While the implementation of Business Information Modelling (BIM) Level 2 legislation for publicly procured projects is only just nearing the six-month mark, Bristan says that, despite a certain level of pessimism, BIM will most certainly play an important role in the future of the construction industry.
This April (2016) saw the UK Government’s construction strategy require that all publicly-funded construction work must be undertaken using BIM level 2. The remit is to drive out inefficiencies in construction by enabling all involved parties, be it the architect, specifier through to the plumber or facilities manager, to work from one shared, digital platform.
To date, however, some businesses have reported that they haven’t noticed any significant impact as yet, leading to a certain cynicism about the future of the technology – a view which is arguably short-sighted.
Chris Tranter, Group Specification Product Manager at Bristan comments: “We must remember that the legislation is still in the very early stages with the actual specification figures unlikely to become clear until next year.
“Testament to this, this year’s NBS National BIM Survey found that 86 per cent of respondents expected to be using BIM Level 2 within a year of the April legislation, and 97 per cent within the next five years[i], indicating that whilst BIM may currently be seen as just a ‘nice to have’, this attitude is set to change rapidly.
“Furthermore, whilst privately funded contracts may wait until the legislation extends to them, certain sectors – notably national housebuilders – are already working to ensure their supply chains are BIM Level 2 compliant in order to leverage the benefits of repeatability and overall cost reductions.
“Meanwhile, the industry is further supporting the widespread adoption of BIM, with the launch of the UK BIM Alliance at the end of this month. The Alliance aims to drive BIM Level 2 across the construction industry over the next four years, with a view to setting the foundations for BIM Level 3 by 2025.
“Therefore, although the ramifications of BIM Level 2 may not yet be immediately obvious in the wider industry, there is ample evidence to suggest that its adoption will gain momentum, and thoroughly pervade the industry over the next four years.
“With this in mind it’s advisable for manufacturers to begin or continue producing BIM objects, in readiness for the changes that BIM Level 2, and eventually Level 3, will inevitably bring. At Bristan, we already have BIM objects available through NBS, RIBA and shortly through our own website, and will be constantly adding to these over the coming months and years as we aim to support our specifier, architect and housebuilder clients.”
For further information please visit www.bristan.com