The Ultimate BIM Knowledge Hub
Your one-stop resource for BIM electrical.
Revit Guides
Data Management
ELI5
Design Web Format
Design Web Format (DWF), created by Autodesk. DWF is a compressed, non-editable, vector file format created by CAD and BIM applications. A DWF file can represent sheets for plotting purposes
delivery phase
part of the life cycle (3.2.10), during which an asset (3.2.8) is designed, constructed and commissioned [cited from ISO 19650-1:2018(en), 3.2.11] ISO 19650-2:2018 Standard dedicated to the delivery phase
Construction Operation Building information exchange (COBie)
COBie is a non-proprietary data format for the publication of a subset of building information models (BIM) that focuses on delivering asset data rather than geometric information. It is formally
Project Information Manager
Responsible for extraction, review, coordination and reporting of data within the native and federated models as well as associated project databases throughout the project stages to ensure client and BEP
Appointor
UK BIM Alliance responding to the inconsistency between current guidance of CIC BIM Protocol, Second Edition 2018 and ISO 19650 Framework published updated Information protocol to support BS EN
Virtual Design and Construction
Virtual Design and Construction (VDC) is the use of design models and project information to apply construction processes in a virtual environment to reduce time, cost, and ensure design intent.
TN system
A system having one or more points of the source of energy directly earthed, the exposedconductive-parts of the installation being connected to that point by protective conductors.
BS 11000‑2:2017
Collaborative business relationship management systemsPart 2: Guide to implementing BS ISO 44001
Shared context of information exchange
ELI5-S2: BIM in Practice E1: Shared context of information exchange Introducing the “ELI5-S2 BIM in Practice” Series! Welcome to the first post in our new series, “BIM in Practice,” where
Resources
In the context of project management, the resources refer to optimizing the use of resources for successful project execution and the management of resources in the project. [1] Therefore, the
attribute
Depending on the technology discussed, the term attribute can be treated as equivalent to a property or as a set of attributes, such as the number of elements in a
LTF_Lighting-Fixture Circular
LTF_Lighting-Fixture_Luminaire-Circular vv22.1.1. Family For: Electrical Engineers, Bim Managers, Electrical Designers Setup: 10 – 30 minutes View Details ▼ Technical Details Released: Feb 9, 2025 Updated: Jul 5, 2025 Compatibility Notes:
Fault
Acircuit condition in which current flows through an abnormal or unintended path. The fault current may flow from line to line (phase fault) or line to earth (earth fault).
Restricted and Highly Restricted information
Info Below you can find a couple of sample notes intended to be copied and pasted to a transmittal when sharing Restricted and Highly Restricted information. Restricted Information This transmittal
buildingSMART Data Dictionary
PD 19650‑0:2019 In short, the BuildingSMART Data Dictionary is a library for everything to do with the building. NumberName is an int key and string value that can be stored
CDE state
ELI5-S1: BIM Basics E5: CDE areas and states This term replaces the ‘CDE area’ PAS 1192 term, the idea is the location of the information (container) is not important but
information requirement
The information needed to support a business or other activity. specification for what, when, how and for whom information (3.3.1) is to be produced [cited from ISO 19650-1:2018(en), 3.3.2] Term directly related to:
BIM STRATEGY
a plan of action designed to achieve a long-term or overall aim. Definitions from Oxford Languages Required to define and understand what your company is trying to achieve with BIM.
suitability
degree to which a product, system or information provides functions that meet stated and implied needs when used under specified conditions [cited from: ISO/IEC 25010:2011(en), 4.2.1, added word ‘information’] appropriateness
Soil Thermal Resistivity
Relates to the ability of the soil, in which the cable is installed, to conduct heat energy away from the cable. The rating factor Cs is applied in cable sizing
Stage 2 Maturity
BIM at Maturity Stage 2 according to the ISO 19650 Framework is “the use of a shared digital representation of a built asset to facilitate design, construction and operation workflows
BS EN ISO 16739-1:2020
Industry Foundation Classes (IFC) for data sharing in the construction and facility management industries Part 1: Data schema
LTF_Lighting-Fixture Rectangular
LTF_Lighting Fixture_Generic Rectangular Light v22.1.3 Family For: Electrical Engineers, Bim Managers, Electrical Designers Setup: 10-30 minutes View Details Technical Details Released: Feb 2, 2025 Updated: Jul 5, 2025 Regional Variants:
Ecocide
In environmental justice, ecocide is the criminalised activity of substantially harming or destroying ecosystems in their entirety or by harming individual species. At time of writing, 10 countries have criminalised
collaboration
a deliberate approach to working together on an agreed common purpose within functional, organisational, geographic, or organisational boundaries. Collaboration often depends on a solid knowledge management culture to facilitate the exchange and
breakdown structure
decomposition of a defined scope into progressively more detailed levels
Gateway (Parallel)
[And] When used to split the sequence flow, all outgoing branches are activated at the same time. When parallel branches are merged, it waits for all incoming branches to complete
Value
What the customer wants from the process, and will pay for. [1] [1] The Massachusetts Port Authority, 2015. BIM Guidelines for Vertical and Horizontal Construction.
