First BIM Kitemark paves way for new era of digital technology in construction

First BIM Kitemark paves way for new era of digital technology in construction

New BSI Kitemark for PAS 1192-2 to act as seal of approval for companies qualified to deliver projects at the design and construction phase

(Press release BSI (British Standards Institution):) London, 6 December 2016 - BSI, the business standards company, has today launched a new Kitemark for BIM (Building Information Modelling), helping construction businesses around the world prove their capabilities in delivering projects at the design and construction phase. The first organizations worldwide to achieve the Kitemark for PAS 1192-2 are Balfour Beatty Plc, BAM Ireland, BAM Construct UK Ltd, Gammon Construction Ltd, Skanska UK Plc and voestapline Metsec Plc.   

BIM is an increasingly important part of the global construction market place, with governments around the world starting to make it a condition of contact. Seen as a game-changer for the construction industry, BIM is a collaborative way of working that uses digital technologies to enable more efficient methods of design and construction, ultimately driving out waste and inefficiency.

The Kitemark has been developed in collaboration with industry stakeholders to ensure that they add value and address the key issues which will help the construction industry with BIM implementation.

Andy Butterfield, Product Certification Director of Built Environment at BSI said: ‘In a competitive marketplace, companies delivering BIM projects need to find a way to differentiate themselves, regardless of whether they are tendering for public or private sector projects. The BSI Kitemark does just that, helping companies to demonstrate their commitment to best practice. BIM helps companies drive out waste and inefficiencies in their projects, reducing costs and environmental impact. Having the Kitemark for BIM will mean that companies are able to build their business in the new era of digital technology and access global markets, giving clients reassurance that they are working with partners at the highest possible standard.’

David Throssell, BIM and Digital Engineering Operations Manager, Skanska UK commented: ‘The BSI Kitemark is a respected brand. Applied to our services it will reinforce client confidence and prove greater quality in the delivery of BIM projects.’

‘We believe the BSI Kitemark will not only further strengthen our position as market leader, but also give customers confidence in our ability to work collaboratively with others in the supply chain, and prove we have the expertise to provide a service that goes above and beyond the standard BIM offering’, Alan Harris, Quality Manager, voestalpine Metsec plc.  

Ian Askew, Director and Head of Engineering at Gammon Construction Limited said: ‘We’re delighted to be the first contractor in Hong Kong to achieve the BSI Kitemark for PAS 1192-2. This will provide confirmation to our clients that the industry recognized processes and procedures are fully embedded into our organization.’

Theo Cullinane, CEO, BAM Ireland explains: ‘Achieving this Kitemark clearly demonstrates to our clients and greater supply chain that we have the capability and expertise to deliver projects to the highest recognised BIM standards. Gaining this is an important and not insignificant recognition of the effort we have put into developing BAM’s business model in Ireland.’

Mark Taylor, Digital Construction Manager at BAM Construct UK Ltd comments: ‘BIM is a major driver for the digitisation of the construction industry, influencing its direction both in the UK and abroad. We were pleased to work with BSI and our peers  to develop the certification, providing a clear assessment pathway to achieve the Kitemark. This will reassure clients and partners that we are working efficiently to the highest possible standards and that BIM processes are embedded within our systems.’

Tom Loader, Head of Digital Transformation at Balfour Beatty said: ‘Digital Integrity is an important part of delivering social and economic infrastructure as it reassures our customers that we are delivering the highest quality of information. Balfour Beatty was one of the first organisations to achieve this Kitemark which demonstrates our on-going commitment to digital transformation and our ability to lead in the industrialisation of information management in infrastructure.’

The BSI Kitemark for PAS 1192-2 Information management for the capital/delivery phase of construction projects is available to all companies that have already achieved verification stage and are certified to ISO 9001 Quality Management Systems. It is aimed at both Tier 1 and non-Tier 1 organizations and will provide the most robust measurement of a company’s delivery of BIM projects, certifying businesses for their diligence in design and construction, supply chain management and delivery of customer service excellence.  As with other Kitemarks, organizations holding the Kitemark will be routinely assessed, providing clients with complete confidence in their delivery to industry standards.

The BIM Kitemark builds on the verification scheme (PAS 1192-2) and will involve sampling of completed projects, assessment of customer satisfaction through ISO 10004 Customer Satisfaction Guidelines for monitoring and measuring and will use additional assessment parameters through BS 11000 Collaborative Business Relationships. Like the verification scheme, the BSI Kitemark for PAS 1192-2 is an important component of BIM Level 2 and sets out the requirements for the Design & Construction phase.

PAS 1192-2:2013Specification for information management for the capital/delivery phase of construction projects using building information modelling is an existing code of practice for the collaborative production of architectural, engineering and construction information. PAS 1192-2 builds upon BS 1192:2007 which established the foundations for how to share information collaboratively within a common data environment (CDE).  The purpose of the PAS is to define the procedures required for BIM Level 2, including mandating the use of the CDE.  

The BSI Kitemark is one of the most recognizable trust marks in existence today and demonstrates that each Kitemark approved product or service, has gone above and beyond the normal requirements to achieve the highest standards. For over a century, it has safeguarded consumers and helped businesses demonstrate clear commitment to excellence across everyday goods such as locks and windows, gas appliances, motorcycle helmets and smoke detectors.