How to take on the global BIM challenge

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BIM doesn’t stop at national borders - globalization is a major trend. But how do we make sure that everyone around the world can collaborate successfully in BIM projects?

Levels of BIM adoption vary across the world, which has led to different public and private standardization initiatives. These standards aim to get construction firms on the same page when managing digital building information processes. Well-known international standards include ETIM in the Netherlands and COBie originating from the UK, but there’s also a wide range of national level norms out there, such as the German VDI 3805 and the Italian UNI 11337.

However, the fact that every country has its own norms and regulations, makes it difficult to come to an agreement on European or even global BIM norms. Which is a shame. Because with globalization on the rise and an increase in international projects and international teams, there’s a growing need for global BIM standards. Also, content from one country may be perfectly useful in another and something we learn in one country can be applied somewhere else. In order to work successfully in BIM, we need to make agreements in a language that we all understand.

A global standard for BIM content



In recognition of the need for standardization and uniformity in BIM projects, Trimble’s MEPcontent team has developed the Extended MEP Content Standard. With the release of EMCS 4.0, engineers are provided with a platform independent and global standard for BIM content. This standard has been developed in close cooperation with leading contractors and manufacturers, with a user base of over 50.000 MEP engineers in mind. It clearly describes how BIM objects are built and can be easily used in BIM projects across the world, ensuring high quality und uniform content.

Unlike local BIM standards, content that meets the EMCS matches the requirements of MEP engineers globally. This is why the EMCS is the foundation on which the MEPcontent content factory builds BIM objects. MEP engineers can find the latest content with the EMCS 4.0 quality stamp on the BIM files overview page.

In order to work successfully in BIM, we as an industry need to make agreements in a language that we all understand. Indeed, it’s a challenge to come to an understanding of global rules that we can all work with. But when it comes to BIM content, it’s a challenge that we are happy to take on.

Download the EMCS 4.0 here.