Facility Management

The ever expanding use of BIM process for design, analysis, construction planning, 4D coordination and other construction phases provides a humongous resource full of valuable information which can be employed by the facility managers to manage and maintain the building throughout the lifecycle of the structure. The information contained in the model can support day-to-day operations and planning needed to ensure that the facility operates at the highest efficiency achievable.

Creating an accurate as-built design requires updates from all the participants and stakeholders of the construction process. Post construction, the as-built BIM data can be used for managing security, safety, maintenance and renovation purposes. Dimensions, materials and specifications of all components can be accessed through the application.

Since the physical and functional characteristics of a building are digitally represented through BIM, this information can be used for management throughout the lifecycle, from conception to demolition. The use of a 3D model along with complete information brings in the possibility of handling further repairs and renovations, leading to hassle-free maintenance.

Applications :

1. The Maintenance department of a hotel can easily detect problems in ventilation systems through an extremely sophisticated database having information about all mechanical components.
2. Chemical Plants can easily detect a malfunctioning pipeline from the 3D “as-built” BIM model, saving hours of time spent on identification using conventional methods.
3. Maintenance Schedules can be effortlessly constructed and used to give relevant work orders by easily searching for the appropriate component specifications.
4. The BIM model can be used to give emergency responders access to critical building information to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of the response and minimize the safety risks.
5. The Asset Management Team can-
   • Review all the assets in the foretold area and evaluate the cost implications of maintaining or upgrading the structure’s assets.
   • Track the use, performance, maintenance and warranty of a building’s asset for the owner, the maintenance team and the financial department.
   • Estimate the future costs involved for repairing or upgrading the current systems in place.

Applications :

1. The Facility Management department of a hotel can easily detect problems in ventilation systems through an extremely sophisticated database having information about all mechanical components.
2. Chemical Plants can easily detect a malfunctioning pipeline from the 3D “as-built” BIM model, saving hours of time spent on identification using conventional methods.
3. Maintenance Schedules can be effortlessly constructed and used to give relevant work orders by easily searching for the appropriate component specifications.
4. The BIM model can be used to give emergency responders access to critical building information to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of the response and minimize the safety risks.
5. The Asset Management Team can-
   • Review all the assets in the foretold area and evaluate the cost implications of maintaining or upgrading the structure’s assets.
   • Track the use, performance, maintenance and warranty of a building’s asset for the owner, the maintenance team and the financial department.
   • Estimate the future costs involved for repairing or upgrading the current systems in place.

COBie is one way which enables the availability of the information. But this information can only be used effectively once it is linked with a CAFM systems. This enables us to make use of the raw data by linking it to the components present in the BIM model and using  this BIM model to facilitate maintenance operations. The raw data is usually difficult to collect, store and retrieve if it wasn’t for the 3D BIM model which links it to every building component, stores the information in digital format regarding the component’s warranty, maintenance cycle and manufacturing details and makes the data easier to retrieve for each particular unit from the BIM model.