BIM in the cleanroom and laboratory sector as a response to the digitalization of the construction industry

Fig. 1: Relationship between open-BIM and closed-BIM. © 2022 Kelvin Reinraum Systems GmbH – All rights reserved

Fig. 2: Cold network calculation of a single space group. © 2022 Kelvin Reinraum Systems GmbH – All rights reserved

Fig. 3: BIM Roles © 2022 Kelvin Reinraum Systems GmbH – All rights reserved

Fig. 4: The Feringa Building as a native 3D model in BIM-capable software. © 2022 Kelvin Reinraum Systems GmbH – All rights reserved

Table 1: Tasks of the BIM Roles

Kelvin Cleanroom Systems GmbH has been among the first companies to implement BIM concretely in the cleanroom and laboratory sector since 2017. Building Information Modeling is a method in which individual trades in a construction project can collaborate digitally connected. Especially the high demands in cleanroom projects make the BIM method almost indispensable.

But what exactly is BIM, and how can BIM help make a construction project more efficient?
In short and concise terms, Building Information Modeling (BIM) is the digitalization of the construction industry. It refers to the planning, construction, and operation of buildings using digital – partly virtual – building information, covering the entire lifecycle of the building. BIM is not a single software but a comprehensive working method that significantly facilitates information exchange and overall collaboration among all involved trades.

Motivation:

For many, BIM is still the dark side of the moon waiting to be explored. Hop aboard the BIM shuttle and embark on new possibilities for construction and project management. There are already many success stories from around the world that serve as motivation, just like this article. Fear is darkness within us until someone steps forward with a small light and shows the way. It is important to recognize the light and harness its benefits. BIM is the future! We just need to recognize it and use it correctly.

The Benefits of BIM

Now that the definition of BIM is clarified, the question naturally arises: what benefits does BIM offer to the cleanroom and laboratory industry? This article considers both planning itself and execution, i.e., the construction process with BIM. Starting with planning requires a certain rethinking if one follows the BIM methodology. Previously, 2D or 3D plans after the construction phase were mostly archived and rarely reused. BIM models are reused throughout the lifecycle of a cleanroom or laboratory, considering Level of Detail (LOD), Level of Information Need (LOIN), Level of Information (LOI), and Level of Geometry (LOG). In addition to the 3D model, time data (4D), costs (5D), simulations (6D), and facility management (7D) are considered, referencing VDI 2552 Part 3, and can be directly linked to the model. Therefore, aspects such as time and cost planning, as well as measurement points for later qualification measurements, must be included in project execution. Also, information relevant for future maintenance – like spare part article numbers – must be considered.

For larger construction projects like building complexes, the subsequent demolition of the building, i.e., the coordinated process of dismantling, is also stored in the model. To realize all this, the BIM model is supplied with the desired information and can later be made available, for example, to facility management (FM). All information, such as calculations, data sheets, component details, time and cost workflows, and construction process simulations, are stored in a single file, a BIM 3D model, and can be reused for further planning, remodeling, or demolition as needed.

The information, the timing of data exchange (Data Drop), the BIM use cases, and the client’s objectives are initially documented in the Client Information Requirements (CIR) and subsequently in the BIM Project Execution Plan (BEP) according to VDI 2552 Part 10. The BEP is also referred to outside the BIM context as a specification document and is thus considered a contractual document. In GMP projects, points from the User Requirements Specification (URS) can also be incorporated into the BEP. From a legal and technical perspective, it is recommended to separate the CIR as a BIM document and the URS as a GMP document, merging the content only when creating the BEP.

The benefits for projects in the cleanroom and laboratory sectors are therefore as follows:

– Achieving cost certainty of construction services through model-based updates of time and cost planning
– Improving planning quality through a calculable 3D model and application of construction standards
– Enhanced and more structured project workflows
– Optimal design of technical systems
– Prefabrication of, for example, piping runs and injection circuits from the 3D model
– Digital handover of defined data to operations and maintenance
– Support for public participation
– Fewer change orders
– Reuse of the BIM model in re-planning, expansion, demolition, leading to time and cost savings

BIM vs. BIM

Equally important as the use of BIM is the definition and decision between open-BIM, closed BIM, little-BIM, and Big-BIM. Within the BIM landscape, these approaches are distinguished at the start of a project. But why is there a further distinction between closed-BIM and open-BIM within the BIM methodology? The principle of BIM is also about collaborative teamwork within a project. The comprehensive benefits of BIM only become visible when working together towards project success, rather than solely benefiting individual interests. To enable this shared model, suitable tools and defined interfaces must be provided. For example, open-BIM uses software-neutral standards and workflows. Each project participant decides independently on the software solution. The common exchange format is, for example, IFC (Industry Foundation Classes) according to DIN EN ISO 16739.
In contrast, closed-BIM involves a single software vendor for all project participants, and everyone must work within the same specifications and workflows. However, prescribing specific software vendors carries risks, especially when tools used (e.g., for structural calculations) do not comply with closed-BIM data exchange guidelines due to missing interfaces, preventing seamless handover into the system landscape. In the cleanroom and laboratory sector, where many different tools are used for calculating cooling and ventilation lines, room pressures, and luminance distribution, the choice of approach must be made carefully.

The Software

As mentioned at the beginning, BIM is not software. However, specialized software is still needed to implement BIM projects. Implementing software products within established company structures is one of the biggest challenges. The effort involved in implementation, software and training costs, new approaches, and developing custom components are just some of the many points that must be considered.

