Collaboration key as BIM Level 2 mandate comes into force

22 April, 2016

Mark Joel of Tarmac calls on construction industry to embed collaborative mindset

THE Building Information Modelling (BIM) Level 2 mandate that came into effect from 4 April 2016 represents a key milestone for collaboration in the UK construction industry, according to Mark Joel, managing director of Tarmac’s Building Products division.

With BIM continuing to change the way that the industry constructs, operates and maintains buildings and infrastructure, Mr Joel (pictured) says Level 2 will lay the foundations for increasingly integrated working in terms of the way that information is shared.

‘I believe it’s a genuine opportunity to break down old hierarchies and to influence greater collaboration across supply chains, unlocking innovation and greater efficiency,’ he commented.

‘As a business, we’re already able to support customers in delivering BIM-enabled projects through our range of BIM objects. We were the first in our industry to introduce these for our ready-mixed concrete products, and now have a range of objects spanning asphalt to flood-defence solutions.

‘Our latest objects, launched to coincide with the Level 2 milestone, cover aggregate and aircrete blocks. Available to download from our website, they enable customers to use our detailed material knowledge that is contained within these files to inform design decisions and deliver a more efficient, cost-effective and sustainable built environment.

‘We’re also playing an active role in bringing this approach to the wider construction supply chain through our work as an active member of BIM for Manufacturers and Manufacturing (BIM4M2). This forum helps manufacturers to share knowledge and develop a world-leading approach for the integration of BIM.’

Mr Joel added that whilst the Government mandate on BIM Level 2 now applies, the construction industry’s current adoption of BIM only stands at 54%, up from 48% in 2015, and Level 3 ‘Open BIM’ lies just over the horizon, making it vital that the opportunity is seized to embed a collaborative mindset to deliver the future success of BIM projects.