What is an MEP Engineer?
MEP stands for Mechanical Engineers, Electrical Engineers, Plumbing Engineers and Designers. MEP Engineers offer design and assessment consulting services to their respective fields. MEP Engineers make buildings inhabitable and comfortable for people. In a country like Kenya, these engineers are concentrated in the numerous consulting firms and in the ministry of public works (both national and county governments).
Electrical Engineers design the electrical systems in buildings and other structures where people congregate. The following are types of consulting services provided by Electrical Engineers.
1. Power distribution
2. Standby power systems
3. Uninterruptible power supply system
4. Lighting
5. Renewable energy system design and analysis
6. Power quality assessments
7. Harmonic analysis
8. Electrical and communication systems master planning and design
9. Telephone/data layouts
10. Building Management Systems/Guest Room Management Systems.
11. Security systems(Includes CCTV, Access Control, Boom Barriers, Electric Fence etc)
12. Audio Visual and Public Address Systems.
13. Fault current analyses
14. Arc fault analyses and labeling
15. Vertical transportation(Escalators, Elevators/lifts, Walkways)
16. Coordination studies
Typically, entry into the MEP engineering world is through an education in electrical or mechanical engineering. To become a professional engineer in Kenya, there are several requirements as outlined in the EBK’s website.
Some of the requirements:
1. Registered with EBK as a Graduate Engineer.
2. Have at least 3years working experience from the date of graduation.
3. Have worked under supervision of a Professional Engineer.
4. A professional report which consists of a report on experience to date and an engineering design report (calculations and drawings).
Why Career In the Building Services Consulting Industry
1. As mentioned elsewhere, PE’s in Kenya are mostly concentrated in the services industry and thus a graduate engineer with the goal of registering as a professional engineer has a high chance of achieving this goal by starting out his/her career in the consulting sector.
2. Another perk of working in the services industry is the chance it provides for one to practice engineering from design conception to implementation. It is in this industry where one can get full appreciation of almost all engineering principles they studied.
3. Working in the consulting field also affords one the continuous learning opportunity so as to keep up-to date with the latest technologies.
4. Since work involves use of design software such as AutoCAD and REVIT MEP and site visits and inspections, there is not much boredom and some of this work can be done remotely.
I have had experience working as an intern in the telecommunication sector, manufacturing control sector, repair and maintenance sector and the consulting sector. I would advise anyone any day to consider starting out their career in the services industry at least if they intent to register as professional engineers in Kenya.
