An optimisation method for MEP plant room modularization

Modularisation in mechanical, electrical and plumbing (MEP) in construction has become more prevalent along with mass customisation of buildings during the last decade. However, it is currently accomplished only for smaller systems where integrated packaged units are used in heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) and other building services installations. The term ‘optimum modularity’ is rarely used in the field due to extensive use of packaged systems. Packaged units are limited to external plant room installations and hardly used in building internal installations such as in basements due to difficulties in assembly and job-site delivery. In this study, an efficient method is developed which leads to the minimum total assembly and installation cost of building services systems. The method identifies the optimum sets of modules and module division points based on assembly cost and capacity weight of lifting equipment. It is shown that the optimum modularity for a system is highly dependent on the module weight and the module division point.