As digital transformation continues to sweep across the construction sector, Daniel May of Consort Architectural Hardware examines the growing demand for Building Information Modelling (BIM) and how its expanding role is reshaping modern design and specification.
The future of construction is unequivocally digital. What was once viewed as a gradual move towards improved information management has now become a fundamental requirement. From early-stage design and specification through to compliance, maintenance and product lifecycle management, digital product data is no longer an added benefit – it is essential.
Since 2016, UK central government clients have mandated collaborative digital information management on centrally procured projects, widely known as BIM Level 2.
Today, these requirements are formalised through the UK BIM Framework and BS EN ISO 19650 standards, setting a clear expectation that project teams must provide accurate, structured and accessible digital information throughout a building’s lifecycle.
READ MORE: Nearly half of buildings in England fail fire safety checks on first inspection
In response, forward-thinking manufacturers across the supply chain are strengthening their BIM capabilities to better support architects, specifiers and contractors.
Architectural hardware, historically overlooked in digital planning, is now firmly in focus.
Increasingly, manufacturers are offering comprehensive BIM objects that incorporate 3D geometry alongside certification, performance and compliance data. But what impact is this shift having on real-world projects?
From optional to operationally critical
Only a decade ago, specifications were largely driven by paper-based resources – printed brochures, PDF catalogues and basic CAD drawings. Today, the industry is converging around fully integrated digital workflows, with platforms such as Revit and NBS enabling seamless links between design, specification, compliance and facilities management.
The introduction of Digital Product Passports (DPPs), set to become mainstream and mandated by the EU, will accelerate this transition further. However, this evolution is not driven by convenience alone. BIM data now plays a central role in meeting:
-
UK Government mandates for digital construction and the ‘Golden Thread of Information’
-
Fire safety regulations, which increasingly require accurate, current and verifiable product data
-
Sustainability reporting, where Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) and lifecycle data must be available at the design stage
As a result, if a product cannot be accurately represented within a digital model, it risks exclusion from specifications altogether.
READ MORE: Willmott Dixon Interiors to Lead Major Capitol Theatre Refurbishment in Horsham
BIM and architectural hardware
Door hardware is often perceived as a relatively small element within the overall value of a building project.
Yet its contribution to safety, performance, accessibility and regulatory compliance is significant.
Fire doorsets, for example, are only as effective as the hardware that supports them. Within a BIM environment, even a single component such as a door closer carries parametric data that can verify fire ratings, confirm accessibility requirements and identify potential clashes with surrounding elements. This enables design teams to address functionality and compliance at an early coordination stage.
Reliable BIM objects allow project teams to:
-
Achieve accurate design coordination through appropriate Levels of Detail (LOD)
-
Speed up specification by enabling drag-and-drop selection of verified products
-
Demonstrate compliance with embedded certification, fire testing and sustainability data
-
Reduce on-site errors by minimising the risk of incorrect product installation
As digital coordination becomes standard practice, hardware that is not modelled increasingly represents a specification and compliance risk.
Responding to evolving standards and expectations
The Grenfell Tower tragedy fundamentally reshaped regulatory and cultural expectations across the construction industry. Since then, demand for traceable, verified product information has intensified. Emerging legislation, such as Martyn’s Law, will further influence how public spaces are designed and secured, reinforcing the importance of resilience, accountability and transparency.
These developments highlight a clear reality: every component, no matter how small, must be supported by robust data and proven performance credentials. Hardware manufacturers therefore play a vital role in enabling safer buildings, by equipping project teams with the confidence to specify products that meet both current and future standards.
As the industry continues to embrace a data-driven approach, BIM objects have evolved from a useful resource into an indispensable tool. Whether delivering residential, healthcare or commercial projects, construction professionals must be able to rely on trusted suppliers and high-quality digital information to design, specify and build with confidence.
BIM in Construction: From Digital Asset to Compliance Necessity
As digital transformation continues to sweep across the construction sector, Daniel May of Consort Architectural Hardware examines the growing demand for Building Information Modelling (BIM) and how its expanding role is reshaping modern design and specification.
The future of construction is unequivocally digital. What was once viewed as a gradual move towards improved information management has now become a fundamental requirement. From early-stage design and specification through to compliance, maintenance and product lifecycle management, digital product data is no longer an added benefit – it is essential.
Since 2016, UK central government clients have mandated collaborative digital information management on centrally procured projects, widely known as BIM Level 2.
Today, these requirements are formalised through the UK BIM Framework and BS EN ISO 19650 standards, setting a clear expectation that project teams must provide accurate, structured and accessible digital information throughout a building’s lifecycle.
READ MORE: Nearly half of buildings in England fail fire safety checks on first inspection
In response, forward-thinking manufacturers across the supply chain are strengthening their BIM capabilities to better support architects, specifiers and contractors.
Architectural hardware, historically overlooked in digital planning, is now firmly in focus.
Increasingly, manufacturers are offering comprehensive BIM objects that incorporate 3D geometry alongside certification, performance and compliance data. But what impact is this shift having on real-world projects?
From optional to operationally critical
Only a decade ago, specifications were largely driven by paper-based resources – printed brochures, PDF catalogues and basic CAD drawings. Today, the industry is converging around fully integrated digital workflows, with platforms such as Revit and NBS enabling seamless links between design, specification, compliance and facilities management.
The introduction of Digital Product Passports (DPPs), set to become mainstream and mandated by the EU, will accelerate this transition further. However, this evolution is not driven by convenience alone. BIM data now plays a central role in meeting:
UK Government mandates for digital construction and the ‘Golden Thread of Information’
Fire safety regulations, which increasingly require accurate, current and verifiable product data
Sustainability reporting, where Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) and lifecycle data must be available at the design stage
As a result, if a product cannot be accurately represented within a digital model, it risks exclusion from specifications altogether.
READ MORE: Willmott Dixon Interiors to Lead Major Capitol Theatre Refurbishment in Horsham
BIM and architectural hardware
Door hardware is often perceived as a relatively small element within the overall value of a building project.
Yet its contribution to safety, performance, accessibility and regulatory compliance is significant.
Fire doorsets, for example, are only as effective as the hardware that supports them. Within a BIM environment, even a single component such as a door closer carries parametric data that can verify fire ratings, confirm accessibility requirements and identify potential clashes with surrounding elements. This enables design teams to address functionality and compliance at an early coordination stage.
Reliable BIM objects allow project teams to:
Achieve accurate design coordination through appropriate Levels of Detail (LOD)
Speed up specification by enabling drag-and-drop selection of verified products
Demonstrate compliance with embedded certification, fire testing and sustainability data
Reduce on-site errors by minimising the risk of incorrect product installation
As digital coordination becomes standard practice, hardware that is not modelled increasingly represents a specification and compliance risk.
Responding to evolving standards and expectations
The Grenfell Tower tragedy fundamentally reshaped regulatory and cultural expectations across the construction industry. Since then, demand for traceable, verified product information has intensified. Emerging legislation, such as Martyn’s Law, will further influence how public spaces are designed and secured, reinforcing the importance of resilience, accountability and transparency.
These developments highlight a clear reality: every component, no matter how small, must be supported by robust data and proven performance credentials. Hardware manufacturers therefore play a vital role in enabling safer buildings, by equipping project teams with the confidence to specify products that meet both current and future standards.
As the industry continues to embrace a data-driven approach, BIM objects have evolved from a useful resource into an indispensable tool. Whether delivering residential, healthcare or commercial projects, construction professionals must be able to rely on trusted suppliers and high-quality digital information to design, specify and build with confidence.
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