Healthcare projects demand precision, efficiency, and flawless coordination. For a hospital HVAC design project in Europe, the team at PSK BIM Service was entrusted with a technically challenging scope — AHU relocation and duct re-routing within an already congested mechanical space.
Through expert BIM coordination, our engineers transformed a complex, clash-prone model into a clash-free BIM model that ensured accessibility, maintainability, and optimal system performance.
This project involved the relocation of Air Handling Units (AHUs) and a complete ductwork network redesign inside a healthcare facility. It’s an ongoing project started from December 2024.
Software we used:
- Revit – 2024
- Neviswork – 2024
Our scope included:
- Redesigning and optimizing duct runs for maximum efficiency.
- Re-locating 20 AHUs in the current phase (and 72 AHUs across the entire project).
- Delivering a fully coordinated LOD 400 BIM model.
The objective was to deliver an efficient hospital HVAC system that meets operational and maintenance standards while adhering to design constraints.
Challenges: Mechanical Space Congestion & Design Constraints
Upon receiving the design inputs — IFC drawings and an LOD 300 BIM model — our team observed severe mechanical space congestion. The density of ducts made coordination with other MEP systems almost impossible.
Key challenges included:
- No clear walking space for maintenance staff.
- Insufficient equipment clearance around AHUs.
- Limited space to include duct accessories such as dampers and sound attenuators.
These issues directly impacted the BIM coordination process and could lead to future maintenance and performance difficulties.
Our Approach: Collaborative BIM Coordination
To address the issues effectively, we initiated an RFI (Request for Information) and held detailed discussions with the contractor and design consultants.
RFI & Communication:
Our coordination team raised an RFI highlighting spatial limitations and performance risks. Collaborative review sessions helped us establish a path toward a revised design solution.
Optimized Duct Re-Routing:
We proposed a new duct rerouting layout focusing on:
- Minimized duct runs — ensuring the shortest possible path between each AHU and its respective riser shaft.
- Space optimization — allocating adequate clearance for duct accessories and maintenance access.
Technical Validation:
All duct re-sizing was calculated precisely to maintain the head loss and fluid velocity limits equal to the original design, ensuring no compromise in system performance.
AHU Relocation Strategy
Through efficient BIM model coordination, we developed a solution to relocate AHUs strategically without altering their destination points.
In this phase alone, we successfully relocated 20 Air Handling Units, applying the same approach to 72 AHUs across the full project.
The result was a spacious mechanical layout that supported smooth installation and long-term maintenance accessibility.
Results: A Clash-Free and Maintainable LOD 400 Model
Our final LOD 400 BIM deliverable was fully coordinated and free of clashes. The improved model ensured:
- Clear walking paths for maintenance personnel.
- Proper equipment clearance for AHUs.
- Integration of all essential duct accessories within the system.
- Enhanced efficiency of the overall hospital HVAC design.
This transformation demonstrates PSK BIM Service’s expertise in solving real-world coordination problems through BIM outsourcing and advanced mechanical space coordination.
This hospital project showcases how PSK BIM Service applies deep expertise in BIM coordination and HVAC design to overcome mechanical space congestion challenges.
Our team delivered a clash-free BIM model that enhanced accessibility, improved performance, and ensured long-term system reliability.
If you’re looking for a reliable partner for BIM outsourcing or MEP coordination on healthcare or infrastructure projects —
👉 Get in touch with PSK BIM Service for expert-driven, performance-focused BIM solutions.
