BIM use cases for Swiss projects

Element	Description
Project PROJECT	Description - Root of the spatial structure; groups all planning content of an IFC file. - Required in every IFC file.
Site SITE	Description - Planning perimeter of the project. - Assigned to the project.
Building BUILDING	Description - Building as a logical breakdown level. - Assigned to the planning perimeter.
Storey STOREY	Description - Horizontal building level: usable storeys and foundation. - Assigned to the building.
Survey reference point SURVEY-REF	Survey point - binding position and height reference for planning and construction.
Surface geometry SURVEY-SURFACE	Terrain surface as modelled surface geometry - documented terrain model in the shared reference frame.
Interior spaces SPACE-INT	Enclosed, walkable room volumes within the building.
Gross volumes SPACE-GROSS	Storey-wise modelled gross volumes for mass studies.
Air spaces SPACE-AIR	Model non-occupiable air spaces storey by storey - as deduction quantities when determining floor area and as a reference space for building services.
Facing shell (usable space) SPACE-VORSATZ	Model the usable space of the facing shell - excluding construction, only the clear volume for verifying space demand and floor-area impact.
Exterior spaces SPACE-EXT	Usable room volumes located outside the building.
Parking spaces SPACE-PARK	Model parking spaces as dedicated spaces - for verification and evaluation from building design onward.
Windows WINDOW	Daylight and ventilation openings in the building envelope and between rooms.
Doors DOOR	Walk-through openings in the building envelope and between rooms.
Suspended ceiling ARC-CEILING	Suspended ceiling as a modelled layer for ceiling mirror planning and MEP coordination.
Wall cladding ARC-WALL-CLAD	Interior wall cladding as a modelled surface for quantity take-off.
Floor build-up ARC-FLOOR-COV	Subfloor and floor covering as a modelled layer for execution planning and quantity take-off.
Exterior wall ARC-WALL-EXT	Exterior wall as building envelope - modelled in early phases and for simple facades as a multi-layer component.
Facade cladding ARC-WALL-CLAD-EXT	Facade cladding as a modelled layer for quantity take-off and coordination.
Non-load-bearing interior wall ARC-WALL-INT	Non-load-bearing interior wall for room separation - basis for fire and acoustic performance data.
Opening / recess (architecture) ARC-OPENING-VOID	Opening or recess in architectural components - masonry and non-load-bearing walls.
Tapered insulation ARC-ROOF-DRAIN	Tapered insulation on flat roof and balcony as a modelled layer with falls.
Footing (Rough) ARC-FOOTING	Rough dimensions according to structural engineering for footings in design development and permitting stages.
Floor slab (Rough) ARC-SLAB-FLOOR	Rough dimensions according to structural engineering for floor slabs in design development and permitting stages.
Base slab (Rough) ARC-SLAB-BASE	Rough dimensions according to structural engineering for base slabs in design development and permitting stages.
Flat roof (Rough) ARC-SLAB-ROOF	Rough dimensions according to structural engineering for flat roofs in design development and permitting stages.
Pitched roof (Rough) ARC-ROOF-PITCH	Rough dimensions according to structural engineering for pitched roofs in design development and permitting stages.
Column (Rough) ARC-COLUMN	Rough dimensions according to structural engineering for columns in design development and permitting stages.
Beam / girder (Rough) ARC-BEAM	Rough dimensions according to structural engineering for beams and girders in design development and permitting stages.
Exclusion zone STR-EXCL-ZONE	Exclusion zone in the structural engineering exclusion zone model.
Detail reference ARC-DET-REF	Volume in the detail reference overview that indicates, like a 2D detail reference, where each standard detail applies.
Opening / recess (structural) STR-OPENING-VOID	Approved opening or recess - binding in the structural model.
Installation access path ARCH-INSTALL-PATH	Clear installation access path for clash verification.
Provision for void MEP-PROV-VOID	MEP request for an opening or recess in the structure - basis for approval by structural engineering.
Coordination zone ARCH-COORD-ZONE	Planned coordination volume assigned to a coordination meeting.
Pipe (schematic) MEP-SCH-PIPE	Schematic pipe for early coordination - medium in Reference.
Duct (schematic) MEP-SCH-DUCT	Schematic duct for early coordination - medium in Reference.
Cable tray (schematic) MEP-SCH-TRAY	Schematic cable tray for early coordination - medium in Reference.
Equipment space (schematic) MEP-SCH-EQUIP	Schematic space requirement for plant and technical rooms in early coordination.
Maintenance space ARCH-MAINT-SPACE	Clear maintenance space for clash verification.
Downpipe MEP-DOWNPIPE	Downpipe from roof and balcony drainage to the main collector.
