Loadable MEP components fall into general categories (pipe fittings, lighting fixtures, sprinklers, and so on).
The family category specified when a family is created determines which family parameters are activated. The settings for these family parameters affect the behavior for the part and identifies the type of component. In the Family Editor, the Family Category and Parameters settings are found in the Settings menu. Depending on the family category and the type of template that the family was derived from (host-based, generic model, detail component, generic tag, and so on), different family parameters apply. The following table lists each family category, and indicates the applicable family parameters.
| Family Category | Family Parameter | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Work Plane Based | Always Vertical | Light Source | Part Type | Maintain Annotation Orientation | Shared | Room Location Point | |
| Air Terminals | X | X | X | X | X | X | |
| Cable Tray Fittings | X | X | X | ||||
| Communications Devices | X | X | X | X | X | ||
| Conduit Fittings | X | X | X | ||||
| Data Devices | X | X | X | X | X | ||
| Duct Accessories | X | X | X | X | |||
| Duct Fittings | X | X | X | X | |||
| Electrical Equipment | X | X | X | X | X | ||
| Electrical Fixtures | X | X | X | X | X | ||
| Fire Alarm Devices | X | X | X | X | X | ||
| Generic Models | X | X | X | X | |||
| Lighting Devices | X | X | X | X | X | ||
| Lighting Fixtures | X | X | X | X | X | X | X |
| Mechanical Equipment | X | X | X | X | X | ||
| Nurse Call Devices | X | X | X | X | X | ||
| Pipe Accessories | X | X | X | X | |||
| Pipe Fittings | X | X | X | X | |||
| Plumbing Fixtures | X | X | X | X | X | ||
| Security Devices | X | X | X | X | X | ||
| Speciality Equipment | X | X | X | X | X | X | |
| Sprinklers | X | X | X | X | |||
| Telephone Devices | X | X | X | X | X | ||