The ICE Information Systems (IS) Panel have been very proactive in the topical subject that is Building Information Modelling.
What is BIM?
BIM is essentially "the process of generating and managing information about a building during its entire life cycle."
However the term BIM is to an extent limiting and is not all about buildings with walls and roofs. It’s more about the verb to ‘build’ rather than the building itself. This includes roads, bridges, railways, process plants and infrastructure. The IS Panel Chair Phil Jackson represents ICE on the Constructing Industry Council (CIC) BIM Forum and their first meeting was held on 7th July 2011. His notes on the actions being taken by the ICE IS Panel and future proposals are listed below.
- The CIC is now developing a generic set of industry ‘life cycle work planning and delivery stages’ as part of the Government BIM Strategy delivery. This initiative is welcomed and supported by the ICE who have contributed to the
- The ICE has issued a BIM Policy Statement that is designed to contribute to the overall BIM debate and we feel should contribute to a joint BIM Policy statement from CIC.
- The ICE believes that BIM and BIM processes have the power to change the construction industry for good and sees that this must be a cross industry exercise leaving behind past divisions and forming new alliances. It is concerned therefore that individual institutions and trade associations work that is developed from this Forum is coordinated and does not promote single institutional responses beyond their remit to educate and promote industry knowledge.
- The ICE has, rather than setting up individual BIM groups, worked through its membership of CPI alongside RIBA, CIBSE, UKCG, CIAT & RICS to support work on ‘Best Practice’, Standards and Classification Systems. It strongly supports using CPI to further develop response to BIM requirements rather than setting up further interest groups.
- ICE is participating in the work to align Life Cycle Stages to the CIC Service Scope Stages as generic view of life cycle.
- The ICE has 3 representative members on the BS 555 committee and has contributed to their Roadmap for BIM Standards
- The ICE has sponsored research at the University of Reading on the data requirements at project handover. This research has spawned further work which is feeding into the Government BIM strategy.
Several ICE Learned Society Panels are impacted by the BIM Strategy including Geospatial, Information Systems, Management and others. Efforts are being made to coordinate outputs from these panels where they impact the BIM Strategy.
Planned outputs for the coming year to support the BIM Strategy include:
- Joint work to support the contractual framework required to support the necessary protocols that are required.
- Developing addendums to the framework for degree accreditation to include data management and BIM
- Working with CPI to define BIM deliverables adding clarity to what is needed when
- Supporting the development of COBie for Infrastructure requirements and offers to take an active part in this development.
- Continued support for BS 555
- Aligning GIS requirements with BIM requirements and offers to take an active part in developing this necessary aspect of data delivery.
It should be noted that last year ICE produced one of the most keenly anticipated conferences on Understanding Building information Modelling and its role in the future of the UK construction industry. ICE BIM 2011 Becoming BIM Proficient which was held on Wednesday 19 October 2011 at ICE Head Quarters London. The conference was the fastest selling that ICE has produced with Paul Morrell and Mark Bew opening the conference and discussing the Government requirements for BIM. A film was produced and full footage of speaker's presentations and slides can be purchased (£50 plus VAT). Contact the events team on 020 7665 2226.
Visit the ICE BIM 2012 conference website for more information. Early registration prices for this year’s event currently apply.