Albion Valves (UK) Ltd, a valve supplier to the building services market, has introduced Building Information Modelling (BIM) components for its core product range.
BIM software allows buildings to be designed digitally using 3D components allowing for an early visual representation of a build, plus all associated asset data. All aspects of a building can be designed in this software, from the valves to the windows and doors, this provides an easier and more accurate way to generate system quantities and highlights any conflicts at the initial stages before the construction begins.
The accompanying asset data which is associated with each BIM component is important when designing HVAC, hot and cold water systems, this data will incorporate key information such as dimensions, weights and flow rates which will allow the user to establish whether all components incorporated are compatible.
The demand for BIM components has increased dramatically in recent years due to the Government’s Construction Strategy that states the Digital Built Britain programme will be a primary focus over the coming years, and as part of which, BIM will play a large part. In preparation, the Government defined 4 levels of BIM in 2011, with a view to all centrally-funded Government projects using BIM Level 2 by 2016, which has been achieved, and the introduction of Level 3 into the market by the mid-2020s. The upcoming Government projects, such as the promised 40 new hospitals before 2030, will emphasise the efficiency and cost-saving benefits of BIM and encourage more private sector projects to also utilise this new way of working.
