Digital Construction Award 2023

Category sponsored by 

Bouygues UK has been committed to acting upon the recommendations contained within the Hackitt Report in response to the Grenfell Tower fire in 2017. Their dedicated in‐house Building Safety and Innovations Teams have since been reviewing/developing practices in relation to Building Regulations and Fire Safety.   

They introduced the ‘10 Passive Fire Stopping (PFS) Golden Rules’ strategy to improve understanding of responsibilities, accountability, transparency and information flow between stakeholders.

Underpinning these rules is the innovative ‘BIM Builders work In Connection (BWIC) Passive Fire Stopping (PFS) BIM Golden Thread (GT) Solution’.

The BIM BWIC PFS GT Solution is a collaborative process underpinned by BIM & IM from Initial Stage 3 PFS strategy/modelling to Stage 4 (Pre‐Appointment) BWIC coordination and onto detail design approval & install/construction/Sign‐Off of the BWIC/Services and PFS onsite.

It streamlines/automates the design/approval process, acting as a single source of truth, providing a full audit trail of decisions and approvals. Key BIM & IM Process/Deliverables include:

• Coordinated BWIC BIM Model, Schedule and Drawings (Structural & Non‐Structural Floors and Walls including recesses for light switches etc.)

• BWIC BIM Model Approval Process between Architect, Structural, M&E & Fire Specialist.   

• BIM Model Floor/Wall Type (Fire & Acoustic Rating) and BWIC with penetrating Services (Services material) combined schedule

• BIM Model Floor & Wall Type Schedule from Architect & Structural BIM Model

• BIM Model BWIC & penetrating services Schedule from M&E & BWIC Model

• BWIC PFS BIM Model

• Site PFS Quality management process   

• Approval Step 1‐BWIC aligned with Design (BIM Model) and photographic evidence

• Approval Step 2‐Services aligned with Design (BIM model) and photographic evidence

• Approval Step 3‐PFS aligned with Design (BIM Model) and photographic evidence

• BWIC PFS Golden Thread Federated BIM Model

Impact
A successful trialling of the BWIC PFS BIM GT solution as part of the ‘10 PFS Golden Rules’ on their ‘71/72 The Kingsway’ project in Swansea proved revolutionary.

Surprisingly simple to integrate despite the complexities associated with a very specific BIM/IM process, measurable benefits were apparent very quickly:   

• Full coordination of all BWIC PFS

• Fully approved PFS Solutions with minimal Engineering judgements and approval/PFS solution reference trail   

• Automated early identification of any change and full trackability until approved and updated within the BIM model 

• The agility to switch to MMC reduced carbon solution for stair and lift cores (Twin Walls) as the BWIC/PFS was already coordinated/approved to enable ease of offsite manufacture.

• Increased quality of BWIC related construction due to exposed concrete frame to meet the critical requirement for high standard of visual finish.  

The PFS BIM GT Solution is now being rolled out on select projects across Bouygues UK, including their landmark Pentre Awel scheme in Llanelli.  

They are championing the benefits towards improved building safety and Digital Transformation in Wales through compilation of a case study for release through their social media platforms.   The initiative also formed part of their presentation to students & staff at Coleg Gwent, Newport in January/March 2023.  

They are also awaiting confirmation to present the benefits to the wider industry at Digital Construction Week in London and the BIM Coordinator Summit in Dublin.