NICEIC AT 60 // BIM
R
ather than being a niche technology that only larger electrical contracting firms need to be concerned about, building information modelling (BIM) is fast becoming a mainstream fixture on all construction projects. By allowing everyone to understand a project or building through the use of a digital model that gathers information about every component of it in one place, BIM creates more efficient and integrated ways of working during all stages of the construction lifecycle through the digital representation of physical and functional characteristics. With a history of unimpressive performance and poor value for the
public purse, the UK government has long bemoaned the way in which its construction projects have been delivered. The Department for Business, Innovation & Skills’ Construction Industrial Strategy, published in early 2013, suggested that £40 billion of public money is spent on centrally funded public buildings every year and, from this, millions of pounds are lost through poor practices. It also found that 30 per cent of the construction process is rework, 60 per cent of the labour effort is wasted and 10 per cent of loss is due to squandered materials. The UK government has taken the lead in promoting the use of BIM since the publication of its Construction Strategy in May 2011. This report announced its intention to require the use of collaborative BIM by 2016, and since April all centrally procured public sector projects have required
the implementation of BIM at Level 2. Meanwhile, October will see each government department’s capability to electronically validate BIM information delivered from the supply chain assessed. “The UK is now leading the global race towards digitalisation of the construction industry and we will not let it slip,” says the government’s BIM task group chair Mark Bew. “BIM is very much business as usual. Level 2 is driving efficiency and creating a competitive supply sector with our businesses in demand internationally. BIM will become a required UK standard across the entire built environment.” Julian Carter, head of commercial services at the South East Centre for the Built Environment (SECBE), believes this top-down approach will make a difference. “Without the government’s backing, through the successful delivery of the Construction Strategy,
Illustration: Purdy McGuire
Building for the future 44
Building information modelling will play a vital role in how construction projects are designed, built and managed in the future. Rob Shepherd explains why electrical contractors need to get on board now Summer 2016 Connections
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