Last week, the first two parts of the new international Building Information Modelling (BIM) standard were released with a view to providing a framework for managing information through collaborative working using BIM.

The two documents, BS EN ISO 19650-1:2018 and BS EN ISO 19650-2:2018 form part of ISO 19650; ‘Organisation and digitisation of information about buildings and civil engineering works, including building information modelling – information management using building information modelling.’

A significant step forward

The release of the two documents marks a significant step forward in standardising information management requirements on projects using BIM, with an internationally agreed set of concepts and principles.

The release also marks the transition from the previously adopted PAS 1192 suite of standards to the new international standard which covers both project delivery and asset operation parts of an asset lifecycle:

  • BS EN ISO 19650-1:2018 Part 1 covers concepts and principles
  • BS EN ISO 19650-2:2018 Part 2 covers the delivery phase of the assets

Both documents are founded on the previously adopted UK standards BS 1192:2007 + A2:2016 and PAS 1192-2:2013 with the key principles remaining very much as per those standards. The addition of a UK Annex has preserved the terminology which has been widely adopted during the uptake of the BIM Level 2 mandate.

BSI also announced that after consultation, it has agreed to stop the current revision activity on PAS 1192 Parts 2 and 3 to avoid market confusion and cost.

All other remaining UK BIM Level 2 standards will however remain in existence and are accordingly referenced within the UK Annex. PAS 1192-3 and PAS 1192-5 are however in the process of transitioning to ISO standards and are expected for release in 2020.

What does this mean?

Essentially, the processes detailed within BS EN ISO 19650-1 and 2 are very much the same as those defined in BS 1192:2007 and PAS 1192-2:2013.

The key benefit here is that, if your project team or organisation already has good compliance with the 1192 suite of standards then the transitional steps towards alignment with the ISO standards will be far from torturous.

How Waldeck can help…

Whether your team is new to these standards and is adopting them from afresh, or you are looking to transition to the new ISO standards, Waldeck’s BIM Consultants are able to assist you in assessing your approach, and also highlighting and working through all of the aspects from within the ISO 19650 standards which are directly applicable to you.

Waldeck offer BIM Consultancy support for client organisations and their supply chains to enable them to adopt and follow the processes and principles of BIM Level 2.

What’s next?

Mark Greatrix, Head of Digital and Technologies shared: “For those working on in-flight BIM projects, it’s certainly not the intention to swap over to the new ISO Standards during the projects. These projects should continue along their path of trajectory through until completion.

“For those who are due to start new BIM projects, you would be well advised to check which suite of standards are being referenced within contracts and tender information to avoid issues associated with the miss-alignment of the applicable standards.

“During the transitional period, all organisations should now look to ensure that they fully understand what ISO 19650 requires of them and that they have the appropriate processes in place.”

To find out more about how these changes may affect you and your projects, please drop Mark an email, or call him on 08450 990285.