OPINION
machinery; or materials containing asbestos in a poor or damaged condition, resulting in the potential to release asbestos fibres. The inspector’s written notification will make it clear which contraventions are considered material breaches, for which a fee is payable. To calculate the
fee, inspectors will record the time spent identifying the material breach, helping to correct it and investigating and taking any enforcement action. This will include: time spent visiting the site – including all the time spent during the visit identifying the breach; writing notifications of contravention and improvement or prohibition notices, and reports; taking statements; and, in complex cases, obtaining specialist support. The total time will be
Government believes businesses that break health and safety laws should pay for the time HSE spend helping to investigate
multiplied by the FFI hourly rate to give the invoice total, which must be paid within 30 days. It is worth noting that there is a 21-day deadline for raising queries. The HSE has published guidance to help businesses and organisations understand the FFI and how it operates within HSE’s overall approach to enforcement. It explains the general principles and approach of the FFI scheme, and explains the process
for handling queries and for disputing invoices. The longer guidance document provides examples of material breaches, although it does not cover every scenario where FFI might apply.
l For previous coverage of the Lofstedt report, see the legal column in CIBSE Journal in July 2011 and March 2012. For the review of the ACOPs, see the legal column in the August 2012 issue.
WHY YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT BIM
Building information modelling isn’t just about software – it’s about building better buildings with enhanced collaboration and integration, says Ian Chapman of NBS
Engineers have been modelling M&E services for years using a variety of methods and softwares, so what’s new about building information modelling (BIM)?
It is all too easy to say there’s nothing new. Engineers are already experts in modelling many aspects of the built environment, including daylighting, fire engineering, lighting, thermal analysis, and ventilation and energy, to name but a few.
FURTHER RESOURCES
The HSE guidance may be downloaded from the HSE website. For the 37-page guidance document go to
http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/hse47. pdf. For the short four-page summary of what the new system entails, see
http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/hse48.pdf.
HSE’s Enforcement Policy Statement
http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/ hse41.pdf and Enforcement Management Model
http://www.hse.gov.uk/ enforce/emm.pdf may also be downloaded from the HSE website.
For the current FFI hourly rate, visit
www.hse.gov.uk/fee-for- intervention/
index.htm
DATES TO REMEMBER
lEPC CONVENTIONS 12 NOVEMBER, LONDON An update on changes to Energy Performance Certificate conventions, focusing on areas where the conventions are not interpreted or used correctly. The event will also look at requirements for audit and common reasons for failure.
www.cibsetraining.co.uk
lAIRCONDITIONING INSPECTIONS 14 NOVEMBER, LEEDS The Energy Performance of Buildings (Certificates and Inspections) Regulations 2007 require inspection of systems with outputs over 12 kW. This explains how to undertake them in complex buildings.
www.cibsetraining.co.uk
Modelling takes place on a daily basis, whether it’s on hand-written calculation sheets or through the use of computational algorithms in software programs; engineers are adept at these design refinement processes. However, BIM is not about using individual tools and softwares to develop design, it’s about the big picture, producing better buildings with improved efficiencies through enhanced collaboration and integration. So what else is new about BIM? Firstly, there is now clear recognition that making a building work in the digital domain is cheaper and more productive than fixing things on site. Architects are modelling buildings as part of their design process for projects of all sizes, and this isn’t just about drawing in 3D. Building fabric modelling can include, for example, embodied carbon assessment and accessibility checking. Engineers need to play a key role in developing early stage models for projects.
The recently published third edition of the BSRIA Design Framework for Building Services offers a useful framework and guidance, and the right tools can enable early stage project information to be created and developed in a structured information environment. Secondly, technology is
developing fast and engineers must do more than keep pace, they must
www.cibsejournal.com November 2012 CIBSE Journal 31
lead. The NBS National BIM Survey revealed that 21% of construction professionals were neither aware of, nor using, BIM. The majority of engineers I’ve met recently admit that they haven’t heard of information exchange formats such as COBie, which enables the exchange of information in an open, transparent way. Open BIM protocols and formats enable information- sharing, and engineers should become familiar with delivering rich information models to building occupiers for effective operation of buildings. Thirdly, the UK government is asking for BIM. If you work on public sector projects, ensure that you understand the UK government Construction Strategy, published in May 2011. Engineers often look beyond a project’s capital expenditure and design with efficient operation in mind; the government has this same view. There is a huge opportunity for engineers to lead the use of BIM for facilities management (FM) and the time to act is now. Finally, BIM enables greater integration and collaboration. For many years, engineers have partnered with architects to win business and deliver projects as part of an integrated service to clients.
l Ian Chapman BSc CEng MIET is a chartered engineer and head of specification at NBS. He is also director of buildingSMART UK and is a member of the government BIM Technologies Alliance working party. Follow Ian on Twitter:@ IanChapmanNBS, or make contact via LinkedIn:
www.linkedin.com/in/ ianchapmannbs
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