FMJ.CO.UK BIM FOCUS
APRIL 2020 37
the physical asset and digital copy to the
client. Within this digital twin will be an
information goldmine, relaying operational
instructions, repair and maintenance
schedules, component life expectancies
and other information about the elements
incorporated within the asset.
ASSET DATA
We spoke to many FM
customers to better
understand the
role of digital
construction. It
became clear
that many of
the benefits are
realised during
the operational
phase. One
respondent
said: “The asset
information platform
is of great benefit to
me and my team in running
the building. All the information is
readily available, and the speed at which
the information can be extracted is head
and shoulders quicker than the existing
manuals.”
Another commented: “Better data on
the assets allow you to run the building
more e ectively through its whole lifecycle
– even down to how you would demolish
it.” A facilities manager told us that: “BIM
provides greater certainty on our contracts.
So, for example, we know how much glass a
window cleaner has to clean and we know
how much grass the groundsman has to cut.”
However, our respondents also reflected
on the barriers that have to be overcome,
with many organisations noting that the
industry has been slow to embrace change.
When there is a workforce set in its ways,
there can be resistance to new forms of
technology. As one participant put
it: “Perception is that it costs
more and slows things
down – even though
research shows that
BIM level 2 saves
time and money.”
A common
sentiment
expressed during
our research was
that asset data was
not being utilised
to its full advantage
during the briefing stage.
Facilities managers and
other senior members of a team
are o en introduced to a project too late
to contribute to the design stages, meaning
they are le unaware of the benefits digital
construction can bring.
It’s not just facilities managers –
sometimes senior managers are unaware
of the operational benefits of digital
construction, and so are not specifying it on
their projects. This is one reason for the lack
of take-up that is so detrimental to the FM
sector.
Our toolkit has been developed in
DIGITAL CONSTRUCTION
IN ACTION
The Co-op Academy, a secondary school in north
Manchester, required a new extension to connect the
main school block with the existing sports hall. The
£16.4 million project comprised classroom facilities,
community theatres, drama studios and changing
facilities.
Adjoining blocks to the building had not been completed to BIM
level 2 (3), which meant the O&M manuals handed over to the client
did not accurately reflect the building. This resulted in problems for
the facilities management team. For the new extension, government
funding required use of BIM level 2 to ensure a good record of all
information and asset data.
To overcome the issue of incomplete asset information, the
Springboard platform was introduced. Springboard is a live document
data-driven platform which is updated throughout the construction
process, producing comprehensive O&M manuals and asset
information.
According to Alan G Moth, Facilities Manager at the academy,
the use of e-documents has greatly benefited his team by
streamlining the process of searching the O&Ms for information. It
also enabled his team to plan equipment maintenance in advance
of the handover. “The quality of the new manuals is fantastic,” he
says. “All of the information about contractors is readily available,
alongside references to what they installed, maintenance advice
and replacement advice. The speed at which the information can be
extracted is head and shoulders quicker than the existing manuals for
the old academy build.”
The Springboard platform incorporated a structured validation
process that is fully traceable, with progress always visible. When
combined with the 3D model, queries are easily investigated and asset
information provided quickly and easily. This significantly reduces the
time spent looking through physical documents.
“The 3D model is equally beneficial,” says Moth, “not only telling
you where to find the items you are looking for, but also how to
identify them. I would say that it’s like a satellite navigation system
for the new extension, complete with an address and information
about what lives there, and details for a provider should it need to be
replaced.”
It’s not just facilities
managers – sometimes senior
managers are unaware of the
operational benefi ts of digital
construction, and so are not
specifying it on their
projects.”