Paper ID #11565
Mechanical, Electrical and Plumbing Systems in Construction Management:
A Literature Review of Existing MEP Textbooks.
Dr. Rogelio Palomera-Arias, University of Texas at San Antonio
Dr. Rogelio Palomera-Arias educational and professional background is multidisciplinary and multilingual in nature. He obtained his Ph. D. in architecture with a concentration in building technology, and an
M.S. in electrical engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in Cambridge MA.
Dr. Palomera-Arias joined the faculty at Construction Science Department at UTSA in the Fall 2013. The
main teaching responsibilities in the department are the courses in Mechanical, Electrical and Plumbing
(MEP) Building Systems in Construction, as well as the Structural Design for construction management
courses.
Dr. Rui Liu, University of Texas at San Antonio
c
American
Society for Engineering Education, 2015
Mechanical, Electrical and Plumbing Systems in Construction
Management: A Literature Review of Existing MEP Textbooks.
Abstract
This paper reviews the most common textbooks used in courses covering Mechanical, Electrical
and Plumbing systems in construction science and management programs accredited by the
American Council for Construction Education (ACCE) in US institutions. The review provides a
comparison of the textbook’s topics and subject areas covered, and their relation to the MEP and
specialty contractor skills and knowledge required by construction management graduates in
order to perform their jobs, whether in a general contractor or a specialty contractor firm. The
paper also highlights the achievements, as well as the shortcomings of the reviewed MEP
textbooks in supporting the learning objectives of traditional construction management courses
such as print reading, estimating, scheduling and other related subjects.
Introduction
Mechanical, electrical, plumbing and related systems (MEP systems) have become one of the
bigger contributors to the building construction costs. They are also heavy contributors of the
energy consumption in buildings[1], as well as their operation and maintenance costs. This has led
to a general recognition of the importance of MEP systems in today’s construction industry.
Consequently, the various accreditation organizations for higher education in the fields of
construction have recognized and require MEP content to be covered in the curricula of
construction science, management, and technology programs[2]. Such coverage includes the
selection and/or generation of appropriate literature, such as textbooks, supporting the teaching
of MEP systems in construction.
This paper reviews the most common textbooks used in courses covering MEP systems in
construction science and management programs accredited by the American Council for
Construction Education (ACCE) in US institutions. The various programs were surveyed to
determine the textbook requirements, if any, of their MEP course offerings. The five most used
textbooks are reviewed for topics and subject areas covered, as well as for the their main focus.
The paper ends with a discussion and comparison of the books reviewed, and their role in
supporting the development of the skillsets and knowledge expected from construction science
and management students as it relates to the field of MEP systems construction.
Textbook Adoptions
As of the academic year 2014-2015, there were 73 construction science and management
programs accredited by the ACCE. These programs offer a total of 105 required MEP courses.
Reviewing publicly available course information from the school catalogs and bookstores
websites, the authors found that 81 of these courses used a total of 17 different books as required
course materials. These books varied from textbooks to specific building-code books and
handbooks. The remaining 24 MEP courses did not require a textbook, or information was not
available regarding textbook requirement at the time of the survey. Table 1 presents the
bibliographic information of the seven most common used MEP books in the schools surveyed.
Table 1 Most Common MEP Textbooks Adoptions.
Course
23
(21%)
19
(17%)
12
(11%)
9
(8.3%)
5
(4.6%)
2
(1.8%)
2
(1.8%)
Title
Mechanical and Electrical Systems in
Buildings
Mechanical and Electrical Systems for
Construction Managers
Mechanical and Electrical Systems in
Architecture, Engineering and Construction
Mechanical and Electrical Equipment for
Buildings
Design of Mechanical and Electrical
Systems in Buildings
NFPA 70: National Electrical Code
Ed. Year
5
th
Authors
Publisher
2014 Janis & Tao
Prentice Hall 9780138015626
3rd 2013 ATP Staff
ATP
9780826993632
5th 2010 Dagostino & Wujek Prentice Hall 9780135000045
11th 2010
Grondzik et al.
