BIM: Four Factors That Ensure Safer Construction Projects

Oct 17, 2016 -- BIM has been facilitating construction industry for quite a time now. It has evolved into an enhanced process of deducing various important aspects of any building including cost, scheduling, facility management and various others; even before the actual construction incepts.

Architects, contractors, & sub-contractors have breathed sigh of relief for all this foreseen aspects. But, safety has always been a matter of concern for the trades. Site hazards are nothing new, and with growing mega structure buildings, on-site work has become more dangerous and unavoidable. So, with BIM at the center of construction process, can we expect it to make on-site construction safer and better? How exactly does BIM function for safety?

We know by now, BIM is a process used in building structures for enhanced visualization and better evaluation of designs intended for building construction. It also aids in resolving issues on spot and make room for necessary amendments.

Hence, it is likely that it can make a huge difference in terms of safe construction. How exactly? Well to put it simply, prefabrication becomes much more real, facility planning is well informed and enhanced; site coordination becomes a convenience ultimately leading towards a better and safe on-site planning. But this is just an overview, let’s dive little and see how it functions:

Prefabrication: Not only it’s a cost-efficient approach, but working in house on components or structure reduces the chances of its failure, ensuring a safer environment. And with BIM, construction firms can rely on these prefabricated elements, as BIM analyzes all the elements from every possible aspect.

Foresee the vulnerabilities: Project managers are always under the pressure of maintaining safe on-site environment. BIM is always prompt enough to indicate any hazards, enabling the project managers to make amendments as and when required. Even before the construction process commences, BIM helps to set up requisite safety measures and also makes way for additional safety measures – if required.

BIM makes site coordination smoother: Planning and coordination goes hand in hand. Let’s say you have an amazing plan for constructing a super structure, but you fail to communicate it across the stakeholders and the supply chain. Without any coordination, no matter how successful or amazing the plan is; it is likely to fall apart. But, BIM makes this an easy process with its 3D visualization feature. You can plan and coordinate with BIM visualization, enabling you to move construction materials and vehicles easily.

Day to day working becomes safer than ever: BIM can be considered to be a data hub for all the activities across the building construction process. It contains information from all the stakeholders involved, from sub trades to general contractors. To prevent any hazards, managers and supervisors should look into BIM model before starting the day. As mentioned above, site visualization can be referred to for making the construction site a lot safer. BIM data also provides insights about potential risks involved in day to day tasks.

Conclusion

Facility planning is taken care of for safer construction. As FM plays an important role across the construction phase, using BIM can help them create safe and well-organized workplace, reducing hazards. BIM aids in all aspects of construction, to ensure less risk and expenditures. It is growing and getting bigger day by day. The more data it is fed the better insights it can give.

Zero accidents on site - is not a farfetched possibility, because above all construction project concerns, what matters the most is human life. It is extremely important to choose a BIM service provider who not only understands your concerns; but also addresses them as meticulously with no scope of experiment or risk.

About the Author: Gaurang Trivedi is engineering consultant at TrueCADD. Besides, donning multiple hats, as a website manager and marketing in charge, he also oversees the editorial content, coordinating and managing the website, its news sections, blogs and social media promotions as well.