MEP Scope

Description

The MEP Scope defines the extent, responsibilities and deliverables associated with the Mechanical, Electrical and Public Health (MEP) systems for a project across all RIBA stages. Its purpose is to ensure that MEP design and delivery are clearly defined, coordinated, compliant, maintainable and operationally fit for purpose, whilte aligning with Imperial College London standards, statutory requirements and operational needs. 

The MEP Scope shall clearly articulate: 

  • Technically robust and coordinated plans
  • Compliance with Imperial College London standards, statutory requirements and the Building Safety Act (where applicable)
  • Alignment with operational, maintenance, safety, sustainability, energy, ICT, fire and security requirements
  • Appropriate review and assurance through the Technical Review Meeting (TRM) process
  • Systems included and excluded from the project
  • Design intent, performance criteria, assumptions and constraints
  • Interfaces with BMS, fire, security, ICT and other building systems
  • Requirements for supervision, inspection, commissioning, witnessing and handover

Engagement

Development and agreement of the MEP Scope require early and ongoing engagement with the following roles and teams, as appropriate to the project: 

  • Project Manager
  • Head of Engineering, Property
  • Engineering Team
  • Energy & Sustainability Team
  • Maintenance & Operations Team
  • BMS/Controls (BEMS) Team
  • FIre & Security Engineering Team
  • ICT/Network Infrastructure Team
  • Safety & CDM Team
  • Sustainability Specialists
  • Appointed Design Consultants

Early engagement at RIBA Stages 0-1 is mandatory to ensure the MEP Scope reflects site conditions, existing services, operational constraints and whole-life considerations. Where practicable, engineers are expected to familiarise themselves with the project domain prior to the first TRM

Interface with TRM Process 

The MEP Scope shall be reviewed, challenged and refined through the Technical Review Meeting (TRM) process at successive RIBA Stages. TRM provides technical assurance by enabling the Design Team to present MEP, BMS, Fire, Security, Energy, ICT and associated health, safety and environmental proposals for review against Imperial requirements and operational expectations. 

The Project Manager is responsible for ensuring that: 

  • The agreed MEP Scope is presented at the relevant TRMs 
  • Scope assumptions, exclusions, and any non-compliances are clearly identified
  • TRM comments and actions are captured and managed through the combined TRM/TAG Comments Tracker (see below)

Notwithstanding TRM feedback, responsibility for full compliance with Imperial standards remains with the Design Team. 

Forms & Links

The MEP Scope shall reference and align with the following, where applicable: 

  • BSRIA BG6/2018 A Design Framework for Building Services 5th Edition: TBC
  • Room Data Sheet (Mechanical & Electrical): EEE06 Room Data Sheet (M&E)
  • TRM & PGRG Action Tracker: EEE03 TRM & PGRG Tracker
  • TRM Terms of Reference: EEE01 TRM Terms of Reference
  • Employer's Information Requirements (EIR) and Asset Information Requirements (AIR): TBC
  • Project-specific standards, specifications and strategies

Approvals & Compliance Review

The MEP Scope shall be:

  • Issued or confirmed by the Property Infrastructure Management (PIM) 
  • Reviewed through TRM and where required, escalated to TAG for approval of exceptional or non-compliant items
  • Confirmed at appropriate RIBS stage gateways as part of end-of-stage reviews. 

Any changes to the agreed MEP Scope shall be subject to formal change control and recorded through the TRM/TAG governance process. Where applicable the scope shall support compliance with Building Safety Act (BSA) and High Risk Building (HRB) gateway requirements. 

Repeated Subsequent RIBA Stages

RIBA 0-1
  • Initial definition and agreement of MEP scope of services
  • Alignment with procurement strategy, sustainability objectives and TRM expectations
RIBA 2-3
  • Development of system strategies, performance criteria and BMS philosophy
  • TRM review of coordinated design intent and key risks
RIBA 4
  • Fully defined and coordinated MEP scope suitable for technical deisgn and procurement
  • Confirmation of supervision, inspection, testing and commissioning requirements 
RIBA 5
  • Scope to support site inspections, quality assurance, witnessing and compliance monitoring
RIBA 6-7
  • Definition of handover, asset data, BMS documentation, training and operational readiness
  • Support post-occupancy evaluation and performance review