1

Contents
Preface 3

Glossary 4

Summary and recommendations 5

1. BIM-based building LCA process 12

2. LCA requirements and data availability in different project

phases 21

3. Instructions for BIM-based material inventory 23

4. Supplementing BIM data from external sources 33

5. Guidance for transferring data from BIM tools to LCA

tools 35

6. Guidance for iterative design and analysis workflow

between BIM and LCA tools 36

7. Example for information take-off for LCA calculations 37

8. BIM models supporting the BIM-based building LCA 38

Appendix 49

About this publication 92

This publication is also available online in a web-accessible version at:

https://pub.norden.org/us2024-439

2
Preface
This report is a part of the Nordic Sustainable Construction programme initiated by the
Nordic Ministers of Construction and Housing and funded by Nordic Innovation. The
programme contributes to the Nordic Vision 2030 by supporting the Nordics in becoming
the leading region in sustainable and competitive construction and housing with
minimised environmental and climate impact.

The programme supports the green transition of the Nordic construction sector by
creating and sharing new knowledge, initiating debates in the sector, creating networks,
workshops and best practice cases, and facilitating Nordic harmonisation of regulation
for buildings’ climate impact.

The programme runs from 2021-2024 and consists of the following focus areas:

WP1 – Nordic Harmonisation of Life Cycle Assessment

WP2 – Circular Business Models and Procurement
WP3 – Sustainable Construction Materials and Architecture
WP4 – Emission-free Construction Sites
WP5 – Programme Secretariat and Capacity-building Activities for Increased
Reuse of Construction Materials

An important part of the programme is to facilitate the digitalisation of building LCA and
climate declarations within the Nordic countries. In this context, this “BIM4LCA” project
report has been developed. The report is one of the deliverables of task 3 in Work Package
1, led by the Finnish Ministry of Environment.

The BIM4LCA work has been carried out by VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland,
Granlund, Gravicon and Insinööritoimisto Kallinen, and the Nordic partners: Sberesearch,
Rangi Maja OÜ, Bengt Dahlgren Stockholm AB, Gravicon DK and Asplan Viak AS.

Authors:
Rita Lavikka, Mikko Kouhia, Martin Excell, Tomi Henttinen, Markku Kiviniemi, Tero Järvinen, Minna Salonsaari,
Anna-Riitta Kallinen, Katja Maununaho and Tiina Vainio-Kaila

Other contributors:
Tarja Häkkinen, Charlotte Nyholm, Jan Karlshoej, Oddbjørn Dahlstrøm Andvik, Alexander Borg, Iselin Idunn
Østvedt, Anni Oviir, Charlotta Malmén, Maximilian Von Bahr and Tytti Bruce-Hyrkäs

For more information on Nordic

Sustainable Construction, visit our website
at https://­nordicsustainable­‐
construction.com/

3
Glossary

BIM Building information modelling (BIM) is a process of creating and managing digital
representations of a building's physical and functional characteristics. This process
is supported by various tools and technologies, integrating structured, multi-
disciplinary data to produce a digital representation of an asset throughout its
lifecycle, from planning and design to construction and operations. This definition
follows the ISO 19650-1:2018 Organization and digitisation of information about
buildings and civil engineering works, including building information modelling
(BIM) — Information management using building information modelling— Part
1:Concepts and principles., 2018.

BIM-based quantity BIM-based quantity take-off refers to the use of BIM technology for the detailed
take-off measurement of structures and materials needed to complete a construction
project.
BIM models BIM models are native building and infrastructure design software files, such as
ArchiCAD, Revit, Tekla Structures, and MagiCAD. These files digitally represent the
building and its assets. Usually, these native files are converted to a vendor-neutral
format (see the definition of IFC) to be shared between design disciplines to
facilitate design, construction and operation processes for informed decision-
making about a building or other built assets.

Building LCA Building Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is a method used to evaluate the
environmental impacts associated with all stages of a building’s life cycle. The
method involves four steps: goal and scope definition, inventory analysis, impact
assessment, and interpretation. The European standard EN 15978:2011 codifies
LCA for buildings and defines the life cycle stages.

Component A component represents minor items included in, added to, or connected to or
connecting elements. Components are generally not of interest to the overall
structure of the building. However, these small parts may have vital and load-
carrying functions within the construction. These items do not provide any actual
space boundaries. This definition follows EN ISO 16739-1:2024.

Element A built element comprises all the parts, permanent or temporary, that are the
primary building parts of a built asset. Elements are physical objects, although in
some cases, a void, such as a hole in a structure, is also considered an element.
Elements can be prefabricated or built on-site. This definition follows EN ISO
16739-1:2024.

HVAC Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning system which is used to control the
temperature, humidity, and air purity in an enclosed space.

IFC Industry Foundation Classes (IFC) defines a standardised digital description (data
model) of the built environment, including buildings and infrastructures.
BuildingSMART International developed it as an open, international standard (ISO
16739-1:2018) that is vendor-neutral and can be used across various hardware
devices, software platforms, and interfaces for many different use cases. IFC is
used to exchange information between design disciplines.

4
Summary and recommendations

Introduction
Building information modelling (BIM) can help low-carbon building design by
supporting the comparison of alternative design choices in the initial phases of
design by different design disciplines and thus finding optimal solutions. Also, the
growing regulation of various Nordic countries regarding the low-carbon nature of
construction projects sets requirements for evaluating the carbon footprint.
Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden require it during the as-built phase. Estonia
is planning to require it during the building permit phase, and Iceland plans to
require it twice during the building project.

BIM has become more or less mainstream in professional building projects. Life
cycle analysis of buildings is largely conducted based on the used building materials
and their quantities. This BIM-related information is, in some ways, already
described in the models. However, the models are currently not utilised in building
life cycle analysis (LCA) to the extent they might be. The data required by the LCA
analyst might be missing from the model or recorded in non-standard ways;
properties may be absent, and some features may be modelled multiple times. This
increases time and effort, as practitioners may need to input data manually or
make assumptions. Unfortunately, the discussion between BIM modellers and LCA
analysts is often lacking. BIM-related information is generally not usable for carbon
footprint assessment without common standard practices and requirements for
information to be included in BIM models, such as naming, presented parameters,
and building parts to which components are related.

This BIM4LCA project, as part of the Nordic Sustainable Construction programme,

tackled these challenges. The BIM4LCA work started in May 2023 by analysing the
current enablers and hindrances for BIM-based building LCA in the Nordic countries
and Estonia. The results were communicated in a report explaining the building LCA
and BIM practices and the constraints and enablers for harmonising building LCA in
the Nordics.[1] The report supported the creation of a common understanding for all
the Nordic stakeholders and further work on the project.

The following work focused on developing a BIM-based building carbon footprint

calculation process where BIM provides adequate information on quantities for a
list of materials/­products, which is then linked with emission data. The BIM4LCA
project aimed to reveal the information needs and minimum requirements for

1. Report: The Operating Environment of Building LCA and BIM in the Nordics and Estonia, published
18.12.2023, available from
https://nordicsustainableconstruction.com/Media/638379082362009468/The%20Operating%20Environ
ment%20of%20Building%20LCA%20and%20BIM%20in%20the%20Nordics%20and%20Estonia.pdf.

5
architectural, structural, electrical, and HVAC models and their IFCs to ensure the
information can be used in the normative (required by legislation) carbon footprint
assessment. Many countries have BIM guidelines and requirements to support
modelling in general. Still, they are rarely nationally mandatory or support BIM
modelling specifically for building carbon footprint calculation.

This current report mainly focuses on the normative building LCA required by the
Nordic countries' legislation, but it needs to be noted that building LCA is a broader
concept than normative LCA. At their best, building projects perform BIM-based
building LCA in several project phases – conceptual design, detailed design,
construction, and as-built – to ensure reaching sustainability goals. Currently, it is
often the job of an LCA expert to do the work manually, perhaps taking some
quantities from the BIM. The LCA is mainly done once or twice, and it may not have
that big an impact on reducing emissions. In the future, there will be tools that will
allow more automatic building LCA and suggest changes in the project to reduce
emissions.

Results of the BIM4LCA project

This BIM4LCA report provides a generic description of the BIM to LCA process,
which can support calculating and reporting normative LCA in building construction
projects. The project developed generic guidelines for reliable BIM-based material
inventory (bill of materials), specifications for information needed for modelled
building components, data transfer from BIM tools to LCA tools, and iterative
design and analysis workflow between BIM and LCA tools. The guidelines target the
architects, structural engineers, heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC)
and electrical designers who create the BIM models and the LCA analysts who
extract information from the models. The starting point for the guidelines has been
that they require as small changes as possible to the current BIM modellers’
workflow. Locations for data in the models are recommended so the LCA analyst
will receive material quantity information from the model, as designed by the
architects and other designers, with reliable outcomes. Also, the level of detail in
different stages of construction projects is recognised, and best practices for
amending that information are recommended.

The BIM4LCA project produced two examples of buildings and their BIM models,
which can be used by practitioners architects, structural engineers, HVAC and
electrical designers and LCA analysts to learn how to do the modelling to support
BIM-based building LCA in practice. The buildings are designed according to the
Finnish Construction Act and building codes. The design principles have emphasised
the life-cycle properties of buildings, e.g. in terms of multi-purpose usability,
adaptability and access to natural light. The report provides links to the native
architectural, structural, HVAC and electrical BIM models and their Industry
Foundation Classes (IFCs) files, including their BIM specification documents and
related material and product information. These

6
files[2] are provided for free with a Creative Commons license.

The project also created seven educational videos that support practitioners in
learning BIM-based building LCA. The videos explain how BIM model authors should
do the modelling to support the LCA specialists in BIM-based quantity take-off and
mapping of the result to the LCA calculation software (see more specifically
Appendix F: Educational videos on BIM-based building LCA). The videos are on the
YouTube channel of the Nordic Sustainable Construction programme.[3]

The BIM4LCA project suggests BIM data requirements and best practices for
modelling and data processing that can enhance the usability and accuracy of BIM
data for LCA purposes. The project also recommends that Nordic authorities set
BIM requirements for BIM modellers if a climate declaration is required and support
information harmonisation in the construction sector. The project proposes a future
vision of automated BIM-based LCA that can provide instant feedback and optimal
solutions for low-carbon building design.

The results have been co-created by a consortium of VTT Technical Research Centre
of Finland, Granlund, Gravicon and Insinööritoimisto Kallinen, and the Nordic
partners: Sberesearch, Rangi Maja OÜ, Bengt Dahlgren Stockholm AB, Gravicon DK
and Asplan Viak AS. The draft results have been communicated to the advisory
board of the Nordic Sustainable Construction programme, and their comments and
requests for changes have been considered. The draft BIM-based building LCA
process was communicated to a broader public audience in a “BIM-Based Building
LCA” webinar[4] organised on the 12th of December 2023, and the oral and written
comments from the audience have been considered when finalising this report. The
BIM4LCA working group has also participated and presented results in internal
meetings with the sister tasks of the Nordic Sustainable Construction programme.

Set BIM requirements

The BIM4LCA project raises action recommendations to support country-specific
BIM-based building LCA processes. It is advisable to set BIM requirements for the
BIM model authors if a climate declaration is required during the building permit or
as-built phases. This project suggests BIM data requirements (See section
Instructions for BIM-based material inventory), which can be used as guidelines.
These requirements are part of the increased information harmonisation that has
taken place in the real estate and construction sector since early 2000. Information
harmonisation can significantly impact the sector’s productivity and support
creating a more sustainable built environment. However, information harmonisation
comes with certain burdens: the designers need to learn to model in a more detailed

2. https://www.nordicsustainableconstruction.com/knowledge/2024/august/bim4lca-files
3. NordicSustainableConstruction YouTube channel, available from https://www.youtube.com/playlist?
list=PLKuMoWj9yd7Ww3rne-uU3iq-LM2IypfE9&jct=zFxiyDdah8WJ_MAxaWlYEA
4. Recording and Presentation from Webinar “BIM-Based Building LCA”, published 14.12.2023, available from
https://nordicsustainableconstruction.com/knowledge/2023/december/webinar-on-bim-based-lca.

7
and structured way. This entails a learning curve, which will at first take resources.
However, stakeholders agree that information standardisation is the right path.

Currently, the level of detail in BIM models in the Nordics is governed by national
regulations and established modelling practices, such as​required components in the
models​, classification of components​and requirements for model data​. The Nordic
countries use different classification systems​, and the countries’ normative building
LCA regulations use local classifications for definitions and reporting requirements​.
From the LCA perspective, the classification should help recognise model content
for the LCA reporting: the ability to separate all elements that must be reported
separately​.

Integrate classification systems for effective BIM and

LCA alignment

The basic feature of classification systems is to group information from a particular

perspective or for a specific purpose. Thus, an activity is always built into them, such
as purchasing, installation, or maintenance. The prEN 15978 standard provides a
table showing the grouping of building elements according to the needs of the LCA
calculation. It can be considered as a classification system for BIM models used in
LCA. Although the classification of building elements presented in prEN 15978 has
some minor shortcomings, it proved to be very useful in the BIM4LCA project. It has
the advantage of being quite coarse but, at the same time, sufficiently accurate;
the coarseness allows the different national classification systems to be mapped to
prEN 15978 (see Appendix B), and the accuracy enables the elements in the IFC
models to be identified accordingly (see Appendix A). One of the key
recommendations of this project is that the classification of building elements in
prEN 15978 should be considered as a starting point for developing LCA reporting
requirements.

BIM represents design results (currently also in the as-built phase, which should
represent the as-built data), a source for several information needs in the building
construction, use, and maintenance phases. BIM should include data required to
produce needed information in these downstream operations. The designers are not
capable of producing all the needed information. Still, the role of the designers is to
produce the core data for further processing by other value-chain stakeholders.

This BIM4LCA report suggests that BIM should contain identifiers for element types
in all design models. However, it does not suggest a harmonised way of
naming/identifying the different materials/sub-elements included in the element
types. The report proposes that the elements’ details be attached to the LCA
calculation phase to ensure correct emission data will be used.

8
Develop a machine-readable data structure to
integrate BIM and LCA processes
The next development phase would be to define a machine-readable data structure
to express the contents of component types (materials/layers) as they are currently
presented in PDF documents. This data would be outside the BIM, and this
suggestion should be tested to determine how it will support LCA calculation as
needed. In the longer term, with further development and testing, detailed
materials would be linked to BIM for more automated processing of BIM data,
including LCA.

A big question about BIM-based design is often how much extra work it creates for
designers. This project investigated the minimum level of BIM models required to
achieve significant benefits supporting LCA calculations. The finding is that
modelling does not increase the amount of information produced. In any case,
designers must produce similar information for permitting, procurement,
construction, and maintenance for every project. However, if the timing for
producing the data needed for the LCA calculations is different from the timing of
other processes or if the information content to be produced differs from the other
information needs of the project, the additional work involved in producing the data
will be significant.

Synchronise BIM and LCA information for improved

accuracy and efficiency
The accuracy and timing of the information produced for the LCA calculation should
be synchronised with other project information processes. The BIM4LCA project
identified the content of the information required for procuring construction
products and aligned the information to be produced from the BIM models for LCA.
In this way, the same information serves two different processes, which increases
the motivation to produce needed LCA and other information and, thus, the quality
of the information.

Equip designers with BIM skills and harmonise

information
Another question related to BIM-based design is what kind of new skills it requires
and what capabilities the different parties involved need to adopt the required
skills. There are certainly major national differences in this respect. The BIM4LCA
project found that in Finland, designers have been using BIM-based design software
for a long time and have a reasonable basic understanding of how to use it. Getting
the geometry of the models right did not pose significant problems beyond the

9
usual design issues. The challenge, however, was the consistent information on the
elements in the models. Uniform information specifications have only been
developed nationally in recent years, but designers do not yet have experience using
them. There are also still gaps in the definitions. The information content in the
models should be highly harmonised to enable automated and reliable data
generation using BIM models. This requires both specification work and national
efforts to implement the specifications. Again, motivation and information quality
can be improved by drawing up specifications so that harmonised information
content serves as many processes as possible, such as LCA calculation, permitting,
procurement and construction.

We hope this report will pave the way towards more automatic BIM-based building
LCA calculation and significantly better building data management in construction,
leading to efficiency gains and better living environments. This report has pictured
steps towards a future where BIM-based building LCA could take place
automatically (see Figure 2). Since the quantity information required in LCA is
identical to the quantity information in cost accounting, the principles described in
this document also serve cost accounting and thus improve the quality of the
information content of the BIM models more broadly.

The structure of the report

The structure of the rest of the report is as follows:

Section 1 introduces a process of using Building Information Modelling (BIM)

for building Life Cycle Assessment (LCA). It discusses the challenges for
employing BIM models in LCA calculations, emphasizing the need for
accurate quantity take-off and data specification. It also outlines steps
towards automating BIM-based LCA and the key principles for calculating
embodied emissions using BIM. Additionally, it addresses the organization of
data for quality assurance and the scope of Nordic climate declarations in
the context of building LCA.
Section 2 presents the LCA requirements and data availability in different
building project phases.
Section 3 provides instructions for BIM-based material inventory.
Section 4 discusses supplementing BIM data from external sources.
Section 5 guides the transferring of data from BIM tools to LCA tools
Section 6 guides the iterative design and analysis workflow between BIM and
LCA tools.
Section 7 provides an example for information take-off for LCA calculations
Section 8 details the design principles of the example buildings, a residential
and an office building, which were developed. The models of these buildings

10
 can be used to demonstrate how BIM models support BIM-based building
Life Cycle Assessment (LCA). The section presents the multidisciplinary
design team involved and explains the availability of BIM models under a
Creative Commons license. The section also discusses the design process, the
information content in models for different project phases, and the use of
IFC for quantity data in LCA calculations.

The contents of the appendices are as follows:

Appendix A provides a comparison of an LCA standard (prEN 15978) to IFC

4.3.
Appendix B provides a comparison between several classification systems.
Appendix C lists the BIM models and their authors
Appendix D provides example BIM specification documents of the
architectural, structural, HVAC, and electrical BIM models
Appendix E provides links to educational videos supporting practitioners in
learning BIM-based building LCA
Appendix F provides instructions for BIM-based material inventory in native
Nordic languages and in Estonian.

