NECA

NECA Signs Agreement with buildingSMART alliance

NECA, together with the Mechanical Contractors Association of America (MCAA) and the Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors’ National Association (SMACNA), recently signed a memorandum of understanding with the buildingSMART alliance (bSa) to establish needs and goals for the interoperability of building information modeling (BIM) software.

The alliance is a public/private initiative led by the National Institute of Building Sciences (NIBS) to facilitate interoperability throughout the construction industry. BIM refers to the digital tools that help contractors build facilities virtually prior to building them physically.

NECA members are using BIM technology to avoid potential placement problems of electrical systems and accommodate possible future needs of a building before construction ever begins.

“BIM is revolutionizing how specialty contractors work together on building projects, and it’s critical to see their needs reflected in technological and software developments,” said Dan Walter, NECA COO/Vice President. Walter also serves as president of the Association of Specialty Contractors. “Our relationship with bSa will allow the electrical and mechanical construction industries to realize the benefits of BIM processes by reducing software compatibility problems and removing obstacles to getting the job done efficiently.”

More information about the buildingSMART alliance can be found at www.buildingsmartalliance.org.

NECA is the voice of the $130 billion electrical construction industry that brings power, light, and communication technology to buildings and communities across the U.S. NECA’s national office and local chapters advance the industry through advocacy, education, research and standards development. For more information, visit www.necanet.org.

Contact Information

Beth Margulies, Director, Public Relations

301-215-4526, beth.margulies@necanet.org