BIM has rapidly become a ubiquitous acronym across the whole of construction. The government, keen for the UK to be a world leader, have written a strategy that outlines its potential for the industry.
We have a slightly different view of what BIM is to the mainstream. For us, it isn’t so much about a 3D model, it’s about being in control of information at the right time for the right people.
The potential of BIM as an information tool
BIM’s potential to be used as an information tool for all is what makes it so innovative. Long gone are the paper copies and data that nobody understands or uses. For the industry as a whole, it has to be considered in three ways:
1. The “what” – the content and templates that are useful and will be analysed during and after a project to improve quality.
2. The “when” – the timing of information received in a construction programme. This can mean sign offs, approvals and reviews at the right time, so a stream of information is available for review and audit.
3. The “where” – creating digital information on an easy to use platform.
This level of understanding goes deeper than just recording the weight and height of products because the information needs to be valid to users throughout. This will be a fundamental change for the industry, as construction is used to using information as a package and not at an individual level. BIM will allow detailed data down to individual components to be selected, used and even replaced. The whole process encourages improvement of outcomes and long-term quality of a product.
Making sure you ask the right questions
It is essential to know exactly what information you need at the different stages of a project. For instance, testing certificates are a vital part of the information flow, but you could ask a manufacturer for all their certification and that will mean different things to different manufacturers.
An example of this is that clients require all flat roofs to be adequately tested. But quite often flat roofs leak, so what does ‘adequately’ mean? Without accurate information in BIM, we need to be careful we aren’t asking the wrong questions. BIM ensures that tests are linked back to standards and that’s what a client should be asking for, rather than relying on manufacturers to decide on their own testing. Being clear on what type of testing is needed is important to keep warranties valid and people safe.
The golden thread of information
The storage of information enables a wealth of data that can be opened up to the complete supply chain.
It is widely accepted that we can’t construct modern buildings without 3D modelling - it is essential for detailed calculations of designs. 3D, however, is perfect to enable visualisation and analysis but doesn’t lend itself to details of an impact test, for example. So, creating a database where 3D, pure data and graphical information and certificates are stored together is the creation of a golden thread of information. If all the information is available separate from the 3D model as well, it can be easily accessed by the people who need it.
“Without accurate information in BIM, we need to be careful we aren’t asking the wrong questions.”
“…BIM opens up so many possibilities for better decision making…”
Simplifying the maintenance process
BIM makes the whole process of maintenance easier if all the data on products and building elements is kept early in the design phase and throughout. The common perception of BIM is that it is a tool for avoiding conflicts to make the construction phase easier, but the whole point of BIM is to use that information from design, to construction, to end user, to end of life. This saves time, money and energy and is a gateway to a more sustainable building.
The extent to which BIM can be used is yet to be realised and a lot of value can be had by all. Clearer and better data leads to better maintenance checks and a greater longevity of products and buildings as a whole. Initially, overheads may be added to, but BIM opens up so many possibilities for better decision making and in the long run it will make for a more efficient industry.
“The extent to which BIM can be used is yet to be realized and a lot of value can be had by all stakeholders.”