BIM

[lyledunn]

There is much talk about the drive towards BIM in my field of engineering services. Few are prepared for its ultimate compulsory application on public sector projects. It would appear to be an excellent platform for designing and reviewing fire safety issues.

[John Webb]

What does 'BIM' stand for, please? Not an acronym I recognise!

[Bill J]

Hi

One of the fire alarm manufacturers we use did a write up on their BIM data for some of their products a while back, it may be of some use.

http://www.hochikieurope.com/bim/?month=bim

Bill

[Fishy]

Mandatory BIM Level 2 for all public sector products. Crucial that product suppliers and system designers have this on their radar if they want public sector work in the UK.

Essentially it takes 3D CAD to the next level - you 'build' the project virtually on a PC and use the model to co-ordinate the design. Model holds info on individual products so suppliers have to have relevant info in a common data format. It's the future of design. See www.bimtaskgroup.org for more details.

I rarely see printed designs in our day-to-day work any more.

[kurnal]

But how well do fire modelling programs such as FDS integrate with existing BIM programs all of which are based on CAD with a couple of additional dimensions? I see lots of swanky presentations showing fire alarm and sprinkler designs incorporated into the BIM but have never seen any details of CFD , mesh considerations etc being incorporated.

BIM is a good idea but personally I would rather see the money spent on a clerk of works who will make sure the building is put together properly than a computer program showing all the sums add up so it must be right.

[Fishy]

BIM is a good idea but personally I would rather see the money spent on a clerk of works who will make sure the building is put together properly than a computer program showing all the sums add up so it must be right.

Those who advocate BIM usually claim that it makes the design process cheaper for major projects because (in part at least) building services integration is easier.  I'd claim that a clerk of works might do the same, by helping to avoid re-work!