FEBRUARY 2021 | 45 |
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BIM and the Ironmongery industry
It would be fair to say that some elements of the ironmongery industry have embraced BIM , particularly amongst certain door and hardware manufacturers , whilst others have not yet seen the need to invest . The following are all areas within BIM which have had significant investment in terms of time or finance within our industry :
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Glenn Carstens-Peters - unsplash
Product Data Templates ( PDTs )
GAI has produced 35 BIM Product Data Templates for our membership following a two-year project with a working party made up of several of our member companies . All are available to download free of charge in the members ’ section of the GAI website . These include products such as hinges , controlled and holdopen door closers , panic and emergency
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escape hardware , mechanical and electronic locks , acoustic and intumescent seals and many other key products besides .
GAI is also proactively working with other European hardware trade associations such as UNIQ ( L ’ Union Nationale des Industries de la Quincaillerie ), the French hardware trade association which is developing French language versions of PDTs or “ BIM objets génériques ”. GAI has been an active member in a number of separate working parties to develop these alongside their own product experts . GAI also chairs the UK BIM Fenestration Relevant Authority which was set up in 2017 . This is a group of 12 UK trade associations set up to create Product Data Templates across the door , window and fenestration industry and we are currently working on creating PDTs for fire doorsets which will be available to our members .
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BIM objects
Various GAI member companies have now created a series of 3D BIM objects . These include object downloads for ironmongery , automatic doors , washroom products , signage and grab rails . These products can be downloaded directly into BIM software by the architect and then specified directly onto their building project .
A number of GAI member companies have also created BIM models for download for doorsets , including those with specialist function such as for mental health or acoustic purposes .
BIM Software .
One member company has invested heavily in software which allows an exchange of Revit openings data with hardware and door information . This helps integrate hardware and door schedules directly into Revit .
Another company has developed software with intelligent Revit door families . These detail information on both face fixed and integrated finger guards and door closers . They have intelligent parameters to help simplify door specification by avoiding specification conflicts ; any changes to these components will then be reflected in the 3D model in Revit .
Drivers for BIM
There are many drivers for the use of BIM , not least the UK Government mandate that from April 2016 all centrally funded construction projects needed be backed up by BIM data to Level 2 . It should also be noted that Dame Judith Hackitt in her Independent Review of Building Regulations and Fire Safety ‘ Building a Safer Future ’ called for changes to the building management control process and related record keeping requirements , recommending a digital “ golden thread of information ” for every building .
This trail of information , from initial design , through construction and to all subsequent changes throughout occupation and use , would benefit all occupiers and other stakeholders . Moreover , it would be essential to ensure that buildings were being adequately risk assessed , properly managed , maintained and kept fire safe .
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The UK Government Response to this made clear that the new regulatory framework must be underpinned by robust record keeping , with a digital ‘ golden thread ’ of key building information running through all phases of design , construction and occupation .
The use of BIM as a means of supplying this digital information is seen as critical in this process . Data Dictionaries , Product Data Templates and Product Data Sheets all help to maintain and provide product data efficiently and effectively .
GAI Top Ten Tips on BIM
In summary , below are our top tips for GAI members :
1 . Do not think that BIM will go away , there are too many drivers both nationally and internationally which are pushing for the construction industry to be BIM ready .
2 . Do not think that BIM is the death knell for ironmongery specification . The skill of producing bespoke schedules for each door based on training , knowledge and experience is not a BIM online exercise .
3 . Research BIM online – there are lots of websites and publications .
4 . If you are an ironmonger and are asked for BIM information consult the manufacturer on what is available .
5 . If asked about BIM information by your architect , check what data they are looking for . It may be that the information in your ironmongery specification is sufficient .
6 . If you are a manufacturer , don ’ t feel you have to spend lots of money on expensive 3D models - many architects are more interested in 3D models of structural elements such as windows and doors rather than the hardware on it .
7 . Look at getting your existing product data structured as this may be all that is required of you .
8 . Download GAI Product Data Templates and insert your data into them to create your own Product Data Sheets , this will help you to be “ BIM ready ” if you are asked . 9 . Don ’ t be afraid of BIM . 10 . Don ’ t think that BIM is the future – it is very much here and now .
Douglas Masterson B . A .( Hons ) DipGAI RegAI MinstAI , GAI Technical Manager
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