BIM-led Prefabrication: An Effective Way Forward for Healthcare MEP Projects

Designing and planning for mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) systems for healthcare facilities brings with it a set of daunting challenges for the entire MEP (M&E) fraternity. Considering the project complexities, stringent building codes, healthcare standards, local regulations, and constricted deadlines, MEP (M&E) designers and contractors are always walking a tight line.

Whilst building information modelling(BIM) techniques at the design stage may improve interdisciplinary MEP coordination, help detect design clashes and streamline scheduling/costing in the preconstruction phase, very little is known about how BIM-led prefabrication of MEP systems offsite can help enhance quality, save time and money, and optimise the logistical flow on site. The BIM design data, embedded in the MEP models, can be used to create fabrication drawings by either using traditional detailing or using fabrication softwares (AutoDesk Fabrication). These drawings display fabrication details which can be directly recognised by the CNC machines for production purposes.

One of the most challenging engineering systems to design, healthcare facilities house a range of medical and therapeutic departments to treat different illnesses. Each of these departments has its own set of requirements for HVAC, electrical, plumbing and fire protection systems as well as plant areas. So, whether the hospital’s MEP system demands HVAC systems with precise humidity control, temperature, and indoor air quality (IAQ) standards or custom isolation for operating rooms, the information rooted in the BIM 3D documents can enhance modularisation of mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems.

Some other MEP components which are specifically used in healthcare facilities include sprinklers, fire suppression systems, high-pressure steam boilers, direct-expansion (DX) cooling systems, and tamper-proof receptacles. As it is well known in the AEC industry worldwide, BIM is a change in approach which brings together all the discipline-specific professionals during the pre-construction phase. On the contrary, the traditional design-bid-build approach lacks coordination between the concerned disciplines.

Accordingly, when MEP (M&E) designers, consultants, and fabricators use BIM for prefabrication of MEP components, the benefits are worthy. Besides, the modularisation of mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems in a controlled environment and installing them on site is highly effective considering its cost savings, quality improvements, labour efficiency, waste reduction, and in-time completion benefits.

Considering the complex nature of MEP (M&E) systems in healthcare facilities and an increase in adoption of BIM, prefabrication and modularisation will offer more productivity and efficiency gains to MEP (M&E) designers, contractors, manufacturers, fabricators, and installers. Modern prefabrication technologies along with integrated project delivery (IPD) can certainly lead to greater predictability, timely project completion, and increased cost savings.

BIM Drives Cost-Efficiencies for Plumbing Design

Since our construction industry is grappled with severe productivity issues and tight margins, the AEC industry is striving hard to come up with new ways of improving productivity, reducing construction costs and delivering a better-built building. Building Information Modeling, a new technological advancement in the AEC industry after CAD seems to have the potential to address these issues.

As per the definition of BIM by The National Building Information Model Standard (NBIMS), “BIM is a digital representation of physical and functional characteristics of a facility and it serves as a shared knowledge resource for information about a facility forming a reliable basis for decisions during its life cycle from inception onward”. BIM has evolved from being just a buzzword to the centrepiece of AEC technology and it has significant benefits for plumbing design.

BIM enables a 3d virtual representation of the plumbing systems thus helping to better understand the final outcome, make more informed decisions and detect collisions. One of the major benefits BIM technology serves for plumbing is interference-checking. Using BIM to detect early collisions helps to prevent costly design changes during the actual construction process whilst also reducing guesswork and errors.

Since the underground plumbing lines are located in reference to the foundations; BIM enables a plumbing designer with actual building footings marked by the structural engineer to preserve the structural integrity of the building. With the help of the building footings, a plumbing designer can easily coordinate the underground routing without compromising the structural design of the building. 

Building Information Modeling is an ‘information’ rich model.  In addition to building shape, costs, design, construction time, physical performance, costs and logistics, BIM also provides information about two additional parameters in the case of plumbing fixtures – information about the required gpm flow of the standard fixture and the reduced gpm flow. 

