MEP Fix Classification

First fix comprises all the work needed to take a building from foundation to putting plaster on the internal walls. This includes constructing walls, floors and ceilings, and inserting cables for electrical supply and pipes for water supply.

Second fix comprises all the work after the plastering to a finished house. Electrical fixtures are connected to the cables, sinks and baths connected to the pipes, and doors fitted into doorframes. Second fix work requires a neater finish than first fix.

The division of work is a convenient description because electricians, plumbers and carpenters will probably have to make two separate visits to one property under construction, at separate times. Project managers can report "first fix complete" or "second fix 50% done" and others can understand.

The installation of this equipment takes place in the "third fix" segment of a construction project. It is especially important that installation of sensitive electronic equipment be installed only when a construction site is dust-controlled and prepared for what would be considered "dust free" conditions

Mechanical:

Plumbing (Drainage/Water Supply & Fire Fighting)

1. First Fix: Surveying, Marking, Supports and Brackets Installation    
2. Second Fix:

• Stage 1: Installation of Main Plumbing Header & Branch pipe
• Stage 2: Insulation of Branch pipe & Installation of droppers with Valve accessories
• Stage 3: Testing of Main & Branch Pipe lines

1. Final Fix: Installation of Hose Bib & Sanitary fixtures (All Exposed Plumbing Items)
2. Equipment Installations: Sump Pump & Water Heater (All Plumbing Long Lead Items)

 

HVAC

1. First Fix: Surveying, Marking, Supports and Brackets Installation
2. Second Fix:

• Stage 1: Installation of Ducts/CHW/Refrigerant Pipe
• Stage 2: Insulation of Branch Ducts/CHW/Refrigerant Pipe & Installation of droppers with Valve Accessories
• Stage 3: Testing of Main & Branch Ducts/CHW/Refrigerant Pipe

1. Final Fix: Installation of Grilles & Diffusers (All Exposed HVAC Items)
2. Equipment Installations: Chillers & AHU's (All HVAC Long Lead Items)

Electrical

1. First Fix: Surveying, Marking, Supports and Brackets , install conduits & back boxes in wall
2. Second Fix:

• Stage 1: Pulling of Cables/Wires & Continuity test i.e. Wiring for internal lights, small power, sockets, Wire pulling to junction boxes & electrical Distribution Boards, DB dressing, Cable tray & trunking
• Stage 2: Termination and Glanding of Cables/Wires

1. Final Fix: Installation of Light Fixtures (All Exposed Electrical Items)
2. Equipment Installations: HV Switch gear & DB's/SMDB's/LCP's (All Electrical Long Lead Items)

Note:
High Level Installations refers MEP Works in Ceiling Void Space
Low Level Installation refers MEP works below the false ceiling board enclosure
Generally MEP Risers are given more importance .It has separate WBS named Risers in which respective risers are mentioned it is not classified in to fixes

Related articles

• MEP Fix Classification

L is for Lien

English: Contractor-led design-build, architect as subcontractor (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Contractors, subcontractors, suppliers and consultants cite "not getting paid" as one of the biggest challenges to operating in the construction industry in Qatar.  Understandably, companies are starting to look for opportunities to secure payment.  Effective, practical methods are proving difficult.  Liens are not without their difficulties but are another method to throw into the mix.
A "lien" is a priority right over property, moveable or immovable. Liens can arise where money is due from one party to another in order to satisfy or secure that debt.  In its simplest form it is hanging on to goods/materials/equipment which are properly in your possession but belong to someone else; someone whom owes you money.  In the construction context this becomes more difficult when those goods or materials are delivered and incorporated into a building or structure.  At this stage the lien is exercised as a "priority right", or an "attachment", broadly similar to a mortgage over a property.
A supplier has a lien or priority right over the materials supplied for as long as they maintain their "intrinsic nature".  Again, in the construction context, once incorporated into a building or structure they are likely to be inseparable, no longer of the same intrinsic nature.  A further problem arises if the goods or materials are sold on and the purchasing party knows nothing of the debt owed to the supplier – in these circumstances the lien may be lost. 
There is a risk that the goods or materials may be subject to other priority rights.  Judicial costs, costs of sale, costs of preserving or storing the materials, and wages to workers all taking precedence over the supplier's right to recover the debt it is owed.
Qatari law makes specific provision to cover the fees of contractors and designers whose work is in immovable property. i.e. The construction, rebuilding, restoring or maintaining of buildings or installations.  Such contractors and designers have a priority right over the building or installation to the extent of the value in the building or installation arising from the work of the contractor or designer. 
These priority rights must be registered as a charge over the property. They will rank behind other prior registered charges save where the prior registered charges were in existence before the works carried out by the contractor or designer added value to the property.  Registered charges whilst securing a debt may do little to assist in the short term as the contractor or designer, the lien holder, may not be able to force the sale of the property to recover its money.
Some contractors are deprived of the opportunity to secure payment by way of lien or priority right by being obliged to provide waivers or releases.  A release indicates completion and payment, or that a claim has been satisfied.  Releases may be required as a pre-condition to payment or to the issue of a taking over or initial acceptance certificate.  A waiver is typically obtained before commencement of the works and may be drafted into the terms of the contact itself.  A waiver relinquishes any existing or future right to a lien/priority right.
It is sensible for the construction client to protect itself by requiring that a contractor provide waivers or releases from its subcontractors.  This avoids a subcontractor registering a priority right over a property due to non-payment by the contractor where the contractor has been correctly paid by the client. 
Suzannah is a guest columnist for Construction Week Online.  As published onwww.constructionweekonline.com in May 2012. 

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• Is the Prospective Waiver of Lien Rights Conscionable?
• Subcontractors Can Still Perfect Mechanic's Liens After Prime Contractors File Bankruptcy