Framework for productivity and safety enhancement system using BIM in Singapore
Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management
ISSN: 0969-9988
Article publication date: 20 November 2017
Abstract
Purpose
Despite recognition of its importance to Singapore’s economy, the construction industry is plagued by poor safety and productivity performance. Improvement efforts by the government and industry have yielded little results. The purpose of this paper is to propose a framework for developing a productivity and safety monitoring system using Building Information Modelling (BIM).
Design/methodology/approach
The framework, Intelligent Productivity and Safety System (IPASS), takes advantage of mandatory requirements for building plans to be submitted for approval in Singapore in BIM format. IPASS is based on a study comprising interviews and a questionnaire-based survey. It uses BIM to integrate buildable design, prevention and control of hazards, and safety assessment.
Findings
The authors illustrate a development of IPASS capable of generating productivity and safety scores for construction projects by analysing BIM model information.
Research limitations/implications
The paper demonstrates that BIM can be used to monitor productivity and safety as a project progresses, and help to enhance performance under the two parameters.
Practical implications
IPASS enables collaboration among project stakeholders as they can base their work on analysis of productivity and safety performance before projects start, and as they progress. It is suggested that the BIM model submitted to the authorities should be used for the IPASS application.
Originality/value
IPASS has rule-checking, hazards identification and quality checking capabilities. It is able to identify hazards and risks with the rule-checking capabilities. IPASS enables practitioners to check mistakes and the rationality of a design. It helps to mitigate risks as there are built-in safety measures/controls rules to overcome the problems caused by design deficiency, wrong-material-choice, and more.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The authors gratefully acknowledge the funding received from the Workplace Safety and Health Institute (WSH Institute) of the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) for the whole duration of the research project. They are also grateful to the collaborating organisations, the Building and Construction Authority (BCA) and Samwoh Corporation Pte Ltd, for their support.
Citation
Teo Ai Lin, E., Ofori, G., Tjandra, I. and Kim, H. (2017), "Framework for productivity and safety enhancement system using BIM in Singapore", Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, Vol. 24 No. 6, pp. 1350-1371. https://doi.org/10.1108/ECAM-05-2016-0122
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2017, Emerald Publishing Limited