Modern Building Services

FEATURE BIM MODERN BUILDING SERVICES SEPTEMBER 2021 33 Digital ‘twins’ Major plumbing and HVAC fittings manufacturers such as Conex Bänninger support specifiers by providing ready access BIM objects, which are ‘digital twins’ of the physical components. These 3D and 2D representations are data-rich and show the physical and functional properties of each product. These models are made available on a number of construction data platforms, including BIMobject and bimstore. By using BIM files it makes the designer’s task so much easier, saving valuable time, but it is critically important they are available as downloadable files in formats that are accessible to all the design teammembers. This is vital in fulfilling one of the key objectives of BIMmodelling, which is to aid collaboration between the different parties involved on a construction project, helping build better relationships. Conex Bänninger BIM objects have been created for the company’s suite of plumbing and HVACR fittings and valves, which includes the >B< Press range of press fittings. All the BIMobjects meet the international standard ISO 23386:2020, whichmeans they are machine-readable, versatile and consistent across different software. They are being released as Revit files and IFC (Industry Foundation Classification) files, and have been created to be BIM Level 2 compliant, which enables a higher level of collaboration between the various parties. The associated CAD software is capable of being exported to the common file format COBie (Construction Operation Building Information Exchange). One great time-saving benefit of the BIM system is that when a fitting needs to be changed on the model, it only needs one action to make that amendment, no matter how many of that particular fitting there are in the design. They will all be changed with that single keystroke – and sometimes you can be talking about a project with 10,000 fittings! Cost reduction The public sector has been quick to recognise BIM technology for the benefits it brings: improved productivity, efficient project delivery and better value through reduced costs, with big savings in operational expenditure (OPEX). And it can also help with meeting sustainability objectives, enabling a lower carbon footprint for projects. The UK government has made BIM a key part of its industrial strategy and any MEP contractor or construction company wishing to work on a public sector project, such as a school or hospital, must be certified to BIM Level 2. Indeed, so much more cost- efficient is BIMmodelling, it is often quoted that for every five schools built using BIM, the fifth one is free, the savings are said to be that much! Popular for commercial applications Many larger private developers are also now using BIM, for major projects such as offices, skyscrapers and other multi-storey buildings. It is one of the benefits of BIM that it not only enables more efficient construction, it also supports efficient operation of the building once occupied, thereby reducing downtime andmaintenance costs. For example, in the past if an air conditioning unit broke down the building owner would have to get the maintenance man to get his ladder out and physically go around the building to find the fault. It could be in a tricky to access place, such as a ceiling void, and then he would need to identify the fitting and the part number, and he probably wouldn’t have the right tools with him. Instead, with the BIMmodel, which would be passed on when the building is handed over, they can simply click-on and it will locate it and identify it for him, helping the maintenance engineer take the right equipment for the job. So, with so many advantages attached to the BIM process, from overall cost savings, to increased collaboration, to a more co-ordinated construction programme, it can only be a matter of time before even more specifiers are joining the BIM revolution. More information can be found at www.conexbanninger.com