level 2 bim: how can a model be used for rule checking?...level 0 bim 2d cad drafting, mainly for...

Level 2 BIM: How can a model be used for rule checking?

Level 2 BIM: How can a model be

used for rule checking?

BIM4Regs Software Group

Mark Bew ECS Nick Humes InForm Architecture Ltd. Bob Wakelam Aec3 David Jellings Solibri Ltd. Nick Nisbet Aec3 David Fuller NBS John Danahay Planning Portal Gary McDonald Ordnance Survey Stephanie Kosandiak

BSI

Peter Caplehorn Construction Products Association

Introduction This document responds to many of the conversations which generally occur whenever BIM and regulation checking are discussed. It also serves as an introduction to BIM for those involved with regulations and the review and auditing of the built environment. The topics are presented as a series of questions which are commonly asked in the meetings. These points have been documented as part of the discussions hosted by the BIM4Regs Group which ran from August 2013 until March 2016 and was attended by over 100 representatives from the construction industry. Acknowledgement and thanks is given to the following people and organizations who were involved in the BIM4Regs Software group:

What is BIM? BIM uses information to represent the function and fabric of a building. It allows users to focus on the aspects relevant to them i.e. as drawings or as schedules. BIM is the preference for data not documents in the built environment sector. Nick Nisbet, Aec3 It is a business process which enables everyone to access the information they need- when they need it. There is however a caveat – this process creates more data than the construction industry has ever experienced before so we have to ensure the quality of this data, otherwise there is a real probability that BIM will create more problems than it resolves. David Jellings, Solibri UK Ltd

Figure 1: Example of how OS data is used to inform the early stages of the design. The BuildingApp by InForm Architecture.

The design process is streamlined, applied

and executed in a more agile fashion. BIM

streamlines how the regulatory process

creates, mandates and informs individual

projects.

David Fuller, NBS

BIM is not about meeting minimum standards; it is

about optimising the resources for a scheme and

improving the built environment.

Nick Humes, InForm Architecture

What are BIM Levels? BIM is typically described in terms of Levels.

Level Characterised by:

Level 0 BIM 2D CAD drafting, mainly for production information. Output and distribution is via paper or electronic prints, or a mixture of both.

Level 1 BIM No collaboration. Mix of unmanaged 2D and 3D. The most common way.

Level 2 BIM Collaborative working, trades using their own models and collaborating using a common file format i.e. IFC (Industry Foundation Class) or COBie (Construction Operations Building Information Exchange). Integrity checks are carried out on the model.

Level 3 BIM Full collaboration using a single, shared project model which is held in a centralized store. This removes conflicting information.

Figure 2: BIM Maturity Diagram derived from Mark Bew’s

*change interoperable data to shared model

Add ‘maturity’ to axis

What is Level 2? By March 2016 publicly-funded projects must be undertaken using BIM Level 2. Level 2 BIM is

characterised by:

3D models

collaborative working included shared models

information generated directly from the model.


Figure 3: Solibri Model Checker highlight a hazard

Level 2 will see improved consistency in the

way information is produced. A standard (BS

1192) has been introduced which specifies

how documents, drawings and objects

should be managed with the aim of

improving the tracking of data throughout a

building’s lifecycle. Level 2 also advocates the

use of 3D models not just as a means of

storing information but for the collaboration

of different disciplines. In the model each

object is located and referenced with a

unique ID and details of it’s attributes and

features.

A further benefit of a process which relies on

3D models is that information is generated

from the model, allowing up to date and

accurate details. This resolves issues caused

by potential mismatches between the

drawing and documents, which often occurs

when updates are not managed.

BIM Level 2 will benefit the UK construction

industry by improving work processes and by

making targets and aims checkable. It can

also provide further benefits by reducing

wastage, delays and re-work. Policy makers

can ensure the value of buildings is more

predictable and comparable. Clients will see

improving quality in the building and at

handover.

Nick Nisbet, Aec3

Level 2 BIM is characterised by a series of

discipline specific models with the provision

of a single environment to store shared data

and information. To create this single

environment, (i.e. COBie), requires a

controlled and collaborative working

environment. Both of which will improve

efficiency, increase predictability and reduce

costs.

David Jellings, Solibri UK

Where has “Level 2” come from? The BIM strategy is a response to the 2010

Government Construction Strategy report

who introduced a mandate to reduce carbon,

capital expenditure, improve performance

and avoid trial and error. The Government

Soft Landings group was created to manage

this.

The route identified to achieve such goals is

through BIM. Such collaborative process

represent a means of improving the built

environment, performing calculations

quicker, reducing mistakes and a better way

of managing built assets. This results in

reduced capital and operational expenditure.

Both Level 2, and even Level 3 BIM are

required to meet 4 industry-set targets for

2025. These are:

1. Lower costs. 33% reduction in the initial

cost of construction and the whole life

cost of built assets.

2. Faster delivery. 50% reduction in the

overall time, from inception to

completion, for new builds and

refurbished assets.

3. Lower emission. 50% reduction in

greenhouse gas emissions.

4. Improvement in exports. 50% reduction

in the trade gap between total exports

and imports for construction products and

materials.

