A sector-wide BIM survey has been launched by the Electrical Contractors’ Association (ECA) alongside the Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE), building services and engineering consultancy BSRIA, and Building, a UK construction sector publication.
The new study will explore the readiness of the building services sector to engage with BIM (Building Information Modelling) within the next six to 12 months. The survey is also supported by other leading players in the sector, including the British Electrotechnical and Allied Manufacturers’ Association (BEAMA).
The investigation is expected to reveal crucial information about how prepared the sector is to adopt ‘BIM Level 2’ practice, noting the government requirement for BIM Level 2 engagement with centrally procured contracts during 2016.
According to ECA director of business Services Paul Reeve: “This sector-wide survey will provide much needed and very timely information on how ready the building services sector is to engage with BIM as we approach the 2016 government deadline. The survey will provide the sector with much needed information on how well the sector is prepared, and highlight any specific issues.
“We urge all building services companies to take part in the new survey, and we will be sharing the data with the industry, the Government and other stakeholders when the results are in during September 2015″.
CIBSE technical director Hywel Davies added: “Government is committed to using BIM to improve its management and operation of buildings and infrastructure. Mechanical, electrical and plumbing services are all critical to the effective operation of buildings. Our sector is involved in the operational life and performance of built assets, not just the design and delivery.
Getting the right information into the model and then ensuring that the model is still accurate on handover to the building managers and operators is key to the whole success of BIM. This survey is important for our sector to understand how well prepared we are for BIM.”
BSRIA’s principal consultant and BIM specialist John Sands commented: “With the implementation of the UK Government’s Level 2 BIM mandate just a few months away, the building services industry should be in a position to make the most of the opportunities it will present.
“This survey will help us all to identify where we are in the BIM journey, and to enable us to plan the way forward to BIM maturity.”
The BIM study will run until September 15th. Please click here to complete the survey.
