1. International Alliance for Interoperability
National Institute of Building Sciences
April '03 Copyright IAI

2. It’s all about the Data!
Our world is now data-centric, and fast becoming more-so.
Managing the data improves efficiency.
Effectively using the data improves efficiency even more!
It removes the “stove-pipes”.
It enables better decision-making throughout the enterprise.
Paraphrasing from a former President – “It’s the Data Stupid!”
The perennial “stove-pipe” problem gets addressed because the need for data exchange forces communication between people who never used to talk to each other – but should have been!
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3. Overview What is the IAI? What is interoperability? What are IFC’s?
What is the status of the IFC Model?
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4. What is the IAI?
…a voluntary organization, created in 1995, to represent the public and private sectors in an effort to facilitate the exchange of dynamic information among members of the building community.
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5. Global Scope (11 IAI Chapters)
NEW
CHAPTERS:
ITALIAN
The IAI started in the United States but quickly spread around the world. The Iberian Chapter is the newest global member organization. The Italian chapter is still in the formation stage.
IBERIAN
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6. IAI Objectives
to develop and recommend practices for the uniform transmission and sharing of information and data
to provide a forum to promote the use of the recommended standards of information sharing
to develop a process for certifying compliance with the recommended standards
to implement and foster use of those standards
Most industries are use information technology to improve communication and efficiency. But these efforts are always based on the creation of data standards and models.
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7. What is interoperability?
…the dynamic exchange of information among all applications and platforms serving the entire building community throughout the life-cycle of facilities.
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8. Must deal with Lifecycle
As the name implies IAI began with the concept of data exchange or “interoperability” but its greatest value will be as a comprehensive data standard encompassing the entire lifecycle of facilities.
The objective is to input data only once! Capture data the first time it is available and to then share that information whenever it is needed later.
The IAI concept was born at the “design stage” with CADD but it now encompasses the entire life-cycle. This includes Demand for facilities from the enterprise, Acquisition of facilities, and Use of them.
April '03 Copyright IAI
Graphics from Gerald Davis, ICF

9. Construction is losing ground
The construction industry is losing efficiency. Over the last decade construction lost considerable ground compared to all other non-farming industries.
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10. Top three OECD Countries in Labor Productivity by Industry
ISIC sector description
. TOTAL United States United States United States
Canada Netherlands Netherlands
Australia Belgium France
1 Agriculture, Hunting, Forestry and Fishing
United States United States Netherlands
Canada Netherlands United States
Australia Belgium Belgium
3 Manufacturing United States United States United States
Canada Belgium Belgium
Australia France Italy
4 Electricity, gas and water Italy Italy Italy
United States United States Japan
Japan Japan United States
5 Construction United States Canada Canada
United Kingdom United States Belgium
Canada Australia United States
8 Finance, insurance and real estate and
business services
United States Japan Japan
Netherlands United States France
France France United States
Data from the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development tells the same sad story over the last three decades. Construction is steadily losing ground relative to our international competitors.
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11. Same sad story! Productivity Index of US Sectors
The Construction Industry has enormous potential for increasing efficiency and productivity.
Productivity Index of US Sectors
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12. What are IFC’s?
…a way of specifying “things” occurring in the built environment…standard, object-oriented, data structure to assemble shared information models.
- Tangible items like doors, windows, fans, ceilings, actors etc.
- Abstract concepts like schedule activity, spaces, organization, etc..
“IFC” stands for Industry Foundation Classes. “foundation class” is a programmer’s term.These are the objects upon which the whole model is based.
IFCs name all the elements (called objects), classes of objects, relationships and dependencies, and rules of behavior of objects.
For example, object definitions contain the information to fully describe a construction component, such as a window. This enables a window manufacturer to define its product in such a way that it can simply be inserted into a CADD design program. This “intelligent” window object brings with it data about its properties, such as dimensions, materials, strength, energy performance, finishing, code compliance, applicability, cost, availability, and source.
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13. History of IFC Development
current
IFC model
new
functionality
software
development
implemented
certified
certification
starts Q4/2002
The scope of coverage of the IFC model has increased dramatically since the release of Version 1.0 in IFC 2X is the current version. IFC2X2 will be released on May 14th of this year in Alexandria, Virginia at the IAI Industry Day.
You may register for this symposium on the IAI website
The IFC model is maturing and fast approaching a critical mass so that it may serve as a full lifecycle facility data standard.
Then comes the process to get the building sectors (especially owners and manufacturers) to use it.
April '03 Copyright IAI
Graphics from Jeffrey Wix, AEC3