geometrical
This is an ISO 19650 term which replaces the PAS1192 term “graphical”. Geometrical is more appropriate to describe spatial positioning and relationships
BS EN ISO 29481-1:2017
Building information models – Information delivery manual Part 1: Methodology and format
Last Planner®
The person or group that makes assignments to direct workers. Project Architect and ‘discipline lead’ are common names for last planners in design processes. ‘Superintendent’ or ‘foremen’ are common names
DWG
DWG (“drawing format”) is a binary file format licensed by Autodesk and used for storing two and limited three-dimensional design data and metadata. It is the native format for several
Terminology and UK Contract Law
The use of terms such as Lead Appointed Party, Appointed Party and Task Team in lieu of terms: employer, supplier, contractor and subcontractor, require clarification to become legally binding. The
system
interacting objects organized to achieve one or more stated purpose [SOURCE: ISO/IEC/IEEE 15288:2015, 4.1.46, modified — The words “combination of” at the beginninghave been removed; “elements” has been replaced by
UK BIM Framework
The UK BIM Framework was developed by the UK BIM Alliance, BSI, and the Centre for Digital Built Britain associated with the Construction Industry Council (CIC) to implement international BIM
Quality Planning (QP)
Quality Planning (QP) is a framework which specifies quality standards, practices, resources, and the sequence of activities The quality plan should define:[1] Objectives to be achieved A workflow that represents
Navisworks file format (NWF)
When saving to a “Navisworks file format (NWF), only a list with pointers to the files currently loaded is saved, along with the scene’s environment, the current view, clash results,
Breaking capacity
IWE-S1-IWE- E8_Breaking Capacity of MCCB What is Breaking Capacity (kA) Breaking capacity, often referred to as short-circuit breaking capacity, is one of the most critical specifications of a protective device.
Value Stream
Includes all the processes and activities used to design, produce and deliver the product or service to the Customer.[1] [1] The Massachusetts Port Authority, 2015. BIM Guidelines for Vertical and
Exchange Information Requirements (EIR)
The Exchange Information Requirements (EIR) term introduced by BS EN 19650 replaces the PAS 1192 term Employer Information Requirements (EIR) on all projects where BS EN ISO 19650 compliance is
Global Trade Item Number (GTIN)
Global Trade Item Number (GTIN) identifier for trade items used to look up product information in a database GS1 [1] 1 Online Browsing Platform (OBP) [WWW Document], n.d. URL https://www.iso.org/obp/ui#search
rationalise
In construction, to rationalise is to attempt to remove, explain or justify irrational quantities, processes or systems or else adjust unreasonable design decisions by employing logic or reason, (behaviour, attitude),
Project delivery team
In respect of asset lifetime PAS 1192-2:2013, describes one project delivery team, the term is connected with word ‘contract’ meaning one or many companies or individuals employed either directly or
Infrastructure
the structures that emphasize, organise and enable social functions. Individual units of infrastructure are known as assets. It is sometimes subcategorised into economic infrastructure, the networks of built assets that
Lean Project Delivery System
An organized implementation of Lean Principles and Tools combined to allow a team to operate in unison.[1] [1] The Massachusetts Port Authority, 2015. BIM Guidelines for Vertical and Horizontal Construction.
Semi-enclosed fuse rating factor (Cf)
The rating factor Cf = 0.725 is applied to cable sizing calculations for any circuit protected by a semi-enclosed fuse to BS3036.
Max Zs
Themaximum value of earth fault loop impedance (Zs) that will allow the protective device in a circuit to disconnect an earth fault within the prescribed time. Example: if themaximum earth
information
reinterpretable representation of data in a formalized manner suitable for communication, interpretation or processing [cited from ISO 19650-1:2018(en), 3.3.1]
Adiabatic
Adiabatic checks are required to determine whether conductorsmight be damaged by the thermal effects resulting from the level of calculated fault conditions.
