I assume many of us do not really understand how to manage IFC files in Revit properly.
This documenatation can help you to understand the basics and what is possible with IFC. It shows a lot options and might also show the limitatins of it.
The documentation can be downloaded at:
http://abcdblog.typepad.com/abcd/2018/Success_Stories/IFC-Manual-2018-ENU.PDF
Last month I became aware of the new BIM Forum Level of Development specification. I was happy to see that it now contains also more details about elevators.
The specification can be downloaded at (go to page 120):
Thanks to Kenneth Flannigan who helped me a lot to better interpreting the standard: “The Level of Development Specification does not correlate to a models intended use, but does provide minimums for geometry (and data if you look at Part II) when key decisions are made.
Viewing the LOD levels as “decision” levels helps here. If more model geometry detail is added it doesn’t necessarily mean those decisions are made. For instance: If I add signalization to an elevator that lights up to be used in a rendering or animation. That only progresses the LOD if an actual decision was made and the signalization matches what will be purchased/installed.
So a more detailed model is not necessarily a higher LOD. This is a point that can be easily misconstrued even with this LOD specification.”
Let’s have a look what is inside and what the different LOD levels mean:
LOD 100
The Model Element may be graphically represented in the Model with a symbol or other generic representation, but does not satisfy the requirements for LOD 200. Information related to the Model Element (i.e. cost per square foot, tonnage of HVAC, etc.) can be derived from other Model Elements.
BIMForum Interpretation: LOD 100 elements are not geometric representations. Examples are information attached to other model elements or symbols showing the existence of a component but not its shape, size, or precise location. Any information derived from LOD 100 elements must be considered approximate.
This is the very early stage in the planning process.
The architect or planner only needs to know the overall shaft dimensions, including headroom and pit requirements.
LOD 200
The Model Element is graphically represented within the Model as a generic system, object, or assembly with approximate quantities, size, shape, location, and orientation. Non-graphic information may also be attached to the Model Element.
BIMForum interpretation: At this LOD elements are generic placeholders. They may be recognizable as the components they represent, or they may be volumes for space reservation. Any information derived from LOD 200 elements must be considered approximate.
At this point the overall car and door dimensions are required. This also provides information on how many stops and travel of the elevator.
This is the last LOD step where the supplier is NOT yet selected. Btw, having your BIM model in the architects building at this point is a good opportunity to making sure, “your dimension” requirements are satisfied.
LOD 300
The Model Element is graphically represented within the Model as a specific system, object or assembly in terms of quantity, size, shape, location, and orientation. Non-graphic information may also be attached to the Model Element. BIMForum interpretation: The quantity, size, shape, location, and orientation of the element as designed can be measured directly from the model without referring to non-modeled information such as notes or dimension call-outs. The project origin is defined and the element is located accurately with respect to the project origin.
By definition it must be dimensionally accurate and that means a specific manufacturer and product would need to be selected and placed to meet LOD 300.
LOD 350
The Model Element is graphically represented within the Model as a specific system, object, or assembly in terms of quantity, size, shape, location, orientation, and interfaces with other building systems. Non-graphic information may also be attached to the Model Element.
BIMForum interpretation: Parts necessary for coordination of the element with nearby or attached elements are modeled. These parts will include such items as supports and connections. The quantity, size, shape, location, and orientation of the element as designed can be measured directly from the model without referring to non-modeled information such as notes or dimension call-outs.
At this point the elevator supplier is selected. That means that supplier specific information is added to the building model.
LOD 400
The Model Element is graphically represented within the Model as a specific system, object or assembly in terms of size, shape, location, quantity, and orientation with detailing, fabrication, assembly, and installation information. Non-graphic information may also be attached to the Model Element.
BIMForum interpretation: An LOD 400 element is modeled at sufficient detail and accuracy for fabrication of the represented component. The quantity, size, shape, location, and orientation of the element as designed can be measured directly from the model without referring to non-modeled information such as notes or dimension call-outs.
LOD 500
The Model Element is a field verified representation in terms of size, shape, location, quantity, and orientation. Non-graphic information
may also be attached to the Model Elements.
BIMForum interpretation: Since LOD 500 relates to field verification and is not an indication of progression to a higher level of model
element geometry or non-graphic information, this Specification does not define or illustrate it.
Thanks to Ken Flennigan who helped to add elevators to the LOD Specification Guide
Fundamental LOD Definition where taken from:
http://bimforum.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/LOD-Spec-2017-Guide_2017-11-06-1.pdf
Recently the British CIBSE organisation has release a BIM “Product Data Template” (PDT) for elevators. If you fill your project data into the file, the result will become the “Elevator BIM Product Data Sheet” (PDS). The PDS should be sent to the architect or builder along with the 3D BIM model data.
