BIM COMM UNITY AFRICA

BIMcommUNITY.Africa is a community of professionals and organisations in the construction industry in Africa who are interested in building information modelling (BIM) and its applications.

The community provides a platform for its members to connect and collaborate, through events, webinars, workshops and online forums. A prime example is the BIM CODESA, a series of events and meetings that creates a platform for key stakeholders in the built environment to engage actively and meaningful in debate around the transformation of the South African architectural, engineering and construction (AEC) industry.

The transformation of the AEC industry will include the adoption of ISO 19650 as a South African standard and the widespread adoption of BIM as the accepted process to plan, design, construct and manage infrastructure in South Africa.

In 2020, the SABS published a draft of the standard, SANS 196501:2020, which is based on the ISO 19650-1:2018 standard. This draft is currently open for public comment. This standard is the first of a series of standards that will be developed based on ISO 19650 and it is intended to provide a framework for the use of BIM in South Africa.

The SABS has also established a BIM standards committee to develop the standards, guidelines and procedures for the use of BIM in South Africa. The committee is made up of representatives from the construction industry – including architects, engineers, contractors and government agencies.

A SABS working group has been established to develop the ISO 19650 National Annex (NA). An NA is a document that supplements an international standard and provides additional information or requirements that are specific to a particular country. It also includes guidance on the use of specific BIM software, local data exchange formats and other information specific to the South African context.

To get involved in the BIM CODESA, please contact angela@bimcommunity.africa