With an aim to conserve energy and natural resources, there has been an increased focus on green building projects. BIM facilitates easier identification of systems in LEED Plumbing Design by creating different colour systems. Since there is a variation in colour, identifying grey water routing becomes easier and hence helps to prevent cross contamination with other waste systems.

BIM creates a unified working environment with multiple disciplines working together on a single file. A plumbing engineer can create a design for hot and cold water and simultaneously check the HVAC design worksheet for conflicts.

BIM serves a plethora of benefits for plumbing design such as increased efficiency, accuracy and coordination of the system as well as reducing the time and cost involved in it.

3D Building Information Modeling Facilitates Accurate Cost Estimation to Avoid Budget Overruns

As the property owners increasingly demand timely and in-budget completion of projects, all the key stakeholders are increasingly adopting 3D BIM Modeling to achieve the same. Whilst the traditional design-bid-build project delivery methods are still significantly used by the AEC industry, the AEC firms employing the same methods increasingly run the risk of cost overruns. Furthermore, the risk factor escalates as the complexity and scale of the build project increases. Since the core team consists of professionals from highly diverse trades, the collaborative BIM workflows, when used within the design-build and integrated project delivery (IPD) frameworks, help avoid drastic cost overruns.

One of the key advantages of BIM modeling over non-BIM 3D modeling and 2D CAD techniques is that the former facilitates rapid and accurate cost estimation during all phases from design through to construction. The ability of 3D BIM models to generate accurate quantity and material takeoffs play a crucial role in enabling better decision-making with respect to project modifications whilst reducing costly budget overruns. Whereas accurate cost estimation is critical during the planning and conceptual stage to seek the owner’s approval, it is equally decisive during the construction stage to keep the entire team in the know of the implications of their design modifications.

The cost estimates derived from conceptual BIM designs ensure feasible decisions are made early on in the design and planning process, which in turn, govern the eventual project cost. As a result, such a valuable cost feedback in the initial stages of the project helps build a strong foundation for the latter stages of the project. Moreover, since the combination of 3D BIM workflow and IPD brings together all the multidisciplinary professionals during the pre-construction phase, such precise cost estimations keeps all the major stakeholders well informed about the financial implications of their decisions. More importantly, this risk and reward-sharing framework facilitates smooth information-sharing and better decision-making so as to keep the project on-track and within budget.

In order to realize the benefits of cost estimation during the design phase, it is critical to integrate the BIM models with an external database which contains costing information relating to quantity takeoffs. Compared to the traditional method of cost estimation, BIM-led cost feedback improves accuracy, offers time savings, and increases the speed of estimation. Whilst setting up BIM-based cost estimating the workflow requires planning, its benefits overshadow the time and effort required to do so.

On the whole, detailed quantity takeoffs resulting from BIM models help key decision makers to consider several what-if scenarios and compare the cost impact of each alternative during all phases of the design and construction. These detailed cost estimates also enable key project stakeholders to assess the deviation in cost from the the planned budget at every stage and make all necessary corrections. Accordingly, BIM-driven cost estimation ensures the entire team can share budget-related inputs, perform cost-benefit analysis of multiple design options collaboratively, and most importantly, curb costly, time-consuming design conflicts and rework.

Green Buildings using BIM

With environmental concerns such as global warming, climate change and energy dependency increasing, promoting sustainability is the need of the hour. Everyone is trying to combat with these environmental concerns by going green and building sector is no exception. Building Information Modeling and Green building are the two new transformations seen by the construction industry that are fundamentally changing the approach towards design and construction. These two rising trends that have remarkable synergies could be merged together and wonders could be designed and constructed.        

The very term ‘Green Building’ means building that is environmentally considerate utilizing less water, efficient energy, generates less waste and conserves natural resources. Coming up with a green building would definitely increase the cost initially but in the long run, it will save money through lower operating costs over the life of the building.