11
1. BIM-based building LCA process

A building information model (BIM) typically contains geometrical and

alphanumerical information on the employed building products. During a
construction project, different design fields produce BIM models: depending
on the design stage, there may be an architectural model, a structural model,
and an HVAC and electrical model. All these models contain quantity
information that can be employed in building life cycle assessment (LCA) to
assess embodied emissions. Figure 1 depicts different stages of data flow
required to convert BIM data to usable LCA results.

Figure 1. The phases for using BIM for building LCA

The BIM contents were not designed originally with LCA in mind; thus, there are
many issues regarding data usability in the current state of modelling. These are
related to, for example, reliability in quantity take-off, data specification in property
sets, object labelling and model coordination. This work establishes guidelines for
how BIM models can be used more in LCA calculations. This is done to support
existing BIM modelling conventions and specify minimum requirements for
additional information from an LCA point of view. Minimum additional information
content in the models and other documentation conventions that support data
retrieval from supplementing sources are specified. Best practices are established
on how the BIM information can be amended and how overlapping between BIM
models is handled.

Figure 2 establishes the steps required to transform the status towards automated
BIM-based LCA. As more steps are taken, increasing demands arise on data quality,
availability, and the amount of modelling work, among other things. This proposed
process aims to take the first step in enabling reliable material take-offs for LCA
purposes and establishing conventions on data processing. Further automation is
left for the future. The first and second steps are likely to be reached rather quickly.
However, to reach the full automation step may take several years due to required
integrations with authority systems in countries.

12
Figure 2. Steps towards automated building LCA

1.1. Key principles for BIM-based embodied emissions

calculation

BIM-based embodied emissions calculation as part of a building life cycle

assessment (LCA) requires that the type data (products and materials), quantities
(dimensions) and function in the building (e.g. external wall, intermediate floor) are
correctly modelled in the building information model (BIM). Defined entities and
properties should be specified in the BIM specification document so that the
background information for the model is available.

One of the basic features of a three-dimensional, BIM-based design model is that it

produces quantity data with a high degree of accuracy. The degree of accuracy of
the data that can be read from the model depends on the precision of the modelling
and the modelling approach. However, the coverage of the models is more
important. For example, if the model is missing 10% of the walls, the accuracy of
modelling a single wall is no longer relevant. The extent of the elements in the model
should correspond as closely as possible to the object to be built.

However, it is not worthwhile or possible to model everything. This depends on the

technology used, the design phase's information content, and the modelling
resources. For example, it can be very time-consuming to include all equipment in a
model compared to listing them in a spreadsheet. In this case, the benefits achieved
are not in balance with the time and cost involved. On the other hand, not all
equipment and materials are known precisely, especially in the early stages of a
project, so it is not even possible to model them. To make reliable use of the
quantitative information from the models, it is necessary to know what has been
modelled on them and, on the other hand, what information needs to be sought
elsewhere.

The IFC standard data structure would allow material and product information to
be included within the IFC model. However, there are two problems with this. The
technical problem is that the most popular software tools used for BIM-based
design do not support storing the type-based design data, i.e. the planned products

13
and materials, in the design models. Some of the data would, therefore, be outside
the model in any case.

The second, more significant problem relates to the process. During the
construction phase, the designer is still responsible for updating the BIM model, but
the contractors manage the type data for as-built products and materials. These
parties often do not have a contractual relationship to take responsibility for
updating the type data in the design model. To ensure the integrity of the data, it is
therefore advisable to hold the contractor responsible for data management. The
key between the element in the design model and the material and product
catalogue maintained by the contractor is the element type identifier.

To link type information maintained in non-model records to elements in design

models, type records must be in a machine-readable format. The simplest way to
store type data is to use spreadsheet software. However, any spreadsheet format is
not machine-readable; it must be standardised. In this project, a spreadsheet in
Excel format was developed. It was programmatically converted into a structured
XML format and then back to the original Excel spreadsheet format (roundtrip).
This proof-of-concept implementation was intended to ensure that a simple
spreadsheet, which does not require any special software investments by designers
or contractors, can maintain machine-readable data linked to design model
elements. However, as mentioned above, the format of a spreadsheet must be very
formal and its content should be able to be automatically converted into a
structured data model and vice versa.

Figure 3 illustrates the principles of typing elements in architectural design BIM

models. Each element shall be defined with the correct IFC class, predefined type,
and required properties in the design model. This information can be used to filter
the IFC model by element group, making it easier to organise and check the
information that can be read from the models.

Each building and product element type in the IFC model is assigned a project-
specific type identifier (e.g., US-1). These type identifiers allow the elements to be
linked to external material and product data maintained in a machine-readable
format, e.g., in the spreadsheet described above.

Three-dimensional IFC elements, corresponding to real building and product

elements, can be used to generate the quantity data for each element. Depending
on the elements, the quantities can be read from the model as lengths, areas,
volumes, or numbers of elements.

The quantity data of the IFC model are transferred to the LCA calculation software.
However, it should be noted that the IFC model contains quantitative data only for
the elements to be implemented. Waste materials, formwork, supports and other
temporary structures must be considered separately. In addition, the LCA software
shall contain quantitative estimates for elements not included in the design model.

14
The project-specific type identifiers in the IFC model can be used in the LCA
calculation software to link the breakdown structure and product data for each
element.

Figure 3. Use of the IFC model to calculate the carbon footprint of a building

1.2. Scope of Nordic climate declarations

Regardless of the differences in assessment methods (e.g., building parts to be

included) between the Nordic countries, the basic requirements and principles for
modelling are the same. Table 1 displays a comparison of scopes included in
assessment methods in Nordic countries.

The national assessment methods regulate system boundaries and the level of
detail in reporting on building life cycle assessments. The scope of the assessment
methods varies between countries. This BIM to LCA process description intends to
enable better data flow from the models to the LCA calculation, regardless of the
data content and handling of the actual LCA calculation. Table 1 displays the scope
of the assessment methods for reporting and calculation. The national building part
labelling is required to be provided as information in a suitable information field.
Reporting with the national building part labelling enables, e.g., the assessment of
the impacts of using different materials in building parts.

15
Table 1. Coverage of national assessment methods.
Denmark Estonia Finland Iceland Norway Sweden Europe

Limit values
Proposed draft Climate 2025
method for declaration Climate Climate
Included Climate
BRsB climate proposal TEK17 declaration declaration LEVEL(s)
building parts declaration
declaration (under (2022) 2027
(2021) development) (Boverket's
proposal)

Soil
stabilisation
Reported from
Site preparation - - and site - - - ?
2027
reinforcement
elements

Foundations x x x x x x x x

Reported from
Piling x x x x x - ?
2027

Sub­structure
Basement
x x x x x x x x
walls

Ground floor
x x x x x x x x
structure

The frame
(columns and x x x x x x x x
beams)

External walls,
x x x x x x x x
facade
Super­‐
structure
(external External doors,
x x x x x x x x
elements) windows

Balconies x x x x - x x x

Roof
x x x x x x x x
structures

16
 Internal walls,
load- and non- x x x x x x x x
load bearing

Super­‐
structure Floor slabs x x x x x x x x
(internal
elements) Internal doors x x x x x x x x

Stairs and
x x x x - x x x
ramps

Wall and
ceiling interior
x x x x x - x x
finishes and
coverings

Internal
finishes Flooring
x x x x x - x x
materials

Suspended
x x x x x x x x
ceilings

only for
Lifts and
x x x x - - building types x
escalators
in Group 1

only for
Electricity
- x - x - - building types x
system
in Group 1

only for
HVAC systems x x x x - - building types x
in Group 1

Renewable Only building

Building All panels in
energy x x x x - integrated x
services 2025
systems solar panels

only for
Water system x x x x - - building types x
in Group 1

17
 Sewage
x x x x - - x x
system

Other systems only for

(e.g., - x x x - - building types x
firefighting) in Group 1

Only if only external

External works included in the - structures in - - - - x
area definition the yard

only for
Fixed furniture - - x - - - building types x
Furnishing in Group 1

User furniture - - - - - - - -

Heated net
- x x - - - - -
floor area

Gross floor
- - - x x x x x
area
Floor area

Reference
area, heated
x - - - - - - -
gross floor
area

Limit value scope

Climate declaration scope
Proposed limit value scope
Proposed climate declaration scope

Source: Nordic Sustainable Construction, 2024

18
1.3. Organisation of data

Quality assurance can be divided into the validation of the usability of information
in the BIM and the validation of the assessment results. The quality assurance
follows the requirements for calculation and reporting. The BIM is prepared in line
with the BIM requirements, and the information is precise, correct, and informative.
Defined entities and properties are disclosed in the BIM specification document for
easy access to information regarding the model. The availability of information
supports the quality assurance and validation of correctness and analysis of
uncertainties in LCA, which impacts assessments made during an early phase of the
project.

It should be noted that the classification of building elements varies at the national
level. What all classification systems have in common is that they tend to group
building elements into logical categories. However, these logical categories can
differ depending on the intended use.

One misconception is that the IFC standard (ISO 16739-1) is a classification system.
However, this is not the case. IFC is a system of classes, not a classification system.
This is not a semantic difference; it is a fundamental difference. A classification
system typically describes a category of a building component in one dimension. A
component defined by the IFC can implement the requirements of several different
categories and classification systems simultaneously, depending on the attributes
of the IFC entity. On the other hand, an IFC component is not independently
associated with any particular category of the classification system. A classification
system expresses a need that can be met by an IFC component.

Although classification systems are inherently perspective-dependent, they share

significant similarities. This project aims to exploit these similarities and transform
their needs into IFC standard specifications, producing a generic specification that
can be adopted by any national classification system.

The system boundary for building life cycle information is set in the International
Standard ISO 21930 and European Standard EN 15804/15978, which set out a
common life-cycle model for building and construction works. The system boundary
is common for all assessment methods, although national assessment methods
differ in which life cycle stages are included in the assessment. ISO 16739-1 is the set
standard for Industry Foundation Classes (IFC) for data sharing in the construction
and facility management industries.

19
1.4. Scope and purpose of this work

This instruction describes the process of extracting quantity data from building
information modelling (BIM) to calculate and report emissions of materials in life
cycle assessment (LCA). The aim is to suggest improvements in BIM models, to
better support, optimise and unify life cycle assessments across the Nordic
countries, and to unify and streamline the LCA calculation process itself. The work
focuses on the method that enables the calculation of embodied emissions; the
operational emissions are not extracted from the BIM models and are thus not in
the report's scope. The LCA calculations may be based on the enhanced information
take-offs as described in this document; the actual calculations themselves will be
performed according to the national guidelines and are not within the scope of this
work.

1.5. Possible pathways from BIM to LCA

There are two major pathways for calculating the life cycle effects of building
components from BIM models. Domain-specific carbon calculation plugins provide
one pathway. These plugins have been developed for various design software, such
as Tekla Structures, Autodesk Revit and ArchiCAD. These tools are useful as they
can give planners or designers instant feedback about GHG emissions, for example,
when comparing alternative design solutions. The other pathway leads to a
complete LCA for an entire building, which requires data beyond what is available in
any single design software. Therefore, quantity take-off from BIM and import to an
LCA tool is preferable for required normative calculations. This document focuses on
the latter pathway.

20
2. LCA requirements and data
availability in different project
phases

All Nordic countries have either effective or planned legislation concerning

mandatory carbon footprint calculations for certain building types. Limit
values are also implemented or planned to be implemented in all countries.
Voluntary carbon footprint calculations are made for various reasons, such as
requirements from environmental certification schemes like LEED, BREEAM
or DGNB or corporate or municipal strategies and roadmaps for
sustainability. Depending on the purpose, LCA calculations can be performed
at different stages in the design and construction process. The procedure for
calculation remains the same throughout different stages, but the available
BIM models and the included data differ.

In this document, the LCA required by legislation is referred to as normative LCA. It

is useful to note that although legislation specifies a point at which the normative
calculation must be done, this will likely not be the first time the calculation is made.
Especially where limit values are in place, a preliminary calculation must be done
early in the project to ensure compliance with the legislated limit when the time
comes. This has been taken into account in the instructions of this document. In this
way, LCA calculations resemble cost estimates: to stay within budget, regular
check-ins are needed to ensure the project stays on target.

There are some national differences as to when the normative LCA is calculated
(Figure 4). In Finland, Sweden, Norway, and Denmark, the carbon footprint
calculation is based on as-built information and is submitted before the building
inspection clears the building for use. In Estonia, the draft legislation requires
normative LCA calculations to be reported along with the building permit. However,
the stage for Estonian normative LCA is pending.

21
Figure 4. Stages of design and construction vs. normative LCA calculation in various
Nordic countries

This difference in timing means that the data available from designers to be used in
the normative LCA differs. The earlier the calculation is required in the construction
process, the sparser and more inaccurate the information available is hence, more
assumptions are required from the LCA specialist. At the building permit phase, only
the architectural BIM model is typically available, with other disciplines either
providing some data in other formats (structural engineering) or providing little or
no data (HVAC engineering, electrical engineering). At the building permit stage,
specific building products are mostly not yet defined; thus, product and material
data are mainly based on generic data from national databases. Information
regarding interior finishings and materials is typically also not available. Once the
building is completed, the situation is different. All design disciplines have
completed their BIM models, all materials are specified in some document (though
not necessarily in BIM format), and all used products are known. However, not all
chosen products have environmental product declarations (EPDs) available, which
results in using generic data from national databases. The documentation
conventions on installed products might still vary.

This BIM4LCA project has produced requirements for BIM-related information for
normative LCA. The requirements include information that should be available
during the building permit and as-built phases. The source of information in each
phase has been identified as part of the work.

22
3. Instructions for BIM-based
material inventory

This description focuses mainly on assessing carbon hand and footprint

during the life cycle of a new construction project, not projects focused on
renovating the existing building stock, as only one Nordic country, Norway,
includes major renovations in its LCA-related legislation for the time being. It
is important to note that due to the nature of LCA calculations of renovation
projects, the requirements for BIM differ slightly in these types of projects.
The following instructions have been translated into Nordic languages and
Estonian (Appendix E: Instructions for BIM-based material inventory in native
Nordic languages).

BIM modelling should follow the EN ISO 19650 standard series principles for building
information modelling. Countries may have more specific national standards or
guidelines based on this standard (e.g., “RAVA3Pro” in Finland,
“Tillämpningsanvisningar BIM” being developed in Sweden, “SIMBA” for public
buildings in Norway and DS/EN ISO 19650 and Molio’s guidelines in Denmark). A
European standard, CEN/TC 442, is also being developed. The EN ISO 19650
standard series includes conventions such as project information requirements and
managing and storing model data.

3.1 General requirements for BIM

The information required for LCA is like the information needed for cost
calculations. Building elements must be modelled so that the quantities are
generated correctly in the design model and consequently exported correctly into
the IFC model. For BIM to be most useful in LCA calculation, the general
requirements for BIM modelling are:

High-quality modelling - According to national best practices

Precise - The model's contents are accurate, and the elements are modelled
to be exported correctly into the IFC model.
Descriptive and informative – The model's contents consider the needs of the
end-users of the BIM.

A description file is provided along with the BIM model specifying

which information fields contain relevant data and for what purposes
the model is intended. Software may generate unintended

23
 information, which may not be accurate, and thus, it is relevant to
specify which fields are intended to be used.
Correct naming and categorising - According to national standards or best
practices (or project-specific naming, in which case the naming conventions
must remain the same throughout the entire project)

All building elements are given descriptive type names, also used in
other documents. For example, all wall elements with the same
structure have the same wall type identifier defined in the BIM, which
is also found in the structural plans. This enables the retrieval of
information from sources outside of the BIM models.
When the manufacturer and product names of installed products are
known (mostly in the case of as-built models), these are disclosed in
the BIM to support the mapping of product-specific environmental
product declarations (EPD). Alternatively, a mapping of product type
names in the model to the installed products is provided externally.
If installed products are not specified, materials are named in a
harmonised way throughout the models, utilising established
classifications where possible. The materials are either recorded in the
model or referenced externally with the type name in the BIM model.

3.2. BIM specification documents

The contents and modelling principles of the BIMs are documented and described in
according to national best practices. The BIM specification format employed is
based on a Finnish BIM specification convention.

The specification documents should disclose, for example, which information fields
are generated in the information model. This is important, as software may
generate information (additional fields automatically) that may not be accurate.

The specification document is also used as a tool for communicating information

about the completeness of the model by indicating, for example, any assumptions
made by the designer or any yet unmodelled elements. This is relevant, particularly
for modelling done in the earlier stages of the design process. Information added as
a draft (structure type, material, etc.) and subject to change should also be clearly
indicated in the BIM specification document.

24
3.3. Required data in the BIM model for information
take-off
Quantities and properties within BIM models are extracted through information
take-off features in BIM or IFC software. Below are listed data that are required, at
minimum, to perform LCA. The quantity take-off units are further discussed later in
the section “Managing the overlap between BIM models”.

LCA software may currently support direct IFC input, and these features may be
employed in such cases. It is, however, worth noting that the programs’ handling of
preferred units may differ from the ones presented in this document. Here, we
present how to extract information from the models and then import them into the
LCA software. This way, if manual verification or conversion of quantities is
required, they can be performed before importing the quantities to the LCA
program. Manual selection of the structures may also be necessary if the building
classification required by the normative LCA is not readily available in the BIM
model or the modelled content differs from the LCA system boundary.

High-quality, precise, descriptive, and informative data in the information take-off

increases the efficiency and accuracy of the process both during the export from
IFC software and the import of information to LCA software. The most important
requirements are listed in the following:

Building element

Building element classification is done according to the national best practices. The
building element type is used to categorise emissions according to the building
element. Categorisation according to the building element is crucial for the LCA
assessment, as it enables component-level assessment.

Component type (class)

Crucial for the import of data to LCA software. Component types are, e.g. slab,
column or beam.

Displays by which tool in the modelling software the component has been
generated and enables a level of quality assurance that information is correct in the
model.

Type (Reference)

Built element type according to national best practice and depending on what has
been agreed on in the project. The reference is descriptive information about the
element, which corresponds with naming in other design documents. For example,
the built element type of a ground floor slab.

