diff --git a/code/_macros.dm b/code/_macros.dm
index 1038b6a2e46..463a7da26d9 100644
--- a/code/_macros.dm
+++ b/code/_macros.dm
@@ -42,6 +42,8 @@
 
 #define isxeno(A) istype(A, /mob/living/simple_animal/xeno)
 
+#define isopenspace(A) istype(A, /turf/simulated/open)
+
 #define isweakref(A) istype(A, /weakref)
 
 #define RANDOM_BLOOD_TYPE pick(4;"O-", 36;"O+", 3;"A-", 28;"A+", 1;"B-", 20;"B+", 1;"AB-", 5;"AB+")
diff --git a/code/modules/multiz/basic.dm b/code/modules/multiz/basic.dm
index e76c6516aa7..24d24b10497 100644
--- a/code/modules/multiz/basic.dm
+++ b/code/modules/multiz/basic.dm
@@ -11,25 +11,35 @@ var/z_levels = 0 // Each bit represents a connection between adjacent levels.  S
 	qdel(src)
 
 // The storage of connections between adjacent levels means some bitwise magic is needed.
-proc/HasAbove(var/z)
+/proc/HasAbove(var/z)
 	if(z >= world.maxz || z > 16 || z < 1)
 		return 0
 	return z_levels & (1 << (z - 1))
 
-proc/HasBelow(var/z)
+/proc/HasBelow(var/z)
 	if(z > world.maxz || z > 17 || z < 2)
 		return 0
 	return z_levels & (1 << (z - 2))
 
 // Thankfully, no bitwise magic is needed here.
-proc/GetAbove(var/atom/atom)
+/proc/GetAbove(var/atom/atom)
 	var/turf/turf = get_turf(atom)
 	if(!turf)
 		return null
 	return HasAbove(turf.z) ? get_step(turf, UP) : null
 
-proc/GetBelow(var/atom/atom)
+/proc/GetBelow(var/atom/atom)
 	var/turf/turf = get_turf(atom)
 	if(!turf)
 		return null
 	return HasBelow(turf.z) ? get_step(turf, DOWN) : null
+
+/proc/GetConnectedZlevels(z)
+	. = list(z)
+	for(var/level = z, HasBelow(level), level--)
+		. |= level-1
+	for(var/level = z, HasAbove(level), level++)
+		. |= level+1
+
+proc/AreConnectedZLevels(var/zA, var/zB)
+	return zA == zB || (zB in GetConnectedZlevels(zA))
diff --git a/code/modules/multiz/pipes.dm b/code/modules/multiz/pipes.dm
index 1cb5b9b4da7..6b6b24c4705 100644
--- a/code/modules/multiz/pipes.dm
+++ b/code/modules/multiz/pipes.dm
@@ -13,6 +13,9 @@ obj/machinery/atmospherics/pipe/zpipe
 		dir = SOUTH
 		initialize_directions = SOUTH
 
+		// node1 is the connection on the same Z
+		// node2 is the connection on the other Z
+
 		var/minimum_temperature_difference = 300
 		var/thermal_conductivity = 0 //WALL_HEAT_TRANSFER_COEFFICIENT No
 
diff --git a/code/modules/multiz/structures.dm b/code/modules/multiz/structures.dm
index 57278082764..18bb91a9e46 100644
--- a/code/modules/multiz/structures.dm
+++ b/code/modules/multiz/structures.dm
@@ -122,10 +122,6 @@
 	allowed_directions = UP|DOWN
 	icon_state = "ladder11"
 
-
-
-
-
 /obj/structure/stairs
 	name = "Stairs"
 	desc = "Stairs leading to another deck.  Not too useful if the gravity goes out."
diff --git a/code/modules/multiz/turf.dm b/code/modules/multiz/turf.dm
index 8389df7112b..caa859f3695 100644
--- a/code/modules/multiz/turf.dm
+++ b/code/modules/multiz/turf.dm
@@ -82,7 +82,7 @@
 			return
 		var/obj/item/stack/rods/R = C
 		if (R.use(1))
-			user << "<span class='notice'>Constructing support lattice ...</span>"
+			to_chat(user, "<span class='notice'>Constructing support lattice ...</span>")
 			playsound(src, 'sound/weapons/Genhit.ogg', 50, 1)
 			ReplaceWithLattice()
 		return
@@ -99,7 +99,7 @@
 			ChangeTurf(/turf/simulated/floor/airless)
 			return
 		else
-			user << "<span class='warning'>The plating is going to need some support.</span>"
+			to_chat(user, "<span class='warning'>The plating is going to need some support.</span>")
 
 	//To lay cable.
 	if(istype(C, /obj/item/stack/cable_coil))