In case you missed it we recently announced that we were delighted to have achieved BSI Status for Level 2 BIM – but what does that mean? As we have talked about before, BIM is a new way of working for the construction industry that is all about collaboration. Back in 2011, the UK Government announced that by 2016 all construction suppliers that tendered for centrally-procured government projects had to be BIM Level 2 certified. Following on from this, the BSI (British Standards Institute) launched a range of solutions to support the construction industry and BIM companies in achieving BIM Level 2, of which PAS 1192-2 is one.

PAS (or Publicly Available Specifications) are standards which are developed in order to meet the guidelines set out by the BSI. PAS 1192-2 is the specification which covers information management for the capital and delivery phase of construction projects using BIM. The Construction Industry Council (CIC) sponsors PAS 1192-2, and it came into effect in February of 2013.

PAS 1192-2 is focused specifically on project delivery, beginning with a statement of need and working through each stage of the information delivery cycle and ending in an Asset Information Model (AIM). Collaborative working and lean construction techniques are vital, as are the five stages of information delivery: Procurement, Post contract-award, Mobilisation, Production and Asset Information Model Maintenance.

PAS 1192-2 is best thought of as a framework for the five stages of information delivery, and also contains a project information model (PIM). The PIM combines both geographical and non-geographical data and any other associated documentation.  The information involved in the PIM increases and matures during both the design and construction stages of the project, and the PIM can then be handed over to the client for them to use to operate their new asset.

Information exchanges are also used throughout the project in order to pass information to the client, and these should be defined within the employer’s information requirements (EIR). The EIR is considered to be essential as they mean that the customer can make fully informed decisions all the way throughout the project.

Alongside PAS1192-2 is the standard PAS1192-3 which covers the operation and in-use stages of a building. This standard uses the Asset Information Model as a validated source of information relating to the built asset and can be used by facilities managers, end users and clients once the building is in use.

But what does this mean for us? Well, we had to meet PAS1192 Level 2 criteria as set out by the BSI.  After an initial gap assessment, BSI identified certain areas that we need to develop to conform to the PAS1192 standard.  After this gap analysis, we overhauled our procedures to comply with all elements, and now all future BIM projects will adhere to these procedures in order for us to keep our Level 2 status next year after an official audit.

If you want more information about what a BIM project contains, then we are currently working on the WPHED Project in Slough which is a BIM level 2 project.

If you would like more information on our BSI Status or any of our BIM services, then please call us on 44 (0)161 427 0348 (UK) or alternatively you can send an email to office@thecadroom.com