IFC File management and MEP project

Do you have to design installation systems starting from an architectural model IFC file? Do you want to collaborate with architects and structural engineers through openBIM IFC files?

If you have been shared the IFC file of an architectural and structural project and you have to use it as a basis for your installation project, I’ll show the right tools and all the steps you have to follow.

In particular, I’ll suggest two different ways to proceed:

work in 2D, generating plants and sections from the IFC file shared with your CAD software of choice;
model installation design in 3D following a fully openBIM process.

In both cases we use integrated usBIM system’s online tools, available from a common browser, without having to install software on your PC.

So, let’s dive right in!

Contents

Why IFC file management is important in MEP design
Workflow No.1: Working in 2D from the federated IFC model
Workflow No.2: Model the MEP system in 3D and maintain a fully openBIM flow
FAQ for IFC file management and MEP project

Why IFC file management is important in MEP design

Another crucial aspect is the ability to perform clash detection directly on federated IFC models: by checking for potential interferences between ducts, conduits, beams, or architectural elements, the designer can promptly identify conflicts and reduce the risk of errors on site. Proper management of IFC files also ensures the quality and integrity of the data: each MEP component contains technical information (power, diameter, flow rate, efficiency, materials, maintenance) that remains readable and structured within the model, also supporting the management and maintenance phases of the building.

From an operational standpoint, an effective IFC file management strategy allows for optimizing time and costs, reducing rework due to incorrect or outdated file exchanges. It is also essential to ensure compliance with the openBIM standards required by many public and private clients, promoting transparency and traceability of information throughout the entire project lifecycle. In summary, consciously managing IFC files means not only improving the accuracy and efficiency of MEP design but also ensuring smooth and lasting collaboration among all disciplines involved in the BIM process.

Workflow No.1: Working in 2D from the federated IFC model

If you are not familiar with IFC files and openBIM processes but need to collaborate with colleagues who are already using this working methodology, I will show you a simple way to continue working without issues.

The steps to follow are 3:

federate the architectural 3D model and the structural model to have a single complete model with all the information, using a BIM federated model software that is free and online;
generate plans and sections in DXF/DWG/DWF format directly from the federated model, with an online tool for generating graphic documents;
use the graphic documents obtained to work freely with the CAD software you usually use.

BIM model federation

Let’s go step by step and see how to proceed in detail.

How to federate 3D models

To federate the two 3D models with usBIM.federation access the usBIM platform from a device connected to the internet and do the following:

log in to usBIM;
at the bottom right, click on New Document;
create a new folder to insert files into;
choose Federation of BIM models from usBIM.browser;
write a title and description.
Drag the files to be federated on the opening screen;
click on Update Federation and then on the reference system symbol to align 3D models;
when you have finished changes click on Consolidate.

Below is a short video tutorial that guides you step by step through the steps to follow.

Discover how to open a DXF online with usBIM

Workflow No.2: Model the MEP system in 3D and maintain a fully openBIM flow

If you want to be fully integrated into the openBIM workflow, then you need to work directly on the federated IFC model to add to the architectural and structural project information also those related to MEP systems.

Here’s how to proceed:

federate the architectural model and the structural model with usBIM.federation (see previous example);
download the federated IFC model and import it into the BIM software for MEP systems;
create your project using MEP objects;
export the file in IFC format, upload it to the usBIM cloud, and perform a new federation to obtain a single model (architectural, structural, and MEP);
use a clash detection software to check that there are no interferences between the different elements of the model.

Step 1. Start from the federated IFC model

The clash detection process begins with the creation of a new project within usBIM.clash, which serves as a container for all control elements: IFC models, verification rules, parameters, and results.
You then import one or more IFC models related to the different disciplines involved (architecture, structures, MEP systems) to obtain a complete and coordinated model federation.

Before starting any analysis, it is necessary to set some preliminary parameters such as the minimum clearance allowed between objects and the type of interferences to be identified, distinguishing between hard clash (direct collision) and clearance clash (minimum distance not respected). These settings determine the accuracy and significance of the results that will be obtained in the verification phase.

Step 2. Import the IFC into your BIM software for MEP design

Once the model is federated, you can organize the parts to analyze by defining selection groups. These groups serve to isolate portions of the model on which to perform checks, such as “water system pipes,” “electrical conduits,” or “structural beams.”

Selection can be performed manually, visually choosing elements, or automatically, filtering by IFC attributes such as class, property, or layer. This step is essential to optimize the calculation, reducing the number of elements to analyze and focusing the verification only on the critical areas of the project.

Step 3. Export and refederate the updated model

After defining models and selection groups, you proceed to set up and start the clash detection calculation. The software analyzes the models according to the set parameters and generates a list of detected interferences, showing in real-time or at the end of the process the identified collisions directly within the 3D view of the model.

Each interference is documented with an ID, the type of clash, the position in the model, and the involved entities. The results can be filtered, sorted, or isolated by type (for example: interferences between systems and structures, or between electrical and mechanical elements), allowing the designer to focus on the most relevant issues.

