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WHITEPAPER
Revit MEP: Schedule Keys and Custom Parameters
Revit MEP disciplines often need to fill the gaps in their workflow with shared parameters. But wouldn’t it be nice if the data
going into those parameters could be inserted in a regimented and orderly fashion? Look no further than Schedule keys to
help make this a reality.
For the example in this paper, we will be talking about low voltage devices in a hospital. Particularly, I will focus on occupancy
sensors for lighting.
When working with these kinds of devices in Revit, you have to think about how you will tag and schedule these items.
This becomes even more crucial in a large building where the items need to be tagged and tracked.
Here is some general background on Schedule keys. Schedule keys are normally used by the Architectural discipline to fill
out the Room Finish Schedule. Example: create several styles for rooms which include specific finishes and apply those styles
to the rooms as opposed to filling out every finish for every room individually. There could be a utility finish style for janitorial
spaces, an executive finish style for conference rooms, etc.
In this case, we will create a Schedule key for the lighting devices. To create a Schedule key, right click and create a schedule.
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Revit MEP: Schedule Keys and Custom Parameters
Instead of Scheduling building components, create a Schedule key.
It will be a little bare at first but creating the Parameters needed is the next step.
It is a good idea to rename the Schedule key with a special designator so it doesn’t get placed on a sheet. Keys are to help fill in
information, not necessarily to go on a sheet.
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Revit MEP: Schedule Keys and Custom Parameters
The next step is to create a few Project Parameters.
Create Parameters as desired in the Project Parameters dialog box. Be sure to check the categories that you want to have
access to this parameter.
Here are the parameters that will be created to help add additional information to the occupancy sensors. Equipment ID:
XX-XX, department, unit, wing, and floor. I’m only going to use department, unit, and wing in the Schedule key.
For Equipment ID, I will make a parameter for the device itself and the Level (FLOOR) will schedule itself.
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Revit MEP: Schedule Keys and Custom Parameters
Be sure to make the Parameter Type Text, it is the most flexible. The default is Length, which won’t let you input a text
description. Also be sure to check Lighting Device and/or other desired Categories. Now add these extra Parameters to the
Schedule key. These Parameters need to be Instance Parameters or the Schedule key will not be able to use them.
Fill in the key. This is the part where you need to place all organizing principles and take your time doing it. The piece that
allows you to fill in this information quickly and accurately comes later. After reading through this whitepaper, hopefully ideas
will be filling your head for equipment and device data that could use this tool.
Now back to the actual Occupancy Sensor Schedule. The four items from the Schedule key should still be blank.
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Revit MEP: Schedule Keys and Custom Parameters
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Don’t forget to utilize Highlight in Model to double check that the properties will be assigned to the correct piece of equipment.
This tool will take you right to the device.
Here are the properties before the key is utilized.
Back to the Occupancy Sensor Schedule to fill out line 1.
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Revit MEP: Schedule Keys and Custom Parameters
Here are the properties after filling out line 1. Notice that the Schedule key will prevent changes from being made, like a
reporting Parameter. However, if the Parameters are filled out before the Schedule key can be used to fill out those
Parameters, they can be modified.
The Schedules can be set up before all of the devices are even placed. The Schedule key makes it easy to fill in information
right in the middle of design. Schedule keys have more use than just filling in Room Finish Schedules. This is one of the many
alternate uses.
About IMAGINiT Technologies
IMAGINiT Technologies, a Rand Worldwide Company, is the world’s largest provider of enterprise solutions
to the engineering community, including the building, manufacturing, civil and mapping industries. With
over 25 years of experience, and 45 offices throughout North America, we provide the expertise, training
and support to help companies realize the full power of design technology, maximize ROI and gain
competitive advantage.
IMAGINiT is a leading provider of Autodesk software solutions and the largest North American Autodesk
Authorized Training Center (ATC) partner. All of our locations are supported by a vast pool of engineering
resources focused on developing real-life business solutions for their local clients.
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800.356.9050
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