Beam / girder detailed STR-BEAM	Structural element for beams and girders in the structural model.
Column detailed STR-COLUMN	Structural element for columns in the structural model.
Footing detailed STR-FOOTING	Structural element for footings in the structural model.
Wall detailed STR-WALL	Structural element for walls and precast concrete wall panels in the structural model.
Floor slab detailed STR-SLAB-FLOOR	Structural element for floor slabs in the structural model.
Base slab detailed STR-SLAB-BASE	Structural element for base slabs in the structural model.
Flat roof detailed STR-SLAB-ROOF	Structural element for flat roofs in the structural model.
Stair detailed STR-STAIR	Structural element for stairs in the structural model.
Ramp detailed STR-RAMP	Structural element for ramps in the structural model.
Reinforcement STR-REBAR	Reinforcement elements in the formwork and reinforcement model for execution.
Edge strip STR-EDGE-STRIP	Formwork edge strip in the structural formwork and reinforcement model.
Chiller MEP-CHILLER	Description - Chiller for building cooling. - Chiller plant.
Cooling tower / free cooler MEP-COOL-TOWER	Description - Heat rejection unit for the cooling plant. - Dry cooler, cooling tower, or free-cooling unit.
Backup generator MEP-ELEC-GEN	Description - Generator for standby or emergency power. - Standby or emergency generator.
Electrical distribution board MEP-ELEC-DIST	Description - Switchboard for electrical power distribution. - Main board. - Sub-board.
Transformer MEP-TRANSFORMER	Description - Transformer for voltage conversion in the electrical installation. - Power transformer.
Uninterruptible power supply MEP-UPS	Description - Uninterruptible power supply for critical loads. - UPS unit.
Boiler / water heater MEP-BOILER	Description - Heat generator for space heating or domestic hot water. - Boiler; DHW heater.
District heat substation MEP-HEAT-EX	Description - Heat transfer between district heating and the building network. - District heating substation.
Compressed air compressor MEP-COMPRESSOR	Description - Compressor for compressed air generation. - Compressed air compressor.
Gas pressure regulator MEP-GAS-REG	Description - Station for gas pressure regulation or metering. - Gas pressure regulation or metering station.
Fan MEP-FAN	Description - Standalone fan for supply or extract air. - Supply/extract fan.
Tank / separator MEP-TANK	Description - Separator or tank in the drainage system. - Grease or oil separator.
Pump MEP-PUMP	Description - Pump for circulation or boosting in building services networks. - Pressure booster; fire pump; lifting station.
Unitary equipment / monoblock MEP-UNITARY	Description - Compact heating, cooling, or ventilation unit. - AHU; heat pump; heating fan coil; cooling fan coil.
Communications appliance MEP-COMMS	Description - Information and communication technology appliance. - Network switch; patch panel; server; WiFi AP; data outlet.
Chilled ceiling / beam MEP-COOL-BEAM	Description - Chilled surface or beam for room cooling. - Chilled ceiling or beam.
Radiator MEP-SPACE-HEATER	Description - Space heater for heat emission in the occupied room. - Radiator or convector.
Air terminal / grille MEP-AIR-TERM	Description - Supply or extract air terminal in the room. - Air valve/diffuser; grille.
Air terminal box MEP-AIR-BOX	Description - Controlled air terminal in the ventilation distribution. - Controlled air terminal.
Light fixture MEP-LIGHT	Description - Luminaire for lighting rooms or areas. - Light fixture.
Socket / data outlet MEP-OUTLET	Description - Power or data outlet at the point of use. - Power socket; data outlet.
Switch MEP-SWITCH	Description - Switch for controlling electrical circuits. - Switching device.
Damper MEP-DAMPER	Description - Device that interrupts or regulates airflow. - Fire, smoke, control and balancing dampers.
Sanitary terminal MEP-SANITARY	Description - Sanitary fixture on the potable water and drainage network. - Shower; tap; WC flush.
Waste terminal MEP-WASTE	Description - Wastewater outlet or drain terminal in the building. - Floor drain; sink drain; WC outlet.
Gas outlet MEP-GAS-TERM	Description - Gas outlet or appliance connection in the building. - Gas outlet.
Fire suppression terminal MEP-FIRE-TERM	Description - Terminal of the fire-fighting water or sprinkler system. - Hose reel / wall hydrant; sprinkler head.
Valve / manifold MEP-VALVE	Description - Manifold or valve in the heating distribution. - Underfloor heating manifold.
Smoke detector / alarm MEP-ALARM	Description - Detector for fire or smoke alarm. - Smoke or fire detector.
Sensor MEP-SENSOR	Description - Sensor for building automation or fire detection. - BAS sensor; smoke detector.
Actuator MEP-ACTUATOR	Description - Drive for operating dampers, valves, or other control devices. - BAS actuator; fire damper actuator.

