BUILDING INFORMATION MODELING FOR FACILITIES AND ENERGY MANAGEMENT

Abstract

This paper explores the use of the Building Information Modeling (BIM) tool as it integrates with the facilities management and energy management of buildings. The construction industry is currently a $3 trillion industry with 30% waste. This translates to about 300-400 billion dollars a year wasted. Furthermore, buildings consume 40% of the world’s raw materials. The creation of BIM has potential to reduce this waste and make more environmentally responsible building decisions that arise from more accurate data and design predictability and testing. This study hypothesizes that by integrating BIM with other analysis tools, we can analyze energy performance, wastage and FM efficiency at the very early conceptual design stages, when we have the most leverage to make decisions for positive outcomes and allow for predictable and quantifiable results. This paper investigates the potential of BIM to be used for enhanced facilities management and energy management to reduce costs as well as increase return on investment for the tool. It is assumed that the construction industry values energy efficient design and effective facilities management but do not fully utilize BIM capabilities to achieve this. After conducting a survey to better understand BIM’s current use in the Singapore industry, valuable information was analyzed which led to several key findings from which recommendations were made to optimize the use of BIM for a healthier building overall.