Flow and Return Piping Systems in Revit MEP

I have been using Revit MEP and provide Revit MEP training for over ten years, and for most of that time when asked if it can create a flow and return piping system my answer has been no.

Flow and Return Piping Systems in Revit MEP

Consider a closed loop system made up of a boiler, a pump and several radiators. Revit will see this as two separate systems that would require a flow rate to be added to both the flow and return side of each radiator. As such we have two separate systems, and two sets of Mechanical Flow information where in reality this is a single flow and return system.

The problem we have with this arrangement is that if the flow rates were to be removed or altered on either the flow side or the return side of one or more of the radiators, there would be either no data or inconsistent data when interrogating the system pipework. In the first image below the flow rate has been removed from the return side of all radiators resulting in no values for that half of the system, but if we look at the flow side in the second image there is Mechanical Flow data.


Closed Loop Systems
The issue of treating this arrangement as a single flow and return systems in Revit MEP can be addressed using the Hydronics Networks feature, which was introduced in the 2018 release of Revit MEP. Below we see the option in Mechanical Settings to utilise the feature.


There are just two simple steps you need to take:
1. Set the system’s pump Classification to Pump in the family editor and load it back into your project.

2. From Mechanical Settings enable the option shown below.

What does our flow and return system look like now?
If we interrogate the same section of pipe as before we see that even though there is no flow rate value added to the return side of the radiator there is Mechanical Flow data in the properties.

If we look at the pump properties, we will see additional values for Calculated Flow and Calculated Pressure Drop for the complete flow and return system. Properties that were previously unavailable, without creating a pipe pressure loss report and adding the values together.

Using this feature allows you to interrogate values in your flow and return system without the need for creating reports and adding values together repeatedly. It also means that you will not have to apply separate values to both the flow and return sides of your radiators (or whatever is in your closed loop system).

If you are interested in learning how to use Revit or Revit MEP more effectively, then view our website for a list of available Revit training courses here. Alternatively contact us directly and we would be happy to discuss your specific needs with a tailored Revit training course.


How CQi Automates CAD Deployments and Reduces Risk

05 September 2025

In modern Architecture, engineering, construction and design environments, the pressure is on IT teams to deliver fast, consistent, and secure software setups. Whether you're supporting ten users or ten thousand, manual installation methods simply can’t keep up with the demands of large-scale CAD environments. That’s where CQi (Configuration Intelligence)steps in. At Symetri, we developed CQi to help organisations automate CAD deployment, reduce risk, and maintain standardisation—all without increasing the burden on IT departments. In this blog, we’ll explore how CQi works and why it’s becoming a go-to solution for smarter CAD management.

Security Gaps You Didn't Know You Had

26 August 2025

As cybersecurity threats continue to evolve, some of the biggest risks to your organisation might not be obvious. In this month’s IT Bulletin, we shine a light on three critical security concerns that are often underestimated or overlooked entirely. These issues can silently compromise systems, leak data, or be exploited without detection.