Autodesk engineering solution addresses healthcare design challenges

Autodesk, Inc., a leading design software and digital content company, has announced that engineering firms are increasingly using Autodesk(R) Building Systems to create, manage and share critical building design information for healthcare, biomedical research and biopharmaceutical projects.

These engineering firms, which are affected by constantly changing building facility codes, growing liability concerns, and the exploding needs of rapidly advancing medical and telecommunication technologies, face increased pressure to deliver projects on time and within budget while maintaining their profitability. Additionally, engineers must accommodate the distinct engineering design challenges common to healthcare projects, including increased mechanical and electrical system capacity, chemical and medical waste handling facilities, and advanced life safety and fire protection systems.

"Modern healthcare facilities, with their diversity and complexity, pose extreme challenges in M/E/P design, coordination and timely delivery that can drive the success or failure of these projects," said AEC technology consultant Jerry Laiserin, who also edits the web-based LaiserinLetter(TM). "Fortunately, intelligent, multi-dimensional and multi-discipline modeling tools, such as Autodesk Building Systems, give today's M/E/P engineers unprecedented control, accuracy and productivity in their work.

This is the kind of model intelligence I encourage all my consulting clients to consider." Autodesk Building Systems, which was specifically created for mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and fire protection (M/E/P) engineers, addresses these challenges by enabling faster, more accurate analysis and design, resulting in better building performance and improved productivity.

The software also easily detects physical interferences and better coordinates information across disciplines to help reduce the risk of construction conflicts. Engineers can then resolve the potential conflicts during design rather than on site and can minimize costly rework and waste.

By devoting less time on construction administration and more effort on new projects, M/E/P firms can also improve overall business operations. "Engineering firms can capitalize on healthcare construction growth by using Autodesk Building Systems to mitigate the assumption of risk these projects entail.

By utilizing the extensive visualization capabilities Buildings Systems offers, they can significantly reduce field conflicts and improve the quality of the built system," said Paul McRoberts, engineering solutions manager, Autodesk Building Solutions Division. "Additionally, by utilizing Autodesk Building Systems, engineering firms can expect improved profitability through the reduction of construction administration, RFIs and change orders typically resulting in the building of complex projects."

Leading engineering firms such as H.F. Lenz, Flack + Kurtz, Inc. and Mazzetti & Associates are already using Building Systems to cut time and cost from healthcare engineering design projects.