Austin, TX, May 16, 2013 — Using computer technology for plan review, the plan approval process, and code checking streamlines building department operations and can be a boon for local economies. Fiatech and the International Code Council (ICC) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding that supports a shared vision to advance the effectiveness and efficiency of building design, construction, and code compliance through the use of advanced technologies and practices represented by the Fiatech AutoCodes Project. AutoCodes—automated code checking—is a significant development that moves regulatory compliance into the digital age on par with modern commercial design and construction industry practices.

“Fiatech is pleased to have ICC’s support in the development of AutoCodes, which will be a ‘game changer’ in the building design and construction process,” said Ray Topping, Director of Fiatech. “Our Memorandum of Understanding builds on the strong working relationship established with ICC over the past six years in advancing regulatory streamlining.”

“Automated code checking helps plan reviewers focus on the core tasks of code compliance and speeds up the permitting process,” said ICC Board President Ronald Piester, AIA. “This innovative technology will provide comprehensive and consistent results from project to project across jurisdictions and allow code officials to dedicate more time to safety issues, inspections, and other important duties.”

The current stage of the project focuses on efforts to convert egress chapters 10 and 11 of the International Building Code into machine-language rule sets to check 3D building information models (BIM) for code compliance. A critical aspect of the phase is to define an ICC certification roadmap that confirms the integrity of AutoCodes Project deliverables with regards to the IBC for industry usage.

“ICC and Fiatech are committed to completing this long-term project,” said ICC CEO Dominic Sims, CBO. “Using technology for code checking is a win-win for the jurisdiction, designer, and property owner. The quicker plans are approved to begin construction, the quicker a business can open its doors and see sales dollars. Speeding up plan review and permitting turnaround time will result in projects being started and completed in a more timely manner, thereby creating an economic development advantage in a competitive world. ”

A video that describes the AutoCodes Project and its value to industry can be viewed at http://fiatech.org/the-autocodes-project.

The International Code Council is a member-focused association. It is dedicated to developing model codes and standards used in the design, build, and compliance process to construct safe, sustainable, affordable, and resilient structures. Most U.S. communities and many global markets choose the International Codes.

Fiatech is a global community of industry stakeholders working together to advance productivity and efficiency throughout the life cycle of capital assets by advancing the development and deployment of technology and innovative practices.

{sharethis type=|title=|popup=|embeds=|offsetLeft=|offsetTop=|onhover=|headerTitle=|headerfg=|headerbg=}Austin, TX, April 8, 2013 — Fiatech has released a new report on augmented reality that it has completed in collaboration with the UK-based organization, COMIT, or Construction Opportunities in Mobile IT. The publication, “Advancing Asset Knowledge through the Use of Augmented Reality Technologies,” covers the first two phases of the three-phase study. The third phase is now in design. 

Other Fiatech and COMIT members involved in the project include Bechtel, Bentley Systems, Bosch, Costain PLC, Crossrail Ltd, Korec, and Network Rail. The overall objective of the joint project is to demonstrate the application of augmented reality and how it can facilitate current industry processes and exchanges of information. The project team also is examining the business value and viability of the augmented reality technology.

Augmented Reality is defined as “a live direct or indirect view of a physical, real-world environment whose elements are augmented by virtual, computer-generated imagery.” Virtual Reality Modeling (VRM), in current use on some capital projects, provides an alternative perspective to designs through an interactive mock-up of 3D models. Now, both Fiatech and COMIT believe augmented reality has great potential to add to such alternative perspectives.

Augmented reality, through its use of live streaming video feeds and object identification using GPS, is intended to help site personnel more efficiently interpret the growing amount of onsite digital information. The use of 3D models and handheld devices, coupled with augmented reality technology, has the potential to enable a site operator, engineer, or maintenance technician to better undertand advanced modeling data. In addition, it will allow these personnel to work in a more direct and intuitive way than they would with written instructions or electronic manuals.

The report on Phases I and II details two test beds that were used in evaluating augmented reality. Both are actual construction projects in the UK. Arrangements for the sites were coordinated with Costain PLC. One is a highway project, the other an underground railway station in London. Download the report here. For more information, contact Stuart Young at young@fiatech.org.

Austin, TX, April 4, 2013 — Fiatech is pleased to announce that it has released the Phase 1 report on its Specification Automation Project. The report details how using the schema developed in the research can provide for the creation and manipulation of a combined document, for example one that covers design/build and design/bid/build specs, in an efficient manner. Once a document has been created in this system, it can be managed more efficiently than two separate documents.

Fiatech members involved in the project include CH2MHILL, S&B Engineers and Constructors; Construction Sciences Research Foundation (CSRF); Siemens PLM Software; Bechtel; Hatch; and The Engineering Essentials Company (TEEC), now operating under Bentley Systems.

Construction specification authors and users are provided little computerized support to prepare completed documents when using Microsoft Word® (MS Word) for document processing. Generalized keyword-based indexing and searching and syntax checkers provide minimal help in using master documents or in finding material needed for specific applications. In 2009, Fiatech funded the Specification Automation Project. It became quickly apparent to the project team that specification documents needed to change from plain to intelligent text. The team immediately began to develop rules for how specification data can be identified and manipulated across multiple industry tools. Prior to the Fiatech work in this area, no effort had been made to apply the latest computer science technologies to the task of automating documents to interrelate with other engineering and design tools.

Phase 1 represents an excellent source of lessons learned. The project team consistently identified new steps and processes as well as a wide range of issues and requirements. Phase 2, now in the development stage, will be creating a laboratory of collaboration where professional specifiers from a variety of industries and disciplines can engage in modeling specifications to encourage interoperability, maintainability, and ultimately, improved compliance to the specifications.

Download the Phase 1 report here. To inquire about participating in Phase 2 of the Specification Automation Project, please contact Bob Wible, Fiatech Senior Project Manager, at wible@fiatech.org.

Deadline: April 21, 2013

How important are digital signatures and seals to your organization, particularly for process sign-offs and professional authorizations? Are you using digital/electronic signatures and seals, and if so, which type? If not, why not? The answers to these and other questions will significantly help Fiatech assist the AEC community to increase work efficiency and move into the digital age through the preparation of a Digital Signatures Best Practices Guide.

Background

An increasing number of AEC firms and government agencies are finding that digital signatures are helping to increase the effectiveness and efficiency of their work. This survey, conducted by the Fiatech Digital Signatures Project Team, in conjunction with the American Institute of Architects, is designed to gather data on how digital signatures are being implemented. Our aim is to produce a Best Practices Guide to enable other companies to take advantage of this technology. We greatly appreciate a few minutes of your time to complete this survey at https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/V22WLRM.

A copy of the results and Best Practices Guide will be sent to each person completing this survey. The deadline to complete the survey is April 21, 2013.