How the Industry Will Streamline BIM?- NBIMS-US takes more steps

Covering a range of topics that could significantly impact on the way architectural, engineering and construction professionals use BIM, this ballot will conclude an answer to the streamlining BIM problem. By opening the ballots to public professionals, the National Institute of Building Sciences buildingSMART is allowing optimum results for the National BIM Standard-United States™ (NBIMS-US).

The ballots were separated into categories relating to: reference standards; information exchanges, including model view definitions (MVDs) and information delivery manuals (IDMs); best practices; and overview and guidelines, including updates to the NBIMS Version 1, Part 1.

Of the ballot submissions, 36 were complete entries and nine were “blue sky submissions,” or ideas that will need more input before becoming a ballot or going for a vote to be included in the standard.

Several of the ballot submissions, if approved by the voting membership, will significantly expand the current standard. For example:

A number of ballots identified tables from OmniClass to be used as referenced standards, including: Table 13 – Spaces by Function; Table 21 – Elements (Uniformat); Table 22 – Work Results (Masterformat), Table 23 – Products; Table 32 – Services; and Table 36 – Information Content. Much of the open BIM coordination in the industry is based on these tables and their coding structure.

Ballots proposed the addition of several information exchanges into the NBIMS. One of primary interest is the Construction Operations Building information exchange (COBie), which, if approved, would become an official standard through this consensus process.

One ballot would add the BIM Project Execution Planning Guide, Version 2.1, updated in May 2011, to the NBIMS. This guide has been used by numerous organizations across the industry to coordinate BIM implementation.

The ballot item comment period begins August 3 and ends September 1.

All members of the industry, including architects and engineers using the software; contractors interpreting the data being provided through the BIM; and software vendors developing BIM tools, may submit comments during the comment period upon becoming a member of the Project Committee.

Comments will be shared with the Project Committee; eligible members will begin voting on the ballots September 21.

To view the list of ballots
Or to Download a Project Committee Application Form