Learn how to model main pipes and become acquainted with two distinct pipe types used in a specific project. With clear instructions, this article guides you through extending pipes, adding fittings, and adjusting routing preferences for optimal project results.
Key Insights
- The article provides a step-by-step guide on extending main pipes in a project, ensuring the correct direction and placement for optimal functionality.
- It introduces two types of pipes - fire protection T's and fire protection outlets - and explains the different situations where each type is used.
- It also explains how to adjust routing preferences to include a preferred junction type and how to switch between a standard T and a reducing T based on pipe diameters.
Note: These materials offer prospective students a preview of how our classes are structured. Students enrolled in this course will receive access to the full set of materials, including video lectures, project-based assignments, and instructor feedback.
In this video, we'll begin modeling some of our mains and also discuss the two pipe types we'll use for this project. Let's navigate to our Level 1 piping plan. Zoom in and click this pipe segment here, which is currently capped and represents part of our main line.
We'll extend this pipe, so first drag-select the cap and delete it. Click the pipe segment again and carefully drag downward. Ensure you maintain a straight alignment; the dashed line indicates you're aligned correctly. Hold the middle mouse button to pan while dragging, stopping near the wall around here. We'll refine its exact position later.
Next, select this pipe, right-click, Draw Pipe, and extend horizontally to the right, making sure your alignment remains perfectly straight. Continue dragging until roughly this point, then press Escape. Pan back to check the result. Revit automatically placed a 90-degree elbow here, which is acceptable, but since we plan to continue in the other direction as well, we’ll need a tee fitting instead. Delete this elbow.
Click and drag this pipe segment slightly downward and stop about here. Then, drag this main pipe to the centerline of our existing horizontal pipe and release.
Revit has now placed a tee fitting. Clicking this pipe, we see in Properties that it’s currently set to Fire Protection Tees, which is why a tee fitting was placed.
Learn Construction
- Nationally accredited
- Create your own portfolio
- Free student software
- Learn at your convenience
- Authorized Autodesk training center
However, clicking on this fitting reveals it's a reducing standard tee, which isn't correct here since all pipe segments are the same diameter (2½ inches). A reducing tee is used only when at least one pipe segment has a different size. This issue is related to our routing preferences, so let’s correct this.
Select this pipe segment again. Under Properties, click Edit Type, then click Edit next to Routing Preferences.
Here, our preferred junction type is set as a tee, which is correct. Under Junctions, we see it's currently a Threaded Reducing Tee for pipe sizes ranging from ½ inch to ¼ inch, and a reducing tee from ½ inch to 6 inches. We need a standard tee instead. Click the reducing tee option and select "FPT Standard."
Click OK, then OK again. Now, delete the existing tee fitting. Reconnect the pipe by dragging it until you see the target symbol appear.
The pipe segments are now reconnected as one continuous segment. Drag this main pipe back into the centerline again. Clicking the fitting now confirms it's a standard tee fitting, which is exactly what we want.
Earlier, I mentioned we have two pipe types: Fire Protection Tees and Fire Protection Outlets. We use them in different scenarios, so let's quickly discuss the Fire Protection Outlets as well.
First, delete the existing tee fitting. Reconnect the pipe segment again, then select this main pipe segment and change its type to Fire Protection Outlets. Drag it back into the centerline of the pipe.
Revit now places a welded outlet fitting with a coupling that connects to the pipe segment. Depending on the installation scenario, we’ll use outlets, which can accommodate either grooved or threaded pipe, or we can use tees as demonstrated earlier.
For now, let's revert this back to Fire Protection Tees. Simply undo (CTRL+Z) until we're back at the tee fitting setup. Now we're ready to move forward.
