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Building Information Modelling (BIM)

Building information modelling (BIM) is the management of information through the whole life cycle of a built asset, from initial design all the way through to construction, maintaining and finally de-commissioning, through the use of digital modelling. BIM standards are revolutionizing the built environment, allowing information sharing best practice to be achieved between all teams working on a construction project.

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Bridging safety and technology: The role of BS EN ISO 19650-6:2025 in the built environment
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Bridging safety and technology: The role of BS EN ISO 19650-6:2025 in the built environment

The built environment sector has long faced challenges in ensuring health and safety (H&S) compliance across project and asset life cycles. According to a report by the Health & Safety Executive (HSE), in the UK the annual cost of accidents and ill health attributable to work in construction is estimated to be around £1.3 billion, with around 2.6 million working days lost each year. In addition to the financial costs, health and safety issues in the built environment can have a profound impact on employees, often resulting in physical injuries, long-term health conditions, emotional stress, and reduced quality of life for workers and their families. To help address this critical issue, a new standard has published: BS EN ISO 19650-6:2025 Organization and digitization of information about buildings and civil engineering works, including building information modelling (BIM) — Information management using building information modelling — Part 6: Health and safety information, which focuses on the organization and digitization of H&S information in building and civil engineering projects. As the sixth part of the BS EN ISO 19650 series on information management using Building Information Modelling (BIM), this standard supersedes PAS 1192-6:2018 as the key standard for managing H&S information throughout the project and asset life cycles. By specifying how H&S information is managed and shared, BS EN ISO 19650-6:2025 offers an opportunity to enhance worker safety, reduce costs and ensure projects run more smoothly, with fewer incidents. What does BS EN ISO 19650-6 cover? The core objective of BS EN ISO 19650-6:2025 is to provide a robust framework for identifying, recording, using and sharing H&S information digitally and collaboratively throughout the project lifecycle. This includes the classification, sharing, and delivery of H&S information, ensuring it reaches the right stakeholders at the right time, with clear and actionable insights. The standard outlines how H&S information can be used to: Create safer environments for workers, users, and end-users of buildings and infrastructure. Mitigate inherent risks by identifying and managing hazards throughout the entire asset life cycle, from procurement to end-of-life. Enhance H&S performance by reducing incidents and their associated impacts. Optimize project value, improving both construction processes and operational outcomes. By ensuring that H&S risks are identified early and integrated into project planning via BIM tools, BS EN ISO 19650-6 improves the visibility and communication of risks throughout all project stages. Who should use this standard? This standard is essential for all professionals involved in managing H&S information during the lifecycle of a building or infrastructure project. Whether you're a designer, contractor, project manager, or asset owner, the principles and practices outlined in BS EN ISO 19650-6 will help streamline your H&S risk information management processes. Applicable to: Design and construction professionals working to embed H&S information from the planning stages. Facility managers and operators, who need to ensure that maintenance work is carried out safely and efficiently throughout the operational phase of the asset. Procurement teams responsible for ensuring compliance with H&S standards across their supply chain. Notably, the standard applies to all phases of the project lifecycle, whether you're working in the design, construction, or operational stage of an asset. It is also relevant to projects that aren't currently using BIM, as it emphasizes the collaborative sharing of structured H&S information across all project stakeholders. What are the key benefits of implementing BS EN ISO 19650-6? Increased safety: By embedding H&S information early in the design process and throughout the project lifecycle, this standard helps create a safer environment for all stakeholders. Risk mitigation: The clear framework for identifying, classifying, and sharing H&S risks leads to better risk management and fewer incidents on-site. Enhanced project outcomes: Clear and timely communication of H&S information minimizes rework, waste, and delays, boosting the overall value of construction projects. Global applicability: With its basis in BS 1192-6:2018, now elevated to international status, this standard facilitates global collaboration and harmonizes H&S practices across borders. Support for BIM integration: As the construction industry increasingly adopts digital tools and practices, the standard leverages BIM to make H&S risk management more visual, comprehensive, and actionable. The wider context: BIM and the BS EN ISO 19650 series of standards Building Information Modelling (BIM) is a digital process that involves creating and managing detailed 3D models of buildings and infrastructure throughout their lifecycle. It integrates data about a structure’s design, construction, and operation into a centralized model, enabling better collaboration between all project stakeholders, including architects, engineers, contractors, and facility managers. By providing accurate, up-to-date information, BIM enhances decision-making, reduces errors, and improves project efficiency, ultimately leading to safer, more sustainable, and cost-effective buildings. BS EN ISO 19650-6 is part of the broader BS EN ISO 19650 series, which sets the international framework for information management in the construction industry using BIM. The series includes the following parts: BS EN ISO 19650-1: Concepts and principles of information management BS EN ISO 19650-2: Delivery phase of assets BS EN ISO 19650-3: Operational phase of assets BS EN ISO 19650-4: Information exchange BS EN ISO 19650-5: Security-minded information management Part 6 adds to this by focusing specifically on health and safety information, providing vital links between traditional risk management tools and the new digital processes enabled by BIM. By integrating H&S information into BIM, projects can harness the full potential of digital modelling, improving risk visibility and control. To implement best practices in health and safety information management and align your projects with the latest international standards, purchase BS EN ISO 19650-6:2025 today.Read more
Harmonize, digitize, and rationalize: Exchange information confidently with BS EN ISO 19650-4
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Harmonize, digitize, and rationalize: Exchange information confidently with BS EN ISO 19650-4

