SUCCESS STORY
Parallel Technologies Partners to Deliver Fast-Track, Comprehensive Security Solution
Customer Challenge
When a premier client needed help designing a security solution for a large data center, Parallel Technologies needed a partner to help it scale up with ease. The new two-story 100 MW capacity facility included over one million sq. ft. of data center colocation space. John Ray, head of Design and Estimation, knew his team would need some help to meet the tight project timeline. Along with large scope and scale, the security systems had to be fully designed in Revit to facilitate clash detection.
Project Goals
The first step was for the U.S. CAD team to translate Parallel Technologies’ 2D designs from both Auotdesk AutoCAD and PDF into a 3D Revit model in Autodesk Revit. These designs incorporate a comprehensive combination of access control, surveillance, and redundant low voltage communications system. The team also added custom parameters to the camera “family” to allow for lens information and each camera had a unique identifier that was included in the equipment schedule.
Solution
The conduit plans provided by U.S. CAD were more extensive than conventional practice. Early on in the process, we had the conduit on their own section of sheets but then later on in the process, we decided to compile that information. Conduits serving video surveillance system would be shown on their own sheets, and the conduits serving access control system would be shown on separate control system sheets.
Business Outcome
One of the biggest benefits of using Revit over AutoCAD is that a Revit model is of course, the 3D perspective. On this project, the architectural team utilized BIM 360 Team to coordinate each disciplines’ Revit models. Through this site, each member of the data center project team had a live link to every model that was referenced in their own model (e.g., mechanical could see electrical design). This virtual connection greatly streamlined coordination as nobody had to wait for manual emails.
Conclusion
Ultimately, the Parallel Technologies/U.S. CAD team met the imposed deadline for the Phase 1 security solution. The same model can be utilized to finish out the other phases of the project as well as to support future BIM coordination that may be needed. Ray concludes, “This was a big win for us – both in terms of meeting the client’s schedule and for our BIM education and advancement. We learned a lot from this project and know we have a trusted partner to help us continue our 3D evolution."
Project Summary
Delivery Date
2019-10-01
Project Duration
120 days
Autodesk Solutions
- Revit
Services Provided
Customer Industry
- MEP Engineering