Project

PROJECT

Description - Root of the spatial structure; groups all planning content of an IFC file. - Required in every IFC file.

Site

SITE

Description - Planning perimeter of the project. - Assigned to the project.

Building

BUILDING

Description - Building as a logical breakdown level. - Assigned to the planning perimeter.

Storey

STOREY

Description - Horizontal building level: usable storeys and foundation. - Assigned to the building.

Survey reference point

SURVEY-REF

Survey point - binding position and height reference for planning and construction.

Surface geometry

SURVEY-SURFACE

Terrain surface as modelled surface geometry - documented terrain model in the shared reference frame.

Interior spaces

SPACE-INT

Enclosed, walkable room volumes within the building.

Gross volumes

SPACE-GROSS

Storey-wise modelled gross volumes for mass studies.

Air spaces

SPACE-AIR

Model non-occupiable air spaces storey by storey - as deduction quantities when determining floor area and as a reference space for building services.

Facing shell (usable space)

SPACE-VORSATZ

Model the usable space of the facing shell - excluding construction, only the clear volume for verifying space demand and floor-area impact.

Exterior spaces

SPACE-EXT

Usable room volumes located outside the building.

Parking spaces

SPACE-PARK

Model parking spaces as dedicated spaces - for verification and evaluation from building design onward.

Windows

WINDOW

Daylight and ventilation openings in the building envelope and between rooms.

Doors

DOOR

Walk-through openings in the building envelope and between rooms.

Suspended ceiling

ARC-CEILING

Suspended ceiling as a modelled layer for ceiling mirror planning and MEP coordination.

Wall cladding

ARC-WALL-CLAD

Interior wall cladding as a modelled surface for quantity take-off.

Floor build-up

ARC-FLOOR-COV

Subfloor and floor covering as a modelled layer for execution planning and quantity take-off.

Exterior wall

ARC-WALL-EXT

Exterior wall as building envelope - modelled in early phases and for simple facades as a multi-layer component.

Facade cladding

ARC-WALL-CLAD-EXT

Facade cladding as a modelled layer for quantity take-off and coordination.

Non-load-bearing interior wall

ARC-WALL-INT

Non-load-bearing interior wall for room separation - basis for fire and acoustic performance data.

Opening / recess (architecture)

ARC-OPENING-VOID

Opening or recess in architectural components - masonry and non-load-bearing walls.

Tapered insulation

ARC-ROOF-DRAIN

Tapered insulation on flat roof and balcony as a modelled layer with falls.

Footing (Rough)

ARC-FOOTING

Rough dimensions according to structural engineering for footings in design development and permitting stages.

Floor slab (Rough)

ARC-SLAB-FLOOR

Rough dimensions according to structural engineering for floor slabs in design development and permitting stages.

Base slab (Rough)

ARC-SLAB-BASE

Rough dimensions according to structural engineering for base slabs in design development and permitting stages.

Flat roof (Rough)

ARC-SLAB-ROOF

Rough dimensions according to structural engineering for flat roofs in design development and permitting stages.

Pitched roof (Rough)

ARC-ROOF-PITCH

Rough dimensions according to structural engineering for pitched roofs in design development and permitting stages.

Column (Rough)

ARC-COLUMN

Rough dimensions according to structural engineering for columns in design development and permitting stages.

Beam / girder (Rough)

ARC-BEAM

Rough dimensions according to structural engineering for beams and girders in design development and permitting stages.

Exclusion zone

STR-EXCL-ZONE

Exclusion zone in the structural engineering exclusion zone model.

Detail reference

ARC-DET-REF

Volume in the detail reference overview that indicates, like a 2D detail reference, where each standard detail applies.

Opening / recess (structural)

STR-OPENING-VOID

Approved opening or recess - binding in the structural model.

Installation access path

ARCH-INSTALL-PATH

Clear installation access path for clash verification.

Provision for void

MEP-PROV-VOID

MEP request for an opening or recess in the structure - basis for approval by structural engineering.

Coordination zone

ARCH-COORD-ZONE

Planned coordination volume assigned to a coordination meeting.

Pipe (schematic)

MEP-SCH-PIPE

Schematic pipe for early coordination - medium in Reference.

Duct (schematic)

MEP-SCH-DUCT

Schematic duct for early coordination - medium in Reference.

Cable tray (schematic)

MEP-SCH-TRAY

Schematic cable tray for early coordination - medium in Reference.

Equipment space (schematic)

MEP-SCH-EQUIP

Schematic space requirement for plant and technical rooms in early coordination.

Maintenance space

ARCH-MAINT-SPACE

Clear maintenance space for clash verification.

Downpipe

MEP-DOWNPIPE

Downpipe from roof and balcony drainage to the main collector.

Beam / girder detailed

STR-BEAM

Structural element for beams and girders in the structural model.

Column detailed

STR-COLUMN

Structural element for columns in the structural model.

