BSI helps construction firms implement BIM before 2016 government deadline
Press release - 21st March 2012
BSI calls for businesses to come forward and join standards committee
BSI is working with Government, industry bodies, and private construction practices to create best practice standards for implementing Building Information Modelling (BIM) throughout an organisation.
In 2011 the Government announced that all suppliers that wish to bid for public sector building contracts must use BIM tools and techniques from 2016, making its implementation commercially critical for companies that wish to apply for high value public projects in the future.
A survey of nearly 1,000 construction professionals, conducted by National Building Specification in 2011, showed that 31% of respondents were currently using BIM, rising sharply from 13% in 2010, typically in the form of 2D or 3D CAD modelling.
BIM is the process of bringing together and sharing information in a digital format amongst all those involved in a construction project, including architects, engineers and builders. By making information far more accessible and available to the client and end user to support through-life asset management, BIM is an enabler for greater productivity, risk management, improved margins and sustainability.
Members of the committee that are drafting the standard include Building Smart UK, RICS, the UK Contractors Group (which represents the top 30 contractors in the UK), the Department for Business, the Institution of Civil Engineers, the Chartered Institute of Building, the Royal Institute of British Architects, the University of Northumbria at Newcastle and Construction Project Information.
President of the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) Richard Coackley said: “Driving best value from new and existing infrastructure projects is crucial. BIM has the capacity to significantly improve the way we deliver and maintain infrastructure assets but to ensure it is used most effectively there needs to be accessible guidelines for best practice across the industry.”
Dr Scott Steedman, Director (designate) of Standards, said: “Accelerating the implementation of BIM throughout the construction sector will bring immediate benefits to clients and their supply chains. Developing excellent standards for BIM as a vehicle for sharing best practice and reducing costs in construction is therefore an urgent task of national importance that BSI is delighted to be coordinating.”
Committee Chair Peter Rebbeck said: “With BIM soon to become mandatory for public sector contracts many construction companies will be looking to implement it in the most effective way. The standards we are putting together will help companies achieve this, ensuring they can bid for public sector contracts and realise the huge commercial, organisational and environmental benefits of BIM. We are today calling on private practices to come forward, join our committee and contribute to the development of the standards.”
