pipes to desired lengths.
 List welded and threaded pipes.
 Number mains and ranges automatically.
 Discover the best way to model and manage the information for welded pipes in
Revit.
 Produce Cutting Sheets (Fabrication Reports) and Export them to Excel.
 Review Fabrication Reports and Apply changes in both Revit and Excel.
 Resolve connection issues between elements.
 New tools to improve modelling techniques
Automate production of installation drawings

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2. Modelling and Annotation tools:
- Harmonize Pipes and Fittings
- Automatically Connect Pipes to Sprinklers
- Remove Couplings on Socket Halves (Pap Ends)
- Group Pipes and Fittings
- Rotate Pipes
- Delete Pipes
- Automatically Place Correct Type of Hangers based on the distance from Slab/Beam
- Automatically Place Pipe Sleeves with penetration dimensions
- Automatically Tag Droppers/Risers
- Automatically Tag Pipe Distances to Structural Slab/Beam
- Automatically dimension Sprinkler to Sprinkler and Sprinkler to Wall
- Pipe Spool Listing and Drawings
3DFIRE BIM TEAM:
Ibrahim Naeem - Associate BIM Manager at 3DFire, 7 years of BIM experience with
recognitions from Autodesk & BRE and valuable experience in BIM, GIS and technology.
Ibrahim experience includes consulting, contracting and Engineering Systems Managing.
support@3dfire.com.au
Louis Slankamenac - Managing Director at 3Dfire with 17 years of industry experience.
Louis is responsible for the design and engineering functions within 3D Fire business, with focus
on maximizing efficiencies in project delivery.
design@3dfire.com.au

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Cutting Multiple pipes to desired lengths
PipeFAB has the ability to set the Maximum and Minimum pipe parameter lengths depending on
the project requirements.
Challenges to overcome
Paps (taps) that are too close to the end/start of the pipe.
Outcome
Cut tool will cut pipes so taps (paps) are within correct chosen parameters.

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While max chosen
length is set to be 6400
mm tool will cut pipe
6326.9 mm because of
the constrains
explained above.
Pipe length will be
rounded off to 6325
mm at a later stage of
the program.
The next pipe is cut to
6400mm as per max
set length value.

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Listing Pipes
The next step is to list pipes and made on fittings.
Here are a few examples:

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Listed pipe properties:
List Pipes procedure
Tolerance needs to be set up before listing pipes:

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Pick start point and nearest pipe. Program will do the following:
1- List all pipes in correct order according to the flow direction.
2- All required parameters of the pipes are automatically added to each pipe with no
additional work to be done.
3- A new floor plan with running dimension is generated in Revit for easy visual check.
4- All pipes listed are colored green in 3D View.

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Listing Welded Pipes and Fittings
This tool assists with automatic listing of Welded pipes and Fittings in Revit

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Automatic Pipe Numbering
Example of Mains Numbering - Numbering extends outwards from start point as shown below:
Start
Point of
Flow

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Example of Ranges (Branches) Numbering - Numbering extends outwards from start point as
shown below:
Pipes with same parameters will be tagged with the same numbers.
Numbering Pipes Procedure
Tolerance needs to be set up before Numbering pipes:

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Pick start point and nearest pipe. Program will do the following:
1- Number Each Pipe following direction of flow.
2- All Pipes with the same lengths and listing parameters would be given same number
within a given tolerance. Example:
Pipe 1 length = 1950 mm long with 32U tap at 1005 mm from start
Pipe 2 length = 1955 mm long with 32U tap at 1010 mm from start
Both Pipes will be tagged as A01 because set tolerance is 10mm.
.

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Once Numbering is completed, Cutting Sheets will be created by using Revit Schedule.
Revit will not show the length of the pipes with the same pipe number but with different
lengths (as described above):
This will happen for all instances when this occurs.
Solution: Round-up Pipe Lengths tool copies Length Parameters and makes new Fake Length
Parameters. Collate Similar Pipe data tool will collate all Length Parameters values for pipes
discussed above, generate average length values and place them in Fake Lengths column.

