Paul McElroy

As BIM Project Coordinator on a number of projects It was my responsibility to ensure the model was maintained, reviewed and kept clean so working in the file was as fast and efficient as possible.

 

Daily Tasks:

Warnings: Review and resolve. Warnings can accumulate surprisingly quickly, and it’s much more efficient to deal with these errors on a regular basis. In conjunction with a visual inspection of the model correct or if appropriate ignore them.

 

Weekly Tasks

File Maintenance: Create a back-up, audit and compact the central file - refer to 'COA BIM-Standards and Protocols' document for detailed description of the procedure

Purge: Remove any unwanted items from the model. Always review what is being purged. Purge only what is superfluous to the project e.g. unused window types. Don't purge items that you will need at a later stage e.g. Legends or Detail Items. Always purge 3 times to ensure the removal of all unwanted items. Remove unused Revit Elevation Markers: Refer to Bonus Tools: 73 Unused Elevation Markers

Splash Screen: Ensure the information on the Splash Screen is correct and up to date with all fields filled out. Ask the project leader if unsure of current project details/ status.

Project Browser: Check to see if the Project Browser is well organised i.e. ensure that Sheet Views are separated from Working Views. Delete any miscellaneous or unassigned views. Review views and delete unnecessary views. If unsure consult project leader before deleting views. Make sure folder structure is in compliance with 4.0 Folder Structure and Naming Convention

 

Monthly Tasks:

File Size: Smaller files are easier and quicker to work with. Has the file grown in the last month and if so why? Is the model or families with in it more complex than needs be?
In general, individual model sizes shall preferably not exceed 200MB. The Federated Model size shall be, where possible, limited to 500mb.

Coordinates: Ensure the shared coordinates are relevant to actual site survey coordinates. Check Project Survey Point and Project Base Point including Z coordinates. Ensure all links are pinned and have not been accidently moved.

Linked Files: Ensure that there are not unnecessary links or images in the model and all files are on the correct workset. Watch out for exploded CAD files. Review missing links and remove or update. Notify team of problematic CAD file links due to drafting techniques e.g. CAD blocks. Make sure you link in CAD files from the SITE Revit model using Revit Link “By Linked View”
Refer to 5.3.2 Sheets and Linked Views.

Worksets: Check that all model elements are in the correct Revit Workset. Use the 3D 'Revit Workset' views in the Working Views - '8_MC-model coordination' category. Select and move elements to the correct Worksets using the property browser.
Refer to: 5.5 Revit Worksets

Materials: Export a list of materials and try to identify unnecessary duplication i.e. material called “laminate countertop”, and another called “countertop laminate”, or “concrete structure”, and “structural concrete” (like the old layering problem in CAD). Is relevant COBie Data, Uni-class Coding, Keynote Ref, Analytical Data etc. included for all materials used in project?

Families: Export all the loadable families to the 'Model Maintenance' folder, where you can identify any family over 300kb. Check the file naming and type naming to ensure that it complies with the COADY or project agreed standard. Eliminate Generic Models by placing them in a family category. Within the project file rationalise system families to the minimum needed and ensure the type names are clear and concise.
Refer to: 7.2.1 Family Naming Standards

Groups: Review size and naming. Be wary of nested families and the impact on the model. Are handed versions of groups required?

View Templates: Review, rename and delete as appropriate.

Design Options: Ensure correct model data is each option. Remove obsolete Design Option sets by accepting the primary option.

Phasing: Check that elements in a model appears in the correct phase or phases.

Grids and Levels: Make sure the model is not cluttered. Grids and levels should only be used for key project datum e.g. finished floor level and structural set out. Use named reference planes for other modelling purposes. Don't delete a level without first checking what is hosted on it. Ensure grids and levels are on the correct Revit workset.

Reference Planes: Avoid overcomplicating the model with numerous reference planes. Review and delete as appropriate. All reference planes must be named.

Schedules: Utilise Revit Scheduling to analyse Revit Model Data i.e. to check for missing data, unplaced Rooms, unenclosed Areas, and Unfilled Parameters etc. Delete/ amend as appropriate. Check drawing status, dates, drawn by, and checked by on all sheets.

Text: Check that text is Arial Narrow, sizes as per COADY template. Check that intelligent tags are used for annotation purposes (Keynotes, material and multi category tags) rather than dumb text. Review the Keynote file for any errors. 21
Lines: Eliminate Detail Lines where possible. Use Detail Items that are tangible e.g. COA-Detail Items-F-Membranes or system tools e.g. Shaft Opening. Model Lines should be on the 'Model Lines and Annotations' Revit Workset and hosted on a level/ named reference plane.

Graphics: Is there a consistent graphic style for every output view? Does it” look good” and look the same. Use view templates to control display settings and ensure consistency. Every sheet view must have a view template associated with it.

Walls: Walls should only be modelled from level to level. Ensure wall families are correctly named and joined/attached to walls, floors and roofs where appropriate. Look out for overlapping walls, unconnected walls etc.

Rooms: Ensure that all relevant Rooms are placed, enclosed and tagged. Delete unplaced and redundant Rooms from the room schedule. Check that Rooms have appropriate height in section i.e. to ceiling or underside of roof.
Make sure rooms are named in a correctly and logically. Check that Rooms have appropriate Room Department.