25
Quantity information

Volume - Crucial for building elements for which the preferred unit is volume
(m3)
Area - Crucial for building elements for which the preferred unit is area (m2).
Linear meter - Crucial for building elements for which the preferred unit is
length (m).
Number of pieces - Crucial for building elements for which the preferred unit
is the number of units (unit).

Material

Material information is used to describe the material used in the structure. Displays
the material used in the component, e.g., wood, concrete, or steel. Additional
information related to the material, such as the strength class of concrete, may be
disclosed in sources for supplementary data. Displays the thickness of material
layers in structure (when available).

Total thickness

The total thickness of a structure is crucial, especially for components of the

structural frame.

3.4. Managing the overlap between BIM models

Architectural and structural BIM models are the main sources of information for life
cycle assessments. Information on building parts not available in any BIM model
(e.g., internal finishes and number of elevators) must be supplemented from other
design documents. The availability of information depends on the stage of the
modelling. LCAs often require estimating material and amounts in project phases
where designs are not yet available or quantity take-off from the model cannot be
performed. This is especially typical for early-phase assessments. Draft information
may be added to the BIM to support the early phase LCA. However, such
information should be clearly labelled as a draft to inform the LCA specialist that
the information is subject to change. It is recommended that information on the
maturity level is disclosed in the BIM description document or in a part of the model
where it can be easily identified by the life cycle assessor.

Based on the EN 15978 standard, Table 2 describes the recommended BIM model to
be used as a material and quantity information source in building permit and as-
built phases. Furthermore, the table shows with which units of measurement the
relevant building elements are catalogued for LCA calculation from the BIM models.
The table also shows if the information is based on a generic design-based

26
estimate. This is often necessary, especially at the building permit stage, because
accurate information on the building element is not yet available. If the preferred
unit for the structure is area, length, volume or other information other than the
number of units, then these measures are supplemented with additional
information about the building part, such as the materials in the structure. Table 2
also presents the building parts which typically require assumptions.

The range of building elements included in each national assessment method varies,
and thus, not all categories presented are necessarily included in the national
assessment method for all countries. The BIM model is recommended to include the
building element classification according to the national best practices.

27
Table 2. The breakdown structure and phasing of the components in BIM models
Arch BIM = architectural BIM; Arch design = architectural design; no of units = number of units; QTO = quantity take-off; *Sustainability of construction works. Assessment of environmental
performance of buildings. Calculation method.

prEN 15978* QTO Lifecycle stage

Building parts Building elements and processes QTO Building permit As-Built

Facilitating works Temporary/Enabling works

Pre-construction works Specialist groundworks

Work on the existing

Demolition and alterations
building

Foundations m3 Structural estimate Structural BIM

Piles m Structural estimate Structural BIM

Basement walls m2 Arch BIM Structural BIM

Substructure
Retaining walls m2 Arch BIM Structural BIM

Waterproofing m2 Arch BIM Arch BIM

Ground floor construction m2 Arch BIM Arch BIM

kg (steel structure),
Columns Arch BIM Structural BIM
m3 (concrete, wood)

kg (steel structure),
Frame Beams Arch BIM Structural BIM
m3 (concrete, wood)

kg (steel structure),
Shear walls Arch BIM Structural BIM
m3 (concrete, wood)

Superstructure Upper floors m2 (net area) Arch BIM Arch BIM

Balconies square meters, meters Arch BIM Structural BIM

28
 Roof structure m2 Arch BIM Arch BIM
Roof
Weatherproofing m2 Arch BIM Arch BIM

Stairs and ramps m3 Arch BIM Arch BIM

External walls m2 (net area) Arch BIM Arch BIM

Windows No. of units Arch BIM Arch BIM

External envelope
External doors No. of units Arch BIM Arch BIM

Shading devices No. of units Arch BIM Arch BIM

Fabric

Internal walls – load

bearing m2 (net area) Arch BIM Structural BIM

Internal walls Internal walls – non-

loadbearing m2 (net area) Arch BIM Arch BIM

Internal doors No. of units Arch BIM Arch BIM

Estimate, based on arch

Cladding m2 design
Arch BIM

External finishes
Estimate, based on arch
Coatings m2 design
Arch BIM

Estimate, based on arch Arch BIM, based on room

Wall finishes m2 design geometry
Finishes
Estimate, based on arch Arch BIM, based on room
Raised floors m2 design geometry
Internal finishes
Estimate, based on arch Arch BIM, based on room
Floor finishes m2 design geometry

Estimate, based on arch Arch BIM, based on room

Ceiling finishes m2 design geometry

29
 m (pipes, insulations), Estimate, based on arch
Hot water distribution MEP BIM
No. of units design

m (pipes, insulations), Estimate, based on arch

Cold water distribution MEP BIM
No. of units design
Water systems
m (pipes, insulations), Estimate, based on arch
Water treatment systems MEP BIM
No. of units design

m (pipes, insulations), Estimate, based on arch

Rainwater systems MEP BIM
No. of units design

m (pipes, insulations), Estimate, based on arch

Sewage systems MEP BIM
No. of units design

Estimate, based on arch

Internal lighting No. of units MEP BIM
design
Lighting
Estimate, based on arch
External lighting No. of units MEP BIM
design

Estimate, based on arch

Building services Electricity generation and distribution m (wires), No. of units MEP BIM
design

Estimate, based on arch

Renewable generation systems No. of units MEP BIM
design

Estimate, based on arch

Heating systems No. of units MEP BIM
design

Estimate, based on arch

Cooling systems No. of units MEP BIM
design

m (ducts, insulations) Estimate, based on arch

Ventilation systems MEP BIM
No. of units design

Estimate, based on arch

Conveying systems No. of units MEP BIM
design

Estimate, based on arch

Telecoms and data systems No. of units MEP BIM
design

30
 m (pipes), Estimate, based on arch
Fire protection systems MEP BIM
No. of units design

m (wires), Estimate, based on arch

Communication and security installations MEP BIM
No. of units design

Additional categories not specified in prEN 15978

Estimate, based on room

Built-in furniture No. of units Arch BIM
types

Estimate, based on room Estimate, based on room

Movable furniture No. of units
Furniture systems types types

Appliances No. of units Arch BIM Arch BIM

Sanitary fittings No. of units Arch BIM MEP BIM

Estimate, based on room

Elevators No. of units Arch BIM
types
Accessories
Estimate, based on room
Escalators No. of units Arch BIM
types
Transportation systems
Estimate, based on room
Mowing walkways No. of units Arch BIM
types

Craneways, lifting gear and Estimate, based on room

No. of units Arch BIM
other transport elements types

Railings m Arch BIM Arch BIM

Safety systems
Handrails m Arch BIM Arch BIM

Gross floor area m2 Arch BIM Arch BIM

Areas
Net room area m2 Arch BIM Arch BIM

31
Appendix A: prEN 15978 comparison to IFC 4.3 (ISO 16739-1:2024) shows how the
EN 15978 building component categories are expressed according to EN ISO 16739-1,
the IFC standard. IFC, Industry Foundation Classes, is not a classification system. In
contrast, in a BIM model according to the IFC standard, the identification of
building elements requires a class, a class subtype and often also property
attributes. Under the IFC standard, these are called IFC entity class, PredifinedType
and property (grouped into property sets). For example, to identify a building
component group 'exterior walls' in the IFC model according to EN 15978, all
components belonging to it must have the class IfcWall, the PredefinedType
SOLIDWALL and the IsExternal property of the Pset_WallCommon group set to
TRUE.

Building elements and components that may be included or excluded in the BIM
(such as parking garages, often included in BIM but not necessarily included in LCA)
are agreed upon separately in the project, and included or excluded elements are
documented in the building information model description. The inclusion or exclusion
of building elements may vary depending on the local best practice and building
area specification used. The inclusion of building parts relevant to the defined
assessment method is ensured through quality assurance of the calculation.

32
4. Supplementing BIM data from
external sources

4.1. Sources for supplementary data

BIM data is typically supplemented using external sources when BIM information is
unavailable. Typical sources for supplementing information are:

Structural design documents with information on e.g.:

Design of steel rebars e.g., 8-150 rebar net.

Material details, e.g., Ready-mix concrete C30/37.
Architectural design documents with information on e.g.:

Surface/room descriptions

Surface materials
Paved and green areas and site constructions according to ground
plan/site layout.
Brick and mortar mass, calculated separately depending on the size
and type of bricks.
Mass of steel profiles in internal walls
Box units (Assessment is challenging due to lack of available EPDs for
box units)
The number of elevators and escalators, building height does not
currently impact the quantity of equipment (e.g. a 3-floor and a 10-
floor elevator produce the same calculation outcome)
Building services design documents (when not included in the nationally
predefined values):

Masses of the building service components

Large-size technical equipment, such as hospital equipment, is
supplemented from other design documents.

Building services are included in the Finnish assessment methodology; Sweden and
Norway leave out all technical equipment, and Denmark leaves most plumbing-
related parts out from the calculations.

Energy reports and design documents, depending on the building's

heating/cooling source (geothermal) and electricity source (e.g., solar
panels).

33
 Area of solar panels
Design specification of geothermal systems such as:

Length of geothermal probes

Effect of heat pumps

The area used in life cycle assessment varies by country and assessment method.
Finland and Estonia use the heated net area from energy reports. Sweden and
Norway use the gross floor area from building descriptions. Denmark uses the
reference area for embodied emissions and the heated gross floor area for
operational emissions. The used area should be included in the BIM model.

4.2. Material assumptions

When calculations require making assumptions about materials, the employed

assumptions should be documented. Assumptions should be based on the best
available knowledge and expertise, such as benchmark data or generic
manufacturer estimates. LCA tools provide usable generic material assumptions
that may be used in calculations when detailed information is unavailable.

4.3. LCA documentation

LCA reporting is done according to the national LCA reporting requirements or
another applicable standard. The reporting requirement also applies to disclosing
employed source data, scope, assumptions, and environmental product declarations
(EPDs). The main assumptions should also be documented and provided
transparently to the client with the LCA results.

It is recommended that the LCA expert keeps track of the employed data sources
and supplements information in a manner that enables straightforward calculation
revision. For example, if LCA calculations are first performed in an early design
stage and the models are updated, the analyst can revise the sources of previous
data and compare differences.

34
5. Guidance for transferring data
from BIM tools to LCA tools

The BIM4LCA project developed guidance for transferring data from BIM
tools to LCA tools. The possible pathways for BIM data to LCA have been
described in previous chapters. This guidance focuses on the phase from data
extraction from IFC to open format. The process of transferring data from
BIM tools consists of the steps presented below.

In the BIM tool, select and sort the data required for the LCA. The information to be
extracted from IFC has been described in previous chapters; however, the quantity
information and identifiable information, such as building element and component
type, shall be included in the information take-off (ITO). ITO features are part of
BIM tools, enabling information take-off from the BIM model.

In the ITO, data is extracted from the BIM model to be used in other tools, such as
LCA tools. This data is typically enriched with data from external sources, as
described in previous chapters, and may require an intermediate stage in a
spreadsheet editor. Information enrichment is an important part of the data
transfer process from BIM to LCA. The data is extracted from the BIM in an open
format, which enables the processing of the data and necessary modifications to
easily import the data to the wanted LCA tool. When importing data to LCA tools,
the LCA expert should ensure that all information from the ITO is imported correctly
to the LCA tool to ensure the assessment's quality.

When information has been extracted from the BIM to open format, the LCA expert
must supplement the data with information from other sources. Typical sources for
supple­menting information, as described in a previous chapter, are architectural
and structural design documents, and building services design documents. Other
typical sources are energy reports and design documents featuring information
such as the building’s energy consumption and energy sources. Integration with
emission databases happens in the chosen LCA tool. It is recommended that quality
assurance of information is done for data imported to LCA tools.

Six-step checklist for transferring data from BIM tools to LCA tools:

1. Identify the data required: Select and sort data that is required for the LCA
2. Export data from the BIM tool: Generate an information take-off (ITO)
3. Supplement the data with information from external sources, such as design
documents.
4. Import data into the chosen LCA tool
5. Verify data accuracy: Perform quality assurance
6. Perform LCA analysis using the imported data.

35
6. Guidance for iterative design and
analysis workflow between BIM and
LCA tools

LCA calculations for climate declarations can be utilised for decision-making

during design by providing insights into the environmental impact of different
design options. The availability of data depends on the project phase. As
described in previous chapters, the information matures as the design
proceeds. Also, the recommended source of information changes for specified
building parts depending on the design phase.

At an early stage in the design, the LCA expert may need to supplement more
information and make assumptions based on expertise and best available
knowledge than at a later stage in the project. To ensure the robustness of a life
cycle assessment, any significant data gaps may be covered with conservative
assumptions for building elements. However, any assumptions made must be
declared in the report. The assumptions must be based on average or generic data
and be justified based on the expertise of the LCA assessor. A declaration of
assumptions enables iteration of the life cycle assessment when design data
becomes available. Typical situations where data gaps may exist are during the
early design phase; however, once the design process advances, the assumptions will
be replaced with design data.

Incremental design changes occur during the design process, which may impact and
require reassessing the LCA. Incremental changes may be made directly in LCA
tools. Incremental changes may also be identified from BIM. Two BIM models can be
compared using, for example, BIM software, and differences in, e.g., geometry and
properties can be identified. The building information model description document
also enables a comparison of models and the identification of changes and
differences in the models. The LCA expert is responsible for documenting the used
information and assumptions made in the LCA. Documentation of any changes
made to the LCA is especially important for the iterations of the LCA. Well-
documented steps ease the iterations of the LCA at later phases of the project.

36
7. Example for information take-off
for LCA calculations

The LCA calculations required for the normative LCA declarations are
calculated in LCA software according to the national guidelines. Information
extraction features in the LCA software may be employed, but the
information may be extracted for each building part separately and then
transferred to the LCA software after supplementing the information with,
for example, properties in other documents.

This example considers the external wall of the concrete office building. Other
building parts are handled in a similar way, with specifications, such as
recommended quantity units, detailed in previous chapters. Previous chapters
describe the coverage of national assessment methods and building elements to
include in each assessment method.

In Figure 5, building element US-1 is selected for the ITO. The unit for the building
element is the net area in square meters. The ITO is reported to a spreadsheet
report. The material information for the building element can be found in the BIM.
However, the information is supplemented by structural design documents on the
thickness of different materials in the built element type and from the architectural
design documents on the internal and external finishes. The quantity of each
material is based on the net area of the built element. After supplementing the
needed data to the spreadsheet editor, the information is imported to the chosen
LCA tool for the assessment. In the LCA tool, BIM data is combined with other
information, such as energy information, to create a holistic LCA.

Figure 5. The external wall (Type: US-1) of the concrete office building in Solibri.

37
8. BIM models supporting the BIM-
based building LCA

8.1. Example buildings’ design principles

To investigate and demonstrate how modelling supports BIM-based building LCA,
the project developed two example buildings and their sites: a residential building
(Figure 6) and an office building (Figure 7). Both buildings are designed with a
wooden and a concrete structure. The buildings are designed according to the
Finnish Construction Act and building codes. The design principles emphasise the
life-cycle properties of buildings, e.g., multi-purpose usability, adaptability, and
access to natural light. Both buildings are modelled as wooden and concrete
structures. The structural material versions of both buildings start from identical
room layouts. The differences caused by the materials of the structures are
therefore reflected in small differences in the floor areas and volumes of the
buildings.

Figure 6. A concrete residential building in Revit.

The residential building is designed to provide housing for residents who may need
care services but want to live with or close to their families. The building consists of
half of the apartments designed for service housing for families and half of the
regular family apartments. The building is narrow in width, and all apartments have
windows opening on three sides, allowing good natural light and flexible furnishing.

38
On the ground floor, there is a shared space. Next to the shared space, there is a
sheltered outdoor terrace with a pleasant microclimate.

On the basement floor, there is a rentable space that supports services and
possibilities for social functions for the residents. The shading structures of the
facades are made of recycled materials. Accessible parking spaces are located on
the ground floor, with direct access to lifts and apartments. Other parking spaces
are in the external car shelter.

Figure 7. A concrete office building in Revit.

The office building is designed to provide flexible office space and recreational and
exercise facilities for the company's employees. MEP and electrical solutions have
also been implemented in a way that allows for flexible combining and sharing of
spaces. On the ground floor, there is a restaurant, a cabinet space for meetings and
a space for an office hub that serves the building but also other teleworking people
in the neighbourhood. The three floors with office space can be divided for 1-4
different users. The building’s narrow width provides good natural light to all
working spaces. To reduce the heat loads from the sun, a shading system has been
designed for the south-west façade.

There is a gym in the garage and a sauna and roof terrace on the top floor. In a
post-COVID work culture, the service facilities respond to the need to attract
employees back to the office. In the future, if the need for office space in the area
decreases, the service spaces will create opportunities to convert the building to
other uses (e.g. hotel) during its life cycle. To allow for future flexible use of the site,
car parking has also been provided on two levels in a separate building attached to
the main building.

39
8.2. Several design disciplines

Both buildings and their versions consist of several native models and their IFCs:
architectural, structural, electrical and heating, ventilation and air conditioning
(HVAC) systems. Wood-framed buildings also include sprinkler systems. The design
team was led by architects from Huvila Oy. Gravicon was responsible for the
structural design, and Granlund was responsible for the HVAC, sprinkler, and
electrical design. VTT managed the overall design process, ensuring all design
disciplines followed the design schedule and commonly agreed design principles and
produced BIM specification documents.

In all design phases of the project, the disciplines carried out the design work solely
by modelling. As a result, several model versions were produced (Table 3). All the
models are available on the Nordic Sustainable Construction website[5]. They are
free for anyone to use under the Creative Commons license (CC BY-SA 4.0).[6]
Figure 8 shows the folder structure of the models. For example, under ARCH
(architecture), ArchiCAD files are to be found under the ARCHICAD folder, Revit
files under the REVIT folder, IFC files under the IFC folder and BIM specification
documents under the SPECIFICATIONS folder. Electrical models are under the
HCAC folder and MAGICAD-FOR-REVIT folder.

Figure 8. The folder structure of models on the Nordic Sustainable Construction

website.[7]

A list of the people who have created the BIM models for this BIM4LCA project can
be found in the Appendix C: BIM model authors and BIM file names. The appendix
includes the names of the BIM files.