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Export Cutting Sheets according to Template
Export Cutting sheets to excel for easier review and further use. You have an option to use your
own Template.
Exported Data Review
Revit Excel Fabrication review tool allows quick amendments so changing the values in cells
can be published in both Revit Schedule and Excel.

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Exporting CNC Files
Once Review Process is Complete, time to send CNC Files to manufacturer.

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Harmonize Pipes and Fittings.
At any point in the project elements can get disconnected.
Pipe-Fab presents a solution to solve this problem.

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Automatically Connect Pipe to Sprinkler
Connecting pipes to sprinklers is time consuming.
Automatic Connect Pipe to Sprinklers tool makes this process quicker and more efficient.
Examples:

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Remove Coupling
When connecting Grooved Pipe with Threaded pipe Socket Half (Pap End) Connection is
made. This process also generates coupling on pipe which should not be there.
Auto Remove Couplings on Socket Halves tool automatically deletes all couplings placed on
Socket Halves (Pap Ends).

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Group Pipes and Fittings
Cutting Threaded Pipes with welded Paps is a challenge in Revit as we loose paps in this
process.
PipeFAB has a tool to overcome this problem.

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Rotate Pipes
Rotating pipes in Revit is not an easy process, PipeFab makes it easier.
Delete Pipes
Activate Delete Pipe Command, click on the pipe you want to eliminate and then click near the
fitting you want the pipes to move to:

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Automatically Place Correct Type of Hangers based on the distance from
Slab/Beam
Place Hangers. This tool will choose type of hanger based on the distance of the centre line
of pipe from slab/beam. As you can see below this is a small portion of network under different
slabs with different slab thicknesses. You need to select the pipes and then select hanger tool
and program will give you the correct hangers.
Two Slabs with different elevations
Different hangers type accordingly.

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Automatic Placements of Pipe Sleeves with penetrations dimensions
This tool enables the user to place pipe sleeves for pipes penetrating walls and slabs.

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Created sleeves contain the following data:
- Distance from Center Line of Sleeve to Top of Structural Slab/Beam
- Distance from Center Line of Sleeve to Structural Floor Level
- Sleeve length.

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Automatic Tagging of Droppers/Risers
The Riser/Dropper Height tool gives the overall length and direction of pipe (Up or Down).

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Automatically tagging of Pipe Distances to Structural Slab/Beam
This tool provides the following data (useful for installation drawings):
1- Distances to all the structural elements from center line of the pipe i.e. pipe runs under two
different slabs and a beam. It will give the following outputs:
- (650S, 90B, 600S) where S =Slab and B = Beam (Beam – Slab Offset All).
- Only the critical dimension 90B (Beam-Slab offset)

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Automatic dimensioning of Sprinkler to Sprinkler and Sprinkler to Wall
These Dimensions can be used for both documentation and design checking.
Tool does the following:
1- Provides dimensions of Sprinkler to Sprinkler and Sprinkler to Walls for Below Ceiling, Exposed
and Concealed Space Sprinklers.
2- For Clarity only dimension for one array will be shown.
3- Tool determines dimensions in between Sprinklers and Walls from linked Structural/Architectural
Revit file.
For CS Sprinklers, only Full Height
Walls are considered

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BC&EXP Sprinklers Dimensions
Pipe Spool Listing and Drawings
Custom made pipe Assemblies that cannot be listed in schedules are listed by using this tool.
Examples:

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Tool will create a plan and name it according to the family name and family tag number. i.e. Assembly
OFF 1 will be shown in a plan named OFF 1, Assembly OFF2 will be shown in a plan OFF 2 and so on.

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For Installation Drawing
Final product of all of the above is Installation Drawing shown below:
Conclusion
The Pipe-Fab offers many solutions for Pipe Fabrication and documentation inside Revit.
Please visit http://www.3dfire.com.au for more information.