Posted by What exactly is BIM?
BIM, which stands for Building Information Modeling, is the digital representation of a building’s functional and physical qualities. It involves creating a comprehensive and collaborative system of digital models that support the planning, construction, operation, and maintenance of building projects. With BIM, designers, architects, engineers, and facility managers can work together, improving design visualization and conducting digital simulations throughout all stages of a building’s life cycle.
The advent of BIM has caused a paradigm shift in the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) industry. It has significantly supported various businesses in adopting new methods for designing, constructing, and providing Facility Management (FM) services.
What exactly is Facility Management?
Facility Management begins after the building has been completed and handed over. It is an ongoing process that spans throughout the building’s existence. The primary objective of Facility Management is to ensure optimal management of the asset and its contents, including equipment, spaces, furnishings, and more. Facility Management encompasses various tasks such as business administration, asset management, maintenance, contract management, repairs, and refurbishments.
THE BENEFITS OF USING BIM IN FM
Better Space Management
One of the significant advantages of BIM in Facility Management is that it allows for a more efficient use of space. With a BIM model, facility managers can visualize the entire structure before the project is completed, giving them ample time to plan and maximize the use of available space.
Improvements in Operational and Facilities Management Capabilities
BIM eliminates the need for facility managers to manually search through stacks of records, making it easier to access and interpret facility management data. This streamlined access speeds up maintenance and general administration activities, leading to more effective operational management.
Cost-effectiveness
BIM facilitates cost-effective maintenance and basic building operations. By incorporating ecological practices and energy-efficient components, BIM reduces overall running expenses. Additionally, BIM enhances the financial forecasting process for maintenance, as everything is documented ahead of time.
As-built Record from Beginning to End for Future Refurbishment and Maintenance
With BIM, facility managers can compare actual equipment with 3D models, enabling them to develop precise plans of action for maintenance or restoration purposes. The as-built record provided by BIM becomes invaluable for future planning.
Increased Cooperation and Adaptability
The fundamental principle of BIM is to promote cooperation and communication among diverse stakeholders. This means facility managers have access to all technical materials and can collaborate with various stakeholders on maintenance operations.
BIM FACILITATING THE FACILITY MANAGEMENT PROCESS
Step 1: Planning
The first stage involves analyzing present systems, assembling a solid team, and gathering all necessary data for future facility management endeavors. This stage comprises the following phases:
Phase 1: Examine Existing Facility Management Systems, Procedures, and Personnel
- Examining current systems and processes.
- Identifying key operation and management personnel.
- Conducting surveys and reviews.
Phase 2: Identifying Goals
- Identifying Facility Management opportunities.
- Identifying categories, properties, and assets to track.
Step 2: Designing
The design process includes developing facility management standards and plans. This step includes the following:
Phase 3: Standard Development
- Evaluating platform options.
- Establishing processes and platforms.
- Choosing a translation tool if needed.
- Developing standards and deliverables.
Step 3: Execution
The execution phase involves putting the facility management strategy into action and periodically evaluating everything. This step includes:
Phase 4: Facility Management Plan Execution
- Developing the FM platform.
- Collecting BIM data.
- Integrating available data.
- Migrating existing data.
- Training facility management staff.
Phase 5: Evaluation and Enhancement
- Documenting lessons learned.
- Repeating all steps indefinitely.
Conclusion
Facility Management is crucial for ensuring the proper functioning of a building throughout its life cycle. During the building’s operational phase, which is often the most costly period, making informed decisions to lower expenses is vital. BIM plays a significant role in this by giving management control over building design information and documentation. By integrating BIM with Facility Management, businesses can achieve improved quality and consistent data, ultimately enhancing the overall efficiency of the Facility Management process.