What to specify: BIM

New BIM guidance website
BSI together with BIM Task Group have launched a new website to act as a source of best practice guidance, in order to help the construction industry implement level 2 BIM. The site is aimed at designers, architects, constructors, operators, manufacturers or suppliers and will provide a common point of reference for BIM documentation, standards and guidance.
BSI / BIM Task Group
bim-level2.org

ARCHICAD Live Connection
GRAPHISOFT has released the Grasshopper–ARCHICAD Live Connection. This bi-directional “live” connection allows Rhino/Grasshopper users to connect to ARCHICAD. The system allows architects to combine the three design environments – Rhino, Grasshopper and ARCHICAD – to combine the early stage design and BIM, allowing basic geometrical shapes to be translated into full BIM elements while maintaining algorithmic editing functionality.
Graphisoft
www.graphisoft.com

BIM for landscape
The first book to focus on the implementation of BIM processes in landscape and external works, BIM for Landscape, will educate the environment sector, such as clients, contractors and manufacturers throughout the supply chain to understand how they can implement BIM. The book, produced by the Landscape Institute, contains three sections, providing guidance for business leaders, project managers and technicians, as well as a strategic roadmap to achieving BIM for landscape architects. The book explains how BIM processes can be brought into landscape projects to enhance collaboration with other professionals and clients, streamline information processes and improve decision-making.
Landscape Institute
www.landscapeinstitute.org

New ebook
Bentley Institute Press has announced its book, Practical Structural Modelling With AECOsim Building Designer is now available as an ebook for Kindle devices. The publication is written for all experience levels and provides step-by-step tutorials and interactive exercises to help engineers and designers become productive with BIM workflows and BIM advancement enabled by AECOsim Building Designer.
Bentley Institute Press
store.bentley.com/en/products/books

New eLearning platform
BRE Academy has launched an eLearning platform, designed to meet the changing needs of the construction operatives, professionals and leaders in the UK and around the world. The online platform will initially offer 25 courses, designed to be time-efficient and aimed at organisations requiring an update on their skills. The courses include BIM Essentials, BREEAM Associate and Risk in Construction, and the courses carry recognised qualifications and CPD certification.
BRE Academy
bre.ac

New BIM level 2 files
Bosch Commercial and Industrial has launched brand new BIM level 2 files for its commercial boiler range. The 3D files offer technical details on a system’s lifecycle including, outputs, efficiencies, emissions, weights and dimensions and can be imported into a project plan to enable the system, or a particular appliance, to be monitored.
Bosch Commercial and Industrial
bosch-industrial.co.uk

Double glazed windows and doors
Mumford & Wood has launched the Mumford & Wood Classic range, which provides a complete suite of double glazed windows and doors. The range is also available as BIM objects online. The products are made to order and are available in a variety of profiles and feature individual 12-14mm slim profile units. The windows also feature krypton gas filled panels that achieve a 1.9W/m²K overall frame U-value, and a 1.5W/m²K centre pane U-value. The BIM product specifications can be downloaded online.
Mumford & Wood
www.mumfordwood.com

Free ‘BIM basics’ checklist
The Electrical Contractors’ Association (ECA) has released free information for small and medium-sized firms to coincide with the government’s April 2016 introduction of requirement to use BIM level 2 in significant centrally procured contracts. The BIM Basics checklist highlights the “bare essential” requirements that firms within the building services sector will need to meet to work on BIM projects. The checklist can be viewed online.
Electrical Contractors’ Association
www.eca.co.uk

Externally Flush Tilt-Turn window system
Profile 22 has launched an externally Flush Tilt-Turn window system designed for commercial applications, along with updated BIM objects (pictured below). The design of the frame avoids the overlapping of framework associated with conventional PVC-U systems. The product is able to achieve A++ WER Rating, or U-Value 0.8 W/m2.K, which is in line with Passivhaus standards. The Profile 22 externally Flush Tilt-Turn window has a maximum opening size of 2,300 height x 1,450mm width, with 28, 36 and 44mm glazing options. The BIM objects are available online at BIMstore.
Profile 22
www.profile22.co.uk