Joint initiative formed in readiness for BIM

A joint initiative between the Construction Products Association (CPA), BIM4M2 (BIM for manufacturers and manufacturing), the Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE) and NBS (National Building Specification) has been formed to provide one voice in readiness for the UK Government’s April 2016 BIM (building information modelling) mandate.

The idea is to create a single and unified approach to product data, using a common language. Manufacturers already have the required information, but a simple and industry-wide approach to product data parameters and templates has until now been a challenge, according to the CPA.

Through this initiative, building and infrastructure manufacturers will have free and ready access to product data parameters and templates that are relevant to their products which have been developed through a defined process. By using these templates, manufacturers will be able to supply product information in a form that aligns with the UK’s Level 2 BIM requirements. Each template defines the minimum information about a product that is required for UK Government BIM projects.

Mark Bew, chairman of the BIM Task Group, said: “When the BIM Task Group identified the client data requirements which are now provided in the BIM Toolkit, we were looking for other communities to work together to provide their own common data requirements.

“This initiative from the products and manufacturing sector signals an important collaboration from industry which will add significant value and clarity.”