If necessary, it is always possible to modify the analysis criteria (for example, the tolerance or selection groups) and quickly rerun the calculation.

Step 4. Perform the clash detection

Once the verification is complete, usBIM.clash allows you to export the results and generate detailed reports in the main exchange formats (BCF, XLSX, CSV). The report includes the complete list of interferences, screenshots of the model, references to views, and useful information for resolution, such as status (open/closed), notes, and the responsible person for the intervention.

This document can be shared with all members of the design team even if they do not directly use usBIM.clash. The next phase involves resolving the interferences in the original disciplinary models: problematic objects are modified, moved, or resized, and the updated model is refederated for a new verification.

In this way, a continuous cycle of coordination (detection → analysis → resolution → verification) is activated, ensuring project consistency and the progressive elimination of interferences until a fully coordinated MEP model compliant with the project’s BIM standards is achieved.

Video tutorial: how to perform interference checks on IFC-Open BIM models

In this short video, you can see how to perform interference checks and manage conflicts between different IFC-Open BIM models.

FAQ for IFC file management and MEP project

Why is IFC file management important in MEP design?

The correct management of IFC files plays a fundamental role in the design of MEP (mechanical, electrical, and plumbing) systems, as it ensures a truly collaborative, interoperable, and openBIM workflow. The IFC format, an open standard developed by buildingSMART International, allows for the exchange of data between different software and disciplines (architectural, structural, and MEP) without manufacturer constraints or loss of information. Thanks to this interoperability, MEP designers can integrate data from architects and structural engineers into their models, maintaining project consistency and improving overall coordination. Another crucial aspect is the ability to perform clash detection directly on federated IFC models: by checking for potential interferences between ducts, conduits, beams, or architectural elements, the designer can promptly identify conflicts and reduce the risk of errors on site.

Proper management of IFC files also ensures the quality and integrity of the data: each MEP component contains technical information (power, diameter, flow rate, efficiency, materials, maintenance) that remains readable and structured within the model, also supporting the management and maintenance phases of the building. From an operational standpoint, an effective IFC file management strategy allows for optimizing time and costs, reducing rework due to incorrect or outdated file exchanges. It is also essential to ensure compliance with the openBIM standards required by many public and private clients, promoting transparency and traceability of information throughout the entire project lifecycle. In summary, consciously managing IFC files means not only improving the accuracy and efficiency of MEP design but also ensuring smooth and lasting collaboration among all disciplines involved in the BIM process.

How to work in 2D from the federated IFC model?

If you are not familiar with IFC files and openBIM processes but need to collaborate with colleagues who are already using this working methodology, you can continue to work in 2D by following three simple steps:

federate the architectural 3D model and the structural model to obtain a single complete model with all the information, using a free and online BIM federated model software;
generate plans and sections in DXF/DWG/DWF format directly from the federated model, with an online tool for generating graphic documents;
use the graphic documents obtained to work freely with the CAD software you usually use. To federate the 3D models with usBIM.federation, access the usBIM platform, create a new folder and a new document, select ‘Federation of BIM models’ from usBIM.browser, add the files to be federated, and align the models through the reference system. Once the federation is complete, you can easily generate 2D plans and sections using usBIM.blueprint, exporting them in DXF/DWG/DWF formats to continue working in CAD.

How to model the MEP system in 3D and maintain a fully openBIM flow?

To work in a fully openBIM flow, the design of MEP systems must be developed directly on the federated IFC model, integrating architectural and structural information with system information. The steps to follow are:

federate the architectural model and the structural model with usBIM.federation;
download the federated IFC model and import it into the BIM software dedicated to MEP design;
model the project using the available MEP objects;
export the model again in IFC format and upload it to the usBIM cloud;
refederate the models to obtain a single integrated model (architectural, structural, and MEP);
perform clash detection to check for any interferences between the different elements of the model.

This approach allows for maintaining an open, interoperable, and updated workflow, ensuring maximum consistency between disciplines and reducing errors and rework.

What are the steps to perform clash detection with usBIM.clash?

The clash detection process with usBIM.clash consists of four main steps.

Step 1. Start from the federated IFC model: create a new project in usBIM.clash and import the IFC models of the involved disciplines (architecture, structures, MEP systems). Set the preliminary parameters, such as the minimum clearance and the type of interferences to be identified (hard clash or clearance clash).
Step 2. Import the IFC into your BIM software for MEP design: define selection groups to isolate the parts of the model to analyze (pipes, conduits, beams, etc.), filtering by IFC attributes or visually selecting the elements.
Step 3. Export and refederate the updated model: start the clash detection calculation to identify interferences and visualize them in the 3D model. Each clash is documented with ID, type, and position, and can be filtered or isolated by type.
Step 4. Perform the clash detection: generate reports in BCF, XLSX, or CSV formats, containing the list of interferences, views, notes, and responsible persons. Share the document with the team and proceed to resolve the interferences in the original models, periodically rerunning the clash detection to verify the update of project coordination.