Bam to bring benefits of BIM to facilities management

Bam Construct has launched a new project aimed at using Building Information Modelling to improve the facilities management of a building once it is completed.

The project, developed by Bam Construct, FSI, and Autodesk, is aimed at incorporating the benefits of BIM into the way that facilities are managed after a building is completed.

The process involves pulling information from 3D BIM models into a building’s facilities management workflow systems, improving the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of the way clients can manage their assets, with the aim that buildings have fewer faults and lower operating costs.

Kath Fontana, managing director of Bam’s facilities management division, said: “Imagine you are a developer, owner or manager who has just been handed the keys to a new office building.

“You have no option: every square metre has to be maintained. Now imagine that you have no easily available data to tell you where all your new assets are, how many there are, what type they are, or who the suppliers are. Making sound decisions about when to repair or replace assets without good information about them to start with is a surprisingly common problem.

“There are enormous gains for clients in being able to use the data in the 3D building model as it develops over the construction cycle. It enables early, speedy and accurate compilation of the building’s asset register. It will provide detailed, accurate and real-time information on which clients can plan the management and maintenance of their building. These allow them to set-up and deliver their facilities management services with on-going confidence in the operating information.

“While there is a lot of debate about the benefits of BIM for asset management, Bam is putting the theory into practice. The market-leading strides we have made in developing and applying BIM in our design and construction activities enable us to take this next step.

“Together with its partners, Bam expects to have the process designed, developed and tested by early summer, after which it will conduct live testing.”