NBS connects UK, Canada and now Australia with structured information

NBS has updated its free-to-use BIM Object Standard and National BIM Library with content for use across Australia, adding to its existing UK and Canadian content.

Widely adopted across the UK and used around the world, the NBS BIM Object Standard will allow manufacturers to share their product information digitally across all three countries, and allow designers and specifiers to download country-specific standardised objects from the NBS National BIM Library.

This update from NBS who provide technical information, specification and BIM tools to construction industry professionals, was announced at the BiLT conference in Australia in May and is another step to promoting international adoption of the standard.

“At NBS we were quick to recognise that the lack of an industry-wide standard for BIM objects was a significant barrier to the construction industry's successful transition to a digital future and its adoption of BIM,” said NBS CEO Richard Waterhouse.

“Setting an international standard means companies can bring efficiencies when working globally, providing a common way to talk to each other. Our vision is for the entire global construction industry to have access to BIM objects that can be used freely, safe in the knowledge that they contain the same levels of information with the appropriate geometry all wrapped up in a consistent and highly useable format; BIM objects that can deliver accurate data at the right time to inform decisions and minimise risks on any project.”

The first Australian manufacturer to sign up to the NBS National BIM Library since the new update is Gunnebo, a global leader in security products, services and solutions.

Global Product Manager for Gunnebo, Sergio Zanghellini, said: “BIM objects, and BIM philosophy in particular is setting a new era for specifiers, manufacturers and dealers. Anything to help simplify our job, as well as resulting in better management costs, is beneficial for everyone involved. I consider NBS an excellent and professional organization on a global scale, helping us to provide our clients with the best and most up-to-date services and tools.”

In the newly-released 2018 NBS National BIM Report, over three quarters said that the NBS BIM Object Standard is useful and because objects on the NBS National BIM Library conform to this standard, their high quality is assured. In the same report 67 percent agreed that the library provided the highest quality content and 53 percent agreed that it provided the greatest ease of use.

The NBS National BIM Library is already used globally but will now give manufacturers operating in Canada and Australia the opportunity to be found more easily by users of the library in the relevant countries.

“Through the NBS National BIM Library we deliver rich, up-to-date and standardised product information to the designers and specifiers who need it, by working with manufacturers to describe and structure the information needed,” continued Richard.

“Customers trust the quality of our data and its relevance to the requirements of designers, specifiers and other construction industry professionals around the world. BIM objects that meet the requirements of the NBS BIM Object Standard will help to realise the true benefits of digital construction - resulting in better value across the whole life of the built asset.”

The NBS BIM Object Standard was published for the first time in 2014, defining clear requirements against which all BIM objects can be assessed.

The first of its kind globally, the standard defines what constitutes a quality BIM object, and provides the foundations for a consistent approach that can be adopted by designers, manufacturers and BIM content developers alike and has played a major role in helping organisations implement digital processes, and get the most from digital construction.

The first release of the standard was developed in consultation with companies including; AEC3 Ltd, Arup Associates, Bond Bryan Architects, Doncaster Council, Ryder Architecture and Vinci Construction.