What are the Roles and Responsibilities? The roles are typically the same however, as you might expect, there are few slight changes:

Project Sponsor

Accountable to the government department for the success of the project: • sign off on all key stages of the development programme, from concept through to post occupancy evaluation • establishes the key requirements of the project brief • identifies the key stakeholders.

Project Manager

Accountable to the Project Sponsor: • responsibility for all aspects of delivery of the project; scope, design, budget, programme, health and safety • ensures that each stage of the project is managed in accordance with the process map and closed out with project sponsor approval • engages with the design and construction team to embed government soft landings into design briefs and establishes smart objectives and validates all decisions against them • establishes performance targets and monitors against them • develops and manages an aftercare plan, inclusive of post occupancy evaluation studies to ensure the building is optimised, all end user needs have been met and the project is satisfactorily closed out • delivers feedback reports to ensure lessons learnt are transferred to other projects.

Government Soft Landing Champion

Represents the needs of the End Users: • engages with end users to ensure their needs are represented at all stages • engages with the project team to ensure these needs are considered at all stages • supports the project manager in developing and implementing the aftercare plan and post occupancy evaluation studies • supports the ongoing development of GSLs through membership of the GSL champion stewardship group.

BIM Learning Outcomes Framework A key benefit of the Level 2 process is that

lessons learnt and experience are fed back

into the pool of resources.

Dependent on the project defining

appropriate expectations, metrics and

indicators should be achieved through

consultation with the stakeholders and

defined during Stage 1 of the design process.

These relate to performance and cost etc.

Government Soft Landings principles apply to all aspects of all projects and have no limitations, but share two common goals: • a brief that concentrates on performance and outcome • meeting the needs of the End Users

Five main overlapping outcomes have been

identified:

Commissioning, Training and Handover: Projects should be delivered, handed over and supported to meet the needs of the End Users.

Financial Performance: Operational and capital costs should be identified early to reduce costs in construction and operation.

Functionality and Effectiveness: Buildings should be designed to meet the needs of the Occupiers.

Environment: Meet Government performance targets in energy efficiency, water usage and waste production.

Facilities Management: A clear, cost efficient strategy for managing the facilities.

To effectively meet these means that experts

are required from an early stage. So for the

clients, or sponsors, there is a responsibility

to recognise the additional effort at the start

of the process which benefits the entire the

scheme.

With new procedures and protocols there is

an obvious impact on the required education

and awareness in the industry. Professionals

need to be educated in BIM processes and

skills to get the most from the process and to

avoid confusion or inefficiencies.

How many have made the change to BIM Level2? In a recent industry survey conducted by NBS

the findings show that:

48% of respondents are aware of BIM (up from 41% the previous year), 48% are aware and currently using BIM (down from 54% the previous year).

users and non-users of BIM both agree that adopting BIM requires changes in workflow, practices and procedures.

NBS reported that “respondents believe BIM

will become the 'de facto' standard for the

design process within three years – 92%

expect to be using BIM within that time span

– and 95% within five years.” A third of BIM

practitioners have reached Level 1 BIM.

Practices reaching level 2 BIM requirements

have grown to 59%, up from 51% the

previous year (201#).

NBS report that increased workloads have

limited the time available to implement the

new working practices. Business changes can

be difficult but only 4% wish they hadn't

adopted BIM. Of those who have adopted

BIM 59% see cost efficiencies, 56% improved

client outcomes, 51% increased speed of

delivery and 48% increased profitability.

While 80% of respondents agree that BIM is

the future of construction information, 67%

still believe the industry is not clear enough

on what BIM is yet and only a quarter of

respondents trust what they hear about BIM.

Figure 4: Solibri Model Checker showing COBie data

What does Level 2 mean for authorities? Level 2 does not just benefit the clients, architects and engineers, authorities can also benefit from

such an approach from:

defined outcomes and information at each stage

accountability

a managed process and a means of policy implementation

new way of checking designs

new way of defining how rules and regulations are met

allows specific and customisable regulations.

What benefits to security are there? Due to the sensitive data included in a BIM model; there is now a responsibility to protect, update

and maintain the information. The detailed requirements for this are covered in PAS 1102: Part 5.

PAS 1192: Part 5 identifies defined procedures and responsibilities. There is a responsibility to

protect commercially sensitive data in both yours and your neighbour’s assets. This is referred to

as a built asset security strategy.

Appropriate protocols should be applied to the capture, handling, dissemination, storage and use

of the non-publicly available information by developing a built asset security management plan. If

there is an issue the responses should be followed according to the security breach/incident

management plan.

How can a model be used for rule checking? In simplified terms, regulation checking in the

UK can be characterised as a process similar

to the one below. This process is

representative of the spectrum of regulations

that exist in planning, building control, health

and safety and even facilities management.

The way information for each of these three

stages is collected and analysed is often

established into a standardised approach.

Where such processes are standardised or

are repetitive; tools, protocols and systems

have been developed which in turn aim to

save time and effort as well as increase

accuracy and consistency. Examples of these

include: electric screwdrivers, photocopiers,

CAD and now Level 2 BIM.