5. https://www.nordicsustainableconstruction.com/knowledge/2024/august/bim4lca-files
6. Creative Commons license (CC BY-SA 4.0), available from https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-
sa/4.0/deed.en
7. https://www.nordicsustainableconstruction.com/knowledge/2024/august/bim4lca-files

40
Table 3. BIM models and IFCs produced in the project
Design Site
Wooden Concrete IFC files
model models

Architectu­‐ Residential Office Residential Office Residential As many

ral building building in building in building in building in and office as the
permit Revit Revit Revit Revit and building native
models ArchiCAD sites for models
Wooden = 10 IFC
and files
Concrete
versions in
Revit,
Office
building
site in
Archicad

Architectu­‐ Residential Office Residential Office Residential = 2 IFC

ral as-built building in building in building in building in building files
models Revit and Revit Revit Revit site in
ArchiCAD Archicad

Structural Residential Office Residential Office = 4 IFC

models building in building in building in building in files
Tekla Tekla Tekla Tekla
Structures Structures Structures Structures

HVAC Residential Office Residential Office = 4 IFC

models building in building in building in building in files
(Wood MagiCAD MagiCAD MagiCAD MagiCAD
frame also for Revit for Revit for Revit for Revit
includes
sprinkler -
systems)

Electrical Residential Office Residential Office = 4 IFC

models building in building in building in building in files
MagiCAD MagiCAD MagiCAD MagiCAD
for Revit for Revit for Revit for Revit

41
8.3. Two frame material options

Two different frame material options were produced for each building: concrete and
timber frame (Table 4). The aim was to keep the buildings' functionality unchanged
regardless of the frame material. The material influenced, among other things, the
distance between the floors of both buildings. This approach was used to simulate
the impact of the frame material options on the LCA.

The buildings’ frame structure is based on prefabricated production. The spaces and
built components are organised in the models according to the Finnish
interoperability specifications. The Finnish definitions are published on the National
Interoperability platform, which provides tools for defining interoperable data
content.[8] The Digital and Population Data Services Agency maintains it. The
definitions reflect national conventions on dividing building components, and they
may impose some rules on LCA in national contexts.

Table 4. Description of the building types.

Residential building (wooden and concrete Office building (wooden and concrete structure)
structure)​

· Ground floor with service spaces + 3 floors · Ground floor with restaurant /other public
with apartments (half designed for service functions + 3 floors with flexibly dividable office
housing for families, half regular family space (narrow building width for minimising dark
apartments: window orientation in each to 3 room spaces)
directions) · A basement with a bomb shelter, employee
· A basement with storage spaces facilities and storage space
· A garage · A garage
· One stairwell with an elevator · Two stairwells with elevators
· Apartment-specific ventilation system · A top floor with a semipublic reservable
· Wooden structure version: Load-bearing sauna, roof terrace and ventilation engine room
wood frame structure walls with wood panel · Wooden structure version: Wooden column
facades and beam structure, wood panel facades
· Concrete structure version: Load-bearing · Concrete structure version: Concrete column
concrete walls with brickwork facades and beam structure, siding panel facades

8.4. Building design process

Although the buildings developed in the project are not intended to be built, the
project closely simulates the actual design process. The design process started with
the architectural design. After the first design versions were completed, the rest of
the design team started to develop their own designs with a technical review of the
architectural design. This review produced many changes. These changes aimed to
rationalise the technical solutions and make the buildings as realistic as possible. At
the same time, however, the ambition was to maintain the original architectural
objectives.

8. Interoperability platform, available from https://dvv.fi/en/interoperability-platform, accessed 29.5.2024.

42
Once the main principles of the structural solutions and building services had been
worked out, the design work moved on to the technical design phase. The team held
weekly design meetings to solve small and large design problems in the same way
as in real projects. During the whole process, the team also shared the developing
versions of their models with each other.

While the technical designers were working on their own designs, the architects
were finalising the designs corresponding to the information content of the building
permit phase. Once the building permits phase models were ready, the architects
started to collect material and product data for the as-built output. This was a
deviation from a typical project where final data regarding materials and products
is usually provided by the contractors.

8.5. Information content in the two phases of the

project
The produced models cover both the building permit phase and the as-built phase.
These stages define the information content of the models. Models in this context
refer to the set of BIM models and their accompanying material and product
descriptions in tabular form. Their interrelationship is explained in the chapter 'Key
principles'. HVAC models represent both phases, following the current industry
practice. More information on Finnish HVAC standardisation can be found in the
external folder HVAC - 0_MEP_standardization_2024.docx.

The models at the building permit stage provide generic material information,
which, in practice, are the requirements for product and material selection for the
project. The as-built phase models provide more detailed information on selected
products and materials. However, it is difficult or impossible to incorporate as-built
information directly into IFC models because the contractor responsible for product
and material procurement often cannot access the design models. Therefore, the
product and material information are recorded in external spreadsheets (in this
project, they are in Excel sheets in the folder “MATERIALS-PRODUCTS” of the
Nordic Sustainable Construction website[9]).

Technically, material data could be included in an IFC model, but different software
have slightly different ways of assigning materials to components, and the
information is not consistent between components, even in models created with the
same software. Another reason for separating material and product data into a
separate file is in the process. In the construction phase, at the latest, responsibility
for products and materials is transferred to contractors (of which there are several
in different domains), while responsibility for the model’s geometry remains with
the designer.

9. https://www.nordicsustainableconstruction.com/knowledge/2024/august/bim4lca-files

43
By splitting the data into different records, the production of data does not create
additional work for the parties involved. It is essential that in both BIM models and
external records, building components have consistent type identifiers that can be
used to link model components and external product and material data. The
external record should be in a machine-readable format. This project developed a
standard Excel spreadsheet to meet this requirement, which is adopted for all
models produced in the project. Nevertheless, it would be more feasible for the data
to be in an international standard format. However, no such international standard
was yet implemented at the time of this project.

Geometrically, the models of the building permit and as-built phases are very close
to each other. The architectural model for the as-built phase typically has some
building services enclosures added, and possibly the dimensions of some walls or
other structures have been updated. However, major changes are not even possible
for residential homes for sale after sales activity has started. Further, the as-built
phase models do not require any additions to precast element groups that were not
included at the building permit stage.

8.6. Modelling standards

The main standards guiding the modelling have been EN 15978 (Sustainability of
construction works. Assessment of environmental performance of buildings.
Calculation method) and EN ISO 16739-1 (Industry Foundation Classes or IFC for
short). At the time of the project design and modelling work, an unpublished review
version of EN 15978 was available. The version of EN ISO 16739-1 published in 2018
was mainly used, but also the version published in the first half of 2024, where
applicable.

The data structure of the models is mainly governed by EN ISO 16739-1, i.e. the IFC
standard. IFC has established itself globally as an open, software-independent data
structure for model-based data exchange. The National Archives of Finland has
adopted the IFC data structure in STEP format as an official archiving format. It
will, therefore, be the data format that the building authorities will accept for BIM
models under the updated Building Act from the beginning of 2026.

In Finland, IFC has been used in construction projects for two decades. However, the
industry has not been able to harmonise the data content of IFC models, and there
have been large variations between projects and design offices. This has
complicated the automated extraction of data from the models. The machine
readability requirements of the revised Building Act have mandated the
standardisation of data content so that models can be used widely and in a
standardised way, for example, in LCA calculations.

All BIM models in the project have been developed according to the principles
published in 2012 in the Finnish Common BIM Requirements (COBIM2012). These

44
requirements are based on the IFC standard. The breakdown structure of the
models follows the system categories of EN 15978. Where necessary (e.g. furniture,
railings and room areas), this standard approach has been supplemented by the
requirements under the new Finnish Building Act as defined, for example, in the
national RAVA3pro project. The EN 15978 categories correspond well to the IFC
classes and the Finnish Talo2000 classification, so its use did not lead to any
particular changes in the modelling. However, particular attention was paid to the
type labelling of the elements in the model.

The national codes are recorded in the IFC models and may be employed through
the material inventory lists in LCA software as per existing conventions. Although
the example models are based on the Finnish code definition, the same data
processing principles can be applied using different international classification and
coding systems.

IFC 4.0.2.1 (ISO 16739-1:2018) does not provide sufficient coverage for identifying
MEP product components using IFC standard entities and enumerations. For this
reason, the identification of product components was implemented using national
MEP product nomenclatures (see the folder HVAC -
0_MEP_standardization_2024.docx). The data structure, i.e., the feature sets and
properties, had to be defined on a product-by-product basis. Each product-based
property set, property, and property value were defined separately for each object,
even if it represented type data.

The content of all models, including the standards and classification systems used,
is documented in model-specific BIM specification documents following COBIM2012
requirements. The various disciplines’ example BIM specification documents are
listed in Appendix D: Example BIM specification documents.

8.7. Classification systems

The modelling requirements proposed in this report are independent of a particular
classification. The classification system used has no technical impact on
transferring element data to the LCA software. Still, it facilitates the grouping of
quantity data from the IFC model according to the needs of the LCA calculation.
Therefore, the classification system should provide an equivalent for the EN 15978
categories.

The BIM4LCA project developed together with a parallel project (Task 2“Data for
LCA”) a comparison table comparing the consistency of prEN 15978 and ISO 16739-
1:2024 (IFC 4.3) in terms of design model data content (see Appendix A: prEN 15978
comparison to IFC 4.3 (ISO 16739-1:2024)). The BIM4LCA project also included a
comparison between prEN 15978, IEC 81346-12 classification, the Swedish CoClass
classification, the Talo2000 classification and the interoperability code sets and
ICMS classification system (See Appendix B: Comparison between prEn 15978, ISO

45
81346-12, CoClass, Talo2000 and ICMS). The first version of the comparison was
published in the final report of Task2 “Data for LCA” project.[10] Appendix A and
Appendix B contain a slightly refined version of the same comparison.

The comparisons (Appendix A and Appendix B) show that a comprehensive mapping

between the different classification systems, the IFC and the national code
systems, is possible. From a BIM modelling context, EN 15978 contains, with a few
exceptions, an adequate breakdown of the content of design models. When
modelling for LCA purposes, the BIM4LCA project recommends that EN 15978 is the
common starting point for the elemental breakdown structure of models for LCA
calculation.

8.8. Models as proprietary formats of the design

software

The BIM4LCA project produced a large number of models using different design
software. These models can be used to develop and disseminate the project results
to the various stakeholders. As a result of the project, all models are shared, both in
the open file format (IFC4) according to ISO 16739-1:2018 and in the proprietary
formats of the software used to create them (Finnish versions of Revit, MagiCAD
for Revit, ArchiCAD, Tekla Structures). There may be some limitations in the
software's proprietary models due to the way the software embeds various libraries
or utilities that cannot be distributed with the models. Further use may, therefore,
require the missing libraries to be re-linked. The IFC models do not have similar
shortcomings.

A suitable software is needed to open the models. There are several freeware tools
available for examining IFC models. However, commercial software may be needed
for more extensive use of the models, such as reporting quantity data. Opening and
viewing proprietary format files always requires commercial software licences with
the same or newer version of the software and, in many cases, a correct language
pack (in this case, Finnish). This means that IFC models are accessible to a wider
range of end-users.

Proprietary format models can be useful for data producers, mainly designers, as
they can explore solutions for generating data content from models available in
proprietary formats in the design software. On the other hand, data users can
utilise IFC models as a reference to ensure the correctness of data content in real
construction projects. Models in both formats can also be used for presentations
and training. The BIM models created in this project are expected to be widely used

10. See the report here: Nordic view on data needs and scenario settings for full life cycle building
environmental assessment available:
https://www.nordicsustainableconstruction.com/Media/638542191749462744/Nordic%20view%20on%2
0data%20needs%20and%20scenario%20settings%20for%20full%20life%20cycle%20building%20envir
onmental%20assessment.pdf, accessed 25.6.2024

46
because BIM models of similar quality, well-created and "correctly" designed for
real buildings are unavailable.

From the point of view of LCA calculation, the most important document related to
the models is the external spreadsheet (i.e., the Excel sheets in the folder
“MATERIALS-PRODUCTS” of the Nordic Sustainable Construction website), which
records the properties of the element types in the model, such as material layers
and product information. The project also published a BIM specification document
for each IFC model. This document captures the key aspects of the model, such as
the elevation of floors, the coordinate system, the classifications used, and related
external documents.

For further use of the models, it should be noted that they have been developed
primarily according to the principles of the BIM4LCA project and have been used to
verify the principles of this project. The models are certainly not flawless in all
respects; it would be very time-consuming to produce them completely error-free,
which was not possible within the timeframe of this project. Furthermore, the plans
have not been thoroughly examined from a technical point of view, nor, for example,
have the structural solutions been calculated or otherwise structurally dimensioned
in detail. However, as part of the project's final outputs, the models will also be
published in the proprietary formats of the design software. They can be refined in
future development projects to meet additional needs.

8.9. Use of IFC for quantity data

Although the BIM4LCA project has produced proprietary BIM models, the primary
intention in building LCA is to use the IFC versions of the models. The necessary
quantity data can be read from them using a variety of software, some of which are
even free. Furthermore, the data contained in the models is used in the same way
regardless of the software used to create the model.

Each model is accompanied by a spreadsheet that accommodates the properties of

the element types in the model, such as material and product information. This
spreadsheet is used in parallel with the IFC model. The quantity data of building
elements by type is captured from the model, and the material and product data
for each type are read from the spreadsheet. The data is then aggregated in the
LCA software. The material and product data in the IFC models are not intended to
be used in the LCA calculation.

The primary way to generate the quantity data from the models is to read it from
the geometry of the components in the model. This ensures that the data format
(volume, area, length, number of pieces) and level of detail match the data usage
requirements. Exceptions are HVAC and electrical models, where the quantity data
is stored in standard properties in the design software (see BIM specifications for
HVAC and electrical models for more information). The architectural models also

47
include QTO properties attached to each element, which contains the quantity data
generated by the proprietary software. If these are used, it should be noted that the
author of the model is not responsible for the quality of the data as they are
automatically generated by the software.

To summarise, the process of using quantity data and product and material data in
LCA calculations is as follows: The designer creates a model according to the design
and ensures that the geometry of the models is correct and that all model elements
have a type identifier. The designer exports the model in IFC format. At the building
permit stage, the designer creates an external record in which the material and
product information for each element type is entered to the level of accuracy known
at that time. During the construction phase, the responsibility for updating the data
in the external record is transferred to the contractors. The LCA expert generates
the quantity data from the IFC model and combines it with the material and
product data in the external record in the LCA calculation software using the type
identifiers. The emission data for materials and products can be linked either in the
external record or LCA software.

48
Appendix

49
Appendix A: prEN 15978 comparison to IFC 4.3 (ISO 16739-1:2024)
*Sustainability of construction works. Assessment of environmental performance of buildings. Calculation method.

prEN 15978* IFC 4.3 (ISO 16739-1:2024)

Building parts Building elements and processes IFC Entity IFC PredefinedType IFC Properties

Temporary/Enabling works IfcTask 2) STARTUP

Facilitating works
Specialist groundworks IfcTask 2) CONSTRUCTION
Pre-construction works
IfcTask 2) DEMOLITION
Work on existing building Demolition and alterations
IfcTask 2) ADJUSTMENT

FOOTING_BEAM,
Foundations IfcFooting PAD_FOOTING, PILE_CAP,
STRIP_FOOTING

BORED, COHESION,
Piles IfcPile DRIVEN, FRICTION,
Sub- JETGROUTING, SUPPORT
structure Basement walls IfcWall SOLIDWALL

Retaining walls IfcWall RETAININGWALL

Waterproofing IfcCovering MEMBRANE

Pset_SlabCommon.­‐
Ground floor construction IfcSlab BASESLAB
LoadBearing = TRUE

Pset_ColumnCommon.­‐
Columns IfcColumn COLUMN
LoadBearing = TRUE
Pset_BeamCommon.­‐
Frame Beams IfcBeam BEAM
LoadBearing = TRUE

Pset_WallCommon.­‐
Shear walls IfcWall SHEAR
LoadBearing = TRUE

Pset_SlabCommon.­‐
IfcSlab FLOOR LoadBearing = TRUE
Super-structure Upper floors
IfcBeam HOLLOWCORE Pset_BeamCommon.­‐
LoadBearing = TRUE

50
 IfcElementAssembly
- IfcSlab
FLOOR
- IfcWall
Balconies PARAPET
- IfcRailing
GUARDRAIL
- IfcRailing
HANDRAIL
- IfcCurtainWall
* Shape of the roof
Roof structure IfcRoof
Roof * = userdefined type
Weatherproofing IfcCovering ROOFING

IfcStair
Stairs and ramps IfcRamp
IfcSlab LANDING
Pset_SlabCommon­.IsExternal
External walls IfcWall SOLIDWALL
= TRUE

WINDOW, LIGHTDOME, Pset_WindowCommon.­‐

Windows IfcWindow
SKYLIGHT IsExternal = TRUE
External envelope
Pset_DoorCommon.­‐
External doors IfcDoor DOOR, TRAPDOOR
IsExternal = TRUE
Pset_ShadingDevice­‐
Fabric Shading devices IfcShadingDevice SHUTTER
Common.IsExternal = TRUE

Pset_WallCommon.­‐
Internal walls – load IsExternal = FALSE
IfcWall PARTITIONING, SHEAR
bearing Pset_WallCommon.­‐
LoadBearing = TRUE

Pset_WallCommon­.IsExternal
Internal walls
Internal walls – non- = FALSE
IfcWall PARTITIONING, SHEAR
loadbearing Pset_WallCommon.­‐
LoadBearing = FALSE

Pset_DoorCommon.­‐
Internal doors IfcDoor DOOR
IsExternal = FALSE
Pset_CoveringCommon.­‐
Cladding IfcCovering CLADDING
IsExternal = TRUE
External finishes
Pset_CoveringCommon.­‐
Coatings IfcCovering COPING
IsExternal = TRUE

Pset_SpaceCovering­‐
Wall finishes IfcSpace SPACE
Requirements.WallCovering

Pset_SpaceCovering­‐
Finishes Raised floors IfcSpace SPACE
Requirements.ConcealedFloori
Pset_SpaceCovering­‐
Internal finishes Floor finishes IfcSpace SPACE
Requirements.FloorCovering

