Modern buildings resemble the human organism in their complex, multi-layered structure. Precisely coordinated pipes in a wide range of sizes run through the entire building like essential arteries and veins in our bodies. Detailed planning of the pipe routing in advance is essential for the smooth systematization of the network and subsequent expansion options.
Various legal and structural requirements must be complied with. Cables must be laid in such a way that they are protected from any kind of mechanical damage. This is the only way to avoid unforeseeable risks to people and property.
But which standards are relevant? And how can modern BIM software help with pipe laying? In this article, we break down the key parameters and show how complex planning of ambitious construction projects can succeed.
The most important facts in brief
Modern piping systems are crucial for trouble-free building operation and subsequent expansions
Other installation methods are recommended depending on the area of application
The installation must comply with various DIN standards
What are the different cable routing options?
A carefully planned and executed installation is crucial for the long-term safe operation of buildings - especially if existing systems are to be expanded at a later date.
Depending on the area of application, different cable laying methods can be used. An overview of the most common variants.
Flush-mounted installation
The cables are embedded in the walls or floors under the plaster that will be applied later. This ensures an aesthetically pleasing and unobtrusive look, as the cables are completely concealed from the outside world.
However, concealed cables require particularly careful planning, as the cables must be positioned precisely before plastering or tiling - subsequent corrections always involve considerable additional work.
Laying pipes directly in the masonry or in concrete recesses is similar to this variant.
Surface-mounted installation
In contrast to flush-mounted installation, the cables are visibly attached to the surface of the walls or ceilings. This enables uncomplicated installation and facilitates access for future maintenance work.
Surface-mounted installation is particularly useful in situations where quick and flexible installation is required. Although it can usually be implemented more quickly and cost-effectively than other variants, the installations remain visible. This variant is therefore particularly recommended for areas where public traffic or aesthetic requirements play a subordinate role.
Cavity installation
This method is often used in suspended ceilings or cavities where there is sufficient space for various cables - for example in cavity walls or wooden walls. By using special installation ducts or systems, the cables can be laid safely and neatly without affecting the outer surface.
This type of installation is particularly suitable for offices, stores or other commercial premises.
Laying in electrical installation ducts and pipes
The use of trunking protects the installed cables from mechanical impact and enables an aesthetically pleasing design of the room. They also offer flexibility during installation and subsequent changes or extensions to the electrical system.
Electrical installation ducts are generally easy to maintain, as they make it easier to access the cables for repairs or maintenance work without having to destroy the entire wall or ceiling.
Where must cables not be laid?
The laying of cables is generally prohibited in chimney and fireplace flues, on chimney flanges and in ventilation flues.
In the ground, cables must also be protected by protective conduits or closed installation ducts. If the cables are laid directly in the ground, only special underground cables may be used, as only these meet the specific requirements of this environment.
What needs to be taken into account when planning cable laying?
Just like the constantly moving veins in our body, complex and heavily used piping systems only function in the long term with the right care and maintenance.
To ensure that the latter is as uncomplicated as possible, a number of crucial parameters must be taken into account in order to minimize potential risks and guarantee smooth operation. Various legal requirements are also mandatory.
What safety regulations and standards are prescribed?
The planning of cable installations must always be carried out in accordance with the relevant legal requirements. This includes regulations to minimize fire hazards, to protect against electric shock and to avoid overloads. The following DIN standards in particular must be observed when planning cables:
The complex standards, which are also updated on an ongoing basis, require installation by qualified specialists - laypersons are generally prohibited from laying power cables, for example.
Electrical installation zones
Cables must not simply be laid according to personal taste or the most cost-effective installation option - when installing cables inside buildings, specific regulations apply for concealed cables and for switches and sockets.
These regulations stipulate certain installation zones. In addition, cables must be laid vertically or horizontally to ensure that the approximate route of the invisible cables can also be checked afterwards.
These measures considerably reduce the risk of damage during subsequent installation work by other trades such as gas, water or heating, for example when drilling dowel holes or hammering in nails.
Load requirements and future extensions
The planning of cable installations must take into account the expected load requirements. It is crucial to choose the right cable size and capacity according to the expected power requirements.
In addition, future needs and development opportunities should be considered to ensure that the lines are sufficiently dimensioned to support potential expansions or necessary upgrades.
Environmental factors
Buildings should never be viewed in isolation, but are always embedded in their environment. Accordingly, the specific environmental factors must also be taken into account. This can include, for example, the type of surrounding buildings, temperature, humidity, chemical influences or other external influences.
To ensure long-term safety and stability, these parameters should be taken into account when selecting the appropriate cables and lines.
Accessibility and maintenance
As a rule, piping systems are planned for long-term use. The design should therefore also take into account the accessibility of the pipes in order to facilitate future maintenance work or necessary repairs.
It is therefore always advisable to plan sufficient inspection or access points to be able to access the pipes without damaging the surrounding structures.
How can the planning of cable laying be simplified?
Laying the cables lays the technical foundation for the subsequent operation of the building. Ineffective systems slow down smooth operation and reduce the comfort of use for future users.
A careful design of the piping system must therefore be considered in the long term in order to optimize safety aspects and subsequent operating processes.
A modern pipe network is like a complex organism with numerous individual organs that influence each other. Whereas in the analogue age, planning and adjustments were still usually carried out using laborious manual input, digital tools can make implementation much simpler and more flexible.
Digital for more planning efficiency
Building Information Modeling (BIM) is not only revolutionizing the entirety of modern construction processes, but also offers decisive advantages over analogue planning in the specific application of pipeline planning - because the advanced technology supports planners in the management and visualization of even highly complex pipeline systems.
Modern BIM software can visualize the entire life cycle of a building with detailed digital information - and thus precisely depict each individual process step in the laying of pipes from planning to finalization.
BIM in practice - Trimble Nova
If cables are the veins of a building, Trimble Nova is ECG, computer tomography and treatment planning at the same time - bundled in one program.
It offers an intuitive user interface and helps to coordinate key parameters and installation zones. Planning designed in this way is also easy for all project participants to understand afterwards.
The software starts in the preliminary design phase and visualizes all relevant project data up to the actual pipe laying, integrating, for example, installation plans for electrical appliances that have already been created.
Within the software, you can develop accurate building models optimized for final installation, complete with all relevant parameters. The embedded calculations enable seamless monitoring and editing in real time, while integration with Trimble Connect makes it easy to coordinate a model with other project participants.
Conclusion - pipe laying is more than just connecting pipes
Laying pipes is much more than simply connecting individual pipes. Like veins and arteries, they run through every single part of a building and bring the desired use to life. Without a carefully planned pipe system, however, the operation of a building quickly comes to a standstill.
In addition to the relevant DIN standards and legal requirements, a detailed overview of all relevant parameters, environmental factors and potential areas of conflict is crucial. Especially if later extensions are planned and installations that have already been implemented need to be traceable.
Modern BIM software can provide essential support and make work easier in order to keep this overview available in the long term.
Trimble Nova is a particularly powerful calculation software that can precisely visualize piping systems and seamlessly compare them with other trades and installation processes. With features such as the independent CAD core, 3D modeling functions and implemented calculations, it can also display complex piping systems.
The software is, so to speak, the software heart in the planning of modern piping systems. Trimble Connect is the supplementary interface to other project areas - the connecting wires. It networks the individual results and presentations and provides all those involved with the necessary detailed information in real time.
Together, the two programs unleash the full power of modern BIM processes - and revolutionize the laying of pipes in complex construction projects with digital efficiency.
