Construction Operations Building Information Exchange (COBie)
A COBie helps capture and record important project data equipment lists, product data sheets, warranties, spare parts lists, and preventive maintenance schedules. This information is essential to support operations, maintenance and asset management once the built asset is in service.
For HMP Thameside prison in southeast London we used a Construction Operations Building Information Exchange (COBie) to capture and describe every component in the prison, from the boilers and radiators to the doors and windows. Field data, such as installation dates and serial numbers, is included to show each component's history and maintenance requirements. This allows facilities management and operations teams to develop an informed maintenance schedule, saving time and money.
The COBie was not part of the original plan but was considered midway through the project when the client expressed how difficult it was to access some key information on room sizes. Ninety per cent of the design data required for COBie had already been captured within the model by our field teams, and it was not difficult to develop processes that would translate this data into the COBie format.
We worked closely with the client to determine the level of information that would be of most value and a custom COBie that worked more effectively with the client's preferred CAFM.
Providing clients with data is just the first step. The bespoke COBie developed for HMP Thameside is just one example of our flexible approach to information exchanges.
Learning and sharing
Dialogue with clients is critical to supplying information that allows the Computer-Aided Facilities Management (CAFM) system to be populated and operational from day one.
COBie production is a complex operation. We have the experience to use this technology with confidence, having thoroughly tested and documented the process.
In addition to creating our first COBie, the team has now pioneered new processes on our field BIM tool. These include barcoding equipment and locations. This has been added to training videos and e-learning systems, allowing future projects to make this the new digital way of working.