In addition to being proficient in BIM/CAD, the Bel-Aire Modeling Team Members have real field experience. Each has served their apprenticeships and at a minimum are Journeyman of their respective Sheet Metal, Pipe, or Plumbing trades. Our BIM/CAD team brings well over 100-years of combined industry experience to Bel-Aire Mechanical.
Bel-Aire Mechanical is highly skilled in the production of Building Model Design and Virtual Construction. Each model requires its own unique approach to develop a highly detailed, digital 3D model representation. The completed model will be used to maximize trade coordination and field productivity. This minimizes the need for RFI’s and potential change orders thus streamlining the construction process and improving the project schedule.
With the use of our high-power Workstation computers and Ultra-wide monitors (to keep the width of the model in one view width), Bel-Aire Mechanical’s 3D BIM/CAD department is currently modeling using Autodesk Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) Collection, including Autodesk Fabrication CAMmep to produce CNC files.
Bel-Aire Mechanical utilizes this specialized Building Information Modeling (BIM) software in a real value-added design process that doesn’t just mimic drafting, but allows for true digital representation of the building process to facilitate exchange and interoperability of information in a digital format..
During the construction of any project, the coordination of the trades is an integral part of the process, especially with respect to the mechanical and electrical trades.
This coordination works best when accomplished before the construction begins via virtual design. Bel-Aire Mechanical can take ownership of the composite virtual model to perform clash resolution thus eliminating any coordination that would need to be performed in the field. This is a huge timesaver for the field personnel and is critical in meeting the time restraints placed on today’s projects.
Bel-Aire Mechanical utilizes a Trimble Total Station to transfer modeled points to the field for the exact layout of sleeves, hangers and block outs.
We are also well versed in the coordination of our BIM models with the other trades. As a mechanical contractor with the most content on a project we usually take a lead role in coordinating a clash free model.
We believe in working closely with the other trades to make sure this happens by identifying problem areas & communicating with them directly. We also have taken ownership of the coordination model on past projects & were responsible for not only identifying each clash but also assigning responsibility for those clashes.
Our project field sites utilize Huddle systems in our trailers and our custom Field Technology Centers (FTC) in the construction area to review drawings and other project related documents in a collaborative environment with key project personnel.
Bluebeam Studio Project is tied in with our Huddle and FTC’s to easily retrieve drawings and documents that are stored in the cloud. Bluebeam Studio Session is also used for real time markups of documents during collaborative working meetings.
Our QA personnel use Autodesk’s BIM 360 Field app on iPads to walk the project site and compare real-time field views to the BIM drawings to verify work, identify possible collisions, and avoid conflicts, thus assuring true “Quality Assurance”.
