About Classification
Explains the concept of classifying components for the Pipe and Air Duct Network Calculation.
During classification, components are assigned the appropriate calculation type so that they are taken into account in the calculation according to their function.
The classification is based on the cross-disciplinary three-step MepClasses classification system, which was specially developed for the building technology sector. Components that are used in multiple disciplines only need to be classified once in order to be correctly included in the calculations for all disciplines.
Structure of the Classification System
The top level of the system is the Domain, which represents the different areas of building technology, e.g. Heating/Cooling or Fresh Water/Drainage.
Within the domain, a division is made according to the functions of the components (Function). This level combines objects that have comparable functions, such as expansion vessels and backflow preventers, which fulfill safety functions in the Heating/Cooling domain and are grouped under the Safety function.
The third level of organization is the Class of components. The object classes, which represent specific characteristics of the individual functions, are defined at this level. The Safety function, for example, includes classes such as Backflow Preventers, Expansion Vessels and Water Shortage Safety Devices. Based on the selection of the class, the calculation types and thus the functions of the components in the network and the technical data used in the calculation are defined. Depending on the class, further variants of the classes may be offered, which differ for example in terms of slightly different technical data and other designations for the output in the parts list. The technical data of each individual component can be customized for the Pipe and Air Duct Network Calculation. You can make adjustments using both the Technical Data... function in the Components area and in the LINEAR Properties.
Assigning and Saving Classifications
In order to classify a component, this component must belong to a system type suitable for the pipe or duct network calculation and have at least one connection, otherwise it cannot be included in the calculation.
During classification, the system verifies whether the component has sufficient connections for the selected calculation type. If this is not the case, the component cannot be calculated with the selected calculation type and a corresponding message is displayed.
The MepClasses are stored in the LIN_Classification_LINEAR parameter, which is displayed as MepClass in the LINEAR Properties.
Once you have completed the classification, the assignment is saved both in the specific type of the selected component family (and thus in the project) and in the corresponding (local) user file so that this classification can also be suggested in other projects. To assign classifications to individual instances of a component, its family type must first be duplicated and then classified. For component families with multiple types, the assignment is stored at the family and at the concrete type. A family with several types can therefore also contain different classifications. When you release your project for collaboration in the BIM context, all classifications are preserved.
If a project contains unclassified components, suggestions can be loaded from the local user file. Afterwards, a message informs about the number of loaded assignments. The newly loaded classification proposals are saved to the family types after closing the dialog as described.