Wiley
1st
2004 Trost & Choudhury Pearson
--
2014
National Fire
Protection Assoc.
NFPA
14th 2012 Mullin & Simmons Cengage
Electrical Wiring Commercial
ISBN-13
9780470195659
9780130972354
9781455906727
9781435498297
Figure 1 shows the distribution of textbook adoptions in ACCE Construction programs. In the
chart, books having less than 2% adoption were grouped together under the “Other References”
category. The chart also shows the percentage of schools with no textbook reported, and those
using custom books. Custom books are books produced by publishing companies using sections
from existing books with additional content provided by the course instructors.
MEP Textbook Adoptions
Other References
13%
No Text/Unknown
22%
Custom Books
3%
Trost &
Choudhury
5%
Grondzik et al.
8%
Janis & Tao
21%
Dagostino &
Wujek
11%
ATP Staff
17%
Figure 1 Distribution of MEP Textbooks Adoption within ACCE Construction Programs.
For the courses that had a textbook requirement, the majority of them specified a single textbook
for the course, with a few courses requiring two or three different books. Nevertheless the great
variety of reading and reference materials available covering MEP materials, five textbooks
stood out as the main selections by MEP courses instructors: “Mechanical and Electrical
Systems in Buildings” written by Janis & Tao[3], “Mechanical and Electrical Systems for
Construction Managers” published by the staff at American Technical Publishers (ATP)[4],
“Mechanical and Electrical Systems in Architecture, Engineering and Construction” by
Dagostino & Wujek[5], “Mechanical and Electrical Equipment for Buildings” by Grondzik et
al.[6], and “Design of Mechanical and Electrical Systems in Buildings” written by Trost &
Choudhury[7]. The other twelve textbooks used by the MEP courses were required by less than
two courses each.
Textbook Reviews
The five most common MEP textbooks were reviewed, as mentioned previously, for the
coverage of MEP content and the main focus of such coverage. Table 2 shows the number of
chapters that each textbook dedicates to the following subjects:
1. Building science: topics include fundamentals of building heat transfer, psychrometrics,
building material thermal properties, indoor air quality, and comfort concepts.
2. HVAC systems: this includes HVAC equipment, distribution and delivery systems, load
calculations, and refrigeration principles.
3. Electrical systems: this includes electricity fundamentals, loads and power, wiring materials
and methods, service entrance equipment and switchgear, utilization devices, and might
include low-voltage systems such data and communications.
4. Lighting systems: this includes electric lighting systems and controls, lighting devices and
fixtures, as well as light properties and fundamentals.
5. Plumbing systems: includes materials and methods for clean water supply and distribution,
DWV (drain, waste and vent) systems, storm drains. It also covers plumbing fixtures, and
system loads and sizing.
6. Fire protection systems: includes fire suppression systems and equipment, and might include
fire alarms and other life protection and safety systems.
7. Others: this category encompasses coverage of topics and systems that do not fall directly
under the MEP categories defined previously. These include architectural design principles;
acoustics and noise control systems; testing and inspection; passive solar and daylighting
systems, conveyance systems, and sustainable systems if not covered as a subset of the MEP
systems. Also included in this category is MEP system coordination, which is covered only
by one textbook in the group.
Table 2 Number of Chapters Used by MEP Subject Area in Reviewed Textbooks
Textbook
Author
Janis
ATP Staff
Dagostino
Grondzik
Trost
*
Pages
576
710
960
1792
432
Building
Science
2
2
3
4
3
HVAC
Electrical
Lighting
Plumbing
5
9
7
3
4
4
11
4
6
6
4
0*
2
6
6
1
6
5
4
4
Fire
Protection
1
0
1
1
1
Some commercial lighting systems are mentioned in the last electrical chapter
Others
2
2
3
9
2
The following subsections summarize each textbook individually, presenting the general
approach to the MEP topics, and a description of their organization and content delivery. A
discussion and comparison of all the textbooks is presented then in the final section of this paper.