The Excel PDT file can be downloaded at:
http://www.cibse.org/Knowledge/PDTs/Elevator-Product-Data-Template-(PDT)
This week I passed the PAS 1192 masterclass by the bsi. I am currently sitting at Heathrow airport and using the time to collect my impressions.
The bsi. infrastructure / destination dispatch elevator
Probably not important to anybody else except me.
The bsi. Building has a destination dispatch system in their elevators, so I had the chance to take some pictures.
As you can see, inside the cabine there is no option to pick a floor. First time to me to use a destination dispatch elevator system. In all cases I reached the floor with a maximum of one intermediate stop.
People that are working here daily were very used to use this type of elevator. An unexpected overcrowed situation happens, since just one of us picked the destination floor for the lunch in the first floor but all went in. As a result, and since the dispatch system can not know, other people on intermediate floors could not enter the lift any more.
Training findings
Thanks to the trainer David Churcher learned a lot about PAS 1192-2 and PAS 1192-3, pronounced “the pass”!
David is one of the authors of the PAS and has therefore the best understanding of the sense and meanings.
These are my major findings:
The building phase
If elevator companies are talking about BIM, they are mainly thinking about this phase; how to design the elevator and how to “get the 3D building model”. But this is just one piece of the Project Information Model (PIM) that is used during the design and construction phase.
Another important aspect of BIM is the “Softlanding phase”
This was also new to me, it defines the time from passing the built elevator to the operations team until everything is working fine. This might be a few weeks but may also take 1-3 years, depending on the complexity.
It’s all about Assets
To me, that might be my personal opinion, its all about assets. If you think about the the 3D BIM model, this is just one piece of a puzzle. At the end of the day, the elevator is installed into the building and becomes an asset.
From an organizational (the owner of the building) persective, the building phase is just the way to get an asset “in operation”.
That means elevator instructions, maintenance plans, etc. are also part of the BIM Information, in particular as part of the AIM (Asset Information Model).
The final phase, the breakdown phase, might be the latest stage of the asset.
Image from the PAS 1192-3, (C) bsi. 2014
The green area defines the information (incl. 3D information) during the lifetime of the asset. Phase 1-6 are the different construction phases where most of the information is produced (Project Information Model (PIM) phase). During operations additional information (like maintenance data) is collected about the asset (elevator) and added to the AIM.
“Moving from a product modeling world to a process modeling world”
This was one of the overall messages by the second trainer Brian Atkin.
This masterclass explained the new BS 8536-1:2015 standard about “Briefing for Design and Construction”
It adresses 2 points:
To the elevator industry that could mean: “Flawless start-up on an elevator system is achievable – it just needs to be a priority”, a derived message from Brian.
As a result all elevator companies should have a BIM expert, who could part of a “Working together” team and takes care on the proper integration. This BIM champion can also guide collegues for the new challenges that are arising here.
Thanks to Brian Atkin for this first hand information.
Brian Atkin, director of THE FACILITIES SOCIETY
Overall
The training is really recommended for everybody who starts with BIM. I booked 3 of 4 days. Course 4, about COBie I have to attend at a later time. Unfortunately my calender did not allow me to attend.
I learned a lot and received well structured materials.
Thanks again to David Churcher about the interesting conversations with regards to lifts (his term) and elevators (my term) 🙂
Ouuh, there are some many different “levels” BIM experts are talking about: Level of Detail, Level of development.
Today I came across another one from the UK: “Levels of BIM maturity”. (For the article click here)
There are four levels available; level 0 to 3. Below please find my interpretation of these 4 levels for elevator companies:
Level 0:
This is the level several elevator companies are still living in: Delivering 2D elevator drawings to their clients, paper-based or as an electronic document.
Level 1:
The elevator data is shared in 3D to the client. Btw, the data is loaded by the client into the building model to evaluate wrong sizes, interpherences, etc.
Level 2:
Construction sequencing (4D) and cost information (5D) may be added to the model.
Level 3:
In this process the 3D/4D and 5D elevator data are installed into the digital building model using web services. Also lifecylce management information (6D) is automatically added.
Level 3 is still far away from realization, but first tools are already going that way.
With DigiPara Elevatorarchitect, architects can install a “Complete-elevator 3D BIM model” (see image on the right side). An LOD 300 elevator model is calculated on the elevator manufacturers server and installed into the 3D building model. The “Request a quote” functionality shows the right direction for getting cost information (5D) on the fly.
Thank you to Nick Orr, Director at JohnsonBIM guiding me to this initial article: Click here for “BIM levels explained”.
Have you ever heard from the EU directive that public buildings should be planned using BIM tools.
This is an important point, for elevator companies that want to deliver their products in the public sector.
Andreas Fleischmann is the owner and CEO of DigiPara. Since more than 20 years Andreas is a known expert for elevator BIM, drawings and elevator configurations. 