http://www.mepmiddleeast.com November 2018 | MEP Middle East 29
INSIGHT
P
eople now know that Building infor-
mation modelling (BIM) is a process
involving the generation and man-
agement of digital representations
of physical and functional characteristics of
places. And because it is a process, there is
more adoption and awareness now in the
Middle East region. However, is there a
mandate for BIM use? Paul Wallett, regional
director – Middle East and India, Trimble,
says: “I think people are now more aware and
know it’s a process. They know it’s also man-
agement of information. In terms of actually
adopting the use, it is mandated for engineers
and architects. However, when it comes to
end up with. And then, we know ever ything
is managed in terms of the cost.” Wallet feels
that it is easier to convince contractors as they
are more open to asking questions.
Wallett says: “Engineers for sure are all using,
some form of 3D design or 3D technology.
Now, we are starting to penetrate more into
the MEP side. There they’re doing things
still in a more traditional way.
“The robotic total stations are taking things
to the next level, where we are taking a 3D
MEP model, putting it into a template and the
robot is directing where we should be putting
the stakeouts in the ceiling. And that’s like a
one- or two-man, at most, operation, whereas
most sites you will go on today, you will see
that there’s a crew of eight people for each
discipline of MEP. For example, companies
like Transgulf and BK Gulf are using this
technology and they are seeing tangible sav-
ings that can be made.” Drones
Talking a bit about drones, Wallett ac-
knowledges that there is an increased use
of drones in the region; however, there is
a lot of approval process to go through.
“You need to get special licence. Our part-
ner here, Sitech, have licences for fl ying
drones around. For example, the special-
ised equipment that you are attaching. For
large sites, you need to have the approv-
als, as they are fl ying drones on a daily or
weekly basis to check progress.”
Last year, the Dubai Civil Aviation Author-
ity (DCAA) made it compulsor y to obtain a
no-objection certifi cate before fl ying drones
in Dubai’s air space. The announcement was
made after recreational drones strayed into
fl ight paths at Dubai airport leading to the
grounding of passenger planes.
For commercial drones, usually used
for fi lming, land sur veying, construction
progress etc., it is recommended to hire au-
thorised companies to obtain the necessar y
permits from governmental authorities. A
No-Objection Certifi cate (NOC) needs to be
obtained from the Dubai Civil Aviation Author-
ity (DCAA). This is obtained after registration,
pre-assessment and prior approval from the
related authority, usually Dubai Film and TV
Commission (DFTC).People are reluctant in
adopting new technologies
because they have done
things in a certain way.‰
contractors, it is not really mandated.” Wallett
says that it depends on innovative contractors,
if they want to adopt BIM. He agrees that the
actual usage of BIM at the level of execution
is a considerably less. However, it is applied
on big projects.
Edwin Schalk, marketing director, MEP
division, Trimble, adds: “I think the important
things related to BIM are well understood
and well implemented. However, people are
reluctant in adopting new technologies be-
cause they have done things in a certain way.”
Wallett agrees there is an investment required
for BIM. “Whilst you are competing to win a
project, and it’s not mandator y [to use BIM],
you don’t have to invest overhead within the
organization. Also, there’s no willingness
from the contractor. That’s when you look at
the innovative contractors, they say, there’s
an intangible measurement of saving on
this project. “If we can coordinate earlier
and ahead of the project, then we know the
savings to be made later on in the project.” EXPO push
Now with around 700 days to go before Dubai
Expo 2020 opens its doors on October 20,
2020, the projects would need to be completed
by their deadlines. Wallett agrees that BIM
would certainly help meet deadline. He says:
“EXPO 2020 is all about innovation. So, that’s
one of the projects that you would hope to see
ever ybody adopting BIM all the way through
the process. But as we can see, getting it down
on the sites, that’s kind of the next step. The
biggest cost is always the construction and
then the lifecycle of a project. The key upfront
cost is in the execution of the project itself. So
that’ where we can help educate people that
they can make a difference. They can make
a saving. They can, you know, the original
estimate that they started with you would
hope that’s going to be ver y close to what theyPaul Wallett, regional director, ME and India, Trimble.