Heating, cooling, ventilation, lighting, power, and water are what make a building usable every day. A well-engineered system keeps occupants comfortable, meets fresh air requirements, and keeps utility bills under control for decades. A poorly designed one leads to hot and cold spots, frequent breakdowns, and expensive fixes.
Energy codes such as ASHRAE 90.1 and the IECC, along with the NEC, IMC, IPC, and NFPA standards, set detailed requirements for every system. Building departments now check compliance closely, and missing calculations or forms delay permits. Engineered MEP design addresses these requirements from the beginning.
Heavy rooftop equipment, large duct mains, and floor penetrations all affect the structure. Coordinating MEP layouts with beams, slabs, and ceiling heights early avoids redesign and field changes. Our engineers work alongside our structural design services team, so equipment loads, openings, and supports are planned together.
We perform heating and cooling load calculations, select equipment, and design ductwork, piping, and ventilation systems to ASHRAE standards. Options include rooftop units, split systems, VRF, chilled water, and dedicated outdoor air systems. Each design balances comfort, indoor air quality, and long-term operating cost.
We design domestic hot and cold water, sanitary waste and vent, storm drainage, and natural gas systems based on fixture unit calculations. Water heaters, pumps, backflow preventers, and grease interceptors are sized for real demand. Our designs meet the IPC or UPC adopted in your jurisdiction.
We design electrical services, distribution, panelboards, branch circuits, and emergency power based on NEC load calculations. Panel schedules, one-line diagrams, and voltage drop checks are included. Buildings get reliable, safe power with capacity planned for future needs.
We design interior and exterior lighting using photometric calculations to meet IES-recommended light levels. Occupancy sensors, daylight controls, and dimming systems are included to satisfy energy codes. Spaces are well lit while lighting power stays within allowable limits.
We design sprinkler systems to NFPA 13, 13R, or 13D, including hydraulic calculations, riser details, and standpipes where required. Water supply data is used to confirm system performance. Designs are ready for fire marshal review and installation by licensed sprinkler contractors.
We design fire alarm systems to NFPA 72, along with data, telecommunications, security, and access control pathways. Device layouts are coordinated with ceilings and architectural finishes. Owners get life safety and technology systems planned from the start rather than added later.
We prepare COMcheck and REScheck reports and perform energy modeling for ASHRAE 90.1 performance compliance, LEED, or utility incentive programs. Our analysis shows how system choices affect annual energy use. Owners can compare options and choose the most efficient design for their budget.
Restaurants and food service spaces need exhaust hoods, makeup air, grease ducts, gas piping, and high-capacity plumbing. We design these systems to meet NFPA 96, health department rules, and equipment manufacturer requirements. Kitchens operate safely and pass inspection without costly changes.
Clinics, surgical centers, and labs require medical gas, specialized ventilation, pressure relationships, emergency power, and strict infection control. We design these systems following NFPA 99 and FGI Guidelines. Healthcare owners get facilities that meet regulatory and patient safety standards.
We survey existing buildings and design upgrades for aging HVAC units, electrical services, lighting, and plumbing systems. Replacements are planned to fit the existing structure and keep occupied buildings running during the work. Owners lower energy costs and extend building life without full renovations.
We design rooftop and ground-mounted solar systems, battery storage connections, and electric vehicle charging infrastructure. Electrical service capacity is analyzed and upgraded where needed. Owners add clean energy and charging stations while staying code compliant.
We design HVAC systems using ACCA Manual J, S, and D, along with plumbing and electrical layouts for custom homes and apartments. Equipment is sized to the home's actual load, avoiding the short cycling and humidity problems caused by oversized units. Builders get permit-ready MEP plans that improve comfort and efficiency.
We coordinate HVAC, plumbing, electrical, and fire protection systems with the structure and ceilings during design. Conflicts between ducts, pipes, cable trays, and beams are resolved before drawings are issued. Contractors install systems as designed with fewer field conflicts and change orders.
