Page 70 - Build 152

Technology
Compliant re design using BIM
BRANZ-backed research shows how BIM can automatically factor in some compliance requirements, helping to strike a balance between process and human expertise in re safety design.
BY JOHANNES DIMYADI, PHD STUDENT, THE UNIVERSITY OF AUCKLAND
COMPLIANT FIRE SAFETY design of buildings generally involves auditing processes against relevant regulatory requirements and standards. In New Zealand, this is typically achieved using the prescriptive Acceptable Solutions (C/AS1 to C/AS7) or the more performance-based Veri cation Method C/VM2 and applicable standards.
Gathering information is time consuming
The essential input parameters for a re design include occupancy types and intended activities, building geometry, and construction types and materials. Gathering this information is a major task in the conventional design process as it involves manually taking the information from printed drawings and written speci cations.
BIM gives easier access
As the ISO-standard building information modelling (BIM) is increas- ingly adopted, these design input parameters become more acces- sible with standard software tools available from the building model. Several commercial and open-source tools are used for this purpose.
Easier access to design input parameters gives re engineers more time to focus on achieving e ective and economical solutions.
Multiple compliance paths or compliant design options exist in every re design. Evaluating these in a conventional design process is a time-consuming, manual undertaking. As any manual task is subject to human error, re designs, particularly those that are more
performance based, are usually subject to peer reviews. Ultimately, all re designs must be audited and approved by the building consent authority and the Fire Service, where appropriate.
Uses BIM model view to be more manageable
A BIM model is necessarily large and complex since it can capture every object in the building project from concept design through to construction and operation stages. A BIM model view is used to make the schema more manageable and for e cient information access.
68 — February/March 2016 — Build 152
Figure 1: Automated compliance audit framework.
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