Place Penetrations for Pipes in Walls and Floors
Automate insertion of penetration families where pipes intersect architectural elements like walls and floors.
Overview
The Place Penetrations for Pipes command detects intersections between pipes and structural elements, then dynamically sizes and places penetration family instances. This automation reduces manual work, minimizes errors, and maintains consistent documentation across project disciplines.
Key Features
Selection and Scope
- Manually select pipes requiring penetrations
- Include pipes from linked MEP or coordination models
- Choose walls, floors, or both as host elements
- Work with both native and linked model elements
Penetration Configuration
- Select custom penetration family types aligned with office standards
- Define penetration orientation relative to intersecting elements
- Choose between circular or rectangular penetration shapes
- Map family parameters (Width, Height, Diameter, Thickness) for dynamic sizing
Refinement Options
- Set gap values around pipes for construction tolerances
- Merge multiple nearby penetrations into single larger instances
- Configure merge tolerance thresholds (e.g., 100 mm)
Use Cases
Site Preparation: Pre-cut accurate openings before construction to minimize on-site drilling and avoid MEP-architectural coordination errors.
Model Integration: Automatically place standardized penetrations where pipes intersect host elements in linked workflows, improving clash detection and standards compliance.