Singapore leads the world in automated building plan approval

This worldleading initiative will change the entire perception of building planning in Singapore. Other national building authorities anxious to streamline their approval methods are eagerly awaiting initial results. Key to the success of CORENET is Automated Code Checking based on intelligent IFC2x objects, which allows automated approval of building plans over the Internet. Received data is stored and checked within EXPRESS Data Manager software.

Why use IAI Standards? The International Association for Interoperability is an action oriented, not-for--profit organiz-ation. Its mission is to define, publish and promote specifi-cations for Industry Foundation Classes (IFC) and data-modeling standards as a basis for project information sharing in the building industry (architecture, engineering, construction, and facilities-management). The in-formation sharing is world-wide, throughout the project life cycle, and across all disciplines and technical applications. EXPRESS Data ManagerTM enables user to implement data models conforming to IAI standards which, by definition, ensures compliance with Singapore National standards. For more information on IAI http://iaiweb.lbl.gov or see EXPRESSWAY issue 1/00 Why use EXPRESS Data ManagerTM in CORENET? EXPRESS Data Manager™ (EDM) is a suite of applications providing an out-of-the-box solution for easily creating data-models conforming to international standards. EDM's pick-and-place icon driven user interface allows anyone to easily learn EDM's data modeling methodology. Once familiar with EDM, the user can quickly implement data-models in conform-ance with ISO 10303 (STEP), and other standards like IAI, STEP/NC, OIL & GAS and P-LIB making use of XML, Java and other environments. More information.

Singapore is a key hub in the development of the global information and knowledge economy. Part of the developing
e-Business capability in Singapore is the Construction and Real Estate Network project (CORENET). This worldleading initiative will change the entire perception of building planning in Singapore. Other national building authorities anxious to streamline their approval methods are eagerly awaiting initial results.
Key to the success of CORENET is Automated Code Checking based on intelligent IFC2x objects, which allows automated approval of building plans over the Internet. Received data is stored and checked within EXPRESS Data Manager software.

Long Term Benefits

CORENET (Construction and Real Estate NETwork), is a major IT initiative undertaken by the Singapore Ministry of National Development to re-engineer the business processes of the construction industry and achieve a quantum leap in turnaround time, productivity and quality. CORENET centres on developing IT systems to integrate the four major processes of a building project life cycle, supported by key infrastructures, to provide a ‘One-Stop Submission Centre' (OSSC) to facilitate electronic submission, processing and approval of building project documents over the Internet.

The specific objectives of CORENET are:

• To speed up the business planning and project evaluation processes in the building industry by making all relevant information readily available to all players in the industry.
• To streamline the design-related processes by having all industry professionals work with one common set of electronic plans instead of separate paper and electronic plans presently used.
• To evaluate the compliance of building design to statutory requirements with minimal intervention and guidance from the regulatory authorities.
• To move towards common procurement procedures and document standards.

The Singapore Government announced in October 2000 that it will be investing some US$ 22.6 million over the next four years to implement the full CORENET programme. The use of EPM's software applications is part of a US$ 3.4 million contract award to novaSPRINT Pty Ltd., to build the Integrated Plans Checking Systems for Building Plans and Building Services (IBP and IBS Systems) which have been developed by EPM Technology using International Association for Interoperability (IAI).

Says Jorulv Rangnes, Chief Executive Officer of EPM Technology:
"This award continues our success to implement a new IT paradigm for management of Industrial Data in collaborative environments. Winning this contract is a significant milestone for our Product Model Server architecture and Rule Checking Module. We are especially proud of launching this technology to the building and construction industry, which will benefit from our experience from customers within the field of automotive, aerospace, defence, shipping and other areas".

Integrated Building Plan and Building Services System (IBP/IBS)

One of the major projects in CORENET is the Integrated Building Plan and Building Services System. IBP/IBS is an expert system that automatically performs checks on digital plans for compliance with building plan and building services regulatory requirements. The design checking and approval process using the manual approach is timeconsuming and inefficient. Automating this process would eliminate potential delays as well as avoid inconsistencies in codes interpretation.

IBP/IBS would adopt IFC 2x specification developed by IAI to describe the building data model. A stable and rich model is required to enable a computeraided system to analyse and interpret the design. IFC 2x would provide a stable core model for IBP / IBS to build on.

Long Term Benefits

IBP/IBS is targeted for completion by end 2003. It will lay the foundation for the impending change of the design world from 2D to 3D objectbased environment. The interoperability nature of the building model would translate to increase collaboration amongst the industry professionals. In addition, the knowledge stored in the IFCgbased building model could be used for facility management purposes after building is complete.

One-Stop Plan Submission

The OSSC, IBP and IBS will be a virtual submission centre to facilitate round the clock electronic submission and approval of digital building plans. It will be an advanced eGovernment solution for industry professionals such as architects, structural, mechanical and electrical engineers. Automated compliance checks are performed on the relevant parameters of the proposed building against the building codes and compliance regulations. Payment of fees will be made electronically. The system will save the industry travelling time to the 13 regulatory agencies and bring about significant manpower and cost savings to both industry and agencies.
For more information on CORENET:
www.corenet.gov.sg