Construction of large projects has become significantly more efficient with building information modeling (BIM) and other virtual design and construction (VDC) tools. But finding people with the skills to take advantage of these innovations poses challenges. This explains why some electrical contractors are taking steps to “grow” their own in-house BIM coordinators.

BIM revolutionizes construction

Computer-aided design (CAD) usage, the precursor to BIM, started in the 1980s. A prime originator of these technologies was Chuck Eastman, who passed away in 2020.

Known as “the father of BIM” and author of the BIM handbook, Eastman ushered in an era of digital modeling that forever changed the construction industry. He worked in private industry and for institutions of higher learning, rounding out his career as a professor of architecture and computing at Georgia Institute of Technology. Even more important, he introduced computer graphics and engineering databases as foundational technology for project management and representation.

Eastman advocated for industry foundation classes, which are standardized, digital descriptions of the built-asset industry. The open global standard, published under a Creative Commons license and as ISO 16739, makes information interpretable by machine, which in turn enables workflow automation.

BIM and CAD are still predominantly used by architects and engineers, but these technologies also offer numerous strategic advantages for project management and execution in the electrical industry. When employed, they are often considered part of the broader category of VDC. 

As a form of 3D modeling, BIM enables decisions to be made in advance, instead of settled in the field, preventing clashes. It also supports prefabrication in controlled environments. Both of these factors eliminate unnecessary time loss and many of the risks associated with assembly in the field. BIM also supports better coordination of electrical and other trade construction; greater speed and precision; more efficient use of manpower; and timely delivery of tools, equipment and materials to job sites.

BIM is big in D.C.

BIM has proven indispensable in the Washington, D.C., area, where critical mission infrastructure and data centers abound, said Marty McRae, a training instructor with the NECA/IBEW Local 26 Joint Apprenticeship Training Center in Lanham, Md. 

“BIM has really taken off here,” McRae said. “It used to be that electrical contractors here would hire college graduates to work as BIM coordinators, but many found that training electricians served better because they were already familiar with the electrical setting and terminology.”

As a result, more than 15 years ago, the Local 26 JATC began offering 14-week BIM classes to apprentices and journeymen as continuing education. Classes start with AutoCAD and move on to BIM Revit software.

The JATC trains 28 apprentices and journeymen per semester, serving 56 annually.

“Apprentices and journeymen sign up for the classes on their own, because they know it makes them more valuable as employees,” McRae said. “It’s a very valuable skill.”

Older journeymen can consider BIM training for transitioning out of physically demanding field work, but they generally don’t, McRae said. That’s because BIM requires high-level computer skills more common among younger generations of electricians. 

“The software is complicated and requires a lot of practice to learn,” he said.

BIM software is also expensive—and so is hiring people to use it, which explains why it tends to be used more by larger electrical contractors that can handle the overhead costs.

“Since I started in the electrical industry in 2012, there have been huge changes in the way the work gets done,” said Charlie Penkert, a Local 26 master electrician and full-time BIM coordinator for Power Solutions LLC, Bowie, Md. 

In 2011, Penkert graduated from York College of Pennsylvania with a B.S. in criminal justice and corrections, but a hiring freeze prevented him from getting a job in cybersecurity. To keep his career moving, he entered the electrical trade and began teaching himself to use Revit software. Before long, he began as a BIM coordinator and has helped teach Local 26 members. 

“This speeds up construction a lot,” he said. “Using BIM and related technology like Revit, AutoCAD and Trimble, we’re able to coordinate a data center in four to six weeks.”

The precision of measurements for prefabricated portions and placement of structural features is beyond anything achieved before, which reduces error, he said. 

“There’s less problem-solving and guesswork in the field, less strategizing how to move forward, because the BIM coordinator has already worked that out in advance, which enables foremen to focus more on working with people directly, making sure they have everything they need as the project comes together,” Penkert said.

Penkert, like many BIM coordinators, can work remotely, but he chooses to report to an office and work sites.

Elsewhere, electrical contractors have begun to employ in-house BIM coordinators.

JMS Electric Inc.

JMS Electric Inc., Schaumburg, Ill., provides in-house BIM and CAD during its preplanning process for electrical work on Chicago-area high-rise hotels, dorms, office structures, hospitals, sports venues and large residential projects.

“Our drafters and BIM coordinators started out doing modeling mainly for clash detection—to make sure our switchgear rooms, risers up through the structure, overhead racks on floors, light fixture openings and underground duct banks were not clashing with other trades,” said Kevin Conlin, vice president of hospitality and special projects for JMS Electric. 

“It became a lot easier to update information and make revisions virtually before they became an issue in the field. But we soon realized that for hotel-type projects and dorm rooms, it was helpful using these tools with room modeling and with creating prefabricated portions of projects such as entertainment centers.”

BIM has proven essential in line contracting, as well.

Aldridge Electric Inc.

“Although BIM stands for building information modeling, the majority of our work relates to site infrastructure, transportation, power distribution and renewables,” said Jon Lother, director of design and VDC for Aldridge Electric Inc., Libertyville, Ill. “While we continue to grow and expand our capabilities, VDC and BIM modeling continue to become more of a need to meet the demands of critical nature to our approach.”

“Building information modeling has gained importance for Aldridge and throughout the construction industry as a whole—especially in the last five years,” Lother said. “Being able to build a job virtually before boots are on the ground and before construction starts has proven to be very beneficial.” 

BIM has enabled Aldridge Electric to stretch its capabilities and support prefabrication of significant portions of large public works projects, Lother said. 

“The same as with private owners, with civil work, people want things shut down for as little as possible, when it comes to situations like track outages and lane closures,” he said. “The idea is to preplan and minimize downtime.”

Aldridge Electric uses BIM to construct new projects and enhance or expand existing infrastructure throughout the country. BIM has been useful for constructing substations for mass transit and renovating older bridges and highway tunnel structures. 

“We’re often working with older, established structures on the transportation side of things,” Lother said. “Depending on the circumstances, we will LiDAR scan the facility to develop an as-built model based on existing conditions. This ensures accuracy of our planned installation methods to eliminate unforeseen problems prior to physically working on the site.”

BIM allows for better planning, sequencing and phasing, “instead of getting out there with minimal information and stick-building it in the field,” he said.

It’s no secret that mission-critical and mega projects are driving demand for compressed timelines.

“With owners wanting things done faster, the more we can take that on ahead of construction, the better,” Lother said. “That includes modeling, coordination of trades, working out any clashes and supporting prefabrication.” 

For Aldridge Electric, those efforts yield greater quality and reduced risks. More projects are stipulating BIM as a contract requirement, Lother said, adding, “But even when we’re not required to use it, there are times we’ll model for the benefits of our approach to the project.”

The future of VDC

The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that demand for drafters with BIM and CAD skills may dip 1% or so in the next decade, but, for now, demand is high in this industry.

“Finding BIM coordinators with the level of experience and at the right time can be challenging,” Lother said. 

Even so, Aldridge Electric recently more than doubled its number of VDC department personnel. They also recently deployed a three-week internal training class and plan to continue developing trained BIM and VDC personnel within.

“We help them get started, learn the different softwares and standard operating procedures, then grow them and develop their skills,” he said. 

“One of our VDC coordinators is working with McHenry County Community College to help them develop classes and to bring cohesiveness to our classes so that we cover the right areas,” Lother said. “We’ve partnered with them and are developing training concepts. In that sense, it’s been great.”

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