Using
Building Information Modelling (BIM) Level 2 on centrally-procured public
sector projects was mandated from April 2016.
The
introduction of BIM Level 2, which is a process lasting through the entire
life-cycle of an asset, underpinned by the creation, collation and exchange of
3D models and the intelligent, structured data which is attached to them,
should have a hugely positive impact on the construction industry supply chain.
Ease
of communication between different design and construction partners has been
improved enormously since it first came to the industry.
However,
current BIM software providers use different standards, without offering a
complete range of building elements from which the user can draw from, and are
often non-compliant with the British Standard BS8541.
Furthermore,
the fragmentation in software has prevented seamless communication between
different parties. Responding to industry demand, BRE is developing the free to
list and free to use, industry-disruptive DataBook Product Library, which
allows registered users to link their BIM objects and associate data to a fixed
manufacturers’ data source.
DataBook
will provide plug-in functions for authoring tools with options to not only
link, but also attach data based upon project stage and appropriate project
roles. This will remove the liability and risk for designers and constructors
from using editable BIM Library objects, whilst providing them with the
appropriate manufacturer data that they need to respond to the project
requirements throughout the project lifecycle.
BRE
has created a new Templater tool that holds the standard for exchanging data,
including product data. This will remove the confusion and lack of
interoperability that has surrounded sharing standardised product information
from BIM and associates technologies. BRE Templater (with code by activeplan)
will provide core building element definitions (like doors, windows, plaster
board, roof tiles etc.) and is built on international standard such as IFC.
Leading on from that is DataBook, a solution currently in beta testing and set
to launch in early 2018. Details on DataBook were announced at Digital
Construction Week.
Paul
Oakley, BIM Director at BRE, comments: “The
new DataBook will provide a much-needed process to manage information flow
during the design and build process, without the complex geometry that exists
currently. This will help make BIM work for everyone, as currently too much
manual object changing is required as projects are transferred between
manufacturers, architects and contractors.
"Given
the substantial savings in time and money, DataBook will quickly become the
go-to development source in the building industry.”
DataBook
will be the first free to use and list BIM Product Library which will serve as
an immutable, definitive and universal data store for all BIM data. Helping to
overcome the current costly and time consuming fragmentation issues, DataBook
users will reduce development costs while benefitting from a compliant, trusted
and standardised model that the entire supply chain can access and utilise.
DataBook
will have a premium, paid for element. Services will include BRE independent
assessment of the validity of the data available to each BIM object. BRE will
check whether the information source is correct and co-ordinated, and content
requirements, including manufacturer and contractor-specific contents, will
also be verified. With this unique aspect, DataBook will become an immutable
source of truth, critically reducing the risk often associated when sourcing
build materials and suitable contractors.
BRE
is currently in talks with manufacturers, including Tata Steel and
Wienerberger, regarding the listing of products in DataBook, which is set to
launch in early 2018.
