As-builts should represent the current state or existing conditions of a building or site. These drawings or plans should contain precise measurements of above and below ground infrastructure details. These details can include underground utilities, structural components, piping and conduits, equipment, building layout and their location and dimensions.
Change is a normal and expected part of the construction process or building life cycle. Over the course of any construction project or the life of a building, the work scope changes, things are modified, and drawings are not usually updated to reflect those changes. Changes can be the result of customer design modifications, varying site conditions, availability of materials, contractor-requested changes, value engineering and limiting existing conditions to name a few. After construction, as-builts serve the owner as a permanent record of reference information about what was actually built on their site.
So, how does a facility manager know they have the most up-to-date as built documentation? Creating a new one with GPRS.
How To Capture An As-Built With GPRS?
Utilizing 3D laser scanning is the best technique for acquiring precise measurements and comprehensive aboveground insights of a project site. Leveraging LiDAR technology, 3D laser scanning quickly records the current conditions of a building, site, or facility, delivering the data in the form of a point cloud. This method ensures the capture of exterior and interior details, including buildings, foundations, structures, piping, and equipment, with accuracy down to 2-4mm.
The resulting data provides exact building dimensions, locations, and layouts. Point cloud data can be seamlessly imported into CAD software platforms like Revit and AutoCAD, enabling the creation of highly detailed 2D CAD drawings, 3D BIM models, 3D meshes, TruViews, virtual tours, and utility locate maps.
What Are Some Applications for As-Builts?
Digital Twins
Digital twins represent a transformative concept in various industries, including architecture, engineering, construction, facility management, and beyond. At its core, a digital twin is a virtual counterpart of a physical object, such as a building or utility system. It's a sophisticated digital replica that mirrors the built world in both its structural and operational aspects. Overall, digital twins offer unprecedented insights and capabilities, empowering facilities to achieve greater resilience, agility, and sustainability in managing their physical assets and infrastructure. As technology continues to advance, the potential applications and benefits of digital twins are expected to expand even further, revolutionizing the way we design, build, and manage the built world.
Documentation, Verification & Recordkeeping
An as-built drawing serves as a crucial tool in the construction verification process, playing a pivotal role in confirming that a construction project has achieved its intended objectives or documenting any deviations from the original plans. As-built drawings contribute to construction verification – documenting the accuracy of a build vs what was intended. As-built drawings provide a detailed record of the final built environment, capturing the precise locations and dimensions of structural elements, utilities, and other components. By comparing these drawings to the initial design plans, stakeholders can assess the accuracy of the construction work and ensure that it aligns with the original specifications. As-built drawings help verify compliance with building codes, regulations, and contractual agreements. By comparing the final built environment to the as-built drawings, stakeholders can ensure that the construction meets the necessary standards and requirements. This verification is essential for regulatory approval, quality assurance, and risk mitigation.
Clash Detection & Avoidance
In construction projects involving intricate systems like piping networks, pipe racks, and ductwork, clash detection software plays a vital role by analyzing digital models to identify spatial conflicts (clashes). These conflicts often occur when planned components intersect with existing structures or clash with other elements within the building layout. For example, clash detection can flag instances where ductwork clashes with piping systems or where pipe racks interfere with equipment installations. As-built drawings provide a comprehensive record of the final built environment, capturing the exact placement and dimensions of all components after construction completion. By comparing the digital models used for clash detection with the information documented in the as-built drawings, project teams can ensure that any conflicts identified during the design phase were effectively addressed during construction. This verification process helps validate the accuracy of clash detection results and provides assurance that potential conflicts were indeed resolved as intended.
Accurate Historical & Record Drawings for a Facility Life Cycle
Updated as-built documentation provides facility managers with an accurate record of the building's components, layout, and infrastructure as they were constructed. This comprehensive documentation encompasses details such as the location of structural elements, utility systems, electrical wiring, plumbing networks, and other essential building systems. Having access to this information allows facility managers to gain a thorough understanding of the facility's physical attributes, enabling them to efficiently plan and execute maintenance activities. As-built documentation serves as a valuable resource when planning renovations, expansions, or upgrades to the facility. Facility managers can use the detailed information contained in the documentation to assess the feasibility of proposed changes, understand the impact on existing infrastructure, and develop accurate cost estimates and timelines. This informed decision-making process ensures that renovations and upgrades are carried out efficiently and in compliance with building codes and regulations. In the event of emergencies such as fires, floods, or power outages, as-built documentation plays a crucial role in facilitating swift and effective response efforts. Facility managers can use the documentation to quickly locate shut-off valves, emergency exits, fire suppression systems, and other critical safety features. Additionally, having access to detailed building plans allows emergency responders to navigate the facility more efficiently, potentially saving lives and minimizing property damage.
The necessity of updated as-built documentation cannot be overstated for both construction projects and facility management. As-built drawings serve as a permanent record of the current state or existing conditions of a building or site, providing precise measurements and comprehensive details of above and below ground infrastructure. Throughout the construction process and the lifespan of a building, changes are inevitable, making it essential to have accurate and up-to-date documentation. As-built drawings play a crucial role in construction verification, ensuring that the completed work aligns with the original plans and meets regulatory standards. Moreover, for facility management teams, as-built documentation is indispensable for efficiently maintaining, managing, and renovating facilities. It enables proactive maintenance planning, supports informed decision-making for renovations and upgrades, enhances emergency preparedness, and ensures compliance with regulatory requirements. As technology advances, tools like clash detection and digital twins further enhance the utility and value of as-built documentation, revolutionizing the way we design, build, and manage the built environment. Therefore, creating and maintaining updated as-built documentation is essential for ensuring the success, safety, and sustainability of construction projects and facilities.
Your Plans, at Your Fingertips
SiteMap® (patent pending), powered by GPRS, is a project & facility management application that provides accurate existing condition documentation to protect your assets and people.
It’s a single source of truth for the updated as-built documentation created by GPRS’ Mapping & Modeling Department using the accurate, field-verified data collected by our NASSCO and SIM-certified Project Managers. And it’s securely accessible 24/7 from any computer, tablet, or mobile device.
GPRS SiteMap® team members are currently scheduling live, personal demos so you can see for yourself how SiteMap® will help you plan, design, manage, dig, and build better.
Click below to schedule your demo today!
Frequently Asked Questions
What is as-built documentation?
As-built documentation refers to the set of drawings, plans, and records that accurately depict the final state or configuration of a construction project. It reflects any modifications, deviations, or changes made during the construction process compared to the original design plans.
Why is as-built documentation important?
As-built documentation is crucial because:
- It provides an accurate record of the final construction, aiding in future maintenance, repairs, and renovations.
- It serves as a reference for regulatory compliance, insurance claims, and legal disputes.
- It helps in understanding the evolution of a project and documenting changes for stakeholders’ reference.
What types of information are included in as-built documentation?
As-built documentation typically includes updated drawings, specifications, equipment lists, material records, and any relevant changes or deviations made during construction. This can range from alterations in structural elements to modifications in utility layouts or system configurations.
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