The guiding principle is: "The better the internal workflows are structured before implementation, the easier the execution." For many project and planning participants, this remains a significant unknown – the dark side of the moon. It is important to have the motivation to explore new paths, considering the benefits of BIM for the company and project, and to embark on the adventurous journey with the BIM shuttle to discover new possibilities.

Besides the main software, often called authoring software, additional tools may be necessary depending on the depth of model information required for collaboration. Especially given that a construction project involves many companies and subcontractors, interdisciplinary rules must be established. One such rule involves collaboration in a cloud environment, also known as CDE (Common Data Environment) according to DIN SPEC 91391 Parts 1 and 2, where the central 3D model is stored and synchronized regularly with the work copies of individual planners. This approach guarantees that all involved trades always know and use the current planning status. The CDE also allows submission of documents for review and approval. Traditional approval with pen and stamp is replaced by approval via the CDE, which is legally binding and often saves significant time.

Kelvin Cleanroom Systems GmbH uses the capabilities of a CDE to communicate with all planning participants and obtain plan approvals. Given that some planners still do not use BIM-capable software but their expertise is essential for the project, Kelvin offers a collaborative environment where IFC files (Industry Foundation Classes) from subcontractors or other planners can be implemented. IFC files can now be generated by many non-BIM software products. Native 3D models from authoring software are combined with IFC models to perform clash detection and verify modeling rules. Especially in cleanrooms and laboratories, where a high density of installations exists, collisions and changes can be directly communicated and clearly visualized via the CDE, for example, using the BIM Collaboration Format (BCF), without significant time loss.

The BIM Roles

BIM introduces new tasks and responsibilities for all project participants, which are reflected in corresponding role names. These include BIM (Overall) Coordinators, BIM Managers, and BIM Drafters.

The most common BIM roles are listed in VDI 2552-7 and DIN EN 19650-1 as Information Managers and Information Coordinators. Often – but not always – these roles encompass familiar project management approaches, just integrated with BIM methodology. Strictly separating these roles is challenging, especially in smaller projects where one person may hold multiple BIM roles. The diagram and table below show a simplified distribution of roles and their responsibilities in a cleanroom BIM project.

Table 1: Tasks of BIM Roles

Contract Design

Furthermore, future conventional contracts must incorporate the BIM methodology. As described earlier, new tasks arise from BIM roles that must be included in contractual documents, potentially leading to new compensation arrangements. There are no insurmountable challenges in contract design based on current construction law, as necessary adjustments can be integrated into the contracts. Additionally, each BIM project has the BEP, reflecting the client’s goals, which can serve as the basis for remuneration and pricing. However, adapting the current VOB/A, VOB/B, and VOB/C to align with BIM methodology is highly advisable to provide security in complex legal matters.
In applying HOAI, as with VOB, additional documents such as special contractual conditions (BIM-BVB) must be documented as part of the engineer’s contract and regarded as BIM framework conditions, since HOAI and VOB are methodologically neutral.

Legal considerations regarding planning and execution errors with BIM, as well as the copyright of BIM components and entire BIM models, must be discussed to what extent existing legal bases apply. Amendments to contracts or BIM-BVBs may be necessary. Especially in terms of liability for BIM construction services based on a complex BIM model, it is worth questioning the liability of BIM roles. For example, there are significant consequences when classifying services under service or work contracts regarding the liability of project participants. Regardless of fault, the contractor is only liable in success-based work contracts.

Use Case

Based on the theory, here is a practical example of a current construction project by Kelvin Cleanroom Systems GmbH:

The University of Groningen (RUG) is building a new research building over 62,000 m², with a total length of 260 meters and a width of 63 meters, dedicated to technical training and research in the Beta sector, in honor of Nobel laureate Prof. Dr. Ben Feringa. This promotes the university’s efforts to continue contributing to major international research fields such as chemical engineering, (nano)technology, materials research, and astronomy.

Within this building, cleanrooms and cleanroom laboratories will explore topics like space technology, nanotechnology, semiconductor technology, and lithography. Kelvin Cleanroom Systems GmbH acts as the general contractor for the cleanrooms and laboratories, as well as for their technical implementation and realization.

In addition to many research facilities, the new building will include cleanrooms for user groups Zernike & Stratingh and SRON. For example, the over 1000 m² Zernike & Stratingh cleanroom is primarily built with glass elements on the laboratory level, allowing external observation of work within the cleanroom and the technology in the plenary area.

The entire building, especially the cleanrooms and laboratories, is planned and realized using BIM from the outset. Initially, the Kelvin Cleanroom Systems GmbH set the framework through CIR (Client Information Requirements), BEP (BIM Project Execution Plan), and IDM (Information Delivery Manual). Subsequently, planning and central collaboration with other project members followed.
Kelvin uses proprietary processes such as MVD (Model View Definition), IDM, and custom BIM content. Specialized software solutions enable construction process simulations and clash detection among trades. The CDE supports all project participants working together at a central location.

For technical clarification, Kelvin employs the IFC standard combined with BCF (BIM Collaboration Format). What was once cumbersome Excel lists can now be detailed and precise through BCF. Due to the high density of installations in cleanrooms and laboratories, it is crucial to relate the model to reality, especially considering the often enormous installation density.

All planned components in the cleanrooms and laboratories have data sheets stored in the BIM model (linked to an internal and GDPR-compliant cloud), accessible by cleanroom staff, service technicians during maintenance, facility management, users, or the client via any internet-enabled device such as tablets, smartphones, or laptops.

Closing Words:

Kelvin Cleanroom Systems GmbH has successfully implemented several projects with BIM. Without the outstanding team of engineers and planners, such seamless execution would not have been possible.