51
 Pset_SpaceCovering­‐
Requirements.Ceiling­‐
Ceiling finishes IfcSpace SPACE Covering
Pset_SpaceCovering­‐
Requirements.ConcealedCeilin
Hot water distribution IfcDistributionSystem DOMESTICHOTWATER
Cold water distribution IfcDistributionSystem DOMESTICCOLDWATER
Water systems
Water treatment systems IfcDistributionSystem WASTEWATER

Rainwater systems IfcDistributionSystem RAINWATER

Sewage systems IfcDistributionSystem SEWAGE

Internal lighting IfcElectricalCircuit LIGHTING

Lighting
External lighting IfcElectricalCircuit LIGHTING
Electricity generation and distribution IfcDistributionSystem POWERGENERATION
Building services Renewable generation systems IfcDistributionSystem POWERGENERATION
Heating systems IfcDistributionSystem HEATING

Cooling systems IfcDistributionSystem AIRCONDITIONING

Ventilation systems IfcDistributionSystem VENTILATION

Conveying systems IfcDistributionSystem CONVEYING

FIXED­TRANSMISSION­‐
Telecoms and data systems IfcDistributionSystem
NETWORK

Fire protection systems IfcDistributionSystem FIREPROTECTION

Communication and security installations IfcDistributionSystem SECURITY

Additional categories Not specified in prEN 15978

Pset_FurnitureType­‐
Built-in furniture IfcFurniture IfcFurnitureTypeEnum
Common.IsBuiltIn=TRUE

Pset_SpaceOccupancy­‐
Furniture systems Movable furniture IfcSpace SPACE
Requirements.OccupancyType

Appliances IfcElectricAppliance IfcElectricApplianceTypeEnum

Sanitary fittings IfcSanitaryTerminal IfcSanitaryTerminalTypeEnum

Accessories Elevators IfcTransportElement ELEVATOR

Escalators IfcTransportElement ESCALATOR

Transportation systems Mowing walkways IfcTransportElement MOVINGWALKWAY

CRANEWAY,
Craneways, lifting gear and
IfcTransportElement HAULINGGEAR,
other transport elements
LIFTINGGEAR

52
 Railings IfcRailing BALUSTRADE, GUARDRAIL
Safety systems
Handrails IfcRailing HANDRAIL
Gross floor area IfcSpace GFA
Areas
Net room area IfcSpace SPACE Pset_SpaceOccupancyRequire

53
Appendix B: Comparison between prEn 15978, ISO 81346-12, CoClass, Talo2000 and ICMS
* Sustainability of construction works. Assessment of environmental performance of buildings. Calculation method.
**(Building) LVI2010 (HVAC) S2010 (Electrical)
***3rd edition, November 2021

prEN 15978* IEC/ISO 81346-12 CoClass Talo2000** ICMS***

Building Building elements and

Code Description Code Description Code Description Code Description
parts processes

Demolition,
Temporary/­‐ site
Enabling - - NA NA 2.01. preparation
works and
Facilitating formation
works Demolition,
Pre- site
Specialist
construction - - NA NA 2.01. preparation
groundworks
works and
formation
Demolition,
Work to Demolition site
existing and - - NA NA 2.01. preparation
building alterations and
formation

Ground 121 Foundations Sub-

Foundations A A20 Foundation 2.02.
system 1121 Piles structure
Cellar wall 121 Foundations Sub-
Piles B Wall system B31 2.02.
system 1121 Piles structure

Sub- Retaining Enclosure Sub-

Basement walls B Wall system B32 1212 2.02.
structure wall system walls structure

Protective Water- Retaining Sub-

Retaining walls FSG FSG10 1153 2.02.
seal proofing walls structure

Bottom slab Thermal Sub-

Waterproofing C Slab system C10 12124 2.02.
system insulation structure

54
 Ground Sub-
Ground floor construction ULD Column ULD Column 122 2.02.
floors structure

Columns ULE Beam ULE Beam 1233 Columns 2.03. Structure

Wall Wall
Beams BD BD 1234 Beams 2.03. Structure
Frame structure structure
Mid slab Bearing
Shear walls C Slab system C20 1232 2.03. Structure
system walls
Balcony slab Intermediate
Upper floors C Slab system C41 1235 2.03. Structure
system floors

Super- Balconies D Roof system D Roof system 1251 Balconies 2.03. Structure
structure Protective Water
Roof FSG FSG10 Roof
seal proofing 1261 2.03. Structure
structure RQA RQA substructures
Insulation Insulation
Roof Stair Stair
Weather­‐ AF construction AF construction
1263 Roofings 2.03. Structure
proofing AG Ramp AG Ramp
construction construction
Exterior wall Structural
Stairs and ramps B Wall system B10 1237 2.03. Structure
system frame stairs

Architectural
External External works | non-
QQA Window QQA Window 1241 2.04.
walls walls structural
works

Architectural
works | non-
Windows QQC Door QQC Door 1242 Windows 2.04.
structural
External works
envelope Architectural
External External works | non-
RQD Screen RQD Screen 1243 2.04.
doors doors structural
works

Architectural
Shading Interior wall Facade works | non-
Fabric B Wall system B20 1244 2.04.
devices system attachments structural
works
Internal
Interior wall Bearing
walls – load B Wall system B20 1232 2.03. Structure
system walls
bearing

Architectural
Internal
Internal works | non-
walls – non- QQC Door QQC Door 1311 Partitions 2.04.
walls structural
loadbearing
works

55
 Architectural
Internal Wall Wall Internal works | non-
NCB NCB 1315 2.04.
doors covering covering doors structural
works
Architectural
works | non-
Cladding FSZ Coating FSZ Coating 12414 Sheating 2.04.
structural
External works
finishes Architectural
works | non-
Coatings FSZ Coating FSZ Coating 12414 Sheating 2.04.
structural
works

Architectural
Floor Floor Wall works | non-
Wall finishes AQ AQ 13261 2.04.
construction construction finishing structural
works
Finishes
Architectural
Floor surface works | non-
Raised floors NCC Flooring NCC Flooring 1321 2.04.
elements structural
Internal works
finishes Architectural
works | non-
Floor finishes NCE Roofing NCE Roofing 1322 Floorings 2.04.
structural
works

Architectural
Tap hot
Ceiling Water and Ceiling works | non-
F F22 water 1324 2.04.
finishes fluid system finishings structural
system
works

Tap cold Water and

Hot Water and Services and
F F21 water 212 sewerage 2.05.
water distribution fluid system equipment
system systems

Water and
Water Cold Cleaning Cleaning Services and
KC KC 212 sewerage 2.05.
systems water distribution system system equipment
systems

Water Drainage Roof water Water and

Services and
treatment G and waste G24 runoff 212 sewerage 2.05.
equipment
systems system system systems

Regional
Drainage sections for Surface and
Rainwater Wastewater
G and waste G11 2124 water and 2.06. underground
systems system
system sewerage drainage
systems

56
 General
lighting Water and
Lighting Services and
Sewage systems Q Q11 system for 212 sewerage 2.05.
system equipment
building systems
space
General
lighting Internal
Internal Lighting Services and
Q Q12 system for S251 lighting 2.05.
lighting system equipment
outdoors system
Lighting space
External
External Electrical Electrical Services and
K K S252 lighting 2.05.
lighting system system equipment
system

Electrical Electrical
system > system > Electricity
Building Electricity generation and Services and
K.HG Electrical K.HG31 Solar electric S212 generation 2.05.
services distribution equipment
power supply supply systems
system system

Cooling and Electricity

Renewable generation Heating Services and
H heating H20 S212 generation 2.05.
systems system equipment
system systems

Cooling and
Cooling Heating Services and
Heating systems H heating H10 211 2.05.
system systems equipment
system

Ventilation Ventilation Cooling Services and

Cooling systems J J 214 2.05.
system system systems equipment

Transportation Transportation Ventilation Services and

Ventilation systems N N 213 2.05.
system system systems equipment
Information Information
Main
and and Services and
Conveying systems M M S222 distribution 2.05.
communication communication equipment
system
system system

Security and Communication

safety and
Fire safety Services and
Telecoms and data systems P.PA system > Fire P10 T1 information 2.05.
system equipment
protection network
system systems

Information
Personal
and Fire safety Services and
Fire protection systems M P30 safety T6 2.05.
communication systems equipment
system
system
a) ISO 81346-12:2019, Table A.1
Communication and security Security Services and
b) ISO 81346-12:2019, Table A.2 T5 2.05.
installations systems equipment
c) EN IEC 81346-2:2019, Table 2

57
 Additional categories Not specified in prEN 15978

Arrangement Arrangement
Built-in system > system > Standard
S.RB S.RB 1331
furniture Furniture Furniture fittings
system system
Arrangement Arrangement
Movable system > system > Standard
S.RB S.RB 1331
furniture Furniture Furniture fittings
Furniture system system
systems
Arrangement Arrangement
system > system > Standard
Appliances S.RC S.RC 1334
Equipment Equipment appliances
system system
Collecting Collecting
Sanitary
XK? interfacing XK? interfacing 21 Plumbing
fittings
object object

Transportation Transportation
system > system >
Accessories Elevators N.JM Passenger N.JM Passenger 2511 Lifts
transportation transportation
system system

Transportation Transportation
system > system > Escalators
Transportation
Escalators N.JM Passenger N.JM Passenger 2512 and
systems
transportation transportation conveyors
system system

Transportation Transportation
system > system > Escalators
Mowing
N.JM Passenger N.JM Passenger 2512 and
walkways
transportation transportation conveyors
system system

Craneways, Transportation Transportation

lifting gear system > system > Other
and other N.JN Goods N.JN Goods 2513 transportation
transport transportation transportation equipment
elements system system
Protective Protective Balustrades
Railings FQD FQD 1314
Safety rail rail and railings
systems Protective Protective
Handrails FQC FQC 13143 Handrails
rod rod

Gross floor area - - - - N/A N/A

Areas
Net room area - - - - N/A N/A
na=Not Available; N/A=Not applicable

58
Appendix C: BIM model authors and BIM file names
Several designers and engineers have taken part in BIM modelling. The following tables (Table 5, Table 6 and
Table 7) list the BIM model authors and related BIM and IFC files. The native BIM files can be opened using
their specific commercial software, such as Revit, ArchiCad and Tekla Structures. IFC files can be opened with
IFC-viewer or several commercial software that can import IFC files. IFC-viewer software or viewer service
can be found for free on the web.

59
Table 5. BIM model authors of architectural designs
Design model Wooden Concrete

Architectural Residential Residential Office building in

Office building in
building permit building in Revit[11], building in Revit[15], Revit[17], IFC[18] &
Revit[13], IFC[14]
models IFC[12] IFC[16] ArchiCAD[19], IFC
[20]

Site models Residential Office building site Residential Office building site
building site in in Revit[23], IFC[24] concrete building in Revit[27], IFC[28]
Revit[21], IFC[22] site in Revit[25], IFC
[26]

BIM model
Joona Lukka Elli Wendelin Joona Lukka Elli Wendelin
authors

Residential
Residential
Architectural as- building in Revit[29] Office building in Office building in
building in Revit[35]
built models , IFC[30]and Revit[33], IFC[34] Revit[37], IFC[38]
, IFC[36]
ArchiCAD,[31]IFC
[32]

Joona Lukka; Joona Lukka;

BIM model authors Elli Wendelin Joona Lukka
Pekka Tuominen Pekka Tuominen

Architectural IFC files and site models by Joona Lukka, Elli Wendelin, and Pekka Tuominen.

11. ARK_NordicLCA_Housing_Timber_BuildingPermit.rvt
12. ARK_NordicLCA_Housing_Timber_BuildingPermit_Revit.ifc
13. ARK_NordicLCA_Office_Timber_BuildingPermit.rvt
14. ARK_NordicLCA_Office_Timber_BuildingPermit_Revit.ifc
15. ARK_NordicLCA_Housing_Concrete_BuildingPermit.rvt
16. ARK_NordicLCA_Housing_Concrete_BuildingPermit_Revit.ifc
17. ARK_NordicLCA_Office_Concrete_BuildingPermit.rvt
18. ARK_NordicLCA_Office_Concrete_BuildingPermit_Archicad.ifc
19. ARK_NordicLCA_Office_Concrete_BuildingPermit. pla
20. ARK_NordicLCA_Office_Concrete_BuildingPermit.ifc
21. ARK_NordicLCA_Housing_Terrain-Timber_BuildingPermit.rvt
22. ARK_NordicLCA_Housing_Terrain-Timber_BuildingPermit_Revit.ifc
23. ARK_NordicLCA_Office_Terrain_Timber_BuildingPermit.rvt
24. ARK_NordicLCA_Office_Terrain_Timber_BuildingPermit_Revit.ifc
25. ARK_NordicLCA_Housing_TerrainConcrete_BuildingPermit.rvt
26. ARK_NordicLCA_Housing_Terrain-Concrete_BuildingPermit_Revit.ifc
27. ARK_NordicLCA_Office_Terrain_Concrete_BuildingPermit.rvt
28. ARK_NordicLCA_Office_Terrain_Concrete_BuildingPermit_Revit.ifc
29. ARK_NordicLCA_Housing_Timber_As-Built.rvt
30. ARK_NordicLCA_Housing_Timber_As-Built_Archicad.ifc
31. ARK_NordicLCA_Housing_Timber_As-Built.pla
32. ARK_NordicLCA_Housing_Timber_As-Built.ifc
33. ARK_NordicLCA_Office_Timber_As-Built.rvt
34. ARK_NordicLCA_Office_Timber_As-Built_Revit.ifc
35. ARK_NordicLCA_Housing_Concrete_As-Built.rvt
36. ARK_NordicLCA_Housing_Concrete_As-Built_Revit.ifc
37. ARK_NordicLCA_Office_Concrete_As-Built.rvt
38. ARK_NordicLCA_Office_­Concrete_As-Built_Revit.ifc

60
Table 6. BIM model authors of structural designs
Design model Wooden Concrete

Structural models Residential Office building in Residential Office building in

building in Tekla Tekla Structures building in Tekla Tekla Structures
[40] [42]
Structures[39] Structures[41]
BIM model Minna Salonsaari Minna Salonsaari Minna Salonsaari Minna Salonsaari
authors
Structural IFC files by Minna Salonsaari.

39. STRUC_NordicLCA_Housing_Timber_BuildingPermit.db1; matdb.bin; profdb.bin; profitab.inp

40. STRUC_NordicLCA_Office_Timber_BuildingPermit.db1; matdb.bin; profdb.bin; profitab.inp
41. STRUC_NordicLCA_Housing_Concrete_BuildingPermit.db1; matdb.bin; profdb.bin; profitab.inp
42. STRUC_NordicLCA_Office_Concrete_BuildingPermit.db1; matdb.bin; profdb.bin; profitab.inp

61
Table 7. BIM model authors of HVAC and electrical designs
Design model Wooden Concrete

HVAC models (Wood frame also Residential building in MagiCAD Office building in MagiCAD for Residential building in MagiCAD Office building in MagiCAD for
includes sprinkler systems) for Revit[43], IFC[44] Revit[45], IFC[46] for Revit[47], IFC[48] Revit[49], IFC[50]
Electrical models Residential building in MagiCAD Office building in MagiCAD for Residential building in MagiCAD Office building in MagiCAD for
for Revit[51], IFC[52] Revit[53], IFC[54] for Revit[55], IFC[56] Revit[57]
BIM model authors HVAC design management: HVAC design management: Niina HVAC design management: HVAC design management: Niina
Johanna Härkönen Erkkilä Johanna Härkönen Erkkilä
Sprinkler design management: Sprinkler design management: HVAC BIM modelling: Johanna HVAC BIM modelling: Marko
Minna Tuononen Tomi Käyhkö Härkönen Mielty
HVAC and Sprinkler BIM HVAC and Sprinkler BIM Electrical design management: Electrical design management:
modelling: Johanna Härkönen modelling: Marko Mielty Henri Waaramaa Stefan Biström
Electrical design management: Electrical design management: Electrical BIM modelling: Sofia Electrical BIM modelling: Sofia
Henri Waaramaa Stefan Biström Öhman Öhman
Electrical BIM modelling: Sofia Electrical BIM modelling: Sofia
Öhman Öhman
HVAC design management: HVAC design management: Niina HVAC design management: HVAC design management: Niina
Johanna Härkönen Erkkilä Johanna Härkönen Erkkilä
Sprinkler design management: Sprinkler design management: HVAC BIM modelling: Johanna HVAC BIM modelling: Marko
Minna Tuononen Tomi Käyhkö Härkönen Mielty
HVAC and Sprinkler BIM HVAC and Sprinkler BIM Electrical design management: Electrical design management:
modelling: Johanna Härkönen modelling: Marko Mielty Henri Waaramaa Stefan Biström
Electrical design management: Electrical design management: Electrical BIM modelling: Sofia Electrical BIM modelling: Sofia
Henri Waaramaa Stefan Biström Öhman Öhman
Electrical BIM modelling: Sofia Electrical BIM modelling: Sofia
Öhman Öhman
HVAC and electrical IFCs by Johanna Härkönen, Sofia Öhman, Marko Mielty and Markus Järvenpää.

43. HVAC_NordicLCA_Housing_Timber_BuildingPermit.rvt
44. HVAC_NordicLCA_Housing_Timber_BuildingPermit.ifc
45. HVAC_NordicLCA_Office_Timber_BuildingPermit.rvt
46. HVAC_NordicLCA_Office_Timber_BuildingPermit.ifc
47. HVAC_NordicLCA_Housing_Concrete_BuildingPermit.rvt
48. HVAC_NordicLCA_Housing_Concrete_BuildingPermit.ifc
49. HVAC_NordicLCA_Office_Concrete_BuildingPermit.rvt
50. HVAC_NordicLCA_Office_Concrete_BuildingPermit.ifc
51. ELE_NordicLCA_Housing_Timber_BuildingPermit.rvt
52. ELE_NordicLCA_Housing_Timber_BuildingPermit.ifc
53. ELE_NordicLCA_Office_Timber_BuildingPermit.rvt
54. ELE_NordicLCA_Office_Timber_BuildingPermit.ifc
55. ELE_NordicLCA_Housing_Concrete_BuildingPermit.rvt
56. ELE_NordicLCA_Housing_Concrete_BuildingPermit.ifc
57. ELE_NordicLCA_Office_Concrete_BuildingPermit.rvt

62
Appendix D: Example BIM specification documents
BIM specification documents were created for each native BIM file and are in the same folder as the BIM
files. The following are examples of architectural, structural, HVAC, and electrical documents.

