Submitted by Angela Walters on Tue, 19/06/2018 - 09:51
The following frequently asked questions aim to answer some of the queries that may arise from this process. These have been developed in collaboration by BSI, CDBB, the UK BIM Alliance, Public Sector bodies, and the Home Nations Working Group.
Later this year will see the first two international standards published for Building Information Modelling (BIM) BS EN ISO 19650–1 Organization of information about construction works – Information management using building information modelling – Part 1: Concepts and principles and BS EN ISO 19650-2 Organization of information about construction works – Information management using building information modelling – Part 2: Delivery phase of assets. These two standards will supersede BS 1192 (principles) and PAS 1192 part 2 (capital/delivery phase) respectively.
The update below should help answer some of the questions you may have on the UK transition from PAS 1192 series of standards to international standards.
1 Why did the UK decide to trigger the move from BIM Level 2 as a UK Standard to international standards?
Answer: The focus of the ‘Report for the Government Construction Client Group – BIM Strategy Paper’ (2011) was to encourage the greater adoption of BIM within the UK domestic construction sector, to significantly improve sector productivity and to deliver benefits shareable between clients and their supply chains. A key element in supporting this ambition was to establish a partnership programme between government and industry to develop a comprehensive suite of ‘enabling’ standards and supporting documentation on which universal adoption could be based. It was recognised that BIM would become a disruptive and ‘game changing’ way of working which would have a profound effect on global construction, further, that BIM technologies and processes transcended national or geographic borders. Therefore, during the development of the UK BIM Programme there was growing consensus that BIM-globalisation would inevitably push towards international norms and standards. Accordingly, the UK, working through its national standard body [BSI], industry and academic organisations and networks, used its existing suite of standards which, by that time, had demonstrated its effectiveness as a tool to aid systematic adoption, as a foundation for collaboration with other nations to develop international standards. The premise of this collaborative approach was that benefits would be realised by all nations, including a common security-minded approach to the adoption of these powerful data/information rich models and tools. Collaterally it was anticipated that such a response would also lay the foundations for a level playing field for international markets and foster trade.
2 What is the proposed time-line for the ISO 19650 transition?
Answer: It is anticipated that the following documents will be published concurrently around the end of 2018: BS EN ISO 19650-1: Organization of information about construction works — Information management using building information modelling: Concepts and principles BS EN ISO 19650-2: Organization of information about construction works — Information management using building information modelling: Delivery phase of the assets UK National Annex to ISO 19650 [to aid implementation in the UK and ensure BIM Level 2 within the ISO framework] UK Transition Guidance [Note: During the summer of 2018 the UK Annex will be issued for public consultation.]
3 We have already started to implement a BIM Level 2 project using the current suite of documents [as per http://bim-level2.org/en/standards/ ]; will we need to adopt the ISO19650s to remain BIM Level 2 compliant as it is a contract requirement?
Answer: It is anticipated that if you are already using the existing BIM Level 2 BS / PAS suite of standards on your projects no changes will be required as there should be no inconsistency with those projects using the ISO 19650 documents. [Note: The legal position on this is being checked prior to the ISO publication]
4 Will the overall principles of BIM Level 2 stay the same follow the ISO introduction?
Answer: ISO 19650-1 and 2 are founded on the UK’s standards for Information management using building information modelling as per BS 1192:2007 + A2:2016 and PAS 1192-2:2013. The principles remain as per these standards with terminology changes being preserved via the UK Annex.
5 Will the introduction of the ISO documents mean any change to the current BIM Policy requirements of the Home Nation countries and their programmes?
Answer: As the principles of BIM Level 2 will remain the same following the ISO publication it is not thought that there will be any policy changes. However, the Home Nation Working Group will be working with BSI and the ISO Convenor to understand the need for any changes to their programmes around standards, terminologies, BIM Level 2 templates and the like.
6 What are the main changes between BIM Level 2 and its ISO equivalent?
Answer: ISO 19650 is an internationalisation of the UK’s BIM Level 2 and contains all the same principles and high-level requirements with specific UK content contained in our National Annex. However, the ISO documents do look different, particularly in the terminology they use (such as “appointing party” instead of “employer”).
7 Are there any new roles or responsibilities that the ISO introduces?
Answer: There are no new roles or responsibilities. Roles are called “functions” in the ISO, and this should help avoid the often-held view that new job-titles and team members are required, which was never intended to be the case.
8 Which BIM Level 2 standards will be withdrawn following the ISO introduction and when will this occur?
Answer: BS 1192:2007 + A2:2016 Collaborative production of architectural, engineering and construction information. Code of practice and PAS 1192- 2:2013 Specification for information management for the capital/delivery phase of construction projects using building information modelling will be withdrawn as their content will be reflected in the new ISO 19650-1 and 2. [Note: The above documents could still be used as a reference to aid implementation]
9 Will other standards in the BIM Level 2 suite remain as they are following the ISO introduction?
Answer: Yes, all other BIM Level 2 Standards such as PAS1192-3, BS1192-4 and PAS1192-5 will remain extant and part of the new suite, these will be referenced through the UK Annex. PAS1192-3 and PAS1192-5 are in the process of transitioning to ISO and will become: BS EN ISO 19650-3 Organization of information about construction works Information management using building information modelling – Part 3: Operational phase of assets BS EN ISO 19650-5 Organization of information about construction works – Information management using building information modelling – Part 5: Security-minded approach to information management
10 Q Will the ISO documents be free of charge?
Answer: Like all ISO and CEN documents ISO19650-1 and 2 there will be cost to acquiring the document.
11 Q What about the realignment of PAS1192 parts 2 and 3, will this be affected by the ISO transition?
Answer: After careful consideration and having consulted with various stakeholders such as the UK BIM Alliance, the Home Nations Working Group, the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, and the Centre for Digital Built Britain, BSI has agreed to stop the current revision activity on PAS 1192 parts 2 and 3 to avoid market confusion (i.e. two different versions of essentially the same core content within a six month window) and cost to industry from reviewing new documents for any necessary changes or updates to workflows, templates and training. The work completed so far will now feed into the UK adoption of the relevant ISO standards through the national annex and transition guidance.
12 Q What should I do to prepare for the ISO Transition?
Answer: Firstly, don’t panic! The principles of BIM Level 2 remain the same so ensure that you are familiar with the existing standards which are available at http://bim-level2.org/en/