Approved Documents can be used as a

benchmarking tool to explain, assess and

provide a means of regulation checking. They

are a significant part of the UK construction

industry and so provide an obvious target for

automation.

What benefits can be achieved by automated regulation checking? A good BIM strategy ensures that the

geometry is accurate and detailed

descriptions (attributes) of the elements and

the components are included. This facilitates

costings, further automated checking and

also serves as a record.

Software tools, BIM or otherwise, can

provide time and cost savings as well as

increased accuracy and transparency for the

applicant. Even just by automatically

checking standard dimensions massive time

savings can be achieved.

Some tools can also accommodate regional

variations and

Query Response Feedback

Figure 5: the BuildingApp providing information for Planning Applications

updates. A key aspect of this is the ability to

provide the right amount of information at

the right time.

“Level 2 does not advocate that technology

replaces the experts, however it does allow

them to focus on other skill based tasks.”

Nick Humes, InForm Architecture

Checking regulations based on sizes and

dimensions is a clear place to start for

building control applications. Imagine never

having to measure another car parking space

or knowing that the spec sheet actually

matches the drawing.

As many regulations commonly relate to the

relationships between geometry and objects

(e.g. the distance between a room and an

exit door or the placement of a fire

extinguisher relevant to a public area) it is

possible to interrogate a model for

compliance.

Traditionally (in a 2D environment), this is done manually, but in a BIM enabled environment, it is possible to partially (or in some cases fully) automate the process. Examples of the latter are shown in the

accessibility and egress analysis below (in this case based on the USA regulations equivalent to the UK Part M and Part B Approved Document) (add image).

BIM processes software tools can help

regulation checking by:

front loading the analysis e.g. health and safety, early warnings on site hazards

detailed quantities

time saving.

What can be checked?

any geometry

any parameter

if there is a process it can be mimicked and recorded.

Once built it is even possible to match the ‘as

built’ against the 3D model for further

verification.

“Technology in these areas is more advanced

than you might imagine. The experts don’t go

away they are just allowed to focus on larger

more complex issues”

Bob Wakelam Aec3

Figure 6: Aec3 tool providing analysis


What happens if it isn’t a straight forward Yes or No? Many of the requirements are not straightforward and a relatively small percentage are objective. In such scenarios a software tool can typically deal with these using one of two processes: this rule or regulation can be highlighted and checked manually the component itself can be highlighted as ‘amber’ using a traffic light approach instead of yes or no.

How does BIM know the difference between “should” and “shall”? Many regulations and standards are

formulated and based on such distinctions.

For a computer system such rule based logic

is ideal. In many circumstances the

information required to make the distinction

e.g. between a stadia and a dwelling can be

easily collected. This then allows the process

to check against the correct rules and

regulations.

How does it stay up to date with changes in regulations? Software updates can be released in line with

variations in regulations, in the same way as

your phone or computer updates itself. This

way the check is being conducted against the

most up to date version of the Approved

Document, etc.

How does this affect how policy and regulations written? The shift towards BIM has allowed policy

makers to look at how and why regulations

are written and how they are communicated.

Fortunately many welcome this change and

are using it as an opportunity to make

changes not just to the details but th=o the

infrastructure to handle models

In most cases buildings are designed to the

‘Approved Documents’ which are

interpretations of the Act or Statue. In the

same way that Approved documents are

used in their paper form, BIM tools for

regulation checking use the same documents

as the basis for the auditing of technical

content. Therefore no technical content will

be lost or changed.

What key areas aspects can BIM be used for? The following are some areas where BIM

checking can be especially useful:

Planning Building Control

Health and Safety

Designated Land

Automated Regulation checking

Hazards

Flood plains Energy Assessment

Construction Risks

Area Calculations

‘As Built’ Comparison

Record of Events

As mentioned previously, BIM is a process

which can enable designs to be checked

faster. It still needs skilled operators and

officers with experience and skill who can

check against regulations that haven’t been

committed to a software code.

Where is technology today? Several different types of tools are available,

and this will change as the market increases

and produces a demand for such software.

Solibri Model Checker (SMC) does the one

thing that every model needs…it allows you

to Measure the Quality of what has been

modelled, and to Measure the Quality of the

data that accompanies each model object.

One of the many applications of this rules

based software solution is the ability to

automatically check design compliance

against a wide range of building and safety

regulations with a high degree of accuracy.

BIM cannot deliver on its promise if the data

is of poor quality. It really is that simple.

Bob Wakelam Aec3

What is the conclusion on BIM Level 2? BIM Level 2 has identified and mandated

several things that will benefit the UK

construction industry such as:

allowing processes to more

streamlined

improving procurement routes and

procedures

opening up avenues for the

interrogation of a design (not just or

energy and cost)

providing a means of recording why

design decisions are made and

audited

paving the way for automated

checking approval of models

allowing regulations and rules to be

written in a different way

rapidly providing a databank of

valuable information.

For some firms BIM Level 2 may represent a

large shift in how buildings are procured.

Though for many it will represent improved

and streamlined processes, but for us all, BIM

Level 2 means an improvement to the built

environment.

Figure 7: The aim of all the processes and tools is to decrease time for applications.