Handover and asset information

During design and construction the team builds a project information model. At handover, the relevant parts become the asset information model (AIM) — the information the owner needs to operate, maintain and eventually alter the asset, as set out in the Asset Information Requirements.

COBie (Construction Operations Building information exchange) structures asset data in spreadsheet-like tables: facility, floors, spaces, zones, types, components, systems, spares, jobs and documents. Classification systems such as Uniclass or OmniClass give consistent codes so data can be filtered and linked to maintenance systems.

Handover data is expensive if collected at the end. Agree which asset types need what data, which parameters carry it, who fills them in at which stage (designer: type and performance; contractor: manufacturer, serial numbers, installation dates), and how it will be checked.

Check handover data like any deliverable: completeness per asset type, consistent naming and classification, links to documents (manuals, warranties), and spot checks on site. Owners should test importing the data into their FM system before practical completion.

For a circulating pump, the designer provides the type, duty (flow and head), power and system; the contractor adds manufacturer, model, serial number, installation date, warranty start and a link to the operation and maintenance manual; the facilities team adds its asset tag and maintenance schedule. In the model, these are parameters on the pump; in COBie, they fill the Type, Component and Document sheets. Checking that every pump has these fields filled — before handover — is a simple, high-value quality check.