The Ultimate BIM Knowledge Hub
Your one-stop resource for BIM electrical.
Revit Guides
Data Management
ELI5
BS 9999:2017
Fire safety in the design, management and use of buildings – Code of practice
Function
ELI5-S1 BIM Basics E17_BIM Functions Understanding Functions: A Basic Guide In both everyday life and specialised fields like mathematics, computer science, and even construction, the term “function” is widely used.
systems thinking
System thinking is an approach to integration based on the idea that each component or part of a system acts differently when isolated from its environment and other parts of
Competent person
Aperson who possesses sufficient technical knowledge, relevant practical skills and experience for the nature of the electrical work undertaken and is able at all times to prevent danger and,where appropriate,
BS ISO 21500:2012
Guidance on project management ISO 21500 describes guidelines for managing projects and processes in project management, including standards, methods, and processes. The standard is intended to align with related international
Emergency Lighting in Toilet Cubicles
Summary
1. If the toilet has borrowed light and is less than 8m square:
a. There is no need for emergency lighting, however,
b. If there is a cubicle with full height door – therefore closed without borrowed lighting – then the EM lighting would be required in that cubicle.
2. If the overall toilet has no borrowed light,
a. And the WC cubicles do not have full-size doors; there should be at least one emergency outside row of cubicles.
b. If there is a cubicle with full height door – therefore closed without borrowed lighting – then the EM lighting would be required in that cubicle.
Miller’s law
Argument introduced by Miller, G. A., suggests that the number of objects an average human can hold in short-term memory is 7 ± 2.[1] From a practical standpoint, this means
Thermal resistivity of the soil rating factor (Cs)
The rating factor Cs is applied to cable sizing calculations for cable installed in the ground. Its value varies according to the thermal resistivity of the soil in which the
task team
The term, introduced by ISO 19650, describes a team of people working together on a specific task. task team might be an individual appointed party, and the appointed party might
Thermal insulation rating factor (Ci)
Ci Rating factor used for calculating theminimum required cable size for cables run in thermal insulation. See BS7671:2018 Table52.2.
Permitted Purpose
A submittal state defining the intent or suitability. Permitted Purpose means any purpose related to the Works (and/or (without limitation) the construction, refurbishment, extension, operation, management and/or maintenance of the
trigger event
a planned or unplanned event that changes an asset (3.2.8) or it’s status during its life cycle (3.2.10), which results in information exchange (3.3.7) [cited from ISO 19650-1:2018(en), 3.2.13]
BS ISO 55002:2018
Asset management — Management systems Guidelines for the application of ISO 55001
Separation Gap for Primary and Secondary Life Safety Cable Trays Roof Installation)
UK electrical and fire safety standards do not prescribe a fixed minimum separation distance for roof-mounted life-safety cable trays. However, BS 7671, BS 8519, and BS 5839 collectively establish that life-safety circuits must be installed on dedicated containment and be either separated by barriers or adequately distanced to ensure circuit independence.
tension between hope and ambiguity
term coined by Deloitte[1], it is a current situation where whilst businesses conceptually understand the significant changes that information Management (IM) and technology may bring, they have divergent agendas and
Level of information need
Ever feel like you’re drowning in BIM data you don’t need, or scrambling for details that should’ve been there? Enter the concept of Level of Information Need. It’s a straightforward idea buried behind a not-so-straightforward name (looking at you, BS EN ISO 7817-1:2024). In plain English, a Level of Information Need defines exactly what information should be delivered – no more, no less – for a given BIM use case or project stage.
enumerated type value
data type consisting of a set of named values called elements, members, enumeral, or enumerators ofthe type
Cutting Geometry with Nested Void Families in Revit
1. Generic Host in the Face-Based Family When you are in the face-based family, create void, and Cut the Generic Host This setup essentially simulates the cutting action within the
Group
Because a group is not an activity or a flow object, it cannot connect to sequence or message flows. Furthermore, groups are not constrained by pool and lane restrictions. [1]
Design current (Ib)
Design current or ‘Ib’ in Amperes.The level of current to be carried by a circuit in normal service.
