Asset Information Management and BIM at the Calgary Cancer Centre

From the earliest stages of the project, Alberta Health Services and Alberta Infrastructure (“the Province”) saw the value of Building Information Modeling (BIM) as a way to “deliver high value in quality, timeliness, cost and to maximize building performance during operations.” The ultimate goal was to “provide a fully integrated, coordinated and site verified as-built model complete with facility management related information of all maintainable building elements in a form appropriate for use by the Province’s end users throughout the life of the facility.”

Here are some challenges encountered:

• This was one of the Province’s first projects to include Asset Information Management (AIM) requirements and to our understanding, the largest one in Canada. There was no precedent and all procedures had to be developed from scratch
• Due to the sheer size and specialized nature of the facility, understanding the scope, sources, and format of asset data required early planning
• High levels of coordination and communication were needed so that owners, designers, consultants, subcontractors, vendors, and commissioning agents would understand their responsibilities and incorporate AIM requirements into their workflows
• Scrupulous quality reviews were required to ensure consistency and accuracy throughout the project
• Interdependencies in the production of asset data meant that work had to be carefully scheduled and sequenced or those down the supply chain would be negatively affected
• Multiple modeling and common data environments created challenges with interoperability and data continuity
• Verifying that the completed site work matched the coordinated BIM to meet the owner’s as-built model accuracy requirements

The solution comprises two parts: the as-built BIM and asset information management.

As-built BIM

A thorough 3D BIM coordination process involving MEP services, structure, interior, and envelope scopes helped identify and resolve tens of thousands of issues early and prevented them from happening on site where they could cause delays to the schedule or escalate cost. Layout information was given to field crews via installation drawings and survey data generated directly from the coordinated model. Completed site work was then verified against the coordinated model using as-built survey points, drone photography, 360° photos, and laser scanning. The model was updated with any differences to produce an accurate and complete as-built BIM.

Asset Information Management

The AIM scope was clarified early and documented in a BIM and AIM Execution Plan. It was critical for the owner and facility management teams to identify which assets (pumps, boilers, electrical panels, etc.) and data points (location, manufacturer, serial number, etc.) needed to be included in the as-built BIM and COBie file.

Asset information was generated throughout various project stages; from early design to final commissioning. Establishing workflows early helped ensure data continuity as it was created and passed through various applications. BIM and AIM schedule activities were integrated with the master schedule to clarify dependencies and create accountability. Progress was tracked through a spreadsheet that referenced reports exported from the various applications that were used. Interim model and COBie file submissions to the Province gave them the opportunity to perform reviews and test interoperability with their systems.