Inaugural meeting of the BIM Task Group addresses need for industry standard

The new BIM (Building Information Modeling) Task Group met for the first time June 2 during the American Architectural Manufacturers Association Summer Conference in Minneapolis, May 31-June 3. This task group is leading the charge to identify important attributes of fenestration products to incorporate into BIM tools making it easier for specifiers to utilize these building products in their projects, according to a July 2 release.At the meeting, David Bandi, Autodesk, provided the group with an overview, detailing who is currently using this technology and why. "One of the BIM Task Group goals is to create a standard for non-residential fenestration products where users of BIM files can understand the level of information contained within the manufacturer's model," said task group chairman Mike Turner, YKK AP America, in the release. "This will help the overall industry by standardizing the data contained within the model so that BIM can be implemented across a broad range of products efficiently and effectively.""BIM is already gaining traction in the Midwest, as the Wisconsin Department of Administration Division of State Facilities has completed the task of preparing the BIM Guidelines and Standards for implementation July 2009," said Rich Walker, AAMA president and CEO, in the release. "These guidelines will be required on all construction--new and addition/alteration--with total project funding of $5 million or greater. This is just one example of how BIM is becoming more accepted by building officials and is expected to spread nationwide." The task group will continue its work by holding a subsequent conference call prior to their meeting at the AAMA National Fall Conference, Sept. 20-23, in Henderson, Nev. David Bandi's presentation is available in the Member's Only section of the AAMA Web site.