BIM in brief 10.01.25: COBie template updated

The buildingSMART UK & Ireland COBie resources and downloads page has now been updated to include the latest UK & Ireland COBie template. It incorporates the latest Uniclass tables (Q4 October 2024). All versions back to January 2023 are also available.

Nemetschek brand Solibri has acquired Xinaps, best known for its Verifi3D. As a result, Solibri has rebranded Verifi3D as Solibri CheckPoint.

CheckPoint is described as a model checking and validation tool for those primarily using Autodesk Revit and Autodesk Construction Cloud or Procore as their BIM design and workflow management tool. “It has never been easier to ensure that BIM projects consisting of native Revit and IFC files are checked to robust standards well beyond what other solutions offer in today’s market,” Solibri said.

Aman Sharma, CEO of building and fire safety consultancy Totus Digital and a co-author of both the golden thread and the golden thread guidance, was made MBE for services to building and fire safety in the New Year Honours.

He is also a member of the Health and Safety Executive’s Building Advisory Committee.

Sharma led the development and publication of BS 8644, the digital management of fire safety information national standard born from a recommendation in Dame Judith Hackitt’s Independent Review.

“Throughout my career, I’ve been incredibly fortunate to work with individuals tirelessly committed to public safety, who have served as an inspiration to me and many others,” he said on LinkedIn. “The job we have ahead of us in progressing building and fire safety standards is far from over. Whilst we have achieved much, there is so much more still to do.

“So I will be pushing ever harder to drive the lasting cultural change we are all striving for across our built environment.”

Causeway Technologies has promoted Paul Devlin from COO to CEO. He takes over from Causeway’s founder Phil Brown, who becomes executive chairman.

Causeway’s software solutions serve more than 200 local authorities, 600 engineering consultants, and more than 1,000 contractors in the UK.

James Yeomans has joined reality capture specialist ScanTech Digital as technical director. He has joined from Howells, where he was architect and director of digital innovation.

He said: “My background in architecture and BIM enhances ScanTech’s already impressive offerings. Empowering AEC professionals to navigate the built environment through strategic technology use is key in my work and ScanTech’s mission.”

In New South Wales, Australia, the Building Commission hopes to improve construction quality by standardising the language of build defects, Construction Management reports.

The Building Commission, the regulator for residential construction, has compiled a Building Defects Library to help the industry move on from making the same mistakes over and over again.

It’s a booklet in downloadable PDF form with text and images describing around 40 of the most common defects building inspectors find in five categories: fire safety; waterproofing; structure; building envelope; and building services.

It aims to standardise the words used to describe defects because, until now, inspectors have been free to describe defects as they saw fit, which leads to differing interpretations in the construction supply chain until, by a process of Chinese whispers, no one can be sure what exactly the defects are.

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