Architectural BIM specification document

DISCIPLINE Architecture

Illustration image

Object

Intended use

Design phase As built

Revision date

Organisation Arkkitehtitoimisto Huvila

BIM contact person

Contact email address

Contact telephone number

Principal designer

Project manager Rita Lavikka

Software and versions used Revit 2024

Separate IFC or native models ARK_NordicLCA_Office_Timber_As-Built.rvt

related to this model ARK_NordicLCA_Office_Terrain_Timber_BuildingPermit.ifc
ARK_NordicLCA_Office_Terrain_Timber_BuildingPermit.rvt
ARK_NordicLCA_Office_Timber_As-
Built_Materials_and_Products.xlsx

Additional information and

comments

63
GENERAL MODELLING PRINCIPLES

Classification systems used Talo2000

Layer systems used Talo2000
Naming of building elements http://uri.suomi.fi/codelist/rakrek/raktkk_builtsystem_1_0

Unit system Metric

Coordinate system ETRS-GK 25 planar coordinates
N2000 elevation system

Origin location (x,y,z) X=E=I Y=N=P Z

Origin 25505183.456 6706938.966 0,000

Models are not rotated in the project coordinate system; all

models are placed in a true-north position.
Level names and elevations in the Sea level +0,000
N2000 system Basement +51,700
Level_01 +55,500
Level_02 +59,700
Level_03 +63,720
Level_04 +67,740
Level_05 +72,310
Roof +78,370

IFC version IFC4 (IFC 4.0.2.1)

Level of detail (LoD) As built

Deviations from the LoD

Level of information (LoI) As built

Deviations from the LoI

Presentation of the phasing -

Building element and component coding Source of information

http://uri.suomi.fi/codelist/rakrek/raktkk_builtsystem_1_0 Element attribute/ Name

Propertyset Property Used values

Identification Pset________Common IsExternal Elements that are part of or outside the

of the external outer envelope TRUE
envelope of Elements inside the outer envelope
the building FALSE or empty

Identification IsLoadBearing Load-bearing elements TRUE

of load- Non-load-bearing elements FALSE or
bearing Pset________Common empty
building
elements

Identification Pset________Common WallCovering Surface materials in text format

of surface CeilingCovering according to the attachment:
materials in FloorCovering SurfaceMaterials_ARK​_NordicLCA_​
rooms Office_​Timber_AsBuilt.xlsx

64
Structural BIM specification document

DISCIPLINE Structural

Illustration image

Object
Intended use

Design phase building permit

Revision date

Organisation

BIM contact person

Contact email address

Contact telephone number

Principal designer

Project manager Rita Lavikka

Software and versions used Tekla Structures 2023

Separate models and documents STRUC_NordicLCA_Office_Concrete_BuildingPermit.ifc
related to this model

Additional information and It should be noted that this model has been developed primarily
comments according to the principles of the BIM4LCA project and have been
used to verify the principles of this project. This model is certainly
not flawless. Plans have not been thoroughly examined from a
technical point of view, nor, for example, have the structural
solutions been calculated or otherwise structurally dimensioned in
detail.

65
GENERAL MODELLING PRINCIPLES

Classification systems used

Layer systems used
Naming of building elements

Unit system Metric

Coordinate system ETRS-GK25 planar coordinates
N2000 elevation system

Origin location (x,y,z) X=E=I Y=N=P Z

Origin 25505171,787 6707188,716 0,000
Models are not rotated in the project coordinate system; all
models are placed in a true-north position.
Level names and elevations in the Sea level +0,00
N2000 system Foundations +47,300
Basement +49,070
Level_01 +52,000
Level_02 +54,930
Level_03 +58,030
Level_04 +61,130
Roof +64,035

IFC version IFC4

Level of detail (LoD) building permit

Deviations from the LoD

Level of information (LoI) building permit

Deviations from the LoI

Presentation of the phasing -

Propertyset Property Used values

Identification of the Pset________Common IsExternal Elements that are

external envelope of (part) part of ou outside the
the building outer envelope TRUE
Elements inside the
outer envelope FALSE

Identification of load- Pset________Common IsLoadBearing Load-bearing

bearing building elements TRUE
elements Non-load-bearing
elements FALSE or
empty

66
HVAC BIM specification document

Discipline HVAC

View of the model

Project BIM4LCA

Design phase Detail Design

Initial date 16.6.2024

Revision date
Revision version

Company Granlund Oy

BIM4LCA project leader Rita Lavikka, VTT

Software MagiCAD for Revit 2024

Native model HVAC_NordicLCA_Housing_Concrete_BuildingPermit.rvt

MEP standardization guide, please see document:
More info on, comments…
0_MEP_standardization_2024.pdf

67
 Overview of modelling principles

Nomenclatures to be used -
Naming product components http://uri.suomi.fi/codelist/rytj/LVI-TUOTEOSA_Versio_1_0
Naming of systems http://uri.suomi.fi/codelist/rytj/LVI-JARJESTELMA_Versio_1_0

Units mm
Coordinate reference system ETRS-GK 25 coordinate system
N2000-height system

Origo (x,y,z) X=E=I Y=N=P Z

Origo 25505171,787 6707188,716 0,000
The project does not rotate models in the project coordinate
system, all models are modelled at a real-world angle.
Floor names and floor elevations Merenpinta +0,00 (Sea level)
Perustukset +47,30 (Foundations)
Kellari +49,07 (Basement)
01_Kerros +52,00 (1. Floor)
02_Kerros +54,93 (2. Floor)
03_Kerros +58,03 (3. Floor)
04_Kerros +61,13 (4. Floor)
Vesikatto +64,03 ( Roof)

IFC-version IFC4

Model accuracy Detail Design

Deviations from the level of -

accuracy

Information content According to Rava3pro project (www.rava3pro.fi,

https://search.bsdd.buildingsmart.org/uri/finnish-mep/FI-MEP/1.0

Deviations from the data content -

Example of how to recognise an MEP component

Component common names can be found from in Finnish national common code platform:
http://uri.suomi.fi/codelist/rytj/LVI-TUOTEOSA_Versio_1_0

68
Identification of components

Property Set Property Values used

FI_Komponentti 01 Komponentin pääryhmä Level 1: ”Koodin nimi”

http://uri.suomi.fi/codelist/rytj/
LVI-TUOTEOSA_Versio_1_0
FI_Komponentti 01 Komponentin alaryhmä Level 2: ”Koodin nimi”
http://uri.suomi.fi/codelist/rytj/
LVI-TUOTEOSA_Versio_1_0

FI_Komponentti 01 Komponentin koodi Level 3: ”Koodin arvo”

http://uri.suomi.fi/codelist/rytj/
LVI-TUOTEOSA_Versio_1_0
FI_Komponentti 01 Komponentin yleisnimi Level 3: ”Koodin nimi”
http://uri.suomi.fi/codelist/rytj/
LVI-TUOTEOSA_Versio_1_0

FI_Komponentti 01 Komponentin yleistunnus Level 3: ”Lyhyt nimi”

http://uri.suomi.fi/codelist/rytj/
LVI-TUOTEOSA_Versio_1_0

Identification of systems

Property Set Property Values used

FI_Järjestelmä 01 Järjestelmälaji Level 1:

http://uri.suomi.fi/codelist/rytj/
LVI-
JARJESTELMA_Versio_1_0/cod
e/J-LVI

FI_Järjestelmä 01 Järjestelmäluokka Level 2: ”Koodin nimi”

http://uri.suomi.fi/codelist/rytj/
LVI-
JARJESTELMA_Versio_1_0/cod
e/J-LVI

FI_Järjestelmä 01 Järjestelmän koodi Level 3: ”Koodin arvo”

http://uri.suomi.fi/codelist/rytj/
LVI-
JARJESTELMA_Versio_1_0/cod
e/J-LVI
FI_Järjestelmä 01 Järjestelmätyyppi Level 3: ”Koodin nimi”
http://uri.suomi.fi/codelist/rytj/
LVI-
JARJESTELMA_Versio_1_0/cod
e/J-LVI

FI_Järjestelmä 01 Järjestelmätyypin Level 3: ”Lyhyt nimi”

yleistunnus http://uri.suomi.fi/codelist/rytj/
LVI-
JARJESTELMA_Versio_1_0/cod
e/J-LVI

69
Electrical BIM specification document

DISCIPLINE Electrical

View of the model

Project BIM4LCA
Design phase Detail Design

Initial date 16.6.2024

Revision date

Revision version
Company Granlund Oy

BIM4LCA project leader Rita Lavikka, VTT

Software MagiCAD for Revit 2024

Native model ELE_NordicLCA_Housing_Concrete_BuildingPermit.rvt

More info on, comments… MEP standardization guide, please see document:
0_MEP_standardization_2024.pdf

70
 OVERVIEW OF MODELLING PRINCIPLES

Nomenclatures to be used -
Naming product components http://uri.suomi.fi/codelist/rytj/SAHKO-TUOTEOSA_Versio_1_0
Naming of systems http://uri.suomi.fi/codelist/rytj/SAHKO-JARJESTELMA_Versio_1_0

Units mm
Coordinate reference system ETRS-GK 25 coordinate system
N2000-height system

Origo (x,y,z) X=E=I Y=N=P Z

Origo 25505171,787 6707188,716 0,000
The project does not rotate models in the project coordinate
system, all models are modeled at a real-world angle.
Floor names and floor elevations Merenpinta +0,00
Perustukset +47,30
Kellari +49,07
01_Kerros +52,00
02_Kerros +54,93
03_Kerros +58,03
04_Kerros +61,13
Vesikatto +64,03

IFC-version IFC4
Model accuracy Detail Design

Deviations from the level of -

accuracy
Information content According to Rava3pro project (www.rava3pro.fi,
https://search.bsdd.buildingsmart.org/uri/finnish-mep/FI-MEP/1.0

Deviations from the data content -

Component common names can be found from the Finnish national common code platform:
http://uri.suomi.fi/codelist/rytj/SAHKO-TUOTEOSA_Versio_1_0

71
Identification of components

Property Set Property Values used

FI_Komponentti 01 Komponentin pääryhmä Level 1: ”Koodin nimi”

http://uri.suomi.fi/codelist/rytj/
LVI-TUOTEOSA_Versio_1_0
FI_Komponentti 01 Komponentin alaryhmä Level 2: ”Koodin nimi”
http://uri.suomi.fi/codelist/rytj/
LVI-TUOTEOSA_Versio_1_0

FI_Komponentti 01 Komponentin koodi Level 3: ”Koodin arvo”

http://uri.suomi.fi/codelist/rytj/
LVI-TUOTEOSA_Versio_1_0
FI_Komponentti 01 Komponentin yleisnimi Level 3: ”Koodin nimi”
http://uri.suomi.fi/codelist/rytj/
LVI-TUOTEOSA_Versio_1_0

FI_Komponentti 01 Komponentin yleistunnus Level 3: ”Lyhyt nimi”

http://uri.suomi.fi/codelist/rytj/
LVI-TUOTEOSA_Versio_1_0

Identification of systems

Property Set Property Values used

FI_Järjestelmä 01 Järjestelmälaji Level 1:

http://uri.suomi.fi/codelist/rytj/
LVI-
JARJESTELMA_Versio_1_0/cod
e/J-LVI

FI_Järjestelmä 01 Järjestelmäluokka Level 2: ”Koodin nimi”

http://uri.suomi.fi/codelist/rytj/
LVI-
JARJESTELMA_Versio_1_0/cod
e/J-LVI

FI_Järjestelmä 01 Järjestelmän koodi Level 3: ”Koodin arvo”

http://uri.suomi.fi/codelist/rytj/
LVI-
JARJESTELMA_Versio_1_0/cod
e/J-LVI
FI_Järjestelmä 01 Järjestelmätyyppi Level 3: ”Koodin nimi”
http://uri.suomi.fi/codelist/rytj/
LVI-
JARJESTELMA_Versio_1_0/cod
e/J-LVI

FI_Järjestelmä 01 Järjestelmätyypin Level 3: ”Lyhyt nimi”

yleistunnus http://uri.suomi.fi/codelist/rytj/
LVI-
JARJESTELMA_Versio_1_0/cod
e/J-LVI

72
Appendix E: Instructions for BIM-based material
inventory in native Nordic languages

Dansk
Instruktioner til BIM-baseret materialeopgørelse

Denne specifikation er oversat fra afsnittet "Instructions for BIM-based material

inventory" i slutrapporten for dette BIM-baserede bygnings-LCA-projekt. Mere
detaljerede instruktioner er beskrevet i rapporten.

BIM-modellering bør følge internationale standarder. Nationalt kan være mere

specifikke nationale kravene eller retningslinjer (f.eks. »RAVA3Pro« i Finland,
»Tillämpningsanvisningar BIM«, der er under udvikling i Sverige, »SIMBA« for
offentlige bygninger i Norge og DS/EN ISO 19650 i Danmark).

Generelle krav til BIM

De oplysninger, der kræves til LCA, ligner de oplysninger, der er nødvendige til
kalkulationer. Bygningselementer skal modelleres, så mængderne genereres korrekt i
designmodellen og følgelig eksporteres korrekt til IFC-modellen. For at BIM skal
være mest muligt anvendelig i LCA-beregninger, er de generelle krav til BIM-
modellering:

Modellering af høj kvalitet - i henhold til national bedste praksis

Præcis - Modellens indhold er nøjagtigt, og elementerne er modelleret, så de
kan eksporteres korrekt til IFC-modellen.
Beskrivende og informativ - Modellens indhold tager højde for slutbrugernes
behov.

Der følger en beskrivelsesfil med BIM-modellen, som angiver, hvilke

informationsfelter der indeholder relevante data, og hvilke formål
modellen er beregnet til. Software kan generere utilsigtede
oplysninger, som måske ikke er nøjagtige, og derfor er det relevant at
specificere, hvilke felter der er beregnet til at blive brugt.
Korrekt navngivning og kategorisering - i henhold til nationale standarder
eller bedste praksis (eller projektspecifik navngivning, i hvilket tilfælde
navngivningskonventionerne skal forblive de samme gennem hele projektet)

Alle bygningselementer får beskrivende typenavne, som også bruges i

andre dokumenter. For eksempel har alle vægelementer med samme

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 struktur den samme vægtypeidentifikator defineret i BIM'en, som
også findes i konstruktionsplanerne. Det gør det muligt at hente
oplysninger fra kilder uden for BIM-modellerne.
Når producent- og produktnavne på installerede produkter er kendt
(for det meste i tilfælde af as-built-modeller), oplyses disse i BIM'en
for at understøtte kortlægningen af produktspecifikke
miljøvaredeklarationer (EPD). Alternativt leveres en kortlægning af
produkttypenavne i modellen til de installerede produkter eksternt.
Hvis de installerede produkter ikke er specificeret, navngives
materialerne på en harmoniseret måde i modellerne, og der anvendes
etablerede klassifikationer, hvor det er muligt. Materialerne registreres
enten i modellen eller refereres eksternt med typenavnet i BIM-
modellen.

BIM-specifikationsdokumenter

BIM'ernes indhold og modelleringsprincipper skal dokumenteres og beskrives i bilag i

henhold til national bedste praksis. Specifikationsdokumenterne skal f.eks. oplyse,
hvilke informationsfelter der genereres i informationsmodellen. Dette er vigtigt, da
software kan generere oplysninger (ekstra felter automatisk), som måske ikke er
nøjagtige.

Specifikationsdokumentet bruges også som et værktøj til at kommunikere

information om modellens fuldstændighed ved f.eks. at angive eventuelle
antagelser, som designeren har gjort, eller eventuelle endnu ikke modellerede
elementer. Dette er især relevant for modellering, der udføres i de tidligere faser af
designprocessen. Oplysninger, der er tilføjet som et udkast (konstruktionstype,
materiale osv.), og som kan ændres, skal også angives tydeligt i BIM-
specifikationsdokumentet.

Nødvendige data i BIM-modellen til informationsudtræk

Mængder og egenskaber i BIM-modeller udtrækkes via

informationsudtagningsfunktioner i BIM- eller IFC-software. Nedenfor er angivet de
data, der som minimum kræves for at udføre LCA.

Præcise, beskrivende og informative data af høj kvalitet i informationsudtrækket

øger effektiviteten og nøjagtigheden af processen både under eksport fra IFC-
software og import af information til LCA-software.

De vigtigste krav er anført i det følgende:

Bygningselement
Klassificering af bygningselementer i henhold til national bedste praksis.
Bygningselementtypen bruges til at kategorisere emissioner i henhold til

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bygningselementet. Kategorisering i henhold til bygningselementet er afgørende for
LCA-vurderingen, da det muliggør vurdering på komponentniveau.

Komponenttype (klasse)
Afgørende for import af data til LCA-software. Komponenttyper er f.eks. plade,
søjle eller bjælke.

Viser, hvilket værktøj i modelleringssoftwaren komponenten er genereret med, og

muliggør et niveau af kvalitetssikring af, at oplysningerne er korrekte i modellen.

Type (reference)
Bygget elementtype i henhold til national best practice og afhængigt af, hvad der er
aftalt i projektet. Referencen er beskrivende information om elementet, som svarer
til navngivningen i andre designdokumenter. For eksempel den benyttede
dækelementtype i stueetagen.

Oplysninger om mængde
Volumen

Afgørende for bygningselementer, hvor den foretrukne enhed er volumen (m3)

Areal

Afgørende for bygningselementer, hvor den foretrukne enhed er areal (m2).

Lineær meter

Afgørende for bygningselementer, hvor den foretrukne enhed er længde (m).

Antal stykker

Afgørende for bygningselementer, hvor den foretrukne enhed er antal enheder

(unit).