Every building type places different demands on its mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems. We design each system around how the space will be used day-to-day.
Architects use our team as their MEP engineering consultant, receiving coordinated designs that fit their architectural vision.
Contractors rely on our designs for design-build projects, permit packages, and value-focused system options.
Mechanical, electrical, and plumbing contractors use our engineering for design assistance and design-build work on their projects.
Owners rely on our designs to balance construction cost with long-term energy and maintenance savings.
Tenants use our MEP designs to permit buildouts for offices, clinics, restaurants, and retail spaces.
Facility teams use our retrofit designs to replace aging systems and reduce operating costs in existing buildings.
MEP design depends on understanding how the building will be used, from occupancy and equipment to energy goals. Here is how we deliver complete, coordinated designs.
Send architectural plans, equipment lists, utility information, and any owner requirements for efficiency, comfort, or system type.
We confirm the disciplines, codes, and deliverables needed, then send a fixed fee and design timeline.
Our engineers calculate loads, select equipment, lay out systems, and coordinate them with the structure and architecture.
You receive sealed MEP drawings, calculations, and energy compliance documents, plus support for plan review comments and contractor RFIs.
Browse real samples of our takeoffs, cost estimates, and drafting work to see the level of detail you can expect on your own project.
The fee depends on building size, building type, number of disciplines, and system complexity. A small office tenant improvement costs much less to design than a hospital or restaurant with specialty systems. After reviewing your plans, we send a fixed-fee proposal that lists every deliverable.
Small tenant improvements and residential projects usually take one to two weeks. New commercial buildings typically take three to six weeks depending on size and coordination needs. Specialty facilities, such as medical or laboratory buildings, may take longer. We confirm the timeline in our proposal.
Yes. MEP drawings and calculations are signed and sealed by [a licensed Professional Engineer registered in your project's state]. Most building departments require sealed MEP documents for commercial projects. Please share your project location, so we can confirm licensing coverage before work begins.
We design to the codes adopted in your jurisdiction, including the International Mechanical Code, International Plumbing Code or Uniform Plumbing Code, National Electrical Code, International Energy Conservation Code or ASHRAE 90.1, ASHRAE 62.1 for ventilation, and applicable NFPA standards. Local amendments are included as well.
We perform detailed load calculations based on the building envelope, occupancy, lighting, equipment, and local climate data. Equipment is then selected to match those loads rather than using simple square foot rules. Right-sized equipment costs less to buy, runs more efficiently, and controls humidity better.
Yes. We prepare COMcheck reports for commercial projects and REScheck reports for residential projects. For projects pursuing performance compliance, LEED certification, or utility incentives, we provide energy modeling with detailed results.
MEP design is the engineering work, including load calculations, system selection, equipment sizing, and code compliance, performed by licensed engineers. MEP drafting turns completed engineering into drawings. If you already have engineering and only need drawings produced, our design and drafting services team can help.
Yes. We survey existing systems, review available drawings, and design upgrades, replacements, and tenant improvements. Our retrofit designs are planned to work with existing structure and to keep occupied buildings operating during construction.
Yes. We design sprinkler systems to NFPA 13, 13R, or 13D and provide hydraulic calculations based on water supply test data. Designs are prepared for fire marshal review and can be used by sprinkler contractors for installation.
Yes. We work directly with general contractors and MEP contractors on design-build and design assist projects. This approach lets contractors bring installation knowledge into the design, which often lowers cost and speeds up construction.
Yes. We revise drawings to address plan review comments and prepare written responses for resubmission. During construction, we answer contractor RFIs and review equipment submittals to confirm they meet the design.
Yes. Once the design is complete, our MEP estimating team can price the equipment, materials, and labor for every system. This helps owners and architects confirm the design fits the budget before it goes out for bids.
Location
815 BRAZOS ST STE 500 AUSTIN, TXCall Us
737-263-3910Mail Us
sales@bluetechestimating.comWin more bids. Control your costs. No more budget surprises.
or email us at sales@bluetechestimating.com