Building Information Modelling is another new revolution in the construction industry that is gaining momentum. The main highlight of building information modelling services is the high-quality design information it provides. It can be used as a vital green design tool as this intelligent model also conveys information relating to thermal data, geographical position surface area and orientation. It helps to analyse various design options with its corresponding impacts on green building performances. Implementation of BIM helps to harness the characteristics and performance of design concepts, thus allowing sustainable alternatives to combat with conventional resources.

The potential of BIM in making green buildings has not yet been fully realised. In the coming years, the adoption of BIM in making green building would be substantially increased.

Building Information Modeling Services (BIM Services)

Building Information Modeling Services (or BIM Services as they are commonly known) are becoming increasingly significant for modern construction projects. It has revolutionized the construction industry with its ability to make a digital representation of a building project. A wide array of elements such as geometry, quantity information, graphical information, spatial relationship and product/ material information are covered by BIM technology.

Along with the architects and design engineers, Building Information Modeling technology is also beneficial for the manufacturing and construction team, project management and cost management. Building Information Modeling enables the builders with the virtual model of the building and its components to avoid or correct any potential problems, before the construction begins.

XS CAD has emerged as a pioneer in creating BIM models using Autodesk Revit and AutoCAD. We provide BIM Services such as BIM Drafting, BIM Modeling and BIM Co-ordination in the UK, Canada, US, India, Australia and the Middle East.Through BIM models, XS CAD provides the designers, cost consultants and installers with a blueprint of the actual elements within a construction project. The vital role played by BIM technology has changed the way architectural and construction projects are handled, with more emphasis on construction pre-planning and project management.

At XS CAD, we make use of the entire family of Autodesk software such as Autodesk Architecture, Autodesk MEP and Autodesk Structures to design data for an individual construction project. With our Integrated Project Delivery approach and a team of experts, we are able to provide our clients with high quality, accurate BIM models resulting in time and cost savings.

BIM for Homebuilders

While Building Information Modeling remains just a buzzword for some of them, many of the homebuilders have adopted BIM and have considerably benefitted in terms of cost and time.  Building Information Modeling is an information-rich technology allowing digital representation of a building process simulating the design, planning, construction and operation of a facility. 

Decreasing productivity and tight margins were the major crises faced by the homebuilders.  BIM Modeling Services have changed the way buildings are built ensuring increased productivity, quality and accuracy of the design.  Using BIM, the homebuilders can view the building digitally before it is actually built, thus reducing the inefficiencies and flaws in the pre-construction stage. 

BIM also helps to retrieve accurate bill of quantities and gives estimation whether the desired building with quality, size mentioned could be built in the specified cost and time. Thus, it helps the homebuilders to take more informed decisions by getting prior knowledge of amount of material, cost and time involved for constructing a building. With more emphasis and need of green building in this era of environmental concerns, BIM with its ability to analyze the energy performance of a building facilitates designing of green building.

Though some of the homebuilders are yet to adopt BIM, the benefits of BIM to the homebuilders in constructing better homes are visible. The use of BIM by the homebuilders would be accelerated in the coming years, considering the overall increased productivity and time benefit that it offers.

The Importance of BIM Coordination

BIM Coordination involves coordination between different disciplines for the smooth functioning of the system without any clashes or collision.In the initial stage, a modeler creates a model using Autodesk Revit or AutoCAD.  The model which is the amalgamation of different disciplines needs to be integrated during the construction and installation stage.  At this stage, BIM Coordination plays a vital role for the systematic functioning with clashes serving as no hurdles.

Homebuilders want a proper BIM coordinated model as they have paid for a coordinated building and want to see the benefits of clash detection in a faster schedule. A BIM coordinated model is the model that is a combination of drawings from different disciplines such as Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing and Structural.  The software used for building information modeling checks for the coordination between different services and then takes care of its installation at the suited locations.

BIM Coordination serves numerous advantages such as detection of clashes at early stage to provide a clash-free final model, cost and time benefits with impeccable accuracy, platform for multi-disciplinary disciplines for discussion resulting in high-quality service etc. For coordinating a model inclusive of all services without any clashes, different software such as Revit, AutoCAD, Navisworks and ArchiCAD are used.