Materiale
Materialeinformation, der bruges til at beskrive det anvendte materiale i
konstruktionen. Viser det materiale, der er brugt i komponenten, f.eks. træ, beton
eller stål. Yderligere oplysninger om materialet, f.eks. betonens styrkeklasse, kan
oplyses i kilder til supplerende data.

Viser tykkelsen af materialelagene i konstruktionen (når de er tilgængelige).

Samlet tykkelse
Den samlede tykkelse af en konstruktion er afgørende, især for komponenter i den
strukturelle ramme.

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 Eesti keel
Juhised BIM-põhise materjaliinventuuri jaoks

See spetsifikatsioon on tõlgitud käesoleva BIM-põhise hoone LCA projekti

lõpparuande jaotisest "Instructions for BIM-based material inventory". Täpsemad
juhised on kirjeldatud aruandes.

BIM-modelleerimisel tuleks järgida rahvusvahelised standardid. Riikidel võivad olla

konkreetsemad riiklikud standardid või suunised (nt „RAVA3Pro“ Soomes,
„Tillämpningsanvisningar BIM“, mida töötatakse välja Rootsis, „SIMBA“ avalike
hoonete jaoks Norras ja DS/EN ISO 19650 Taanis).

BIMi üldised nõuded

LCA jaoks vajalik teave on sarnane teabega, mida on vaja kuluarvutuste tegemiseks.
Ehituselemendid tuleb modelleerida nii, et kogused genereeritakse
projekteerimismudelis õigesti ja eksporditakse sellest tulenevalt õigesti IFC-
mudelisse. Selleks, et BIM oleks LCA arvutamisel kõige kasulikum, on BIM-
modelleerimise üldised nõuded järgmised:

Kvaliteetne modelleerimine - vastavalt riiklikele parimatele tavadele.

Täpne - mudeli sisu on täpne ja elemendid on modelleeritud nii, et neid saab
õigesti eksportida IFC-mudelisse.
Kirjeldav ja informatiivne - mudeli sisu arvestab BIMi lõppkasutajate
vajadusi.

Koos BIM-mudeliga esitatakse kirjeldusfail, milles täpsustatakse,

millised andmeväljad sisaldavad asjakohaseid andmeid ja millisteks
eesmärkideks mudel on mõeldud. Tarkvara võib genereerida
soovimatut teavet, mis ei pruugi olla täpne, mistõttu on asjakohane
täpsustada, millised väljad on mõeldud kasutamiseks.
Õige nimetamine ja kategoriseerimine - vastavalt riiklikele standarditele või
parimatele tavadele (või projektipõhine nimetamine, mille puhul
nimetamiskonventsioonid peavad jääma kogu projekti jooksul samaks).

Kõigile ehituselementidele antakse kirjeldavad tüübinimetused, mida

kasutatakse ka teistes dokumentides. Näiteks on kõigil sama
struktuuriga seinaelementidel BIMis määratletud sama seina tüübi
identifikaator, mis on ka struktuuriplaanides. See võimaldab teabe
otsimist BIM-mudelitest välistest allikatest.
Kui paigaldatud toodete tootja ja tootenimetused on teada (enamasti
as-built-mudelite puhul), avalikustatakse need BIMis, et toetada
tootespetsiifiliste keskkonnadeklaratsioonide (EPD) kaardistamist.
Teise võimalusena esitatakse mudelis olevate tootetüüpide nimede

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 kaardistamine paigaldatud toodetele väljastpoolt.
Kui paigaldatud tooteid ei ole täpsustatud, on materjalide nimetused
mudelites ühtlustatud, kasutades võimaluse korral kehtestatud
klassifikatsioone. Materjalid kas registreeritakse mudelis või viidatakse
väliselt BIM-mudelis tüübinimetusega.

BIM-spetsifikatsioonidokumendid

BIM-mudelite sisu ja modelleerimise põhimõtted dokumenteeritakse ja kirjeldatakse

lisades vastavalt siseriiklikele parimatele tavadele. Spetsifikatsioonidokumentides
tuleks näiteks avalikustada, milliseid infovälju mudelis genereeritakse. See on oluline,
sest tarkvara võib genereerida teavet (täiendavaid välju automaatselt), mis ei
pruugi olla täpne.

Spetsifikatsioonidokumenti kasutatakse ka mudeli täielikkust käsitleva teabe

edastamise vahendina, näidates näiteks projekteerija tehtud eeldusi või veel
modelleerimata elemente. See on oluline eelkõige projekteerimisprotsessi
varasemates etappides toimuva modelleerimise puhul. BIM-
spetsifikatsioonidokumendis tuleks selgelt märkida ka teave, mis on lisatud
eelnõuna (konstruktsiooni tüüp, materjal jne) ja mida võidakse muuta.

BIM-mudelis teabe ülevõtmiseks nõutavad andmed

BIM-mudelites olevad kogused ja omadused eraldatakse BIM- või IFC-tarkvara

teabe võtmise funktsioonide abil. Allpool on loetletud andmed, mida on vaja
vähemalt LCA teostamiseks.

Kvaliteetsed, täpsed, kirjeldavad ja informatiivsed andmed teabe ülevõtmisel

suurendavad protsessi tõhusust ja täpsust nii IFC-tarkvarast eksportimisel kui ka
teabe importimisel LCA-tarkvarasse.

Kõige olulisemad nõuded on loetletud allpool:

Hooneelement
Ehituselemendi klassifikatsioon vastavalt siseriiklikele parimatele tavadele.
Hooneelemendi tüüpi kasutatakse heitkoguste liigitamiseks vastavalt
hooneelemendile. Ehituselemendi järgi kategoriseerimine on ökoanalüüsi hindamisel
väga oluline, sest see võimaldab komponentide tasandil hindamist.

Komponendi tüüp (klass)

Oluline andmete importimisel LCA-tarkvarasse. Komponentide tüübid on näiteks
plaat, post või tala.

Näitab, millise modelleerimistarkvara vahendiga on komponent loodud, ja

võimaldab kvaliteedi tagamist, et teave on mudelis õige.

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Tüüp (viide)
Ehitatud elemendi tüüp vastavalt siseriiklikule heale tavale ja sõltuvalt sellest, mis
on projektis kokku lepitud. Viide on kirjeldav teave elemendi kohta, mis vastab
nimetamisele teistes projekteerimisdokumentides. Näiteks esimese korruse plaadi
ehitatud elemendi tüüp.

Teave koguse kohta

Maht Oluline ehituselementide puhul, mille eelistatud mõõtühik on ruumala (m3).

Pindala Oluline nende ehituselementide puhul, mille eelistatud ühik on pindala (m2).

Lineaarne meeter Oluline nende ehituselementide puhul, mille eelistatud ühik on

pikkus (m).

Tükkide arv Oluline nende ehituselementide puhul, mille eelistatud ühik on tükkide
arv (tk).

Materjal
Materjali andmed, mida kasutatakse konstruktsioonis kasutatud materjali
kirjeldamiseks. Näitab elemendis kasutatud materjali, nt puit, betoon või teras.
Lisateavet materjali kohta, näiteks betooni tugevusklass, võib avaldada
lisaandmete allikates.

Näitab materjali kihtide paksust konstruktsioonis (kui see on kättesaadav).

Kogupaksus
Konstruktsiooni kogupaksus on oluline eelkõige konstruktsiooni raami komponentide
puhul..

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 Suomi
Ohjeet BIM-pohjaista materiaalin inventointia varten

Tämä ohjeistus on käännetty tämän Tietomallipohjaisen rakennuksen LCA-projektin

loppuraportin "Instructions for BIM-based material inventory" -osiosta. Raportissa
kuvataan tarkemmat ohjeet.

BIM-mallinnuksen tulisi noudattaa rakennusten tietomallinnusta koskevia

kansainlisiä standardeja. Lisäksi kansallisesti voi olla tarkempia vaatimuksia tai
ohjeita (esim. "RAVA3Pro" Suomessa, Ruotsissa kehitteillä oleva
"Tillämpningsanvisningar BIM", "SIMBA" julkisia rakennuksia varten Norjassa ja
DS/EN ISO 19650 Tanskassa).

BIM:n yleiset vaatimukset

LCA:n edellyttämät tiedot ovat samankaltaisia kuin kustannuslaskennassa

tarvittavat tiedot. Rakennuselementit on mallinnettava siten, että määrät
tuotetaan oikein suunnittelumallissa ja viedään näin ollen oikein IFC-malliin. Jotta
BIM olisi mahdollisimman hyödyllinen LCA-laskennassa, BIM-mallinnuksen yleiset
vaatimukset ovat seuraavat:

Laadukas mallintaminen - Kansallisten parhaiden käytäntöjen mukaisesti.

Tarkkuus - Mallin sisältö on tarkka ja elementit on mallinnettu siten, että ne
voidaan viedä oikein IFC-malliin.
Kuvaileva ja informatiivinen - Mallin sisältö ottaa huomioon BIM:n
loppukäyttäjien tarpeet.

BIM-mallin mukana toimitetaan tietomalliseloste, jossa määritetään,

mitkä tietokentät sisältävät olennaisia tietoja ja mihin tarkoituksiin
malli on tarkoitettu. Ohjelmisto voi tuottaa tahattomia tietoja, jotka
eivät välttämättä ole tarkkoja, ja siksi on tärkeää määritellä, mitä
kenttiä on tarkoitus käyttää.
Oikea nimeäminen ja luokittelu - Kansallisten standardien tai parhaiden
käytäntöjen mukaan (tai hankekohtainen nimeäminen, jolloin
nimeämiskäytäntöjen on pysyttävä samoina koko hankkeen ajan).

Kaikille rakennusosille annetaan kuvaavat tyyppinimet, joita

käytetään myös muissa asiakirjoissa. Esimerkiksi kaikilla
rakenteeltaan samanlaisilla seinäelementeillä on BIM:ssä määritelty
sama seinätyypin tunniste, joka löytyy myös rakennesuunnitelmista.
Tämä mahdollistaa tietojen hakemisen BIM-mallien ulkopuolisista
lähteistä.
Kun asennettujen tuotteiden valmistaja ja tuotenimet ovat tiedossa
(useimmiten as-built-malleissa), ne ilmoitetaan BIM:ssä
tuotekohtaisten ympäristötuoteselosteiden (EPD) kartoittamisen

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 tueksi. Vaihtoehtoisesti mallissa olevien tuotetyyppien nimien
kartoitus asennettuihin tuotteisiin tehdään ulkoisesti.
Jos asennettuja tuotteita ei ole eritelty, materiaalit nimetään
yhtenäisellä tavalla kaikissa malleissa käyttäen mahdollisuuksien
mukaan vakiintuneita luokituksia. Materiaalit joko kirjataan malliin tai
niihin viitataan ulkoisesti BIM-mallissa olevan tyyppinimen avulla.

Tietomalliselosteet

BIM-asiakirjojen sisältö ja mallinnusperiaatteet on dokumentoitava ja kuvattava

liitteissä kansallisten parhaiden käytäntöjen mukaisesti. Tietomalliselosteessa on
ilmoitettava esimerkiksi, mitä tietokenttiä tietomalliin tuotetaan. Tämä on tärkeää,
koska ohjelmistot saattavat tuottaa automaattisesti tietoja (lisäkenttiä), jotka
eivät välttämättä ole tarkkoja.

Tietomalliselostetta käytetään myös välineenä, jolla välitetään tietoa mallin

täydellisyydestä esimerkiksi ilmoittamalla suunnittelijan tekemät oletukset tai vielä
mallintamattomat elementit. Tämä on tärkeää erityisesti suunnitteluprosessin
aikaisemmissa vaiheissa tehtävän mallintamisen kannalta. Myös luonnoksena
lisätyt tiedot (rakennetyyppi, materiaali jne.), jotka voivat muuttua, olisi
ilmoitettava selvästi BIM-määrittelyasiakirjassa.

Tietomallissa vaadittavat tiedot tietojen vientiä varten

BIM-mallien sisältämät määrät ja ominaisuudet poimitaan BIM- tai IFC-ohjelmiston

tiedonottotoimintojen avulla. Seuraavassa luetellaan tiedot, joita tarvitaan
vähintään LCA:n suorittamiseen.

Laadukkaat, täsmälliset, kuvaavat ja informatiiviset tiedot tietojen otossa lisäävät

prosessin tehokkuutta ja tarkkuutta sekä viennissä IFC-ohjelmistosta että tietojen
tuonnissa LCA-ohjelmistoon.

Tärkeimmät vaatimukset luetellaan seuraavassa:

Rakennuselementti
Rakennusosien luokittelu kansallisten parhaiden käytäntöjen mukaisesti.
Rakennusosan tyyppiä käytetään päästöjen luokitteluun rakennusosan mukaan.
Rakennusosan mukainen luokittelu on ratkaisevan tärkeää LCA-arvioinnin kannalta,
koska se mahdollistaa komponenttitason arvioinnin.

Komponentin tyyppi (luokka)

Ratkaisevaa tietojen tuonnin kannalta LCA-ohjelmistoon. Komponenttityyppejä
ovat esimerkiksi laatta, pilari tai palkki.

Näyttää, millä mallinnusohjelmiston työkalulla komponentti on luotu, ja

mahdollistaa laadunvarmistuksen, että tiedot ovat mallissa oikein.

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Tyyppi (viite)
Rakennetun elementin tyyppi kansallisten parhaiden käytäntöjen mukaisesti ja sen
mukaan, mitä hankkeessa on sovittu. Viite on elementtiä kuvaavaa tietoa, joka
vastaa nimeämistä muissa suunnitteluasiakirjoissa. Esimerkiksi pohjakerroksen
laatan rakennetun elementin tyyppi.

Määrää koskevat tiedot

Tilavuus Olennaista rakennusosille, joiden ensisijainen yksikkö on tilavuus (m3).

Pinta-ala Ratkaiseva rakennuselementeille, joiden ensisijainen yksikkö on pinta-ala

(m2).

Lineaarinen metri Ratkaiseva rakennusosille, joiden ensisijainen yksikkö on pituus

(m).

Kappalemäärä Ratkaiseva rakennusosille, joiden ensisijainen yksikkö on

kappalemäärä (kpl).

Materiaali
Materiaalitiedot, joita käytetään kuvaamaan rakenteessa käytettyä materiaalia.
Näyttää komponentissa käytetyn materiaalin, esim. puu, betoni tai teräs.
Materiaaliin liittyvät lisätiedot, kuten betonin lujuusluokka, voidaan ilmoittaa
lisätietojen lähteissä.

Näyttää rakenteessa olevien materiaalikerrosten paksuuden (jos saatavilla).

Kokonaispaksuus
Rakenteen kokonaispaksuus on ratkaisevan tärkeä erityisesti rakenteellisen rungon
osien osalta.

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 Íslenskt
Leiðbeiningar um efnisskráningu sem byggir á BIM

Þessi forskrift er þýdd úr hlutanum „Instructions for BIM-based material inventory“ í

þessari lokaskýrslu um byggingar LCA verkefni sem byggir á BIM. Í skýrslunni er lýst
nánari leiðbeiningum.

BIM líkanagerð ætti að vera í samræmi við alþjóðlega staðla um gerð

upplýsingalíkana. Á landsvísu geta verið sértækari innlendar kröfur eða leiðbeiningar
(t.d. „RAVA3Pro“ í Finnlandi, „Tillämpningsanvisningar BIM“ í þróun í Svíþjóð,
„SIMBA“ fyrir opinberar byggingar í Noregi og DS/EN ISO 19650 í Danmörku).

Almennar kröfur um BIM

Upplýsingarnar sem krafist er fyrir LCA eru eins og þær upplýsingar sem þarf til
kostnaðarútreikninga. Byggingarþættir verða að vera gerðir þannig að magnið sé
myndað á réttan hátt í hönnunarlíkaninu og þar af leiðandi rétt flutt út í IFC líkanið.
Til þess að BIM nýtist best í LCA útreikningum eru almennar kröfur fyrir BIM
líkanagerð:

Hágæða líkanagerð - Samkvæmt bestu starfsvenjum í landinu

Nákvæmt - Innihald líkansins er nákvæmt og þættirnir eru gerðir til að vera
fluttir rétt út í IFC líkanið.
Lýsandi og upplýsandi – Innihald líkansins tekur mið af þörfum notenda BIM.

Lýsingarskrá fylgir með BIM líkaninu sem tilgreinir hvaða

upplýsingareitir innihalda viðeigandi gögn og í hvaða tilgangi líkanið er
ætlað. Hugbúnaður getur myndað óviljandi upplýsingar, sem gætu ekki
verið nákvæmar, og því er mikilvægt að tilgreina hvaða reiti er ætlað
að nota.
Rétt nafngift og flokkun - Samkvæmt innlendum stöðlum eða bestu
starfsvenjum (eða verkefnissértæk nafngift, en þá verða nafnavenjur að vera
þær sömu í öllu verkefninu)

Öllum byggingareiningum eru gefin lýsandi gerðarheiti, sem einnig eru

notuð í öðrum skjölum. Til dæmis hafa allir veggþættir með sömu
uppbyggingu sama vegggerðarauðkenni sem er skilgreint í BIM, sem
einnig er að finna í byggingaráætlunum. Þetta gerir kleift að sækja
upplýsingar frá heimildum utan BIM líkananna.
Þegar framleiðandi og vöruheiti uppsettra vara eru þekkt (aðallega
þegar um er að ræða einskonar gerðir) eru þau birt í BIM til að styðja
við kortlagningu vörusértækra umhverfisvarayfirlýsinga (EPD). Að
öðrum kosti er kortlagning á vörutegundarheitum í líkaninu við
uppsettar vörur veittar að utan.

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 Ef uppsettar vörur eru ekki tilgreindar eru efni nefnd á samræmdan
hátt í öllum gerðum og notast við viðteknar flokkanir þar sem hægt er.
Efnin eru ýmist skráð í líkanið eða vísað til utanaðkomandi með
tegundarheiti í BIM líkaninu.

BIM forskriftarskjöl

Innihald og líkanareglur BIM skulu skjalfest og lýst í viðaukum í samræmi við bestu
starfsvenjur í hverju landi. Í forskriftarskjölunum skal til dæmis koma fram hvaða
upplýsingareitir eru búnir til í upplýsingalíkaninu. Þetta er mikilvægt, þar sem
hugbúnaður getur búið til upplýsingar (aukareitir sjálfkrafa) sem gætu ekki verið
nákvæmar.

