Guide to Using the RIBA Professional Services Contracts 2018 - Other - Page 75
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Guide to RIBA Professional Services Contracts 2018
What is Building Information Modelling?
BIM or Building Information Modelling is the process for producing and managing
information on a building project throughout the life of a project. The BIM is one of
the key outputs of the process which ‘describes’ every part of the building digitally.
This model brings together all of the information about every component of the
building in a single place. It is possible for every member of the team to access
the information for whatever purpose they require and, by facilitating collaborative
working, to integrate different aspects of the design more effectively, thus
minimising the risk of mistakes or discrepancies and resultant abortive costs.
What is a BIM protocol?
A BIM protocol is a supplementary legal agreement that is incorporated into
professional services appointments or construction contracts. All members of the
project team responsible for the production of Building Information Models for the
Client should have the same version of the protocol incorporated into their contract
of appointment. This ensures that all parties producing and delivering models adopt
common standards or ways of working and that all parties using the models have a
right to do so.
The primary objective of a BIM protocol is to enable the Design Team to produce
Building Information Models and incorporate provisions which support the
production of deliverables or ‘data drops’ at defined stages of a project. The protocol
also provides for the appointment of an ‘Information Manager’.
The development of BIM protocols is an outcome of the Government Construction
Strategy: 2016–2020 which states that BIM and digital construction is an important
part of the strategy to help increase productivity and collaboration through
technology. As part of this strategy, targets for the implementation of BIM on public
sector projects have been set.
A further objective of a BIM protocol is that it will support effective collaborative
working practices within project teams. Additionally, the adoption of common
standards or best practice working methods such as PAS 1192-2 can be made a
clear contractual requirement under the protocol.
A BIM Protocol identifies the Building Information Models that are required to be
produced by members of the Design Team and sets out specific obligations, liabilities
and associated limitations on the use of the models. This can also enable the Client
to set down particular ways of working such as requiring a common naming standard.
The Protocol gives the Client the right to use information contained in project
model(s) for the ‘permitted purpose’ as well as to issue a sub-licence to allow other
project team members to use models prepared by other Design Team members.
However, using third party models may require a new licence. The level of detail and
deliverables are defined together with when these ‘data drops’ are to be provided.
The CIC7 Building Information Model (BIM) Protocol - Standard Protocol for use
in projects using Building Information Models (Second Edition) was published by
the Construction Industry Council (CIC) in 2018. The original BIM Protocol was first
commissioned by CIC in 2013 as a response to the UK Government BIM Strategy.
Now that the UK Government’s BIM mandate is in force and BIM is widely used, the
Second Edition of the Protocol has been produced to reflect current practices and
standards regarding the use of BIM. This Second Edition of the Protocol has been
closely aligned with PAS 1192-2 and applies to information as well as models. It is
also a more flexible document, which can be used alongside a range of different
[7] Construction Industry Council, 26 Store Street, London WC1E 7BT. tel 020 7399 7400, www.cic.org.uk
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