How to use this course

This is a detailed design reference, not an overview. After the fundamentals, each discipline module follows the system from its source to the last component in the room — and every component gets the same treatment:

RoleDesign method & formulaWorked numeric exampleIn the software (how to get accurate results)Code reference

The modules follow a mechanical-first path — Fundamentals → HVAC → Plumbing → Fire, then Electrical, ELV/BMS and Vertical Transport — but each module is self-contained, so you can jump straight to any discipline. Each is tied to its standard engineering software (HVAC → Carrier HAP, Revit, AFT Fathom, CONTAM; others use their own industry tools).

Modules

MODULE 0

MEP Fundamentals

Units & quantities, the three governing physics, the master concept of vertical pressure zoning, plant floors, stack effect, and the codes that govern everything.

MODULE 1

HVAC — source to terminal

The full chain: chiller plant → heat rejection → pumps → vertical CHW zoning → AHU → ducts → VAV → FCU → room diffuser → controls → smoke control. 17 components, each with design steps, numeric example & software how-to (HAP, Revit, AFT, CONTAM).

MODULE 2

Plumbing & Public Health — source to tap

Mains & storage → transfer pumps → pressure zoning → boosters → pipe sizing → hot water & Legionella → valves & surge → drainage/vent stacks → storm → fixtures → reuse → installation. 14 components, each with design, numbers & software (AFT, Revit, manufacturer tools).

MODULE 3

Fire Protection — reserve to sprinkler

Fire strategy → fire-water storage → fire pumps (NFPA 20 curve) → riser zoning/PRVs → standpipes → sprinklers (density/area) → special hazards → valves/FDC → installation → Civil Defense commissioning.

MODULE 4

Electrical & Standby Power — grid to socket

Load estimate → HV intake → transformers → LV switchgear & fault → risers/busways → cable sizing & volt-drop → boards → generators/UPS → lighting → earthing/lightning → installation. Tools: ETAP, DIALux.

MODULE 5

Fire Alarm, ELV/ICT & BMS

Detection & voice evacuation, FA battery sizing, BMS/BACnet, structured cabling, CCTV/access/security, in-building coverage, and the integration & cause-and-effect that ties it all together.

MODULE 6

Vertical Transport

Traffic analysis (handling capacity & interval) → arrangement/zoning & sky lobbies → lift types & ropes → machine/shaft → firefighting lifts → escalators → dispatch control → power. Tool: Elevate.

On codes & references

Every key value, rule and method in this course is attributed to a recognised code or standard — the Saudi Building Code (SBC) suite, NFPA, ASHRAE, IEC, CIBSE and others. Editions matter: in Saudi Arabia the legally binding edition of an NFPA/ASHRAE standard is the one referenced by the relevant SBC code (2018), unless the project specification requires newer. Always verify against the current code and the project spec before using anything here in real design. A full code register sits in your shared library (MEP Codes & Standards Register).

Scope & honesty note

This is an educational course. Diagrams are original schematics created to teach the concepts — not manufacturer drawings or photographs. Worked numbers are realistic teaching examples, not a substitute for project-specific calculations stamped by a licensed engineer.

MEP Engineering for Megatall Buildings