As of April 4, 2016, all government contractors had to be compliant with Level 2 Building Information Modeling (BIM) in the United Kingdom.
The requirement aims to provide government officials with as much information about their construction projects as possible so that they can manage the resulting assets—chiefly "maintainable assets" like electrical and mechanical—effectively. Major contractors were prepared for this mandate, but some subcontractors are not, and will need assistance to comply.
Observers say a similar requirement is unlikely in the U.S., as the domestic industry is further along in adopting BIM. U.S. contractors have adopted modeling faster than many European counterparts, and BIM is regarded as an expected business practice here.
The U.K. may up the ante on BIM rules. Government and industry are jointly preparing to raise the BIM requirement to Level 3, which would require all parties on a government construction projects to work from one common BIM model.
Related Stories
| Jan 2, 2013
BIM market value to hit $6.5 billion by 2020
Sales of BIM software and services are expected to grow at a compound annual rate of 17.3%, to a market value of $6.5 billion in 2020.
| Nov 28, 2012
Cummins announces ratings classification for data center power systems
The Data Center Continuous ratings span the range of Cummins Power Generation’s high horsepower diesel generator sets, from 1 MW up to 2.5 MW, and will apply to both 50 Hz and 60 Hz configurations.
| Nov 5, 2012
Trimble acquires Vico assets, extends design-build-operate capabilities
Software to add 5D management to Trimble’s Solutions for vertical construction contractors.
| Oct 4, 2012
2012 Reconstruction Awards Gold Winner: Wake Forest Biotech Place, Winston-Salem, N.C.
Reconstruction centered on Building 91.1, a historic (1937) five-story former machine shop, with its distinctive façade of glass blocks, many of which were damaged. The Building Team repointed, relocated, or replaced 65,869 glass blocks.
| Oct 4, 2012
Electronic power tool builds project transparency
As building projects have grown in scope and complexity, so, too, has the task of document management. A new online tool is helping Building Teams meet that demand.
| Aug 8, 2012
BIM’s future up in the cloud
The AEC industry is on the cusp of a still more significant evolution with cloud computing.
| Jul 9, 2012
Integrated Design Group completes UCSB data center
Firm uses European standard of power at USCB North Hall Research Data Center.
| Jul 3, 2012
Trimble to acquire WinEstimator
Acquisition adds estimating software solutions to Meridian Systems’ portfolio.