A new, highly anticipated Information management standard has been published, encouraging the implementation of consistent good practices for information exchange throughout the life cycle of assets. BS EN ISO 19650-4:2022 Organization and digitization of information about buildings and civil engineering works, including building information modelling (BIM) — Information management using building information modelling — Part 4: Information exchange provides detailed process and criteria for the exchange of information between information providers and receivers throughout the life cycle of an asset. Information management refers to the management of information through the whole life cycle of an asset, from inception all the way through to construction, maintenance, and finally de-commissioning, using a digital representation for information decision-making. It's all about collaboration - between engineers, owners, designers, and contractors through a common data environment, facilitating the secure exchange of information between all stakeholders. Since 2021, the UK Government’s Information Management Mandate has required construction suppliers tendering to public contracting authorities, for buildings and infrastructure works, to ensure procurement and contractual processes are compliant with the standards set out in the UK BIM Framework at the time of delivery. For this to happen in a clear manner, conformance to BS EN ISO 19650-4 will be required on projects where information must flow, early and often, into portfolio, asset planning, and facility maintenance tools. What are the UK BIM Framework standards? To support implementation, the UK BIM Framework was formed to encapsulate the overarching approach to information management using BIM in the UK. The BS EN ISO 19650 series is a succession of international standards which define a common unified framework for the effective collaborative production and management of information across the full life cycle of an asset, using building information modelling. The series consists of: ISO 19650-1:2018 – Part 1: Concepts and principles. An introduction to the concepts and principles of the information management process, which is expanded upon in the following parts. ISO 19650-2:2018 – Part 2: Delivery phase of assets. Details the process for the management and collaborative production of information during the delivery phase of assets. ISO 19650-3:2020 – Part 3: Operational Phase of assets. Sets out the information management process for the management and collaborative production of information during the operational phase of assets. ISO 19650-4:2022 – Part 4: Information exchange. Establishes the process and criteria for exchanging information between parties throughout the life cycle of an asset. For both receivers (appointing party) and providers (lead appointed party, appointed parties) of information. ISO 19650-5:2020 – Part 5: Security-minded approach to information management. Provides a framework to assist organizations adopt a security-minded approach to managing information relating to sensitive assets. In addition, the UK BIM Framework also includes: BS 8536:2022 Design, manufacture and construction for operability.  A code of practice that promotes smooth delivery and operation of assets throughout their life cycle by maximizing the value that can be derived from information. PAS 1192-6:2018 – Specification for collaborative sharing and use of structured Health and Safety information using BIM.  Specifies the collaborative sharing of structured Health and Safety information throughout the project and asset life cycles. The overall objective of these standards is to ensure that the right people have access to the right information, in the right format, at the right time. This is achieved through setting an internationally recognized good practice for the creation, collaboration, and management of asset information. Ultimately, these standards ensure that built environment projects are delivered on time, within budget, and to standard. To understand how these standards all work together in the context of an asset’s life cycle, discover the UK BIM Framework Infographic. Understanding BS EN ISO 19650-4: Conformance, Continuity, Communication, Consistency, and Completeness BS EN ISO 19650-4 focuses on undertaking an information exchange, to ensure the quality of the information being exchanged. It does so by asking the reviewer to consider: Conformance, Continuity, Communication, Consistency, and Completeness when reviewing an information exchange. This new standard supersedes BS 1192-4 Collaborative production of information, which covered undertaking information exchanges using COBie (construction operations building information exchange). Instead, BS EN ISO 19650-4 has a broader remit, with its provisions covering all information exchanges across the whole asset life cycle. An important change is that BS EN ISO 19650-4 doesn’t address COBie specifically, as this is just one type of information exchange. Instead, COBie and the UK-specific recommendations relating to its use will be covered in the national annex. There are several significant benefits that adopting information management can bring to an organization. By allowing the entire supply chain to communicate and coordinate, problems can be avoided throughout the supply chain, which can ultimately increase efficiency. BS EN ISO 19650-4 benefits all stakeholders throughout the asset life cycle, including clients, consultants, contractors, authorities & asset owners, and operators. Its requirements help to: Reduce guesswork by having access to information produced by others when needed Reduce rework by having access to relevant standards, methods, and procedures The role of BS ISO EN 19650-4 in the UK BIM Framework The publication of BS EN ISO 19650-4 marks an important addition to the UK BIM Framework, filling the gap that was in the current BS EN ISO 19650 series. As the definitive information management standard on how information exchanges should be undertaken, it details the implementation of the concepts in BS EN ISO 19650-1 and is applicable to any information exchange within the delivery stages covered by BS EN ISO 19650-2 and operational events covered by BS EN ISO 19650-3. With UK Government policy documents, like the Construction Playbook, asking the public sector to adopt a standardized approach to information management, BS EN ISO 19650-4, and the wider UK BIM Framework, help to achieve this. Are you confident and consistent with your information exchanges? Ensure you are working to the latest information management good practices, by adding BS EN ISO 19650-4 to your collection today.
Shifting horizons: How BIM standards have changed the global built environment
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Shifting horizons: How BIM standards have changed the global built environment

