Newton, S; Carnemolla, P and Darcy, S (2025) Building information modelling and related technologies applied to the post occupancy evaluation of accessible bathrooms for people with disability. Smart and Sustainable Built Environment, 14(1), pp. 237-253. ISSN 2046-6099
Abstract
Purpose: The provision of an accessible and inclusive built environment is both a common regulatory requirement for architects and facilities managers, and a critical issue of equitable access for people with disability. Post Occupancy Evaluation (POE) is key to ensuring appropriate building accessibility is provided and maintained. Improved Building Information Modelling (BIM) integration with Facilities Management (FM) will enable more effective POE over time. This study aims to define and demonstrate the practicability and utility of a particular configuration of emerging BIM and related digital technologies, applied in the field. Design/methodology/approach: A field study approach is applied to investigate the practicability and utility of the technology configuration and POE procedures. A proposed technology configuration is applied to evaluate 21 accessible bathrooms across three university buildings in Sydney, Australia. First, a checklist of technical functionality for a POE of accessible bathrooms particular to the field study FM context is established. The checklist is based on a review of recent literature, relevant standards, best practice guidelines, expert opinions, and the organisational requirements. Then, a technical and procedural approach to POE and BIM integration with FM is defined and applied in the field. Finally, a quantitative analysis of the results is presented and discussed relative to both the particular and general FM contexts. Findings: The use of low-cost BIM and related technologies can usefully be applied in the field to promote a more progressive integration of BIM with FM and provide enhanced baseline models for ongoing POE. A rudimentary risk assessment of key accessible bathroom features (in the context of this field study) identified that the Toilet: toilet rolls location is unsatisfactory across all bathrooms surveyed and represents an immediate and high-risk failing. Other high-risk issues highlighted in this study included: Approach: access; Entrance: door fittings and security; and Layout: hazards. Practical implications: This study offers a blue-print for building practitioners to adopt and progressively integrate low-cost BIM and related technologies with extant FM systems. The study also promotes an improved approach to effective POE practice in general, and to the assessment of accessible bathrooms in particular. Originality/value: Recent reviews highlight key barriers to BIM integration with FM and significant limitations to current POE practice. Proposals for BIM integration with FM tend to focus on the comprehensive use of BIM. This study demonstrates the practicability and utility of a more progressive approach to BIM adoption and integration with FM in general. The study is also novel in that it shows how low-cost BIM and related technologies can be used as a baseline reference for ongoing POE. Building practitioners can adopt and adapt the technology configuration and approach to support a range of POE applications. This field study has identified immediate and high-risk potential failings of the accessible bathrooms provided on one university campus in Sydney, Australia.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | accessibility; building standards; compliance checking; facilities management; people with disability; scanning |
| Index terms: | facilities management, quantitative analysis, digital technology, disability, methodology, integration, configuration, facilities manager, functionality, field study, proposal, compliance, building practitioner, risk assessment, best practice, built environment, architect, post-occupancy evaluation, Australia, critical issue, building information modelling, accessibility |
| Subjects: | management, health conditions and diseases, organizational analysis, information systems, systems engineering, infrastructure and transport systems, business, profession, risk assessment, computing systems, evaluation methods, data analysis and analytics, research methods, inclusive design, financial risk, health safety and environment, Geography, practitioner, design features, project planning |
| Topics: | Risk Management, Engineering Principles, Geographical Context, Project Management, Health and Safety, Quality Management, Roles and Professions, Research Practice, Business Strategy, Cost Management, Organizational Design, Urban Studies, Digital Applications, Design Practice |
| Descriptive scope: | 3 PCT |
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