Promotion of Building Information Modelling through Automated Checking Tools

The Government is committed to enhancing productivity of the construction industry by promoting wider adoption of Building Information Modelling (BIM) in both public and private projects. In this connection, the Buildings Department (BD) has been developing Automated Checking Tools (“the Tools”) to facilitate the preparation and processing of digital plan submissions in BIM format. These Tools also serve as design review tools for practitioners, significantly reducing the time and manpower in manual computation and checking as well as updating and rechecking after design amendments, ultimately improving quality and certainty of the submissions. They include:

• BIM Area Tool: Automates floor area calculations and checks compliance with each type of floor area calculations and 38 concession items under the Buildings Ordinance and lease conditions.
• BIM Fire Safety Tool: Analyses means of escape, fire resisting construction and means of access for firefighting and rescue in buildings, and verifies compliance with the Code of Practice for Fire Safety in Buildings.
• BIM Sanitary Fitments Tool: Identifies sanitary provisions arrangements for different uses in a building and check compliance with the requirements set out in the relevant regulations.
• BIM Structure Tool: Overlays 2D structural plans with an openBIM model converted from a structural analysis model on a web-based platform for comparison and provides supplementary information through keyword searches from plans to enable users to perform compatibility check of structural layout against the structural analysis model and verify information on plans.

Click here to watch the video on BIM Automated Checking Tools

The Tools are also equipped with a series of smart functions to facilitate data entry and plan preparation, including automatic filling of essential parameters based on room use, identification of missing parameters and data irregularities and systematic import of schedules generated by the Tools back to the BIM file for preparation and processing of plan submissions.

Embracing innovation and advanced technology, the Tools make the preparation and approval process of building plans more efficient and resilient. Besides, the Tools were recognised at the BIM Automation Arena 2025 organised by the Hong Kong Institute of Building Information Modelling, where we won the “Best Innovation Award” and the “Gold Award in API/Plugin Category”. The competition featured over 50 elite teams from the Greater Bay Area to showcase innovative and cutting-edge solutions to enhance BIM application and improve the quality and efficiency of the construction industry.

Click here to watch the video on User Feedback on the Tools

To further promote the adoption of BIM, BD will continue to develop more new checking tools for building separation requirements, drainage plan, natural lighting and ventilation and structural plan compatibility, aiming for the mandatory adoption of BIM for plan preparation and submission in private development projects by 2029, boosting Hong Kong’s competitiveness in smart city development.

Please click here to access more details of BIM and the Automated Checking Tools.

[Acknowledgement to the BD for providing material for the story.]