The following are some services and functions that are, or may become available through BIM, possible from a “Cloud.” Most of the following functions are not available today.
- Security design (viz. engineering): Conduit and conductor routing and sizing and device placement, especially CCTV
- On-line data storage, rapid retrieval and analysis, especially digital video images
- Facility programming, concept development and planning: Mapping circulation, pedestrian and vehicular; Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design(CPTED) design; and space utilization studies (such as square-foot costs)
- Tracking equipment and materials: Ordering on line
- Cost analyses: Construction cost estimates and take-offs (quantity counts); calculating savings from automating a security function, such as door control and anti-tailgating mitigation; and cost-benefit analyses that justify operating costs of the security department and estimate annual losses and shrinkage
- Building/fire/life-safety code review: Automated code analyses
- Standardizing security specifications: Using BIM to assemble pertinent specifications
- International Organizations for Standardization (ISO) standards compliance and certification
- Automated security standards and guidelines review: Unified Facilities Criteria (UFC), such as to calculate set-back distance in accordance with UFC 04-010-01 for military installations; Facilities Standards for Public Building Services (PBS-100_8, Security Design) for GSA facilities; ISC Security Design Criteria for GSA facilities; and SCIF design
- Resolve security and life-safety code conflicts (John D. Thomas, “Life-Safety Benefits Gained Through Building Information Modeling,” Safety Matters, Second Quarter, 2011. [http://safetymatters.aonfpe.com/2011/2nd-Quarter/Printable_Version_Life_Safety.aspx]): Fire exits, egress route, units of exit width, fire ratings, etc.
- Scheduling: Phasing--This is especially important for phased construction of an occupied building requiring moving the security control center during each phase; Construction scheduling--materials delivered on a “just-at-the-right-time” basis rather than stored on site.
- Life-cycle costs calculations for security operations: The design and construction of a building is typically only two to five percent of 20-year operating costs. Thus, a design that reduces annual security operating costs can result in huge savings.
- Coordinating design disciplines (“clash detection”): Because mechanical, electrical and security drawings are complex and difficult to coordinate, it is not uncommon for conduit runs to penetrate HVAC ductwork. BIM could discover these conflicts prior to the start of construction.
- What-If Analysis: BIM could calculate and compare the installed costs and operating costs of standard CCTV cameras, as compared to megapixel cameras and determine which option is the most cost-effective
- Ongoing Operations: Schedule security preventive maintenance and optimize guard postings, especially guard tours, on a continual real-time basis.
