With the rise of BIM in recent years, most of us must have come across the term COBie data. Lets discuss some of the details of the COBie data and see how it is essential part of the BIM level 2 deliverables.

Introduction

Operation and maintenance information for an asset has been traditionally put together at the last stages of the project. When the project budgets are utilized, and the key personnel are moved on to the other projects. The gathered information is compiled in the paper format and produced by the person who has not generated it. This all leads to not the precise data been collated nor in a right format for efficient use by the facilities management. As around 80% of the cost of an asset lies beyond the design and construction stages. If the asset data can be provided in a structured digital format to the facilities management, this will enable huge cost savings and efficient use of an asset.

What is COBie

Construction Operations Building Information Exchange (COBie) is a standardized data format required as part of BIM level 2 deliverable. This is also the preferred information exchange format by the UK government to enable better information management. COBie provides details on the spatial locations of the components and equipment of the project. The major aim of the COBie information is to highlight the equipment location and how the equipment is maintained. COBie data can be exported from the BIM authoring software to facility management software.

COBie information is gradually delivered over the design and construction phases of the project. The project BIM Execution Plan (BEP) stipulates what information is required at various stages of the project. COBie information is normally delivered in text-based file format to enable seamless information exchange. The goal is to collate the important project information during the design, construction, and commissioning stages, which can be used for the facilities management. more details can be found here.

COBie Worksheets

Cobie worksheets consists of the following:

• Facility
• Zones
• Floors
• Types
• Systems
• Spaces
• Components

The worksheets divide the assets into manageable chunks and help the gradual collation of information during the different stages of a project.

The client needs to specify the information required withing the COBie, this should include the following.

• What classification system to be used
• Linking information from the digital model
• Required coordination for external documents.

In summary COBie is a great tool for gathering the right information during the design and construction stages of the project. This information can be handed to the facilities management which will enable the efficient and cost-effective use of the asset during it lifecycle.

BIM Outsourcing have helped no of projects implement COBie as per BIM Execution Plan and project specific requirements. For more information how we can help with your COBie requirements on your project. You can call us on 01622 – 296277 or alternatively email us at [email protected]