Knowledge Base:
COBie

COBie is a way to share data.

It facilitates the efficient transfer of asset data and information from design and construction teams to facility managers and owners. It provides valuable information in a structured, non-proprietary format that can be used by many software tools.

COBie ensures that the relevant data is readily available for facilities management and operations, allowing for efficient maintenance and upkeep throughout the building’s lifecycle.

COBie data is typically delivered as a spreadsheet for people to use and an Industry Foundation Classes (IFC) file for their tools. The COBie instance contains information about the maintainable building elements and attributes.

Some of the common COBie information includes:

• Spatial information – COBie provides spatial data, indicating the physical locations of various building components, rooms and zones. This information aids in space management and allocation.
• Equipment data – COBie includes information about the equipment installed in the building. This includes model numbers, serial numbers, manufacturer information, installation dates, and warranty details. This data helps facility managers identify and manage different equipment assets efficiently.
• Product data – Facility managers can use product specifications, quantities, and performance characteristics to plan maintenance, repairs, and replacements effectively.
• Maintenance schedules – COBie contains maintenance tasks, frequencies and procedures for different building systems and components. This data is used to develop preventive maintenance plans to reduce potential downtime and prolong the lifespan of assets.
• Warranty information – COBie captures warranty details for installed equipment and materials to help facility managers identify assets under warranty and take full advantage of repair or replacement services.
• Contact information – COBie may include contact details of suppliers, manufacturers and service providers associated with the building’s assets. This gives easy access to technical support for maintenance teams

BIM models, enriched with detailed information and properties, form the basis for generating COBie data. With the intelligent data stored in the BIM elements, such as objects with associated attributes and properties, it can be efficiently exported to a COBie format. This ensures data continuity and consistency throughout the project lifecycle.

The value of COBie

The true value of COBie becomes evident when data sharing occurs between various project stages and new suppliers, particularly during construction handover. Typically, it encompasses information absent in design models, such as serial numbers and installation dates. To guarantee the capture and validation of this crucial data for future utilisation, the Exchange Information Requirements (EIR) outline the necessary specifications, while the technical approach to validation and verification is established and tested from the outset.

To find out how the Glider team can support your project in delivering first-class handover information including COBie, talk to our digital experts.