Designing a Perfect Piping Plan: A Step-by-Step Guide

Fine-Tuning Your Piping Plan for Optimal Functionality.

Discover how to navigate tricky design roadblocks and learn valuable tips for handling common project issues. You can glean from the insights shared on how to make adjustments during the execution of your project for the best results.

Key Insights

  • When working on a project, it is crucial to adapt and make changes as you go. Deleting unnecessary sections and making adjustments to design features is part of the process.
  • Problem-solving skills are essential in executing a project. For example, when certain parts do not fit or connect as expected, it may require some tinkering and adjustments to make it work.
  • Regularly check the overall view of your project. Rotating and checking the 3D view can help ensure all parts are properly connected and that the project execution is on track.

Note: These materials offer prospective students a preview of how our classes are structured. Students enrolled in this course will receive access to the full set of materials, including video lectures, project-based assignments, and instructor feedback.

That will go there. So let’s go ahead and connect into this one. I’m going to pull this back for now.

I’m not satisfied with that design. Again, thinking as we go—be sure to delete that vertical piece. There’s no reason for this segment to be that long.

And we will connect to that point. All right, last branch line. Now, generally, at this part of a project—or even earlier—is usually when I start reflecting on my life choices.

But I got here for one reason or another. And here we are. So you just have to go with it.

There’s a lot of time to think when you’re working on this portion of the project. So try to enjoy it. All right, looks good.

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Let’s go ahead and cap all of these. Cap the open ends. If you recall, we had to cloud these areas because they were too close together.

We’re going to have to adjust those armovers to improve the configuration. I’ll take this section and go up to here. I like to make the working area smaller so I know exactly what I’m focusing on. This is much too close, so I’ll draw pipe—1″—and we’ll come up approximately 1′-6″.

We’ll go over 8″, then come up and over again, and let’s align it. Very good.

One more. Section two: 1″ pipe, about 1′-6″ rise. Again, don’t worry if it’s not exact—same as I’ve done.

I’m not sure if that’s the same elevation, so I will align. Go back to our piping plan.

This one isn’t connecting properly. I’ll go back and see what’s going on. You may need to experiment until it connects properly.

14′-8″, 14′-8″. Okay. So in theory, it should be good.

There we go. That occasionally happens. Now, don’t forget to delete this revision cloud.

Let’s go ahead and check our 3D view. Click on this portion of the main. When you rotate around, you should see your piece coming up.

We’ve got our main. We’re branching out from the side and have connected all the drops to our 1½″ branch lines. All right.

Great job. We’ve just got a little bit more to go, and our piping plan will be complete.

photo of Derek Cutsinger

Derek Cutsinger

BIM Instructor/Coordinator

Derek’s background is in both education and MEP. He earned his BA in Music Education from San Diego State University and is also a TEFL certified English language instructor. In addition to educational roles, he is also an experienced fire protection design engineer and has extensive knowledge in many programs and processes used in AEC industries. He brings his unique and eclectic skillset to VDCI as their Curriculum Coordinator. In his free time he can be found weightlifting in his garage, hanging out with his wife and pug, or painting and drawing in his studio.

  • BA Music Education – San Diego State University
  • MA Applied Linguistics (in process) – San Diego State University
  • TEFL Certified English Language Instructor
  • NICET 1 Certification
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