Chapter 12 Building Information Modeling 299
given to the owner. In some commercial projects,
this is a required provision. An as-built model
refl ects changes from the original design that
have occurred during construction. It serves
as an up-to-date record of the building and
provides valuable information, such as the
building measurements, the existing layout of
equipment, and the age and condition of the
equipment. This information can be used for
a number of purposes. For example, the owner
can use the BIM model to project annual energy
costs, estimate landscaping costs, schedule
preventive maintenance, and plan for when
equipment must be repaired or replaced. The
as-built model can also be used for space planning
and to help determine needs for renovation
projects. Because the building systems are rep-
resented in digital form, the desired information
can usually be retrieved quickly. This is more
effi cient than the traditional method of working
from plan drawings.
Facility Management
From the building owner’s perspective, BIM
offers many tangible benefi ts. The involvement
of designers, engineers, contractors, consultants,
and the owner throughout the building process
helps in achieving the best design outcome for
the owner. Incorporating input from the different
stakeholders helps improve the performance of
the building, which in turn enhances the value
to the owner. See Figure 12-20.
One of the primary goals of BIM is to con-
struct buildings that perform more effi ciently.
This directly benefi ts owners. However, there are
other benefi ts that extend beyond energy effi -
ciency. A BIM system has important applications
in facility management and operations. Through-
out the life of the building, the tools of a BIM
system can be used by the owner to track and
control operations.
After construction is completed, an as-built
model can be prepared by the contractor and
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Figure 12-19. Regular communication between design teams is necessary to coordinate work in different offices.
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