Building Information Management: PAS1192-2 And PAS1192-3 Update

By Peter Monaghan

The Public Access Specification PAS 1192-2 was first published in February 2013, while PAS1192-3 has been recently released in 2014. Both support the government objective of BIM maturity level 2 for public sector asset procurement by 2016.

These specifications set out a framework for collaborative working, with PAS1192-2 focusing on the ‘delivery’ phase of a project and PAS1192-3 focusing on the use and maintenance of the building asset over its lifespan. Both documents incorporate the ‘Government Soft Landings Policy’ (GSL) and are closely allied with BS1192:2007.

There are several supplementary documents to support the PAS including the CIC BIM Protocol, and the RIBA BIM Overlay.

It could be said that the dry acronyms of Building Information Management contained within PAS1192 are no match for the dynamic 3D computer generated animations of Building Information Modelling – hence the information management aspect of BIM has been overlooked.

Nonetheless, PAS 1192-2 and PAS1192-3 offer a long overdue opportunity for the industry to get to grips with managing the deluge of information now generated by a building project.

This includes drawings, 3D models, specifications, schedules, bills of quantities, contract documents, maintenance manuals, and maintenance schedules.

Our ability to generate information and print or issue it has moved at a faster pace over the last 15 years than our ability to manage it. PAS1192 does offer a way forward.

The PAS includes a useful ‘information delivery cycle’ diagram which maps the flow of information from inception to final maintenance and use, providing feedback for the next project. Project Managers will find the diagram familiar territory as it reflects the RIBA, CIC and APM Plans of Work.

The Employer plays an important role in PAS1192. Public bodies are going to require training to fulfil their responsibilities. Under the CIC BIM Protocol, the Employer must appoint an ‘Information Manager’. They must also complete the ‘Employer Information Requirements’ (EIRs) which are the foundation from which everything else develops.

Employers will need a full understanding of PAS1192-2 and 3 to be able to complete an effective and relevant EIR.

An understanding of the ‘Common Data Environment’ (CDE) will also be crucial.

It will be interesting to see if all public bodies provide the CDE in house or try to delegate this responsibility to others within the design or construction teams.

Many clients, consultants, contractors and subcontractors are already realising the benefits of cloud based file management. Some cloud storage is now available free. The PAS should help promote an awareness of this technology for both private and public sector projects.

But a full CDE under the PAS requires the formation of ‘Gateways’ which must be managed. The management of these gateways is a role that must be clearly defined and the responsibilities are listed in PAS1192-2.

As part of the PAS process design and construction teams will hand over their project information as a series of ‘Data Drops’.

Employers will have to define the information required at each data drop. They will also have to prepare ‘Plain Language Questions’ for each data drop. These questions need to be answered using the information provided by the design and construction teams.

To receive the data drop information the employer will need access to software which is IFC compatible and they will have to have a clear understanding of the information they require, including the COBIE data.

The COBIE data is a series of spreadsheets with predefined tabs. The COBIE format was developed in the USA and is designed to integrate the information produced during construction with the ongoing information produced during the facilities management phase of an asset. Design and Construction teams will extract COBIE information from their BIM models.

The term ‘Workflow’ is now becoming more common within the construction industry and in particular relating to BIM. Who draws what, in what order, is something that traditionally developed by default based on previous practice.

Under PAS1192, each project is broken down into volumes and the responsibility for generating these is defined through a responsibility matrix.

The responsibility may change as the project develops and as built information becomes available. Collaboratively agreeing workflows with predefined volumes is one of the main strengths of the PAS.

The workflows suggested by software programs may need to be adapted to comply with the Common Data Environment of the PAS but one major benefit from BIM is clash detection at an early stage of the design process.

Finding out that a drainage pipe clashes with a steel beam should now happen long before the project is under construction.

But the PAS1192-2 and 1192-3 are not all good. There are too many acronyms and too many new roles being defined in the PAS and the supporting documents to hope that the industry will voluntarily adopt them.

Various terms such as ‘level of detail’, ‘level of development’ and ‘level of definition’ covering similar concepts don’t help.

The provision of a pre-contract and post contract BIM Execution Plan as well as a BIM Implementation Plan can also be confusing.

There are a lot of models being referred to including a federated model, a project model, clash detection models, view rendition models, etc. File naming under BS1192 and developed under PAS1192-2 is on the face of it very complicated, although no doubt a necessity for future Electronic Data Management Systems (EDMS). Naming of Library parts, views and drawings also needs to be co-ordinated amongst project teams.

This can be a difficult task considering the introduction of the new Unified Classification for the Construction Industry, Uniclass 2 released in 2013.

There are also the New Rules of Measurement, NRM1-3 which have implications on cost modelling. And we are just coming to terms with the NEC instead of the JCT.

It is a lot for the construction industry to take on board and no doubt training will be required.

But overall the PAS1192-2 and PAS1192-3 are an opportunity to standardise working practices and help project teams work more collaboratively. That can only be a good thing.

Southern Regional College is offering training and mentoring to small businesses in the areas of BIM Management and Collaboration as well as 3D modelling. If you have less than 50 employees, you may be eligible for 100% funding towards this support.

If you are interested in availing of support tailored to your business needs, please contact Tracy Rice at the college’s i3 centre on 028 3025 9664 or email ricet@src.ac.uk

Other support includes working towards MCS Certification, Energy Management, Sustainable Build, Digital Marketing support and ICT.