All Things BIM

Diary of a 21st Century Architectural Technologist

Monday, December 29, 2008

AIA BIM Protocol (E202)

Despite myrecent ranting(aka constructive crticism) about the AIA's communication practices, I
would like to discuss one of their newest contract documents AIA E2022008: Building Information
Modeling Protocol Exhibit. As recently discussed by Jim Bedrick (Webcor Builders) in a featured
article on AECBytes.com titled "Organizing the Development of a Building Information Model," the
BIM Protocol has evolved from work initiated by Vico Software and Mr. Bedrick which was
subsequently presented to the AIA's Integrated Project Delivery (IPD) Task Force. This document
takes an important step towards the effective downstream use of BIM data by a project team. A
free sample can be obtained from the AIA atwww.aiacontractdocuments.org.
In aprevious post, I had discussed the use of disclaimers for added protection from liability when
sharing native design data with team members outside of the Design Team. To make the next
logical step from"little BIM" to "BIG BIM" I have been conducting discussions with my colleagues,
peers and our firm's legal counsel about ways to start "chipping away" at the shield (disclaimer) in an
effort to establish usable and controllable channels of BIM data. To that end, the AIA has released
E202 to address the issue of integrating BIM data into the contractual environment. It begins with
the general "protocol" in which project teams can define procedural details such as Model
Management, Model Ownership and Coordination & Conflicts. While these areas are important to
define, the key part of E202 is the definition of two fundamental concepts:Level of Development
(LOD)and theModel Element Author (MEA). These two categories are then combined in a matrix
for each phase of the project, corresponding to model element assemblies in the Model Element
Table described in greater detail below.

Level of Development
There are 5 basic levels of development which do not reflect specific modeling guidelines for any
particular software, rather a generic definition of model content and, more importantly,authorized
usesof the model for the respective LOD:

LOD 100 Essentially the

equivalent ofconceptual
design, the model would
consist of overall building
massing and the downstream
users are authorized to perform
whole building types of analysis
(volume, building orientation,
cost per square foot, etc.)
LOD 200 Similar toschematic
designordesign development,
the model would consist of
"generalized systems or
assemblies with approximate

quantities, size, shape, location

and orientation." Authorized
uses would include "analysis of
selected systems by application
of generalized performance
criteria."
LOD 300 Model elements are
suitable for the generation of
traditionalconstruction
documentsand shop drawings.
As such, analysis and simulation
is authorized for detailed
elements and systems.

Image courtesy of Mortenson Construction

LOD 400 This level of

development is considered to
be suitable for fabrication and
assembly. The MEA for this
LOD is most likely to be the
trade contractor or fabricator
as it is usually outside the
scope of the architect's or
engineer's services or would
constitute severe risk exposure
if such parties are not
adequately insured.
LOD 500 The final level of
development represents the
project as it has been
constructed the asbuilt
conditions. The model is
suitable for maintenance and
operations of the facility.

Note that the above descriptions are merely excerpts from the original AIA E202 document. Refer
to the free sample available from AIA's Contract Documents website for complete details.

MEA's and the Model Element Table

Quite simply, the Model Element Authors (MEA's) are the parties responsible for developing the
model content as specified in the Model Element Table. The Levels of Development are paired with
an assigned MEA for each major building assembly as shown in a filledout sample below:

Conclusion
The AIA E202 Building Information Modeling Protocol Exhibit is a compelling tool for use in the
evolving world of virtual design and construction teams. I have had many conversations with my BIM
Specialists as well as project team leaders using it as a basis for development of BIM Management
Plans; however, it has not yet become a formal addendum to any of our project contracts. That will
likely change very soon.
The AIA Document E202 is a copyright of The American Institute of Architects and is protected by
U.S. Copyright Law and International Treaties.