Project Overview
National MEP Engineers partnered with one of its long-time clients, a restaurant architect, Tim Gaus, to support the new construction of a 6,000-square-foot Ruby Tuesday restaurant in Panama City Beach, Florida. This commercial restaurant project was executed on a fast-paced timeline of just 3 to 4 weeks, requiring a collaborative and well-coordinated design effort.
Task Assigned
The National MEP Engineers team was tasked with designing the comprehensive mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems for the new ground-up restaurant. This included HVAC design for both the dining and kitchen zones, lighting and power layouts, plumbing distribution systems, and the integration of specialized kitchen ventilation and grease management systems. The team also played a crucial role in selecting equipment, coordinating utilities, and ensuring the design met both aesthetic and code requirements. We utilized updated tools, including Revit, CAD, Trace 3D, Energy Gauge Summit, and AGI32, for the task assigned by the client.
Challenges
One of the primary hurdles involved coordinating with the kitchen consultant, particularly in obtaining timely access to kitchen equipment specifications, which were essential for accurate MEP sizing. Working in parallel with the structural engineer to finalize roof penetrations and equipment openings demanded additional back-and-forth communication.
The plumbing team faced site-related constraints, including limited space for installing grease interceptors and the challenge of concealing plumbing layouts without exposed piping. Our team also coordinated with the civil engineer to finalize the placement of the interceptor.
The lighting plan had to balance functional lighting levels with design aesthetics, while outdoor photometric compliance proved challenging due to site conditions, including tree cover and irrigation layout. Electrical coordination with fire protection controls added another layer of detail to the already demanding schedule.
Solutions
From the outset, our team engaged proactively with the kitchen consultant, cross-verifying every piece of food service equipment against the design documents and promptly flagging missing elements to the architect and consultant, eliminating potential submission delays.
During the conceptual and basis-of-design phases, National MEP Engineers proposed practical strategies for system layout and equipment sizing. They shared precise equipment locations and structural opening dimensions, aiding the architect and structural teams in early-stage coordination.
For HVAC and water heating, the team performed energy calculations to demonstrate that gas systems would outperform electric options, providing both cost and energy-efficiency insights that helped the client make an informed choice.
To address the limited space available for the grease interceptor, the plumbing team specified compact hydro-mechanical interceptors instead of bulkier gravity systems. Strategic planning also allowed for concealed routing of storm and gas lines, and the team requested an enclosed utility space for the water heater early in design to protect it from weather and maintain access control.
Our electrical team collaborated closely with both the fire protection contractor and the lighting vendor to create code-compliant photometric layouts that met both client preferences and local regulations. Their redesign of the exterior lighting layout accounted for natural obstructions, ensuring proper coverage across the site.
Client Impact
By combining technical precision with proactive coordination, National MEP Engineers helped streamline the design phase of the Ruby Tuesday project, ensuring it progressed without avoidable revisions or delays.
The project team’s early input on system strategies and utility planning facilitated a smoother permitting process, while the client benefited from improved energy performance and aesthetically integrated MEP systems.
Ultimately, the timely and collaborative effort enabled a seamless transition to construction, reinforcing the client’s trust in National MEP Engineers as a reliable design partner.