Forskriftarskjalið er einnig notað sem tæki til að miðla upplýsingum um heilleika

líkansins með því að tilgreina, til dæmis, allar forsendur sem hönnuðurinn hefur gefið
sér eða hvaða þætti sem eru enn ómótaðir. Þetta á við, sérstaklega fyrir líkanagerð
sem gerð er á fyrri stigum hönnunarferlisins. Upplýsingar sem bætt er við sem drög
(gerð mannvirkis, efni o.s.frv.) og geta breyst ættu einnig að koma skýrt fram í BIM
forskriftarskjalinu.

Nauðsynleg gögn í BIM líkaninu fyrir flugtak upplýsinga

Magn og eiginleikar innan BIM líkana eru dregin út með upplýsingaflugsaðgerðum í

BIM eða IFC hugbúnaði. Hér að neðan eru skráð gögn sem eru nauðsynleg, að
lágmarki, til að framkvæma LCA.

Hágæða, nákvæm, lýsandi og upplýsandi gögn í upplýsingafluginu auka skilvirkni og

nákvæmni ferlisins bæði við útflutning frá IFC hugbúnaði og innflutning upplýsinga í
LCA hugbúnað.

Mikilvægustu kröfurnar eru taldar upp í eftirfarandi:

Byggingarþáttur
Flokkun byggingarhluta, samkvæmt bestu starfsvenjum í landinu. Gerð
byggingarhluta er notuð til að flokka losun eftir byggingareiningu. Flokkun eftir
byggingarþætti skiptir sköpum fyrir LCA mat þar sem það gerir íhlutamat kleift.

Tegund íhluta (flokkur)

Mikilvægt fyrir innflutning gagna í LCA hugbúnað. Tegundir íhluta eru t.d. hella, súlu
eða bjálki. Sýnir með hvaða tóli í líkanahugbúnaðinum íhluturinn hefur verið búinn til
og gerir gæðatryggingu kleift að upplýsingar séu réttar í líkaninu.

Tegund (tilvísun)
Byggð þáttagerð samkvæmt bestu starfsvenjum á landsvísu og eftir því sem samið
hefur verið um í verkefninu. Tilvísunin er lýsandi upplýsingar um þáttinn, sem

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samsvarar nafngiftum í öðrum hönnunarskjölum. Til dæmis, innbyggða
frumefnisgerð jarðhæðarplötu.

Upplýsingar um magn
Bindi

Mikilvægt fyrir byggingarhluta þar sem valin eining er rúmmál (m3)

Svæði

Mikilvægt fyrir byggingarþætti þar sem ákjósanleg eining er flatarmál (m2).

Línulegur mælir

Mikilvægt fyrir byggingarhluta þar sem æskileg eining er lengd (m).

Fjöldi stykkja

Afgerandi fyrir byggingarhluta þar sem æskileg eining er fjöldi eininga (eining).

Efni
Efnisupplýsingar notaðar til að lýsa notuðu efni í mannvirkinu. Sýnir efnið sem notað
er í íhlutinn, t.d. tré, steypu eða stál. Viðbótarupplýsingar sem tengjast efninu, svo
sem styrkleikaflokk steypu, kunna að vera birtar í heimildum fyrir viðbótargögn.

Sýnir þykkt efnislaga í uppbyggingu (þegar það er til staðar).

Heildarþykkt
Heildarþykkt mannvirkis skiptir sköpum sérstaklega fyrir íhluti burðargrindarinnar

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 Norsk
Instruksjoner for BIM-basert materialmengder

Denne spesifikasjonen er oversatt fra delen "Instructions for BIM-based material

inventory“ i denne sluttrapporten for BIM-baserte bygg-LCA-prosjekter. Rapporten
beskriver mer detaljerte instruksjoner.

BIM-modellering bør være i samsvar med internasjonale standarder for

bygningsinformasjonsmodellering. I tillegg kan det finnes mer spesifikke krav eller
retningslinjer på nasjonalt nivå (f.eks. "RAVA3Pro" i Finland,
"Tillämpningsanvisningar BIM" som er under utvikling i Sverige, "SIMBA" for
offentlige bygninger i Norge og DS/EN ISO 19650 i Danmark).

Generelle krav til BIM

Informasjonen som kreves for LCA, er den samme informasjonen som kreves for
kostnadsberegninger. Bygningselementene må modelleres slik at mengdene
genereres riktig i prosjekteringsmodellen og deretter eksporteres korrekt til IFC-
modellen. For at BIM skal være mest mulig nyttig i LCA-beregninger, er de generelle
kravene til BIM-modellering:

Modellering av høy kvalitet - i henhold til nasjonal beste praksis

Presis - Modellens innhold er nøyaktig, og elementene er modellert slik at de
kan eksporteres korrekt til IFC-modellen.
Beskrivende og informativ - Modellens innhold tar hensyn til behovene til
sluttbrukerne av BIM-en.

Sammen med BIM-modellen skal det følge en beskrivelsesfil som

spesifiserer hvilke informasjonsfelt som inneholder relevante data, og
hva modellen er ment å brukes til. Programvare kan generere utilsiktet
informasjon, som kanskje ikke er nøyaktig, og det er derfor viktig å
spesifisere hvilke felt som skal benyttes.
Korrekt navngivning og kategorisering - i henhold til nasjonale standarder
eller beste praksis (eller prosjektspesifikk navngivning, der
navngivningreglene skal være de samme gjennom hele prosjektet)

Alle bygningselementer gis beskrivende typenavn, som også brukes i

andre dokumenter. For eksempel skal alle veggelementer med samme
struktur ha den samme veggtypeidentifikatoren som er definert i BIM-
en, og som også finnes i konstruksjonsplanene. Dette gjør det mulig å
hente informasjon fra kilder utenfor BIM-modellene.
Når produsent- og produktnavnene på installerte produkter er kjent
(som oftest i as-built-modeller), oppgis disse i BIM-en for å gjøre det
enklere å finne produktspesifikke miljødeklarasjoner (EPD). Alternativt

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 leveres en ekstern oversikt over produkttypenavnene til de installerte
produktene i modellen.
Hvis de installerte produktene ikke er spesifisert, navngis materialene
der det er mulig, på en harmonisert måte i modellene ved hjelp av
etablerte klassifikasjoner,. Materialene registreres enten i modellen
eller refereres eksternt med typenavnet i BIM-modellen.

BIM-spesifikasjonsdokumenter

Innholdet og modelleringsprinsippene i BIM-ene skal dokumenteres og beskrives i

vedlegg i henhold til beste praksis. Spesifikasjonsdokumentene bør for eksempel
opplyse om hvilke informasjonsfelt som genereres i informasjonsmodellen. Dette er
viktig ettersom programvare kan generere informasjon (ekstra felter automatisk)
som kanskje ikke er nøyaktig.

Spesifikasjonsdokumentet brukes også som et verktøy for å gi informasjon om hvor

fullstendig modellen er, for eksempel ved å påpeke eventuelle antakelser som
designeren har gjort, eller elementer som ennå ikke er modellert. Dette er særlig
relevant for modellering som gjøres i de tidligere stadiene av designprosessen.
Informasjon som er lagt til som utkast (konstruksjonstype, materiale osv.) og som
kan bli endret, bør også angis tydelig i BIM-spesifikasjonsdokumentet.

Nødvendige data i BIM-modellen for informasjonsuttak

Mengder og egenskaper i BIM-modeller hentes ut ved hjelp av

informasjonsuttaksfunksjoner i BIM- eller IFC-programvare. Nedenfor er data som
minimum kreves for å utføre LCA, beskrevet.

Presise, beskrivende og informative data av høy kvalitet i informasjonsuttaket øker

effektiviteten og nøyaktigheten i prosessen, både under eksport fra IFC-
programvare og import av informasjon til LCA-programvare.

De viktigste kravene:

Bygningselement
Klassifisering av bygningselementer i henhold til beste praksis.
Bygningselementtypen brukes til å kategorisere utslipp i henhold til
bygningselementet. Kategorisering i henhold til bygningselementet er avgjørende
for LCA-vurderingen for å kunne vurdere utslipp på komponentnivå.

Komponenttype (klasse)
Avgjørende for import av data til LCA-programvare. Komponenttyper er f.eks. plate,
søyle eller bjelke.

Viser hvilket verktøy komponenten er generert med i modelleringsprogramvaren, og

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gir en kvalitetssikring av at informasjonen i modellen er korrekt.

Type (referanse)
Byggelementtype i henhold til beste praksis og avhengig av hva som er avtalt i
prosjektet. Beskrivende informasjon om elementet, som samsvarer med
navngivningen i andre prosjekteringsdokumenter. For eksempel den bygde
elementtypen til en dekkeplate i første etasje.

Informasjon om mengde
Volum

Avgjørende for bygningselementer med foretrukket enhet volum (m3)

Areal

Avgjørende for bygningselementer med foretrukket enhet areal (m2).

Løpemeter

Avgjørende for bygningselementer med foretrukket enhet lengde (m).

Antall deler

Avgjørende for bygningselementer med foretrukket enhet antall enheter (unit).

Materiale
Materialinformasjon for å beskrive materialet som brukes i konstruksjonen. Viser
materialet benyttet i komponenten, f.eks. tre, betong eller stål. Ytterligere
informasjon om materialet, f.eks. betongens styrkeklasse, kan oppgis i kilder for
tilleggsdata.

Viser tykkelsen på materiallagene i konstruksjonen (hvis tilgjengelig).

Total tykkelse
Total tykkelse på en konstruksjon er avgjørende, spesielt for komponenter i
konstruksjonsrammen.

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 Svenska
Instruktioner för BIM-baserad materialinventering

Denna specifikation är översatt från avsnittet "Instructions for BIM-based material

inventory " i denna BIM-baserade slutrapport för byggnads-LCA-projekt. Rapporten
beskriver mer detaljerade instruktioner.

BIM-modellering bör följa internationella standarder för

byggnadsinformationsmodellering. Dessutom kan det finnas mer specifika krav eller
riktlinjer på nationell nivå (t.ex. "RAVA3Pro" i Finland, "Tillämpningsanvisningar
BIM" som håller på att utvecklas i Sverige, "SIMBA" för offentliga byggnader i
Norge och DS/EN ISO 19650 i Danmark).

Allmänna krav för BIM

Den information som krävs för LCA liknar den information som behövs för
kostnadsberäkningar. Byggnadselement måste modelleras så att mängderna
genereras korrekt i designmodellen och därmed exporteras korrekt till IFC-modellen.
För att BIM ska vara så användbart som möjligt vid LCA-beräkningar är de
allmänna kraven för BIM-modellering följande:

Högkvalitativ modellering - enligt nationell bästa praxis

Exakt - Modellens innehåll är korrekt och elementen är modellerade så att de
kan exporteras korrekt till IFC-modellen.
Beskrivande och informativ - Modellens innehåll tar hänsyn till behoven hos
slutanvändarna av BIM.

En beskrivningsfil tillhandahålls tillsammans med BIM-modellen som

anger vilka informationsfält som innehåller relevanta data och för
vilka ändamål modellen är avsedd. Programvara kan generera
oavsiktlig information, som kanske inte är korrekt, och därför är det
relevant att ange vilka fält som är avsedda att användas.
Korrekt namngivning och kategorisering - Enligt nationella standarder eller
bästa praxis (eller projektspecifik namngivning, i vilket fall
namngivningskonventionerna måste vara desamma genom hela projektet)

Alla byggnadselement ges beskrivande typnamn, som även används i

andra dokument. Till exempel har alla väggelement med samma
struktur samma identifierare för väggtyp som definieras i BIM, vilket
också finns i strukturplanerna. Detta gör det möjligt att hämta
information från källor utanför BIM-modellerna.
När tillverkar- och produktnamnen på installerade produkter är kända
(oftast när det gäller modeller som byggts) anges dessa i BIM för att
stödja mappningen av produktspecifika miljövarudeklarationer (EPD).

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 Alternativt tillhandahålls en mappning av produkttypnamn i modellen
till de installerade produkterna externt.
Om installerade produkter inte specificeras namnges materialen på
ett harmoniserat sätt i modellerna, med användning av etablerade
klassificeringar där så är möjligt. Materialen registreras antingen i
modellen eller refereras externt med typnamnet i BIM-modellen.

BIM-specifikationsdokument

BIM-modellernas innehåll och modelleringsprinciper ska dokumenteras och

beskrivas i bilagor i enlighet med bästa nationella praxis. I
specifikationsdokumenten ska det t.ex. framgå vilka informationsfält som
genereras i informationsmodellen. Detta är viktigt, eftersom programvara kan
generera information (ytterligare fält automatiskt) som kanske inte är korrekt.

Specifikationsdokumentet används också som ett verktyg för att kommunicera

information om modellens fullständighet genom att t.ex. ange eventuella
antaganden som gjorts av designern eller eventuella ännu inte modellerade
element. Detta är särskilt relevant för modellering som görs i de tidigare stadierna
av designprocessen. Information som läggs till som utkast (strukturtyp, material
etc.) och som kan komma att ändras bör också tydligt anges i BIM-
specifikationsdokumentet.

Nödvändiga data i BIM-modellen för informationsavtagning

Mängder och egenskaper i BIM-modeller extraheras genom

informationsavtagningsfunktioner i BIM- eller IFC-programvara. Nedan listas de
data som minst krävs för att utföra LCA.

Högkvalitativa, exakta, beskrivande och informativa data i informationsuttaget

ökar effektiviteten och noggrannheten i processen både under exporten från IFC-
programvaran och importen av information till LCA-programvaran.

De viktigaste kraven listas i följande avsnitt:

Byggnadselement
Klassificering av byggnadselement, enligt nationell bästa praxis. Typen av
byggnadselement används för att kategorisera utsläppen enligt
byggnadselementet. Kategoriseringen enligt byggnadselementet är avgörande för
LCA-bedömningen, eftersom den möjliggör bedömning på komponentnivå.

Komponenttyp (klass)
Avgörande för import av data till LCA-programvara. Komponenttyper är t.ex.
platta, pelare eller balk.

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Visar vilket verktyg i modelleringsprogrammet som komponenten har genererats
med och möjliggör en kvalitetssäkring av att informationen är korrekt i modellen.

Typ (referens)
Typ av byggelement enligt nationell bästa praxis och beroende på vad som har
överenskommits i projektet. Referensen är beskrivande information om elementet,
som motsvarar namngivningen i andra designdokument. Till exempel den byggda
elementtypen för en bottenvåningsplatta.

Information om kvantitet
Volym

Avgörande för byggnadsdelar för vilka den föredragna enheten är volym (m3)

Area (yta)

Avgörande för byggnadselement för vilka den föredragna enheten är area (m2).

Linjär meter

Avgörande för byggnadselement för vilka den föredragna enheten är längd (m).

Antal bitar

Avgörande för byggnadselement för vilka den föredragna enheten är antal enheter
(unit).

Material
Materialinformation som används för att beskriva använt material i konstruktionen.
Visar det material som används i komponenten, t.ex. trä, betong eller stål.
Ytterligare information som rör materialet, t.ex. betongens hållfasthetsklass, kan
anges i källor för kompletterande data.

Visar tjockleken på materialskikten i konstruktionen (när sådan information finns

tillgänglig).

Total tjocklek
Den totala tjockleken på en struktur är avgörande, särskilt för komponenter i den
strukturella ramen.

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Appendix F: Educational videos on BIM-based building
LCA
The project produced seven educational videos that support practitioners in
learning BIM-based building LCA. The videos can be found on the YouTube of Nordic
Sustainable Construction[58]. The following provides a short description of each
video:

1. Introduction to the BIM4LCA project

Generic description of the results produced in the BIM4LCA project: BIM-

based building LCA, process, BIM models, the operating environment report
of building LCA and BIM in the Nordics.
2. BIM-based building LCA process and building LCA calculation principles

The principles of the LCA process and how to calculate LCA using BIM-based
material at the building permit phase model level.
3. Architect’s building permit and as-built phases: information content, IFC
export

How architects can put the necessary information in the right machine-
readable form and codes to the architectural model and take the IFC export
for that content; how they can take the quantities out of the IFC model and
use this machine-readable data in LCA calculation software.
4. Structural designer: information content, IFC export, Excel import

How to make structural design model and data that can be used in LCA
calculation, how to take the report of material quantities and different
material lists out in machine-readable form, e.g excel files
5. HVAC designer: information content

How to make needed information for HVAC LCA calculation in the native
software Magicad
6. HVAC designer: IFC export

How to make needed information to IFC export in Magicad so that the IFC
file can be used based on LCA calculation
7. LCA expert: IFC export, LCA software import, example on calculating the
CO2 of e.g. a wall structure

Instructions for BIM-based material inventory, how to transfer the data to

LCA calculation software, and examples of how to use different structural
parts from the IFC file to be used in LCA calculation software.

58. https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLKuMoWj9yd7Ww3rne-uU3iq-
LM2IypfE9&jct=zFxiyDdah8WJ_MAxaWlYEA

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About this publication
BIM-based building LCA – Instructions for material
inventory for normative climate declarations

Authors: Rita Lavikka, Mikko Kouhia, Martin Excell, Tomi Henttinen, Markku
Kiviniemi, Tero Järvinen, Minna Salonsaari, Anna-Riitta Kallinen, Katja Maununaho
and Tiina Vainio-Kaila

Other contributors: Tarja Häkkinen, Charlotte Nyholm, Tytti Bruce-Hyrkäs, Jan

Karlshoej, Oddbjørn Dahlstrøm Andvik, Alexander Borg, Iselin Idunn Østvedt, Anni
Oviir, Charlotta Malmén and Maximilian Von Bahr

© Nordic Innovation 2024

This project is part of the Nordic Sustainable Construction programme initiated by

the Nordic ministers for construction and housing and funded by Nordic Innovation.
For more information on Nordic Sustainable Construction, visit our website at
nordicsustainableconstruction.com

Cover photo: Rita Lavikka

US2024-439
Published: 11.09.2024

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Nordic co-operation has firm traditions in politics, economics and culture and plays
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Nordic co-operation promotes regional interests and values in a global world. The
values shared by the Nordic countries help make the region one of the most
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