BIM standard

[edit] Introduction

BIM is often misconstrued as 'just models'. It can often get confused as the technical industry term marks it as 'Building Information Modelling'.

Implementing BIM into your processes is not as simple as building models. It has much more data behind everything from the price of the screws in a door frame to the sophistication of a HVAC system.

Many interpretations of BIM are not enough to meet the ISO 19650 standard.

[edit] The Data Behind BIM

BIM is about communication, information management and collaboration. It’s about working with a culture of sharing digital information across your businesses and every other business you’re working with on a project.

BIM is about DATA. The collection of data and the ability to store and share that data easily. Some construction project data comes in the form of models but also in many other forms. A planning application contains data. A building product spec sheet contains data. A labourer’s timesheet is data.

BIM enables a collaborative way of working, where anyone involved in the project has access to data from any stage in the project to assist them in their stage.

Last year the Building Regulations Advisory Committee produced a paper setting out the principles of the ‘golden thread’ to encourage centralised digital record-keeping to reduce the risk of fire and improve compliance data to ensure the right people have access to information when needed, and consequently make buildings safer for residents.

The best reason for working to the ISO 19650 standard are the users’ safety, but also, to save time, minimise risk and increase your profitability.

Changing the way in which you work through digitising your business has so many benefits and will ensure your business is future proofed. Soon you will need evidence of BIM standards, to be involved in almost every project, so get ahead and start using BIM as a standard - not a task.

--AIMIS Written by Matt Samways, Managing Director of AIMIS