14. IFC2x Platform Frozen IFC 2x Platform Expanding -projects- Frozen part
File compatibility
Domain Extension
2x, 2nd Ed
Future
Domain Extension
Domain Extension 2x
Expanding
-projects-
Software companies implementing IFCs complained that versions were coming too frequently forcing them to constantly rewrite their programming. The decision was made to freeze the basic 2X platform and to attach extensions without reorganizing the fundamental structure of the IFC model.
The first three-year freeze period has already been extended for two additional years. (Dave - I’m not absolutely certain about these numbers!!)
Frozen part
-platform-
Frozen
Platform
April '03 Copyright IAI
Graphics from Jeffrey Wix, AEC3

15. Current capabilities: IFC 2x
Shape (explicit)
Spaces, Space Structure
space, storey, part, building, site
Compartmentation
fire, workstation
Shape (extrusions)
beams, pipes, ducts, walls etc.
Grids
Shape (topology)
line representations for pipe, duct, etc.
Building Elements
wall, door, window, roof, stairs, etc.
Equipment
chillers, fans, pumps, etc.
Furniture
inc. system furniture
Relations Between Elements
holes, chases, voids, zones
April '03 Copyright IAI
Graphics from Jeffrey Wix, AEC3

16. Current capabilities: IFC 2x30
Actors
people, organizations, addresses
External Data
Classification
OCCS
Uniclass
£ $
Costing
cost planning, estimates, budgets
Associated Documents
Work Plans and Schedules
inc. nested schedules, resource allocation
Move Management
Orders
work orders, change orders, purchase orders
Asset Identification
Maintenance History, Inventories
April '03 Copyright IAI
Graphics from Jeffrey Wix, AEC3

17. IFC 2x2
The IFC model is created using the progamming language called EXPRESS-G. This is an Express-G diagram of the model.
What is really of interest today is the round circles at the top of the diagram.
The red objects on the right side clearly show the magnitude of coverage being added with the release of IFC2x2.

18. What IFC 2x2 adds? New or expanded capabilties for:
General Facilities
Architectural
Building Services
Structural Analysis
Facility Management
On the next few slides we will work our way through which elements are new and which are expansions.
April '03 Copyright IAI

19. What IFC 2x2 adds: General facilities
NEW - Use of type specification and occurrences of type
Allows the definition of information once and its reuse by referencing at each
point that an object of a given type occurs. Similar in concept to the way that
a CAD system uses symbols.
++ Improved description of connections
The capability for describing connections between pipes, ducts,
cables, cable carriers etc. has been extensively improved. Includes
For extended ability to specify joint types as a realization of the connection.
NEW - Inclusion of ability to ‘realize’ relationships
A new general purpose capability that enables a relationship
between objects to be further specified. Used for builders work,
control, connection and various other requirements
April '03 Copyright IAI
Graphics from Jeffrey Wix, AEC3