Footing detailed

STR-FOOTING

Structural element for footings in the structural model.

Wall detailed

STR-WALL

Structural element for walls and precast concrete wall panels in the structural model.

Floor slab detailed

STR-SLAB-FLOOR

Structural element for floor slabs in the structural model.

Base slab detailed

STR-SLAB-BASE

Structural element for base slabs in the structural model.

Flat roof detailed

STR-SLAB-ROOF

Structural element for flat roofs in the structural model.

Stair detailed

STR-STAIR

Structural element for stairs in the structural model.

Ramp detailed

STR-RAMP

Structural element for ramps in the structural model.

Reinforcement

STR-REBAR

Reinforcement elements in the formwork and reinforcement model for execution.

Edge strip

STR-EDGE-STRIP

Formwork edge strip in the structural formwork and reinforcement model.

Chiller

MEP-CHILLER

Description - Chiller for building cooling. - Chiller plant.

Cooling tower / free cooler

MEP-COOL-TOWER

Description - Heat rejection unit for the cooling plant. - Dry cooler, cooling tower, or free-cooling unit.

Backup generator

MEP-ELEC-GEN

Description - Generator for standby or emergency power. - Standby or emergency generator.

Electrical distribution board

MEP-ELEC-DIST

Description - Switchboard for electrical power distribution. - Main board. - Sub-board.

Transformer

MEP-TRANSFORMER

Description - Transformer for voltage conversion in the electrical installation. - Power transformer.

Uninterruptible power supply

MEP-UPS

Description - Uninterruptible power supply for critical loads. - UPS unit.

Boiler / water heater

MEP-BOILER

Description - Heat generator for space heating or domestic hot water. - Boiler; DHW heater.

District heat substation

MEP-HEAT-EX

Description - Heat transfer between district heating and the building network. - District heating substation.

Compressed air compressor

MEP-COMPRESSOR

Description - Compressor for compressed air generation. - Compressed air compressor.

Gas pressure regulator

MEP-GAS-REG

Description - Station for gas pressure regulation or metering. - Gas pressure regulation or metering station.

Fan

MEP-FAN

Description - Standalone fan for supply or extract air. - Supply/extract fan.

Tank / separator

MEP-TANK

Description - Separator or tank in the drainage system. - Grease or oil separator.

Pump

MEP-PUMP

Description - Pump for circulation or boosting in building services networks. - Pressure booster; fire pump; lifting station.

Unitary equipment / monoblock

MEP-UNITARY

Description - Compact heating, cooling, or ventilation unit. - AHU; heat pump; heating fan coil; cooling fan coil.

Communications appliance

MEP-COMMS

Description - Information and communication technology appliance. - Network switch; patch panel; server; WiFi AP; data outlet.

Chilled ceiling / beam

MEP-COOL-BEAM

Description - Chilled surface or beam for room cooling. - Chilled ceiling or beam.

Radiator

MEP-SPACE-HEATER

Description - Space heater for heat emission in the occupied room. - Radiator or convector.

Air terminal / grille

MEP-AIR-TERM

Description - Supply or extract air terminal in the room. - Air valve/diffuser; grille.

Air terminal box

MEP-AIR-BOX

Description - Controlled air terminal in the ventilation distribution. - Controlled air terminal.

Light fixture

MEP-LIGHT

Description - Luminaire for lighting rooms or areas. - Light fixture.

Socket / data outlet

MEP-OUTLET

Description - Power or data outlet at the point of use. - Power socket; data outlet.

Switch

MEP-SWITCH

Description - Switch for controlling electrical circuits. - Switching device.

Damper

MEP-DAMPER

Description - Device that interrupts or regulates airflow. - Fire, smoke, control and balancing dampers.

Sanitary terminal

MEP-SANITARY

Description - Sanitary fixture on the potable water and drainage network. - Shower; tap; WC flush.

Waste terminal

MEP-WASTE

Description - Wastewater outlet or drain terminal in the building. - Floor drain; sink drain; WC outlet.

Gas outlet

MEP-GAS-TERM

Description - Gas outlet or appliance connection in the building. - Gas outlet.

Fire suppression terminal

MEP-FIRE-TERM

Description - Terminal of the fire-fighting water or sprinkler system. - Hose reel / wall hydrant; sprinkler head.

Valve / manifold

MEP-VALVE

Description - Manifold or valve in the heating distribution. - Underfloor heating manifold.

Smoke detector / alarm

MEP-ALARM

Description - Detector for fire or smoke alarm. - Smoke or fire detector.

Sensor

MEP-SENSOR

Description - Sensor for building automation or fire detection. - BAS sensor; smoke detector.

Actuator

MEP-ACTUATOR

Description - Drive for operating dampers, valves, or other control devices. - BAS actuator; fire damper actuator.