Revit MEP now offers a solution for this, but it still takes some compromise between the two teams (this is usually where the break down occurs, but maybe technology can help bridge the gap)...
Revit MEP 2011 now offers the ability to "Copy Monitor" MEP fixture elements between referenced models!! MEP Fixture Elements include:
- Lighting Fixtures
- Plumbing Fixtures
- Air Terminals (HVAC Grilles)
- Mechanical Equipment (useful between Electrical and Mechanical model)
You may have noticed an extra button in the Collaborate tab of the Revit MEP 2011 ribbon that does not exist in Revit Architecture 2011... The "Coordination Settings" button
This new button gains access to the MEP Fixture monitoring settings as seen below...
You can map the architectural fixtures to your own custom fixtures!! It is important that the architect does not use length parameters to control the fixture mounting heights as this disrupts the location monitoring and will result in goofy coordination warnings. The architect must use the offset parameter to control mounting heights for non hosted fixtures.
There is a "Batch Copy" button in the main Copy Monitor feature making it easier than ever to coordinate fixtures between referenced models in Revit!
You now get notified when fixtures move, get deleted, or new ones get added to the Architectural model! When you select a monitored fixture, you will get a monitor icon above it as seen in the example below.
Opening a model with discrepancies identified between the link and the host model will be prompted as seen in the image below.