Dimensionality
A dimension of space, such as width, height, or length. can be zero-dimensional (location point), one-dimensional (e.g. line, curve, path), two-dimensional (e.g. surface, face), or three-dimensional (e.g. surface, face) (e.g.
model validation checklist
The example checklist consists of checks which assure quality within models and information, to eliminate errors and achieve desired project outcomes. Table 1 – Model Validation Checklist Check Definition Project
Two Stage Open Book
A procurement method introduced by Constructing Excellence and the Cabinet Office where a client invites prospective integrated teams to bid for a project based on their ability to deliver an outline brief
workflow management system
Workflow management systems allow organisations to identify and control activities associated with a business process. Effective workflow management offers the opportunity to measure and analyse the execution of the processes
Level of detail (LOD)
Level of detail (LOD) it is a term introduced by PAS 1192, used in relation with management of the progression and uses of information. Typically referred to geometrical information There
UK BIM Framework (roadmap)
UK BIM Framework roadmap! Almost three years have passed since the first BS EN ISO19650-1 standard was published.A lot of work has been done; some people are upset about the
Industry Foundation Classes (IFC)
conceptual data schema and exchange file format for building information modelling (BIM) data BS EN ISO 23387:2020 In general, IFC, or “Industry Foundation Classes”, is a standardized, digital description of
Fabrication Model
Digital Model(s) created from shop drawings to support fabrication and installation. Fabrication models are reviewed and approved by the A/E for conformance to design specifications.1 1 The Massachusetts Port Authority,
Archive
History of project information, such that any non-current published information in the published area should move into this area. New parties to the project will receive an invitation to join
CDE gate
Transition [ISO19650] Transition is used to denote change (in the state of the information container)
Contract
Appointment ISO 19650 introduce term Appointment to be used instead of the more generic term contract. This means one term can be used for both external contracts and internal work
ISO 19650 Framework
The ISO 19650 framework is generally aimed for information management. The individual standards do not cover the whole area of quality management but instead point out to other standards suggesting
SPD Protection Device Ratings for Main Switchboards
SPD Protection Device Ratings for UK Main Switchboards: A Practical Guide Based on extensive research of UK standards, manufacturer specifications, and industry practices, here are practical “rule of thumb” protection
PUBLISHED
Information accepted by the nominated party, in which case it will be suitable for tender or construction (2D model output only). Such that the ‘Published’ area should be maintained in
UK Earthing & Bonding Design Reference
UK Earthing & Bonding Design Reference (Edition 2025 – aligned with BS 7671:2018+A2:2022, Amendment 3 (2024), and draft Amendment 4 (2026), also drawing from official UK Power Networks standards) Scope,
Adiabatic
Adiabatic checks are required to determine whether conductorsmight be damaged by the thermal effects resulting from the level of calculated fault conditions.
record
document stating results achieved or providing evidence of activities performed [1] Note 1 to entry: Adapted from ISO 9000:2005, 3.7.6. 1 Online Browsing Platform (OBP) [WWW Document], n.d. URL https://www.iso.org/obp/ui#search (accessed 4.10.21).
BS EN ISO 19650-3:2020
Organization and digitization of information about buildings and civil engineering works, including building information modelling (BIM) – Information management using building information modelling Part 3: Operational phase of the assets
Certification
Assurance given by an independent certification body (ISO does not perform certification) that a product, service or system meets the requirements of a standard. https://www.iso.org/glossary.html
PAS 14191:2020
Built environment – Management and operation of interconnected construction data dictionaries Specification
reference document
publication that is consulted to find specific information, particularly in a technical or scientific domain EXAMPLE See EN 771-1:2011+A1: 2015.Note 1 to entry: A reference document can be associated with
Tier 1
In the construction industry, Tier 1 is a Contractor referred in ISO 19650 as the Lead appointed party, who provide goods or services directly to the ultimate client. The Tier
Gateway (Exclusive)
[XOR] When splitting, directs the sequence flow to one of the outgoing branches. When merging, it waits for one incoming branch to finish before starting the outgoing flow.[1] Symbol
jet reaction
nozzle reactionforce acting in the opposite direction to the water stream leaving the nozzle BS 4422 2005 “Jet reaction,” also known as “nozzle reaction,” is a fundamental concept in fluid
How to Rotate Revit Families in Any Direction
Mastering 3-Axis Rotation: Transform Revit Face-Based Families with Tiltable Geometry
International Harmonized Stage Codes
Stages: 00 PRELIMINARY 10 PROPOSAL 20 PREPARATORY 30 COMMITTEE 40 ENQUIRY 50 APPROVAL 60 PUBLICATION 90 REVIEW 95 WITHDRAWAL Substages: 00 REGISTRATION 20 START OF MAIN ACTION 60 COMPLETION OF
Sensitive Information
ELI5-S1 BIM Basics E16_Sensitive Information information, the loss, misuse or modification of which, or unauthorized access to, could:(a) adversely affect the privacy, welfare or safety of an individual or individuals;(b)
