In shortFinnish projects usually set their BIM rules through the Common BIM Requirements (COBIM) and exchange models as IFC, and low-voltage installations are designed to SFS 6000. Before a modeling partner starts, agree the requirements document the project uses, the IFC export and property mapping, the standards the electrical engineer designs to, the language of the deliverables and who coordinates the federated model.
What are the Common BIM Requirements?
COBIM (in Finnish, YTV 2012) is a series of documents describing BIM requirements across the stages of a project, including model content, quality assurance and the building services. Many clients base their own requirements on it and adapt them for the project. Ask for the project's version, not the general series, because the project's version is what the coordinator will check against.
How does IFC fit in?
Model coordination in Finland is commonly done on IFC models in a viewer or model checker, with Revit as the authoring tool. That makes the export settings part of the brief: which categories and parameters are exported, how property sets are mapped, and how elements are classified. Run a test export in the first week and have the project's BIM coordinator open it, so mapping problems appear while the model is still small.
Which standards does the electrical design follow?
SFS 6000 is the Finnish standard for low-voltage electrical installations, and workplace lighting is commonly specified to SFS-EN 12464-1. The engineer decides which parts and editions apply. The model and drawings then show the protective devices, cable types and sizes and circuit references that the design calls for, in the symbols and layout your firm uses.
What about language and templates?
Documents are prepared in English by default. If the drawings need Finnish or Swedish text, send the symbol legend, title block and text conventions early and say which sheets need it, so we can confirm what is possible before work starts. Metric units are standard, and the electrical supply is 230/400 V at 50 Hz.
How are models checked?
Many Finnish teams run quality checks on the IFC model in Solibri or a similar checker before each coordination round. If your coordinator does, send the rule set and we fix what it raises as part of the modeling, so the model arrives at the meeting already checked.
Frequently asked questions
Can you work to the Finnish BIM requirements?
Yes. We follow the requirements and naming rules you give us, for example COBIM where the project uses it.
Do you work in Finnish?
Documents are prepared in English by default. If you need Finnish or Swedish, tell us before we start and we will confirm what is possible.
Can you produce lighting calculations for Finnish projects?
Yes. We model the luminaires in Revit and calculate illuminance and uniformity in DIALux or AGi32 to the levels your engineer specifies.
Do you cover mechanical and plumbing modeling?
Yes, as design assist, drafting and Revit modeling to your engineer's design, in your template.
SYMATEQ provides Revit MEP modeling, lighting and photometric analysis, electrical design support and drafting for projects in Finland, in your templates and to the standards you specify.
See design assist and modeling for Finland, BIM and Revit modeling, or send us a job.