A. “Mechanical and Electrical Systems in Buildings”, 5th Ed. by Janis & Tao
In “Mechanical and Electrical Systems in Buildings” book, MEP equipment, materials and
methods are presented with detailed text descriptions with hundreds of photographs and
diagrams to supplement the descriptions. The textbook also uses data tables extensively to
present and compare properties and typical performance values of the equipment described in the
text. The textbook is very consistent in the format it presents HVAC, plumbing and electrical
systems: fundamental theory and principles governing the systems, followed by descriptions of
equipment, materials and methods, and systems layouts; and ending with system design and
sizing methods with fully explained and worked examples. Each chapter includes at the end
problems and exercise pertaining to the material covered in the chapter.
The textbook provides coverage of MEP construction drawings, presenting common symbols
and abbreviations used. Plans, riser diagrams, as well as isometric sketches are presented to
supplement the systems descriptions. Also, this is the only book of that introduces the concept of
systems coordination, and as such provides common installation and clearance requirements for
the various systems. The coordination information is provided using detailed installation
drawings and diagrams in various locations throughout the text, and summarized in a chapter at
the end of the textbook.
Building load calculations, system selection and sizing methods for the main MEP systems are
introduced in the book through text description with very few examples. General design
guidelines for each system are also presented. The design methods used are based on algebraic
equations and the use of charts and tables. However, the authors over simplified the equations to
the point where the units and meaning of the constants used in the equations might be lost to the
reader. The textbook also provides a good presentation of building science concepts and thermal
loads calculations using simplified methods. It also introduces the reader to simplified methods
of estimating heating and cooling energy consumption of buildings.
In addition to the main MEP and lighting systems, the book also covers noise and vibration
controls. It does not cover, as other textbooks, concepts of solar systems, sustainability, nor
alternative energy systems in buildings, with the exception of short mentions of daylighting and
natural ventilation in buildings. It provides, however, a good introduction to MEP coordination,
and a very basic introduction to economic analysis of MEP system design choices using the
concepts of payback period and initial and operation costs.
B. “Mechanical and Electrical Systems for Construction Managers”, 3rd Ed. by ATP Staff
“Mechanical and Electrical Systems for Construction Managers” presents MEP equipment,
materials and methods using detailed text descriptions and two-color illustrations, photographs,
and diagrams. The illustrations are clear and present good details regarding system installation.
Each chapter includes at the end review questions pertaining to the material covered in the
chapter.
This textbook, the only one amongst the reviewed group, provides basic coverage of testing,
measurement, and inspections tools and procedures for MEP systems. It also has a dedicated
chapter on building automation and controls. However, it does not provide any information on
mechanical or plumbing plans and specification reading and interpretation. Only electrical plans
are covered briefly. Isometric drawings of plumbing systems are presented as part of the system
sizing and design examples.
Building loads calculations, system selection and sizing methods for the main MEP systems are
presented clearly using meaningful and well-explained and illustrated examples. However, the
equations used are limited to the English system of units, and similar to Janis & Tao textbook,
the physical constants used in the equations have no indication of their units or their explicit
meaning.
In addition, the scope of the textbook is limited to the three main MEP systems: HVAC,
plumbing, and electric power and distribution. Other systems, like fire protection, alternative
energy systems, and sustainable systems are not covered anywhere in the book. Furthermore,
electric lighting systems coverage is limited to a few paragraphs within the commercial circuits
chapter of the book.
C. “Mechanical and Electrical Systems in Architecture, Engineering and Construction”, 5th Ed. by
Dagostino & Wujek
In the “Mechanical and Electrical Systems in Architecture, Engineering and Construction”
textbook, MEP equipment, materials and methods are presented with detailed text descriptions
and over 800 pictures and diagrams used to supplement the descriptions. The textbook also uses
data tables extensively to present and compare properties and typical performance values of the
equipment described in the text. The textbook is very consistent in the format it presents HVAC,
plumbing and electrical systems: fundamental theory and principles governing the systems,
followed by descriptions of equipment, materials and methods, and systems layouts; and ending
with system design and sizing methods with fully explained and worked examples. Each chapter
includes at the end problems and exercise pertaining to the material covered in the chapter.
