“MEP” (mechanical, electrical and plumbing) may soon be known as “MEP-T” with the technology network as the fourth crucial utility, according to an article on the Medical Construction & Design website.

Many new healthcare facility renovation and expansion projects are faced with dealing with existing low-voltage infrastructure or implementing entirely new infrastructure. 

Low-voltage systems are ususally provided by specialty subcontractors that work underneath electrical, mechanical, security and door subcontractors. If these systems are not integrated from the beginning of the project, an influx of low-voltage coordination and clash issues will surface, the article said. 

An MEP-T integrated approach to delivering low-voltage systems during construction can save roughly 8-27 percent, depending on project complexity. Low-voltage systems are becoming an increasingly valuable portion of the overall project budget.

Read the article.