Sika Sarnafil is Building Information Modelling (BIM) ready and has become the first flat roofing brand to add its objects to the national BIM Library.
Sika, the single ply roofing brand’s parent company, is an early responder to the Government Construction Strategy, which requires detailed BIM information, documentation and data on all projects by 2016.
Specifiers, designers and contractors can now visit the BIM Library to freely download over 20 BIM objects for typical Sika Sarnafil flat roofing systems, from adhered and mechanically fastened roofs, to ballasted and green roofs.
Importantly, Sika’s BIM objects have been created in conjunction with the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA), ensuring their compatibility with the vast majority of current software packages used by designers and specifiers. These include Autodesk Revit, ArchiCAD, Vectorworks and Bentley as well as the neutral Industry Foundation Class (IFC) software for export of files between different packages.
Martin Bidewell, technical services manager for Sika’s single ply roofing division, has been managing the implementation of BIM and says that the company has been committed to the strategy from the start. “The success of BIM relies on a collaborative approach and the sharing of project data through the supply chain. And so, as an innovative and marketing leading company, Sika chose to invest in BIM well before the 2016 deadline because we believe this is the future of building.”
Martin says that Sika gave careful consideration to user requirements. “The availability of the objects means users can now confidently include structured, intelligent Sika Sarnafil system content in their 3D models, so that all stages of the building life cycle, spanning concept, design, production, construction, operation and maintenance, can be assessed. We’re now keeping a weather eye on future requirements, in terms of evolving software and providing even more detailed information, in anticipation of the next level of BIM. Watch this space for further developments…”
Sika Sarnafil BIM objects can be downloaded from the National BIM Library – www.nationalbimlibrary.com – and are also available on request from Sika Sarnafil.