The textbook provides good coverage of MEP construction drawings, presenting common
symbols and abbreviations used, as well as listing of information requirement of plans and specs.
Plans, riser diagrams, as well as isometric sketches are presented during the system layout and
design examples throughout the book. However, no coverage of plans and specs is presented for
fire protection systems, communications systems, or conveyance systems.
Building loads calculations, system selection and sizing methods for the main MEP systems are
presented clearly using meaningful and well-explained and illustrated examples. The design
methods used are based on algebraic equations and extensive use of charts and tables. The
textbook also provides a good presentation of building science concepts and thermal loads
calculations using simplified methods. It also introduces the reader to simplified methods of
estimating heating and cooling energy consumption of buildings.
In addition to the main MEP and lighting systems, the book also covers acoustic control systems,
conveyance systems, passive solar and daylighting systems, as well as sustainable and alternative
energy systems.
D. “Mechanical and Electrical Equipment for Buildings”, 11th Ed. by Grondzik et al.
The “Mechanical and Electrical Equipment for Buildings” textbook is the longest of all the
books reviewed. It presents the various MEP systems using a combination of text descriptions,
sketches and pictures to describe equipment, materials, operation principles, as well as basic
design concepts. Detailed architectural drawings of MEP components and installation details are
used extensively throughout the book to supplement the descriptions provided in the text.
Coverage of plan and specs reading and interpretation varies with the system covered, with
electrical system receiving the most coverage and HVAC systems the least coverage. MEP plans
and riser diagrams are presented as part of building examples used to explain the design and
sizing processes. Load calculations and systems sizing methods presented are based on the use
and application of algebraic equations, charts and tables.
The book provides extensive coverage of traditional MEP systems as well as updated coverage
on recent developments on MEP systems. It also covers sustainable and renewable systems,
including passive and active solar systems. However, the coverage provided is mainly from an
architect’s design perspective, with some engineering background. In addition to MEP systems,
this book also provides extensive coverage of lighting and daylighting design principles,
architectural acoustics fundamentals, sound and noise control systems, and conveyance systems.
E. “Design of Mechanical and Electrical Systems in Buildings” by Trost & Choudhury.
“Design of Mechanical and Electrical Systems in Buildings” presents the MEP concepts by
providing practical design examples using simple realistic building plans from which the design
process is explained. Design methods are based on using simplified calculations, and the proper
use of charts and tables. It explains how to read and interpret the various MEP plans in simple
terms, and indicates how information is typically presented on them. It also shows how to read
and create various schedules used in MEP plans, especially electrical schedules.
Devices and equipment, as well as MEP materials and methods, are presented using short text
descriptions, supplemented with sketches and perspective drawings. The textbook has no
photographic images. Sketches and drawings are used to convey that same information that other
textbooks do using photographs.
In addition to covering the basic MEP systems, the authors also cover concepts of daylighting
and solar thermal systems. However, it doesn’t cover other renewable systems such as
photovoltaic systems or heat recovery systems. In addition to that, the textbook would benefit
from an update to incorporate new developments in MEP systems, for example adding coverage
of LED’s in the lighting section, including the newer NEC requirements in the electrical design
section such as the use of AFCI’s, and adding other developments in the subject of sustainable
MEP systems. Of the five books reviewed, it is the shortest and oldest one with a single edition.
Discussion
The five textbooks reviewed support, more or less, the typical set of course goals and objectives
defined for most of the required MEP courses offered in the ACCE accredited construction
programs. These objectives can be summarized as,






Develop an understanding of the fundamental principles governing MEP systems
Conduct basic thermal, hydraulic, and electrical load calculations
Develop an understanding of materials and methods, and equipment used in MEP systems.
Develop an understanding of the design principles of MEP systems
Conduct basic sizing and layout of MEP systems based on the building specifications, loads
and demands
Read and interpret construction plans and specifications.
