As-built Model for Facility Management: A Comprehensive Guide

An as-built model contributes immensely to facility management. It provides a virtual glimpse of the physical structures or facilities in 3D after construction is completed. However, if the clients seek facility management or revamp, you may often have to draw as-built drawings.

As-built drawings capture information on a flat plane, but they compromise 3D visualization and perspective. Furthermore, these 2D drawings do not encompass architectural complexities, equipment location, and pipe layout behind walls.

Lack of information in 2D drawings is also one of the few limitations that can cause misinterpretation of building information. Hence, facility managers must use an as-built model with a BIM level of detailing 500. In this blog, let’s delve into the meaning of the as-built model, its benefits, and more.

What is an As-built Model?

An as-built model offers in-depth information about an ongoing project. You must be aware that BIM models aid in developing strategies for a construction project before it begins. On the other hand, as-built models help capture any changes that occur on-site.

Thus, it can be concluded that this technology highlights the overall final structure, spatial and geometric properties, and subsystems as well as parts of a system. These models play a crucial part in the as-built drafting and drawing services. They contribute to improved communication, management, and project decisions for stakeholders.

In modern times, as-built models are BIM Information Modeling (BIM) documents that serve the purpose of documentation and built asset management.

Definition of LOD 500

Level of Development 500 (LOD 500) in BIM emphasizes precision and detailing. At this level of BIM, you can obtain a structure’s replica with higher accuracy to recreate with existing conditions. This makes the as-built BIM LOD 500 vital for digital twins. The main features of this level are as-built accuracy, validation, comprehensive information, the highest level of detail, and complete lifecycle data.

Advantages of LOD 500 As-built Model for Facility Management

Exact As-built Documentation

As-built documentation is similar to as-built plans and showcases the reality capture of existing conditions. Hence, choose as-built documentation, in case you require 3D as-built. However, documentation reflects as-built conditions in 2D drawings, 3D models, equipment location data, and photographs with material specifications.

Through LOD 500 models, a building can be precisely documented from the time it was constructed. As a result, a facility manager has a reliable reference for the whole structure.

Better Maintenance Planning

LOD 500 as-built models empower facility managers to obtain detailed data about architectural and structural building systems, MEP, and components, which contributes to effective maintenance activity planning.

CoBie data of the building’s assets is included in these models. This data encompasses detailed information about manufacturer details, materials, maintenance schedules, and installation dates. You can leverage this information reflected in the 3D view to reduce errors and avoid clashes in comparison to 2D drawings.

Efficiency in Space Management

Facility managers utilize as-built BIM LOD 500 models for optimizing space usage as they consist of complete spatial data. Planning equipment placements, office layouts, and occupancy management are simplified with this data.

Management of Energy

AEC professionals integrate BIM LOD 500 to create an intricate and accurate replica of a structure’s as-built conditions. It plays a crucial role in energy management. These models also significantly contribute to energy performance optimization, effective retrofit planning, and ensuring efficiency in the operation and maintenance of a building’s systems.

It can lower energy consumption as well as operational costs, and promote a highly sustainable building environment.

Asset Management

Facility managers can get in-depth data on building elements such as electrical components, HVAC systems, and plumbing, which aids in the management and tracking of assets. For example, it facilitates monitoring the condition, lifecycle of each asset, and maintenance history.

Integrating IoT, BMS, and LOD 500 models paves the way for generating live data about an asset’s performance and condition. It boosts operational efficiency and encourages proactive management.

Renovations and Retrofits

As-built BIM LOD 500 model promotes efficiency in clash detection. The digital model reflects a building’s current condition. However level of detail plays a pivotal role in eliminating construction risk and delays.

AEC experts perform 3D laser scanning if the as-built for renovation is missing. In this process, it is easy to capture reality with precision by a 3D data scan to create as-built models.

Compliance and Regulatory Management

Accuracy in as-built models ensures a structure adheres to all the regulations and relevant codes. The information-rich record of a building’s construction facilitates inspections and audits. The significance of Level of Detailing 500 increases in this process as it assures compliance with industry standards, safety regulations, and building codes.

Planning for Emergency and Response

Any building can face an emergency and must be prepared for it. LOD models equip professionals with in-depth information about the layout of a building. For example, locations of fire suppression systems, emergency exits, and critical infrastructure. This way, a robust emergency response plan is created.

Easy to Integrate with Facility Management Systems

As built BIM LOD 500 seamlessly integrates with different facility management tools such as CAFM (Computer-Aided Facility Management) and CMMS (Computerized Maintenance Management Systems). It fosters uninterrupted data exchange and makes facility management operations efficient.

Lifecycle Management

LOD 500 models complement the entire building lifecycle from construction to decommissioning. The comprehensive digital information provided by these models aids in effective long-term planning and management.

History Repository

These models can also be used for historical documents. They utilize present and as-built conditions to create an accurate and in-depth digital representation of a historic structure.

BIM software such as Revit and ArchiCAD make the development of as-built model LOD 500 standards effortless, simplifying the preservation, restoration, and maintenance of historical buildings. These models consist of myriad architectural, historical, and structural elements such as intricate designs, material textures, and ornaments.

Conclusion

The future of as-built models for facility management is set to cause a paradigm shift in how facilities are operated, maintained, and optimized. The introduction of virtual design and construction technology, machine learning, and artificial intelligence is poised to boost the capabilities of BIM LOD 500 models.

Facility managers will be able to visualize and interact with the digital twin of a building through the integration of augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) technologies, which can contribute to improved planning and decision-making. Also, detailed data within these models can encourage the implementation of energy-efficient systems and practices to propel the industry toward achieving the sustainability goals of the facility.

FAQs

Q 1: What is the use of as-built building information modeling?

Ans: Professionals use as-built models to ensure higher transparency in the construction process. Having access to an updated and precise model enables the stakeholders to get accurate and reliable information, which results in reduced errors, and misunderstandings, and lowers the chances of conflicts in the construction.

Q 2: What is the purpose of an as-built model in facility management?

Ans: As built drawings are harnessed to verify that completed work meets original plans and regulatory standards. Furthermore, facility managers use as-built documentation to maintain, manage, and renovate facilities effectively.

Q 3: What are the 4 pillars of facilities management?

Ans: People, processes, buildings, and technology are the four pillars of facility management. Focus on these four points to fulfill evolving customer expectations and get an edge over the competitors in the market.

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