We will also outline methods for creating a FF&E schedules within Revit, in Excel, and in a flexible database tool. And, we'll explore the pros and cons of each method.
FF&E stands for Furniture, Fixtures, and Equipment. It generally refers to all the movable pieces of a design—couches, artwork, kitchen appliances, etc.
In architecture and design, a schedule refers to the spreadsheet of specifications for a particular scope of the project. This is where you might find the manufacturer, description, dimensions, and any other details for a product. A project might have a door schedule, a window schedule, a finishes schedule, and an FF&E schedule.
FF&E workflows and scheduling within Revit itself are very similar to any other Revit element—doors, windows, etc.
FF&E, however, is inherently managed differently than architectural elements. The architect is likely not the decision maker on these items, even though they typically own the Revit model.
Because of this, managing FF&E schedules within Revit takes a lot of hands-on coordination and active management.
First things first, you have to actually have FF&E in Revit to begin. It’s a very similar process to any other Revit element:
Tip: If you’re looking for a good source for stock Revit families, check out Revit City or BIM Objects.
For FF&E items in particular, it might be helpful to use generic families. While an office park project may have 10 different kinds of desk chairs throughout the campus, it’s probably not necessary to weigh down your model (or use your time) to model all the minutia.
Oftentimes, a generic model will suffice. To distinguish between different types, you should create a new type and give each type a distinct type mark. Within each type you can specify the dimensions, color, etc. That makes this type different than the nine other office chairs.
If you’re using a flexible database tool in tandem while placing your FF&E in the model, this process is even easier. Revit only needs to be the data source for the location, quantities, and maybe a general massing. You can store all other information in the flexible database tool itself. More on that later.
Now that you've designed and placed FF&E in the model, you have to schedule it.
There are several approaches and every company does it a little differently.
The most popular options are to
Let’s take a look at the options:
Scheduling within Revit is, again, similar to how you would schedule other model elements, like doors and windows.
Because of the problems with accessibility of a Revit schedule, many companies resort to Excel or other spreadsheet programs to schedule their FF&E.
In this situation, Revit might host either:
The spreadsheet would store all the information the designer would need (model number, dimensions, fabric, color, required power specs, etc).
This method of scheduling gives the Interior Designer or consultant full control of the schedule, independent of Revit ability or permissions. However, any changes in the schedule that need to be reflected in Revit and coordinated across teams will need to be verbally communicated to somebody that has permission to revise the model.
Say, for example, the kitchen designer changes the spec for a microwave, now it requires a different voltage. This information needs to be updated inside the Revit model. Then, you need to relay this to the electrical engineer or contractor.
There is one comprehensive solution: a flexible database tool.
A flexible database tool will connect your Revit model, web content, cut sheets, and manufacturer info in one dashboard, organized however you find most useful.
After placing the FF&E in the Revit model, link (or sync) the model to your database tool. The tool can harvest and extract the data that already exists in the model, and if you’ve linked your model previously, can notify you of any changes since you last synced.
To learn more about how to use a flexible database tool like Layer, scroll to the bottom of this page and schedule a demo!
Revit will remain the source of information for quantities and locations, and maybe a general massing. The flexible database tool can also host all other information, however nitty gritty you need to get. You can access the information from within the Revit model via a dockable window. More importantly though, the information can be accessed by anyone without ever opening Revit.
Even if you don’t know Revit or have access to the model, you can use Layer's Revit Model Viewer to walk around the model and click on any object to see all of the data. You can even view the model with the furniture components isolated to get a holistic picture of the FF&E scope.
A flexible database tool like Layer remains a singular source of truth and eliminates a lot of the back and forth between the architect and interior designer or consultants.
Once your company has established a furniture schedule for one project, you can reuse the format throughout all of your projects, creating easily interpretable schedules with visual consistency.
With a tool like Layer, you can share and collaborate with project stakeholders from any device—from your desk or from site. Those that work in Revit can stay in Revit and make changes as necessary there. Those that are not in Revit can stay out of the model, while still making their own revision to the data they need control over.
Layer also makes it easy to connect diverse disciplines on a project, and deliver and report information in the way that makes the most sense for your team specifically.
Hopefully you now have a better understanding of the different methods for creating FF&E Schedules. Proper management of an FF&E project requires detailed coordination of a lot of disparate information.
The best way to keep it all straight and accessible to all is through a flexible database tool. This way, everyone has equal view into the most current information.
If you’d like to learn more about a flexible database tool like Layer, schedule a demo >
Tip: Layer users get unlimited access to best practice templates too!