by Shane Henson — March 6, 2013—The U.K.’s Construction Industry Council (CIC) has published its much-anticipated Building Information Model (BIM) Protocol along with two further BIM documents: Best Practice Guide for Professional Indemnity Insurance When Using Building Information Models and Outline Scope of Services for the Role of Information Management.
According to the CIC, building information modeling (BIM) is an innovative and collaborative way of working that is underpinned by digital technologies that unlock more efficient methods of designing, creating and maintaining the built environment. In essence, BIM embeds key product and asset data within a series of three-dimensional (3D) computer models that can be used for effective management of information throughout the project lifecycle—from earliest inception through to occupation.
The Building Information Model (BIM) Protocol is an important document that provides the legal framework that will facilitate and promote the use of building information modeling (BIM), a technology that will radically change construction practices, while at the same time producing substantial savings, says the CIC. It was prepared following extensive consultation with Construction Industry Council members and with end users in the wider construction industry. The Protocol is also a contractual document that takes precedence over existing agreements. It places an obligation on parties to provide defined elements of their services within a model or models at defined stages in a project.
The CIC’s Best Practice Guide for Professional Indemnity Insurance When Using Building Information Models deals with those aspects of BIM that relate to professional indemnity (PI) insurance. Although the general advice is that BIM level 2 should not present any obvious insurance problem, the suggestion is made that the broker ought to be consulted when BIM is used for the first time. This is particularly so if the insured party is undertaking an information management role; if a BIM coordinator is employed as a sub-consultant or; if there is a ‘hosting’ element in the BIM environment, says the CIC.
The Outline Scope of Services for the Role of Information Management outlines the role description of information management that may be included within a Scope of Service Agreement.
