The Associated General Contractors of America (AGC) has announced the development of a document entitled "MEP Spatial Coordination Requirements for Building Information Modeling."
"The recent widespread adoption of building information modeling (BIM) and 3D modeling in the construction industry has necessitated the development of a well-defined, organized, consistent, and repeatable framework for spatial coordination of mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and fire-protection systems," according to the report, created by the Specialty Contractor's Subforum of the AGC BIMForum.
"The recent widespread adoption of building information modeling (BIM) and 3D modeling in the construction industry has necessitated the development of a well-defined, organized, consistent, and repeatable framework for spatial coordination of mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and fire-protection systems," according to the report, created by the Specialty Contractor's Subforum of the AGC BIMForum.
The document is intended to provide guidance to companies and individuals involved in 3D mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and fire protection (MEP) spatial coordination of installation. The document is not designed to serve as a replacement for ConsensusDOCS 301: BIM Addendum, a BIM Implementation Plan, or any other more project-specific scope of work or contract.
"No single document can convey every aspect required to complete a BIM project; therefore, the primary focus of the document is to outline the MEP spatial coordination process using 3D and BIM technology," the report states. "When used as intended, this document will provide assistance with team structure, definition of roles and responsibilities, recommendations for technical and IT considerations, social structure, and accountability."
The document should work equally well on design-bid-build, design-assist, and design-build projects, according to the report. "Projects using an 'integrated form of agreement' or other less-traditional contracting method may find the document useful but lacking in detail for interfaces between contractors and designers."
The document uses as a guideline traditional methods of spatial coordination for the creation of installation documents. Clarification of roles and responsibilities for stakeholders reflect the use of newer technologies, such as digital overlay and simulation software in place of light tables.
"By maintaining current 2D deliverable roles and team framework, the learning consists of only the 3D technical aspects," the report states. "If a question of 'who should do what' arises, the team member with the highest risk and most to gain should perform the task. In most cases, the subcontractor responsible for installing the work should also be responsible for accurately depicting it in the 3D model."
Although no future reports on this topic are planned, "I can see coming out with something that's more in-depth and more specific," Dmitri Alferieff, AGC's director of virtual construction, told CPC/BIM. "These are primarily guidelines. It's not something that would be used as a contract, but we could come up with different versions to make this a little bit more specific and tailored for specific types of jobs."
"No single document can convey every aspect required to complete a BIM project; therefore, the primary focus of the document is to outline the MEP spatial coordination process using 3D and BIM technology," the report states. "When used as intended, this document will provide assistance with team structure, definition of roles and responsibilities, recommendations for technical and IT considerations, social structure, and accountability."
The document should work equally well on design-bid-build, design-assist, and design-build projects, according to the report. "Projects using an 'integrated form of agreement' or other less-traditional contracting method may find the document useful but lacking in detail for interfaces between contractors and designers."
The document uses as a guideline traditional methods of spatial coordination for the creation of installation documents. Clarification of roles and responsibilities for stakeholders reflect the use of newer technologies, such as digital overlay and simulation software in place of light tables.
"By maintaining current 2D deliverable roles and team framework, the learning consists of only the 3D technical aspects," the report states. "If a question of 'who should do what' arises, the team member with the highest risk and most to gain should perform the task. In most cases, the subcontractor responsible for installing the work should also be responsible for accurately depicting it in the 3D model."
Although no future reports on this topic are planned, "I can see coming out with something that's more in-depth and more specific," Dmitri Alferieff, AGC's director of virtual construction, told CPC/BIM. "These are primarily guidelines. It's not something that would be used as a contract, but we could come up with different versions to make this a little bit more specific and tailored for specific types of jobs."
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