The use of BIM models is not even close to where it needs to be, with less than a quarter of building services contractors and consultants selecting construction products with BIM information available, according to new research from Durapipe UK.
BIM has been the hot topic in the construction industry for at least the last two years, but despite the frenzy around this new digital approach, the building services sector is seemingly all talk and little action, as only 24% of those surveyed use products with BIM.
With the mandatory requirement for BIM on all public sector buildings, with a capital value over £5m, from May 2016, it is concerning that one in four of respondents stated they do not believe the technology to be important at all.
Despite such relatively small take up currently, there are encouraging signs that usage is growing, as 39% of those questioned explained that they do occasionally use BIM models, suggesting that they are preparing for compliance with the new procurement process.
Commenting on its latest research, Durapipe’s building services brand manager, Des Dolan, said: “There has been so much noise about BIM over the last year or so, with all companies in the supply chain keen to outline their strategies and solutions, so we were very surprised to find out that the number of companies actually using BIM models is so small.
“The deadline for compliance is little over 12 months away so uptake needs to increase and fast; companies need to get to grips with BIM quickly and embrace the technology if they are to be competing for tenders this time next year.”
Durapipe currently has BIM models available for its chilled water pipework system, SuperFLO ABS. Following the research, in which 28% of respondents revealed they would like to see BIM information for hot and cold water pipework, it will be launching BIM models for its HTA hot and cold water system in the next month, with other Durapipe brands to follow.
Durapipe has questioned more than 500 building services contractors and consultants to find out what the current priorities are when specifying building products for building services applications.
