What information needs to be processed in BIM models at a minimum to enable firestop design?
In the first place, in order to facilitate firestop design within BIM, it’s crucial to ensure that the BIM models created by the structural engineer, architect, mechanical, electrical and plumbing installers contain essential information. Each party bears the responsibility of supplying accurate data within the BIM framework, ensuring it is accessible when needed for design purposes. This minimum level of information processing is certainly vital for determining approved passive firestop products and systems.
Architectural model
In order to determine which passive firestop penetration seals can be applied, it’s crucial for the architect to integrate the fire resistance performance “EI” into the architectural walls within the BIM model. “EI” stands for “integrity and insulation.” These are key properties used to classify fire-resistance performance of building elements such as walls, floors, and doors. “Integrity” refers to the ability of a building element to prevent the passage of flames and hot gases, while “insulation” refers to the ability to limit the transfer of heat through the element during a fire. The “EI” rating is often expressed in terms of time (e.g., EI30, EI60), indicating the duration in minutes that the element can maintain its integrity and insulation under standard fire test conditions. Furthermore, specifying the thickness and composition of the architectural walls in the model is essential.
Structural model
In the structural model, it’s crucial to include the fire resistance requirement (EI) for walls and floors to facilitate the design of firestop seals. However, structural engineers typically only integrate the load-bearing capacity (R) when designing walls and floors. This pertains to the element’s ability to endure fire exposure under specified mechanical actions without losing structural stability for a certain duration.
Actually, adding the fire resistance requirement (EI) to walls and floors isn’t typically the structural engineer’s responsibility. These structural elements may have varying (EI) requirements, necessitating segmentation in BIM for proper integration. As the structural engineer is accountable solely for incorporating the fire resistance performance for load-bearing capacity (R), this poses a challenge. One solution is to create a separate aspect model where the fire resistance performance (EI) is incorporated into structural elements. This approach can also be applied to architectural walls lacking the fire resistance period (EI).
Mechanical, Electrical and Plumbing models
Every installer bears the responsibility of accurately and promptly integrating information into BIM. When it comes to fire dampers, it’s vital to specify them by their product names in the BIM model. Moreover, including the dimensions of these fire dampers is crucial. The type and dimensions of each fire damper are decisive factors in determining the suitable passive firestop system, making it imperative to incorporate this data into BIM.
For pipe penetrations, it is essential to specify the type of installations (e.g., PVC, PP, PE, copper, steel). Additionally, it’s crucial to include the dimensions of these installations (both outside and inside diameters) in the BIM model. Furthermore, detailing the thickness and type of insulation used (e.g., Armaflex, Kaiflex, PIR, Rockwool) is necessary. These variables—installation type, dimensions, and insulation details—are pivotal in accurately identifying the appropriate fire-resistant seals within the BIM environment.
Importantly, for electrical installations, it’s essential to specify the dimensions of cable trays and conduits in the BIM model for determining the correct firestopping system in BIM.
Moreover, when the aforementioned details are accurately and promptly incorporated into the BIM models, all the necessary information is available to offer thorough guidance on passive fire protection within BIM. International standards like the BIM basic IDM (Information Delivery Manual) outline the minimum information required in BIM models. Adhering to these standards during BIM model development enables the design of fire protection seals at a high level within the BIM environment.
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