20. What IFC 2x2 adds: Architectural
++ Extended compartmentation
Provides support for rising ducts and multi-level compartments
e.g. for local electrical distribution and switches in
NEW - Support for lift/elevator shafts
Vertical compartmentation extended to support lift shafts
with structural requirements
NEW - Provision for disabled access
Inclusion of parameters that enable checking of disabled
Access according to building codes
As you see, the alphabet soup can get to be quite extensive.
++ Extended space capability
Space provision extended to support more detailed exchange
of external space requirements including parking
NEW - Harmonization with ISO TC184/SC4 standards
Provision of specifications for mapping structures of the
‘stable core of the IFC model to standards including STEP,
POSC/Caesar, PLIB within this ISO group
NEW - Harmonisation with ISO Part 3
Providing particular capabilities that enables the ongoing
IFC model development to use dictionaries created according
to this language neutral specification as a development resource
NEW - Provision for 2D drawings
As well as being able to exchange complete models, a
specific capability to handle 2D drawing information including
layers, text, line style and weight, annotation and dimensioning
Is being included
April '03 Copyright IAI
Graphics from Jeffrey Wix, AEC3

21. What IFC 2x2 adds: Building Services
NEW - Time Series
Time related events
++ Extended range of elements
Many new components, including controls, to meet wider building
services needs and to support ideas of simulation and code checking
NEW - Holes and Bases
Enables builders work information to be specified
Including holes, sleeves, packing, framing, upstands,
isolation
NEW - Fire Protection Elements
Sprinklers, hose reels, hydrants, wet/dry rising mains
NEW - Brackets and Fasteners
Brackets, drop rods, steel sections, bracket
assemblies, screws, bolts etc.
NEW ++ Electrical Model
Provision of switches, switchgear, power and
communication outlets, transformers, generators,
motors, conductors, protective devices, distribution
centres, light fittings …..
NEW ++ Plumbing services
WC’s, urinals, basins, baths, sinks, traps, drainage lines,
manholes and chambers.
April '03 Copyright IAI
Graphics from Jeffrey Wix, AEC3

22. What IFC 2x2 adds: Structural Analysis
NEW - Material independent structural analysis model, including:
structural members, boundary conditions, connections
supports, loads, load combinations
NEW - Steel structures
Members, profiles, properties, joints, features, surfaces
NEW - Steel fabrication
Handover to NC processing and production preparation
NEW - Reinforced concrete structures
RC members, rebars, joints, properties
NEW - Reinforced concrete foundation design
Including footings and piling
April '03 Copyright IAI
Graphics from Jeffrey Wix, AEC3

23. What IFC 2x2 adds:Facility Management
++ Improved asset definition
Improved allocation of time, cost and work order data
NEW - Service Life Data
Inclusion of capabilities for service life capture and management
including reference and expected service life and ISO based
service life factors.
++ Simplified order provision
Improved allocation of time and cost data
NEW - Environmental impact
Capture of environmental impact data for objects allowing
impact assessment to be carried out in support of sustainable
working.
++ Extended cost model
Enables costing of any object, with any type of cost, at
any and all points in the lifecycle, total lifecycle cost capture,
budgets, estimates, cost roll up
NEW - Permits
Allocation of permits for access, security, work
The last item is the product of the NIBS Facility Maintenance and Operations Committee. OMSI or Operations and Maintenance Support Information is the U.S. Navy Guide Specification – created for the paper-based world. It is now moving into the electronic realm.
NEW - Condition Monitoring
Captures condition data including both measured (by
Instrumentation) and assessed (by visual inspection).
NEW - Operating and Maintenance information
Provision of capability to capture operating and maintenance
instruction information based on the US Navy/Dept of Health
developed OMSI XML standards
NEW - Request Capture
Captures ad hoc requests made for operating
and maintenance work and allocation of requests to work
orders.
April '03 Copyright IAI
Graphics from Jeffrey Wix, AEC3

