Development of an Automated Quantity Takeoff Algorithm for Fire-Protection Piping Using Dynamo in Revit MEPF
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: This paper proposes an automated quantity takeoff algorithm for fire-protection piping systems using Dynamo and Python in a Revit-based building information modeling (BIM) environment. To integrate the heterogeneous data structures of the pipes, fittings, valves, and pumps, each component was normalized into a five-dimensional row vector consisting of category, item, specification, length, and quantity. Dynamo was used to extract category-based parameters, whereas Python was employed for string normalization and data merging to generate a unified quantity takeoff table automatically. The proposed algorithm was applied to an actual fire-protection piping model, and the results showed that the piping lengths and quantities of fittings, valves, and pumps were accurately calculated. Compared with the conventional Revit schedule method, the proposed approach demonstrated superior performance in terms of automation level, output flexibility, and reusability. Therefore, the proposed method provides an effective framework for BIM-based automation for fire-protection design and cost estimation.
Source: Fire science and engineering
Authors: Ho-Sung Choi, Jae-Ou Lee
Institutions: Tech University of Korea, Daejeon University
Language: English
Subfield: Building and Construction
Field: Engineering
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W7166575661
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