M&E

[edit] What does M&E mean in the construction industry?

In the construction industry, the term 'M&E' means 'mechanical and electrical'. It may be used to refer to mechanical and electrical systems, or mechanical and electrical engineers, mechanical and electrical drawings and so on.

[edit] What are mechanical and electrical systems?

Mechanical systems can include elements of infrastructure, plant and machinery, tool and components, heating and ventilation and so on.

For more information see: Mechanical engineer.

Electrical systems might include, power supply and distribution, telecommunications, computing instrumentation, control systems and so on.

For more information see: Electrical engineer.

Clearly there is a great deal of overlap, with many systems including both mechanical and electrical components, hence the term M&E.

[edit] What qualifications do M&E engineers have?

There are both mechanical and electrical engineering professionals who specialise in M&E. M&E engineers will often hold a degree in mechanical, electrical or M&E engineering. There are also combined mechanical and electrical engineering courses are available, with joint accreditation between the Engineering Council, Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) and Institution of Mechanical Engineers. Chartered Engineer status can be awarded through the Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers.

There are a large number of specialist M&E subcontractors and suppliers, and many of the bigger main contractors will have their own M&E divisions. A great deal of integration and co-ordination is required and designs are often a collaboration between consultants, contractors and specialists. This can cause problems where there are a number of separate disciplines, packages and suppliers, with no one party taking overall responsibility for co-ordination.

[edit] What is the difference between M&E and building services?

The terms 'M&E' and 'M&E engineer' are often taken as interchangeable with the terms 'building services'/ 'building services engineer'.

Building services are the systems installed in buildings to make them comfortable, functional, efficient and safe and might include:

• Building control systems.
• Energy distribution.
• Energy supply (gas, electricity and renewable sources such as solar, wind, geothermal and biomass).
• Escalators and lifts.
• Facade engineering (such as building shading requirements).
• Fire safety, detection and protection.
• Heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC).
• Information and communications technology (ICT) networks.
• Lighting (natural and artificial).
• Lightning protection.
• Refrigeration.
• Security and alarm systems.
• Water, drainage and plumbing (including sustainable urban drainage systems (SUDS)).
• Carbon emissions calculations and reduction.

However, mechanical and electrical engineering can be a wider field than this, including areas beyond building design and construction, such as; large-scale power generation and transmission, transportation systems, infrastructure controls, industrial installations and so on.

For more information see: Building services engineer.

[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings

• Air conditioning.
• Air handling unit.
• BSRIA.
• Building engineering physics.
• Building services.
• Building services engineer.
• CIBSE.
• Electrical engineer.
• Engineer.
• Institution of Mechanical Engineers.
• Mechanical engineer.

[edit] External references

• Engineering Council.
• Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET).
• Institution of Mechanical Engineers.

Comments

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Really helpful explanation thanks.