Why BIM is going international

How big is a construction site? Although the physical space occupied by a new building or structure will always be finite, if we think about the location of all the participants in the construction project, then the site can encompass the globe. You might have architects in Brazil, engineers in the UK and a building site in China; construction materials could likewise come from anywhere in the world.

This international dimension of construction is nothing new, but it's now easier than ever for construction professionals to work together across international boundaries. BSI is preparing two new international standards, BS EN ISO 19650-1 and BS EN ISO 19650-2, providing recommendations and requirements associated with the management of information during the delivery phase of built assets using building information modelling (BIM), which offers a single working method for partners, regardless of geographical distance.

Why does BIM matter?

As the old saying goes: 'There's many a slip 'twixt the cup and the lip.' Differences of interpretation in the planning and execution stages of a project can prove costly and extremely inconvenient. When construction professionals each work from their own plans and models, the potential for misunderstanding and mistakes is high.

BIM brings all the parties working on a project together through a shared methodology and a software system that help to prevent misinterpretation, confusion and error. When all the professionals involved in a project are unified in this way, it brings many efficiencies into play.

A recent PwC report calculated that the Government alone could save £400m a year through the use of BIM technology. Even if savings are only a fraction of a percent, the scale of capital involved in government projects means that significant sums can be saved.^[1]

BIM in the UK

The NBS National BIM Report 2018 gives a good indication of attitudes towards BIM in the country at present. Most people in the construction industry believe that BIM will help to reduce costs and completion times, but there is scepticism about whether it will reduce greenhouse gas emissions or reduce the trade gap.

Two-thirds of participants in the NBS survey said the Government needs BIM for its projects, but a significant minority (14%) said the BIM mandate has been 'not at all successful'.

Despite this, use of BIM is increasing rapidly, with a 12% increase in 2018 compared with the previous year. Practitioners are using BIM on more projects. The number of those who have adopted BIM but use it on only a small number of projects has dropped from around one in three to one in four. The survey showed that a lack of in-house expertise is the main barrier to BIM adoption.^[2]

The need for an international platform

Back in 2011, BSI published a strategy paper for the Government Construction Client Group, noting that although BIM had potential to benefit the UK construction sector, the technology would also be powerful as a disruptive technology on an international scale.

Focusing on BIM as an international rather than a domestic technology lays the path to more systematic collaboration with other nations, bringing benefits to all. It was recognized that a common security-minded approach would be needed to ensure that these tools would provide a firm foundation for collaborative projects.

The new BIM standards

The current BIM standards BS 1192 (principles) and PAS 1192-2 (capital/delivery phase) will be superseded by the new standards BS EN ISO 19650-1 and BS EN ISO 19650-2. Part 1 will be accompanied by a National Foreword and will focus on concepts and principles, whereas Part 2 will feature a National Annex and cover capital delivery.

Both documents are due to be published in the first quarter of 2019. There will also be a guide to the new standards, known as PD 19650-0. This Published Document (PD) will help users of current BIM standards to transition to the new standards – for example by explaining terminology and differences in approach.

Adapting to the new standards

The new standards reflect changes in digital construction over the last few years, and set out a basis for companies and professionals to compete internationally for business. A collegiate working initiative between the BSI, the Centre for Digital Built Britain (CDBB) and the UK BIM Alliance is seeking to support UK industry in adopting and implementing the new standards.

A joint statement from this collegiate working initiative states: 'We are committed to a co-ordinated approach to creating and communicating an international wrapper for UK BIM and ensuring a smooth transition in the integration of BS EN ISO 19650-1 and 2 within our suite. Collectively we will develop and champion one single set of guidance in a clear and concise manner to support industry understanding and message how to make the shift without confusion.'