Marley is the first UK roofing manufacturer to launch BIM objects for its industry leading range of clay plain tiles, adding to the existing fibre cement slates and facade models already available on the manufacturer’s own online BIM Space.
The new BIM objects are available for the Acme single and double camber, Ashdowne Handcrafted and Hawkins clay plain tiles. Each model contains detailed dimensions, product specifications, material performance data and the environmental credentials of each product, along with image files to create high quality 3D renderings of the roof. The BIM object also enables specifiers to directly request samples for the project they are working on without leaving the software.
BIM allows the roof structure in question to be built ‘virtually’ before any physical construction activity takes place and enables architects, contractors and clients to work closely with all parts of the supply chain to improve the efficiency and reduce the cost and environmental impact of construction.
Sarah Jackson, marketing product manager from Marley, comments: “This year will be very significant for the wider adoption of BIM technology, as we are just two years away from the 2016 deadline the Government has set for the use of fully collaborative 3D BIM on all public sector construction projects greater than £5 million. In fact, a recent report from consultancy Competitive Advantage shows that by 2016, BIM usage may increase to over 50% of projects as the benefits of using this technology filters through to other sectors.
“We were an early adopter of the revolutionary technology, launching our own online BIM Space in 2013 using Autodesk Revit, the most commonly used software. As a result, we are already seeing increasing demand for our range of fibre cement slates and facade BIM objects. One of our key strengths is our range of clay tiles, so we wanted architects and contractors to be able to access BIM models for them as soon as possible, as so many of them are already designing projects using the Revit software.
“In fact, research shows that architects designing with BIM are very likely to select products supported by BIM objects over similar alternatives, so investing in our models and making them easily accessible is very important for our business. At our UK headquarters in Burton-on-Trent, we have our own in-house technical team, with specialist BIM experts, who develop the models and are on hand to help architects and contractors with any queries they may have.”
BIM can play an important role in identifying the sustainability properties of the materials and components used in the construction of a building. Marley's new range of BIM objects for clay plain tiles contain details of their impressive environmental credentials, including the ability to achieve an A+ rating in the BRE Green Guide to Specification, BES 6001 Responsible Sourcing accreditation and individual carbon footprint data at product level.
Sarah Jackson adds: “Several high profile BIM projects have already been very successful and early adopters of the technology are demonstrating both the cost savings and lessons they have learnt to others. We expect its use in both public and private sector construction projects to gain momentum over the next year and we are committed to continuing to develop BIM models to support informative roof design, helping architects, contractors and their clients to remove wastage, reduce build times and environmental impact and ultimately achieve cost savings.”
