It is well known that after the design and construction phases of a building project are completed, the operation and maintenance stage accounts for more than 90% of the building’s lifespan. Currently, in our country, the operation and maintenance methods still largely rely on 2D technology, with both management and practical execution remaining relatively outdated. However, with the advent of Building Information Modeling (BIM) and its comprehensive approach to managing the entire lifecycle of buildings, new solutions for the operation and maintenance phase are gradually being adopted. Today, we will explore the key improvements that BIM-based operations can bring.
The operation and maintenance phase represents the longest period within a building’s lifecycle. As technology advances and living standards improve, coupled with the rapid increase in office buildings, facility maintenance has gained significant attention. Consequently, operation and maintenance have become a crucial component in the overall lifecycle management of buildings.
Traditional Facility Management (FM) primarily relies on 2D drawings and paper forms for on-site maintenance and management tasks. Maintenance personnel fill out forms on-site, which are then transferred to the office for electronic documentation. This approach often leads to information loss. Additionally, maintenance workers must carry numerous drawing forms to repair sites, making it time-consuming to retrieve historical information about equipment. Storing these paper documents is also problematic, as they can easily degrade or be damaged over time. For skyscrapers with complex systems, the sheer volume of maintenance work is substantial. Without effective communication and coordination, issues such as redundant inspections, errors in form completion, difficulty locating equipment, and incorrect building information files can frequently arise.
Engineering projects traditionally rely on charts and information transfer for communication and management. However, with the increasing complexity of buildings and equipment, conventional 2D graphic communication and paper-based operations are no longer sufficient. Integrating BIM into equipment maintenance management addresses many of these challenges.
By leveraging the data embedded in BIM models, operational equipment information is integrated with 3D visualization. BIM’s 3D visualization and data management capabilities simplify the process of locating equipment that requires maintenance or repair. Users can quickly access both basic and historical maintenance records through the BIM information model. Furthermore, the BIM collaboration platform allows managers and maintenance personnel to monitor real-time maintenance status via cloud-based information systems, reducing redundant inspections. Managers can also provide real-time instructions to maintenance staff, using the BIM model to clearly communicate tasks and details. This approach significantly improves upon traditional facility maintenance management by boosting efficiency and enhancing data accuracy.
From the discussion above, it is clear how BIM-based operation and maintenance can address many existing challenges. At present, most operation and maintenance units or building owners in China continue to use traditional 2D models for their management tasks, largely due to BIM’s relatively recent introduction and the lack of standardized guidelines in the region. However, this should not be a reason to avoid adopting BIM technology. Especially in recent years, the emergence of ultra-tall, large-scale, and complex projects has demonstrated that 2D methods are insufficient for effective operation and maintenance. Therefore, BIM is poised to play an increasingly significant and lasting role in the future of building operation and maintenance.
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