> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.strata.hendersonengineers.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.strata.hendersonengineers.com/workflows/mechanical-planning/mechanical-planning-overview.md).

# Mechanical planning overview

Understand the mechanical workflow, hierarchy, views, and current scope.

Mechanical is a discipline within the design environment, alongside Electrical and Plumbing. It runs on the same canvas, data, and topology infrastructure as the other disciplines, with its own hierarchy, equipment, and schematic load estimates. See [Design Environment Overview](/workflows/workspace/workspace-overview.md) for the shared layout and navigation.

> 📸 **Screenshot — Mechanical discipline** The design environment with the discipline switcher set to **Mechanical**, showing the System → Source → Zone → Space hierarchy tree in the left panel and a mechanical detail pane on the right.

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## Switching to Mechanical

Use the discipline switcher in the top nav bar and select **Mechanical**. See [Navigating Project Strata](/workflows/get-started/navigate-strata.md).

Mechanical spaces and data are isolated from Electrical and Plumbing — each discipline has its own space list, hierarchy, and canvas layer.

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## Hierarchy

Mechanical uses a four-level hierarchy: **System → Source → Zone → Space**. See [System Hierarchy](/reference/reference/system-hierarchy.md) for how this compares across disciplines.

* **Spaces** are individual rooms or areas.
* **Zones** are groups of spaces served by a common terminal unit (e.g., a VAV box or fan-powered box).
* **Sources** are air-handling units (RTU, AHU, DOAS, etc.) or other primary equipment serving one or more zones.

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## Views

* **Canvas** — draws on the floor plan. All levels can be created and grouped from the action bar: **Add Zone** (`Z`) and **Add Source** (`Y`); with a compatible selection these switch to **Group into Zone / Source**. See [the action bar](/workflows/workspace/canvas-view.md#the-action-bar).
* **Data** — tabular entry for the full hierarchy. See [Mechanical Data View](/workflows/mechanical-planning/data-view.md).
* **Topology** — read-only diagram of the mechanical hierarchy. See [Topology View](/workflows/workspace/topology-view.md).

The **Views** switcher in the top nav bar toggles on-canvas overlays for mechanical: **Zone Map** and **Source Map**. Space and equipment labels are toggled from hamburger menu (≡) → **View**.

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## Related

* [Zones](/workflows/mechanical-planning/zones.md)
* [Sources and Equipment](/workflows/mechanical-planning/sources-and-equipment.md)
* [Spaces](/workflows/mechanical-planning/spaces.md)
* [Loads and Densities](/workflows/mechanical-planning/loads-and-densities.md)
* [Mechanical Data View](/workflows/mechanical-planning/data-view.md)
* [System Hierarchy](/reference/reference/system-hierarchy.md)
* [Design Environment Overview](/workflows/workspace/workspace-overview.md)