Overview
Creating custom assemblies lets you bundle your company's standard build-ups into reusable items. Once created, an assembly is available to every user on the database and can be used on the takeoff screen or within the PDF takeoff system.
You can either build an assembly entirely from scratch (covered on this page) or start from one of Ensign's pre-built assemblies and copy or modify it.
Creating an assembly from scratch
- 1
Get your component items on screen. On the takeoff screen, input all the individual items that will make up the assembly — pipework, couplings, clips, rod, channel, nuts, cable, back boxes, or whatever the assembly requires. Input one of each item; the exact quantities do not matter at this stage because you will set the rates in the assembly screen.
You can find items through the standard database navigation, the advanced search, or by typing descriptions or product codes into the search box at the top of the takeoff screen.
- 2
Highlight all the items. Click on the left-hand side of each row so the entire row highlights. This is important — clicking on individual cells will not work. Select every item that should be part of the assembly.
- 3
Create the assembly. Right-click on the black arrow of the last highlighted row. Select Create Manual Assembly (mechanical platform) or Create Assembly (electrical platform). Confirm when prompted.
- 4
Set the category, main index, and sub-index. These three levels determine where the assembly lives in the navigation tree. Use clear, descriptive names so you and your colleagues can find it later.
- Category — use one of the existing categories (e.g. Cable Management, Valves, Radiators) or the Miscellaneous category for custom groupings.
- Main index — a broader grouping within the category (e.g. "Steel Pipework" or "Tray").
- Sub-index — a more specific grouping (e.g. "Heavyweight Screwed and Socketed" or "LeGrand").
On the electrical platform, the category is selected on the left-hand side of the assembly screen. On the mechanical platform, it is in a similar position but laid out slightly differently.
- 5
Write the item description. This is what appears when you browse or search for the assembly. Be specific enough to distinguish it from similar assemblies — for example, "Steel Tube Including Brackets at 1.2m" or "50mm MRF Tray Including Hanger at 3m".
- 6
Set the unit of measure. Choose Linear for anything you measure in metres (pipework, cable tray, trunking, conduit) or Unit for items you count (sockets, radiators, basins, valve sets).
- 7
Mechanical only — the size-lock checkbox. On the mechanical platform, there is a checkbox that locks the assembly to the pipe size you built it with. If you untick this box, the assembly becomes available for every size offered by the first component (e.g. every size of copper tube or steel pipe). This is usually what you want — it means one assembly covers all sizes rather than having to create a separate assembly for each.
On the electrical platform this step does not exist. The assembly is only available for the specific size you used when building it (e.g. 50mm tray stays as 50mm tray).
- 8
Set the quantities for each component. This is the most important step. Each quantity tells the software how much of that component to generate per metre (for linear) or per unit (for unit assemblies).
- For the primary item (e.g. the pipe or tray itself), a quantity of 1 means one metre of material per metre measured. Add a wastage allowance if desired — 1.05 for 5 % or 1.10 for 10 %.
- For periodic items (couplings, brackets, clips), use the calculator at the bottom of the screen. Enter how many of the item you need and how often (e.g. "1 every 3 metres"). The calculator gives you the decimal to type into the quantity box (e.g. 0.33).
- For items with a fixed length per support point (e.g. 150 mm of threaded rod per bracket), factor in both the length and the frequency. For instance, 0.15 m of rod at two brackets every 1.2 m gives 0.30 every 1.2 m, which the calculator resolves to 0.25.
See the quantity examples section below for worked examples.
- 9
Click Save and Exit. Your assembly is now ready to use.
Optional: user assembly code
On the electrical platform, you can assign a short reference code (e.g. "AL01") to the assembly. This allows you to type the code directly into the search box on the takeoff screen to load the assembly instantly, without navigating through the category tree.
Optional: associated components
For linear assemblies, you can map fittings (90-degree and 45-degree bends) so the PDF takeoff system automatically adds them at changes of direction. See associated components for full details.
Quantity calculation examples
The calculator at the bottom of the assembly screen works out rates per metre for you. Here are some common scenarios:
| Component | Requirement | Calculator input | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coupling | 1 every 3 metres | 1 at every 3 m | 0.33 |
| Clip | 2 every 1.2 metres | 2 at every 1.2 m | 1.67 |
| Backing plate | 1 per clip (2 every 1.2 m) | 2 at every 1.2 m | 1.67 |
| Threaded rod | 150 mm drop, 2 brackets every 1.2 m | 0.30 at every 1.2 m | 0.25 |
| Overhead hanger | 1 every 3 metres | 1 at every 3 m | 0.33 |
| Cable (unit assembly) | 15 metres per socket point | Direct entry | 15 |
You do not need to memorise these calculations. Enter the values into the calculator and it provides the answer for you. Just type the result into the quantity box.
Tips for organising assemblies
- Be consistent with naming. If multiple people create assemblies, agree on a naming convention for categories, main indexes, and descriptions.
- Include key details in the description. Bracket centres, cable allowances, and support types help estimators pick the right assembly without having to open and inspect it.
- Start with Ensign's library. Review how Ensign has structured their assemblies before creating your own. The patterns they use for categories and quantity ratios are a good model to follow.
- Assemblies benefit the whole team. Spending half an hour setting up assemblies saves time on every future estimate and ensures consistent allowances across all estimators.