The depth and scope of the coverage for each system varies across textbooks, as well as within
each individual book. For example the ATP book covers only HVAC, plumbing and electric
power systems, while Grondzik’s and Dagostino’s books cover all the MEP systems as well as
acoustic systems, conveyance systems and additional topics regarding sustainability and
architectural design. Table 3 summarizes each of the textbooks content supporting the typical
MEP course objectives for HVAC, plumbing, electric power, electric lighting, low voltage, and
fire protection systems. It also shows additional coverage in the textbooks for other systems
beyond the traditional MEP systems. All the books have some mention of the relative MEP
systems costs without providing actual values, or without indicating whether the MEP associated
costs derive primarily from the materials cost or the associated labor and equipment costs.
Electric
Power
Plumbing
Systems
HVAC
Systems
Table 3 Textbook Coverage of MEP Course Goals and Objectives
Subject
Janis & Tao
ATP Staff
Fundamentals and Principles
Material and Methods
Thermal Loads
System Design and Sizing
Equipment Selection
Plan Reading and Specs
Fundamentals and Principles
Material and Methods
Hydraulic Loads
System Design and Sizing
Equipment Selection
Plan Reading and Specs
Fundamentals and Principles
Material and Methods
Electric Loads
System Design and Sizing
Equipment Selection
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Dagostino &
Wujek
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Grondzik et
al.
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Trost &
Choudhury
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Electric
Lighting
Low
Voltage
Fire
Protection
Bonus
Coverage
Subject
Janis & Tao
ATP Staff
Dagostino &
Wujek
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Grondzik et
al.
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Plan Reading and Specs
Fundamentals and Principles
Material and Methods
Illumination Requirements
System Design and Sizing
Equipment Selection
Plan Reading and Specs
Fundamentals and Principles
Material and Methods
System Design and Sizing
Equipment Selection
Plan Reading and Specs
Fundamentals and Principles
Material and Methods
System Design and Sizing
Equipment Selection
Plan Reading and Specs
Sustainable Systems
MEP Systems Coordination
Testing and Inspections
Building Automation
Noise Control and Acoustics
Conveyance Systems
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Trost &
Choudhury
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
All the textbooks follow similar methods for calculating building loads, and for the design and
sizing of systems. However, the book published by ATP defines and restricts its methods and
equations to the English units system only.
None of the textbooks reviewed provides coverage of what is typically considered advanced
topics in MEP construction, such as MEP estimating, scheduling, or project management; and
with the exception of Janis & Tao’s book, none of the books cover the subject of MEP system
coordination either. Other topics relevant to MEP systems construction and absent from all the
textbooks are discussions on prefabrication, constructability issues such as installation
equipment, lifting and rigging requirements, and proper shipping and handling of materials and
equipment.
Conclusion
The current paper reviews the five MEP textbooks most commonly required by the MEP courses
taught at the construction schools accredited by the ACCE. The schools’ academic catalogs and
bookstore websites were surveyed to determine, if any, the textbooks required by the MEP
courses.
All of the textbooks reviewed cover materials and methods, fundamental principles, and sizing
methods of HVAC systems, electric power systems, and plumbing systems. Only one textbook
(“Mechanical and Electrical Systems for Construction Managers”) does not cover fire protection
systems, and provides minimum coverage of electric lighting systems.
None of the textbooks cover advanced topics in MEP construction, such as estimating,
scheduling, or project management. Only one textbook (“Mechanical and Electrical Systems in
Buildings”) provides basic coverage of MEP coordination.
The five textbooks reviewed support the typical set of learning goals and objectives of the
introductory MEP systems course(s) in construction programs. The depth and scope of the
coverage for each of the MEP systems varies within each textbook, as well as across textbooks.
“Mechanical and Electrical Systems in Buildings” and “Mechanical and Electrical Equipment for
Buildings” provide the most comprehensive coverage of MEP systems.
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[2]
[3]
[4]
[5]
[6]
[7]
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