A Descriptive Study of Errors and Omissions in MEP Rough-in for Concrete Construction

Correctly placing Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing (MEP) systems in concrete slab rough-ins is important for ensuring efficient workflow in construction sites. The three main components used during the rough-in phase are: a) Embedded items (anchors or inserts), b) Slab spaces created with forms (block-outs or bulkheads), and c) Trade place tubes (sleeves). However, these components are susceptible to four common types of errors and omissions (E&O): i) Dimension errors, ii) Positioning errors, iii) Securing problems, and iv) Complete omissions. These E&O can cause delays and require rework. Unfortunately, there is limited research addressing these E&O. This study aims to fill the gap in published research on E&O in MEP rough-ins and develop a structural component-issue classification framework. Therefore, the objective of this paper is to identify and uncover patterns and correlations among different types of E&O, providing insights to improve construction accuracy and efficiency. The methodology employed in this paper was quantitative, utilizing three descriptive analysis methods: 1- Box and Whisker Plot, 2- Correlation Matrix Heatmap, and 3- Bar Chart. The results indicate that dimension and positioning errors, particularly for components such as, Embedded items (anchors or inserts), and trade placed tube (Sleeves), are consistently problematic. These findings provide baseline insights that may inform quality control prioritization and construction management education, while establishing an analytical foundation for future field-validated research.