BIM (Building Information Modelling) is transforming the built environment – changing the way multidisciplinary project teams collaborate at every stage of the asset life cycle to deliver significant efficiency and cost-saving benefits. As familiarity and maturity increase across the globe, BIM is set to influence a new generation of built environment professionals and the high-profile projects they shape. In the early days, BIM was associated mostly with 3D design. While it’s true that digital visualizations and information-rich models are an important part of the BIM process, this perspective misses the wider benefits. BIM’s overriding strategic advantage is in how it brings experts together, often across borders, to foster innovation through collaboration. The basis for this collaboration is high-quality project information. A common data environment allows project stakeholders from every stage of a project to communicate and collaborate from the start. Issues such as Coordination clashes, with implications right across the project life cycle, are foreseen and revealed with accuracy before any site work has begun. BIM provides the means to share quality information in a meaningful way and, at the same time, pools different disciplinary expertise to drive improved project outcomes. It removes traditional boundaries to creativity, leading to agile non-linear problem-solving. Asset information, both current and historical, is available for interrogation and use by all project stakeholders, 24/7. To read more on the topic of innovation within the built environment, click here. The standards shaping the future of BIM Building upon the foundation set by the British 1192 series of standards, the 2019 launch of the first two parts of the BS EN ISO 19650 series, marked an important stage in the global BIM journey. The first substantive international BIM standards, BS EN ISO 19650 series are set to play an instrumental role in BIM adoption around the world and throughout the supply chain. It covers information management across the lifecycle of an asset to improve quality while reducing project costs and timescales. The BS EN ISO 19650 series has been designed to help businesses operating within the built environment realize the full collaborative benefits of information management using BIM, whether that’s between engineers, owners, architects, or contractors in a fully integrated project environment. Beyond the BS EN ISO 19650 series, a broader, standards-led, approach to business strategy and management helps large businesses maintain good practice structures and foundations, whilst allowing flexibility to accommodate innovation and change. For example, BS EN ISO 9001, the international standard for quality management, provides an ideal foundation from which to progressively increase BIM maturity. For smaller supply chain members, looking to secure bids and tenders, the adoption of standards and certification can set them apart in a competitive marketplace. All members in the supply chain can set themselves up to derive maximum benefit from BIM-enabled collaboration by prioritizing a standards strategy, to build true resilience. It’s often helpful for businesses increasing their BIM maturity to consider how new processes will impact the rest of their operations – particularly those areas which might seem unrelated to BIM. For instance, BS ISO 44001 provides a management system for collaborative business relationships and is suitable for businesses of all sizes and types working in the public or private sector. It prepares organizations to manage relationships optimally, whether the focus is on a single application between operating divisions or more complex relationships like consortia and joint ventures. In addition, BS ISO 55001 and BS ISO 55002 are standards created to guide asset management good practices. They help businesses develop a proactive life cycle asset management system while reducing ownership risks from a cost and safety perspective. Finally, understanding that collaboration is at the heart of everything that is transformative about BIM is crucial to fully realizing its potential from a global growth perspective. The BS EN ISO 19650 series is set to aid international BIM adoption and market maturity, presenting a clear opportunity, particularly for smaller supply chain businesses, to explore new territorial markets and build new collaborative relationships. To prepare your construction business for the challenges of tomorrow, add these key BIM standards to your collection today. Discover BSI Knowledge Want to access and manage the BIM standards you need - all in one place? With a BSI Knowledge subscription, you will have the flexibility and visibility to manage the essential standards you need in order to adopt BIM processes with confidence and optimize information management across your projects. Build your own custom collection of standards and keep up-to-date with any relevant changes to your BIM strategy. Request to learn more.
Demystifying the UK BIM Framework and Building Safety
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Demystifying the UK BIM Framework and Building Safety

