IAI Building SMART - UK Chapter
IAI is the International Alliance for Interoperability specialises in establishing standards for the use of object technology in construction and facilities management. Building Smart is the new branding of IAI started in 2005 specialised in using Building Information Modelling (BIM) and IFCs as the trigger to smarter ways of working.
Aim and Objectives
- Offer smarter ways of working which will directly affect the processes and skill sets used in the industry and other issues such as contracts, payment systems, insurance, education and training. It will require information links with business activities.
- Seeking alliances with other similar motivated organisations which provide complementary standards and/or support processes which deliver faster, better, less expensive and more predictable results than can be achieved with traditional methods.
Mission Statement
“To provide a universal basis for information sharing and process improvement in the construction and facilities management industries”.
Key Activities (including outputs produced to date)
- Implementation: many software vendors are working to bring the IAI vision to reality by developing software implementations.
- Solutions and projects: IAI members are working in projects to extend the range of information that can be shared within the construction and facilities management industries.
- Technical documents: IAI has created a number of documents that can be sued as references in understanding the IFC model and its development. Documents include: IFC model specifications, IFC implementation guide, IFCXML implementation guide, IFC model extension guide IFC model integration guide and Readers’ guides to the technologies used in process and information model development.
- Standard building evaluation method (SBEM): development of an interface between BIM and Building Regulations. The project was a collaboration work between building SMART/BSRIA Building Services and plans for a pilot implementation are being explored.
- Products and IFCs: The SWOP programme is an EU project on product catalogues. The web platform has already been developed.
- Sydney Opera House BIM: research project demonstrated how BIM can be used for FM. The research which won several awards uses IFC standards to integrate FM data from a range of software systems into a partial BIM of the Sydney Opera House.
- Certification: increasing the uptake from vendors. The IAI recently certified 14 software applications supporting IFC2x3.
- Stand-Inn project: is a two year EU project to promote innovation, sustainability and the adoption of standards in construction and FM. The project has a consortium from 11 countries and consists of seven work packages.
- Case study: IFCs in practice- Beijing Olympics stadium: a landmark building for the 2008 Games with capacity of 91,000 people to host the opening and closing ceremonies.
Programme of work for 07/08
- Secure and monitor live projects using buildingSMART
- Seek regulatory support from Government.
- Develop training package.
- Develop communication and dissemination such as the buildingSMART website which is the home of the International Alliance for Interoperability (IAI) and Construction Industry Trading Electronically (CITE).
- Getting full ISO accreditation by 2010.
- Produce a global dictionary.
The Business Model
- Business Operational Model: IAI/buildingSMART International Council has 26 representatives (two from each chapter). The business model is project based now it is moving from delivering standards to implementing them.
- Funding Mechanisms: IAI/buildingSMART is a membership organisation with over 500 members worldwide. Funding is mainly from industry and government for specific projects and events.
Principal Contact(s)
Business Manager: Christopher Groome
5 The Business Exchange, Rockingham Road, Kettering, Northamptonshire, NN16 8JX
Tel: +44 (0)7973 638742
Fax: +44 (0)1536 526430
Email: chris.groome@b-r-t.co.uk
