BSRIA is concerned that three quarters of surveyors believe non-adoption of building information modeling (BIM) could seriously hinder the United Kingdom construction sector over the next year, according to research published by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS).

The RICS survey also finds that although a large majority of surveying firms have considered the business case for BIM adoption (74 percent), there is still a large proportion of firms (49 percent) not using BIM in the day-to-day aspects of their work.

Of those not currently using BIM within their organization, 68 percent of respondents said that “they don’t think there is enough information available for small companies in order to aid them with adoption.”

In addition, 31 percent of surveyors claim that there is not a need to use the technology in their organization, while over a quarter (26 percent) stated that they don’t feel their firm has the technical skills in place to implement the technology.

BSRIA’s principal consultant and BIM specialist, John Sands, said, “This research is very alarming news with only a few months to go before BIM must be adopted in January 2016. Businesses have had long enough to make the necessary arrangements.

“In August, BSRIA circulated a sector-wide survey about the adoption of ‘BIM Level 2,’ noting the government requirement for BIM Level 2 engagement with centrally procured contracts during 2016. The building services industry should be in a position to make the most of the opportunities it will present.”

Sands added, “Non-adoption is likely to have a negative impact on the industry as a whole. It’s clear from the research that the industry needs to be doing more to help such surveying firms — as well as the wider industry — in getting up to speed with the technology, particularly when it comes to how they can implement the technology across their organization.”

Government is committed to using BIM to improve its management and operation of buildings and infrastructure. Mechanical, electrical, and plumbing services are all critical to the effective operation of buildings.

Content for the European Spotlight is provided courtesy of Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Magazine, London. For more information, visit www.racplus.com.

Publication date: 9/21/2015

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