Recently, the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) has published several further regulations under the Building Safety Act 2022.  Reading through these new statutory instruments it is interesting to see how important the generation, structuring, and classifying of information is to support building safety.  However, it is worth noting that the regulatory duty to provide information is nothing new.   Historically, there has always been a duty to provide information.  For example: The Building Act 1984 includes duties relating to the deposit of plans as well as on local authorities relating to accepting plans via electronic communication; and The Building Regulations 2010 includes Regulation 38, 39, and 40 which place duties on those who undertake building work to exchange fire safety, ventilation, as well as fuel and power information respectively. As such much of what is being asked within the Building Safety Act 2022, and its supporting  statutory instruments, aren’t new ideas but build upon these original duties.  Considering the most recent amendments via The Building Regulations (Amendments) 2023, the client, along with anyone carrying out building works, must ‘cooperate’.  In addition, it places a duty on clients to provide building information to designers and contractors, as well as duties on those designer and contractors to provide information to the client and the wider project team. The need to both cooperate and provide (building) information are core to ‘information management using building information modelling (BIM)’ as outlined within the ISO 19650 series, part of the UK BIM Framework.  Specifically: BS EN ISO 19650-1 identifies: What information is required; Collaborative working; as well as Collaborative production of information as key concepts of information management using BIM.  Further detail is then provided on what principles underline each of these concepts; BS EN ISO 19650-2 and BS EN ISO 19650-3 specify the processes and related resources needed to realize these concepts.  This includes the exchange information requirement (EIR) to define what information is required by the appointee (client, designer, or contractor) as well as the common data environment (CDE) to allow the frequent and controlled exchange of information throughout the project team; BS EN ISO 19650-4 specifies the process and criteria for exchanging information, these exchanges can include the deposit ‘full plans’, to support a building regulation application, as well as the exchange of health and safety information during project and asset management activities between team members; BS EN ISO 19650-5 specifies how to undertake information management activities, such as the exchange of information and collaborative working, aligned with a security-minded approach.  In doing so it ensures these frequent exchanges protect personal, commercial, and sensitive information; PAS 1192-6 specifies how to collaboratively exchange health and safety information, including fire and structural safety information; and BS 8536 recommends which information should be exchanged by the designers and contractors, at specific project stages, to cooperate with the client and asset managers to realize operability. Therefore the adoption of the UK BIM Framework not only provides productivity benefits as well as  supports an organization in meeting UK Govt. Information Management Mandate but also provides processes which support duties placed upon the client, designers and contractors as part of the Building Safety Act 2022 as it comes into force. Browse the BS EN ISO 19650 standards here.

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