A consistent approach to BIM
At NBS we understand that without consistency, professionals working on a construction project may struggle to understand the exact deliverables required, or to make decisions efficiently and accurately – which can significantly impact on project cost. The trend towards digital construction is unstoppable, but the lack of a global, industry-wide standard for BIM objects has been a barrier to the construction industry's successful transition to a digital future and adoption of BIM.
A digital solution
We set out to create a collaborative digital solution to this problem, an integral part of which was the launch of the International BIM object standard in collaboration with NATSPEC, Masterspec and others.
Published for the first time in 2014, the NBS BIM Object Standard defines clear requirements against which all BIM objects can be assessed. The first of its kind globally, the standard defines what constitutes a quality BIM object; and provides the foundations for a consistent approach that can be adopted by designers, manufacturers and all BIM content developers alike. This standard has played a major role in helping organisations to implement digital processes, and get the most from digital construction.
In 2016 we announced a partnership with NATSPEC in Australia and Masterspec in New Zealand to establish standards for BIM objects in those countries – aligning practices to a global standard as much as possible while accommodating local variations.
Using the NBS BIM Object Standard as the basis of a new core standard, the new International BIM object standard has been developed for use by all construction professionals – from specifiers to manufacturers and BIM content developers -to assist in the creation of BIM objects. Regional requirements are contained in specific country annexes, starting with the UK, Australia and New Zealand, with more to follow. the standard can be accessed here [link].
The development of the International BIM object standard is an important step forwards for organisations worlwide. It means that designers creating objects for practice and project-specific purposes as well as manufacturers can now do so to a common standard, enabling greater collaboration, efficiency and more meaningful information exchange across the global construction market. In turn this will help to realise the true benefits of digital construction, resulting in better value across the whole life of the built asset.
Access our online version of the International BIM object standard and guidance.
