Mechanical, Electrical and Plumbing (MEP) Design.
MEP systems are the services that make a building comfortable, safe and efficient in its use of energy and water.
The design covers thermal and hydraulic calculations for air conditioning and ventilation, power and lighting networks, water supply and drainage, and fire protection, with all routes coordinated in advance so they do not clash during construction. It follows the Saudi Building Code (SBC), the national building code, whose 2024 edition has been mandatory since mid-2025.
In the hot, humid climate of the Eastern Province, air conditioning has the greatest effect of any part of the design on comfort and running costs. So we calculate the cooling load of each room from its orientation, insulation and glazed area, not from a fixed allowance per square metre.
How it runs
The stages.
- Load calculations. We calculate cooling loads, balance the electrical loads and size the water and drainage flows.
- System design and equipment selection. We set duct routes, pipe sizes and supply capacities, and locate the plant rooms and distribution boards.
- Coordination and levels. We combine the routes of every system within the walls and ceilings, so nothing has to be broken out on site.
- Fire protection design. We match the fire networks to Civil Defence requirements and the SBC for the building's type and use.
- Construction drawings and specifications. We issue the construction drawings, bills of quantities and technical specifications for tender and construction.
Deliverables
What you receive.
- HVAC and air distribution drawings. Cooling load calculations, the choice of system — concealed ducted, central or VRF — and the duct routes.
- Lighting and power drawings. Lighting and power points, cable sizing, and load balancing across the distribution boards.
- Water supply and drainage drawings. Water and drainage networks, pipe sizes and falls, pumps, and ground and roof water tanks.
- Fire alarm and firefighting systems. Early-warning alarm and firefighting networks designed to Saudi Civil Defence requirements and the SBC fire code (SBC 801).
- Single-line diagrams. Main and sub-distribution board diagrams, with breaker and earthing calculations to protect equipment and people.
- MEP coordination drawing. One combined drawing of all services above the false ceilings and in the shafts, so nothing clashes with the concrete.
Before we start
What we need from you.
- The architectural and structural drawings in AutoCAD.
- How each space is used and by how many people, and any special equipment: a commercial kitchen, a lift, a swimming pool or a server room.
- Your preferred air-conditioning system if you have one — split, concealed ducted, central or VRF — and your budget level.
- What you want in smart-home features, solar power or water heating.
- For existing buildings: the existing drawings if available, and access to the distribution boards and services for inspection.
Fees
What sets the fee.
- The floor area of the building and the number of floors.
- The type and use of the building, and the fire and ventilation systems that follow from it.
- The air-conditioning system chosen and the number of zones.
- The disciplines included: the full package, or a single discipline.
- The level of coordination: separate drawings per discipline, or a full coordination drawing for ceilings and shafts.
- Additional systems: solar power, smart-home controls and low-current systems.
Frequently asked questions.
Why does an MEP coordination drawing matter?
It prevents clashes between air-conditioning ducts, drainage pipes and structural beams inside the ceilings, which avoids sudden breaking-out and sagging false ceilings during construction. It has to be prepared before the concrete is poured, because the openings that services pass through in beams and slabs are left during construction and cannot be cut afterwards without a structural review.
How does a cooling load calculation reduce my electricity bill?
Sizing the air conditioning exactly avoids buying units larger than you need, which waste energy, and gives proper cooling for the least consumption. The calculation also sets the duct sizes and the positions of the outdoor units — two common causes of noise and poor cooling in the rooms furthest from the unit.
Do your MEP drawings meet utility and Civil Defence requirements?
Yes. The networks and drawings are designed to the requirements of the official service providers — electricity, water and Civil Defence — which reduces the comments you receive when applying for connections and operating approvals.
Which parts of the Saudi Building Code govern MEP design?
The electrical code (SBC 401), the mechanical code (SBC 501), the plumbing code (SBC 701) and the fire code (SBC 801), plus the energy conservation codes for residential buildings (SBC 602) and non-residential buildings (SBC 601), which affect insulation and air-conditioning efficiency. The edition in force is the 2024 SBC, mandatory since mid-2025.
Do I need MEP design for a private villa?
Yes. Electrical, plumbing and air-conditioning drawings are part of the engineering package for any villa. Without them, each contractor improvises on site: pipe sizes, cable sizes and air-conditioning capacities are guessed, and clashes with beams appear after the pour. A coordinated drawing usually costs less than breaking out a ceiling or rewiring.
Can the design include solar power or a smart home?
Yes, if you ask for it at the start of the design. Space for the panels and cable routes on the roof can then be reserved and the distribution boards sized for them, or provisions left so they can be installed later. Adding them after the finishes is possible, but costs more and means more breaking-out.
Official sources
- Saudi Building Code — editions and parts — Saudi Building Code National Center
- Issuing a building permit — Balady — Ministry of Municipalities and Housing
Contact
Talk to an engineer.
Send us the plot location and what you want to build. We reply with the scope, the route through the permit, and a written quote.