Product Data Templates (PDT)

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Product Data Templates (PDT)
Press Release 09/12/2015

Single, unified approach to product data, using a common language

New initiative will help prepare for BIM mandate

A new joint venture has been launched to provide help to ensure manufacturers are prepared to meet the April 2016 BIM mandate…

The Construction Products Association (CPA), BIM4M2, the Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE), and the National Building Specification (NBS) have come together in a joint initiative aimed at helping manufacturers to prepare their product information in readiness for the government’s April 2016 BIM mandate.

The initiative will pave the way for a single and unified approach to product data, using a common language that can be understood by the entire manufacturing profession.

Chairman of the BIM Task Group Mark Bew MBE said: “When the BIM Task Group identified the client data requirements which are now provided in the BIM Toolkit we were looking for other communities to work together to provide their own common data requirements.

“This initiative from the products and manufacturing sector signals an important collaboration from industry which will add significant value and clarity.”

The initiative, it is hoped, will equip designers with the information needed to create accurate and reliable project information models. It will also align the work of BIM4M2, NBS, and CIBSE to create a unified basis for product data parameters and templates. This will enable consistent and transparent development of full peer reviewed product data templates, expanding upon the NBS BIM Toolkit.

The templates, which currently identify the minimum product data requirement for Level 2 BIM, will be expanded to include all aspects of a products lifecycle and operational performance. Extended templates have already been developed by CIBSE.

CPA’s deputy chief executive and policy director Peter Caplehorn said: “The CPA welcomes this move forward.

“We are at a point where clarity and ease of use of product data is vital for everyone to make progress. We are very pleased to be part of the initiative and will be encouraging all manufacturers to take part.”