24. IFC Architecture getting leaner
Attributes versus Property Sets
Attributes have universal applicability
Hardwired into the IFC Model
Property Sets may be attached to the Model
Operate exactly the same as Attributes
Allow for regional variations around the globe
Examples of Property Sets
U.S. National CAD Standard
Building Codes (or Model Building Codes)
Classification and Terminology Systems, e.g.,
OmniClass in U.S., UniClass in UK
JCCS – Japan Construction Classification System
Nordic – BarBi, Lexicon – European project
“Attribute” is the customary term for the elements that define the capabilities and characteristics of “intelligent programming objects”. Many attributes, such as dimension, material, color, may be assigned specific values.
Attributes and Property Sets are synonymous terms. But the IAI distinguishes between by including Attributes within the model structure and keeping Property Sets external to the model.
This keeps the basic model much smaller, and leaner. It also allows accommodation of long-established national and regional variations within the global construction industry.
You probably expected the BarBi to be from Australia – not Scandanavia!
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25. IAI/IFC Achievements IAI has become a truly global effort
IFC has become the most recognized standard for building models
IFC is supported by most global CAD software vendors
IFC is supported by many downstream applications
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26. Software support for IFCs
April '03 Copyright IAI
Graphics from Jeffrey Wix, AEC3

27. IAI Status Critical Juncture U.S. has a major leadership position
Model is maturing
Implementation has not yet “crossed the chasm”
Some frustration from over-expectations
Great need for pilot projects
U.S. has a major leadership position
Chair of International Council
IAI International Technical Coordinator
ISO Representative for Metadata Standards
“Crossing the Chasm” is an excellent book by Geoffrey Moore that describes how new technologies work their way through the marketplace; from the “Early adopters” into the “Mainstream market”.
Many start-up companies have floundered because they failed to recognize how very differently these markets think and select new technology.
The mainstream market wants all the bugs worked out and they need recommendations from colleagues they trust before they spend their money.
“metadata” is data about data. It allows you to know what’s in a file without having to open it to find out. As data volume proliferates metadata standards will become increasingly important.
April '03 Copyright IAI

28. IAI’s Organization Structure
Board Of Direction
IAI Domains
Architecture
Building Services
Facility Management
Project Management
Libraries
Codes and Standards
aecXML
Architecture domain is initiating two new projects.
AR-5 “Early Design” – Joint project with FM-9, great start.
Ceiling plenum/shaft services coordination
Building Systems – BS-8 project completed, successfully pushing software implementation
Facilities Management – new FM-9 Project – PAMPeR – Portfolio and Asset Management; Performance Requirements. FM just completed FM8 – CAFE – Cost and Financial Elements.
Libraries Domain – OCCS “Omniclass” Project is creating 13 separate classification tables to name all elements in the construction industry.
Project Management – completed PM-3 project; “Material Selection, Specification, and Procurement”.
Codes and Standards - Pursuing NCS/BCS Electronic Building Plan proposal
aecXML – OMSI – Operations and Maintenance Support Information
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29. IAI’s Parent Organization
National Institute of Building Sciences
NIBS’ Board of Directors
NIBS’ Councils
NIBS’ Programs
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30. NIBS Enabling Legislation
Public Law , Sect. 809 (1974)
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31. Congressional Rationale
no authoritative source of advice on science and technology
a serious and widespread lack of uniformity in building criteria
unnecessary barriers against the use of innovative building systems
Some may think that “Congressional rationale” is an oxymoron!
April '03 Copyright IAI

32. NIBS Responsibilities
development, promulgation, and maintenance of performance criteria, standards, and other technical provisions
evaluation and prequalification of building technology
conduct needed investigations
assembly, storage and dissemination of technical information
IAI is most directly related to the last bullet. Twenty-six years ago, who knew what this would mean?
April '03 Copyright IAI

33. NIBS Activities Board of Directors Consultative Council
Building Envelope Thermal and Environmental Council
Building Seismic Safety Council
Construction Metrication Council
Facility Information Council
Multihazard Mitigation Council
Facility Maintenance and Operations Committee
National Clearinghouse for Educational Facilities
Construction Criteria Base/Whole Building Design Guide
International Alliance for Interoperability(IAI)
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34. More Information www.iai-na.org www.iai-international.org www.nibs.org
April '03 Copyright IAI