In recent years, the development of BIM applications during the operation and maintenance stage in China has progressed rapidly. Although still in its early stages, many companies have recognized the significant role BIM plays in this phase and have started adopting it one after another. However, some challenges have also emerged. Today, the author will discuss the issues with BIM application in building models during the operation and maintenance phase.
1. Devices that share the same model and appearance should either be named as the same type or each device should be named individually. In COBie, this principle is divided into two levels: Type and Component. Type names should include the device type along with the model number, while component names should combine the type name and a serial number. For objects with large quantities, it is recommended to include the room number first, followed by the serial number.
2. The device naming convention in BIM software Revit may differ from the Chinese naming convention used by PCCES. COBie follows a British reverse grammar style, such as “switchboard_600x1000mm_Stainless steel,” whereas PCCES uses direct grammar, like “600x1000mm stainless steel switchboards.” Since cooperation with COBie is necessary, the former format is preferred. Therefore, before naming components, it is important to perform a mapping process to align the project names with those in the contract budget table for future acceptance comparison.
3. The worksheet and domain names in COBie forms are in English, so users must receive prior education and training to ensure proper understanding.
4. It is essential to determine which equipment components should be included within the scope of equipment maintenance. Including too many components not only increases workload significantly but may also fail to meet the owner’s needs. For example, there can be a large number of switches and sockets, which leads to heavy numbering tasks and numerous COBie window columns. Additionally, these devices generally have low unit prices and are often considered consumables by owners, so they should be excluded from the equipment maintenance category.
5. Attributes need to be classified clearly; otherwise, it becomes difficult to manage and errors may occur, especially under heavy workloads. Pre-classification helps both information collectors and data input users make empirical judgments. Furthermore, after functional classification, determining the units for attributes becomes easier. By cross-referencing functions and units, users can more efficiently verify the accuracy of COBie forms, which in turn improves the overall information accuracy.
BIM technology has been widely promoted over the past 4-5 years, but cultivating skilled BIM technicians remains challenging. Mechanical and electrical BIM engineers, in particular, usually start with modeling skills and gradually build mechanical and electrical professional knowledge over time. As a result, many mechanical and electrical BIM personnel lack sufficient professional knowledge or experience and still require support from specialized engineers during information integration and validation.
That concludes the discussion on the issues with BIM application in building models during the operation and maintenance phase. I hope this article proves helpful to everyone!
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