BIM: Why It Matters So Much

  You might have heard the term BIM, either in our articles, in passing, in a conversation, or maybe you use BIM on your construction projects. In the last decade, a lot of changes have been on the horizon in the construction sector. The digitalization of the industry, and constant update on new ways to get and use data on the market. The most popular has to be Building Information Modelling (BIM). Some of our readers are not yet BIM enabled, and not considering implementing BIM in their operations in the near future. I don’t think this article will change the way you do business, let’s be realistic, but I hope that it will make you consider planning to implement the technology. Building Smarter Building Information Modelling  is , in essence, a methodology. It is a method of communication present throughout the building process, from the pre-construction phase, to the post-construction services. In its ideal form, it seeks to eliminate the need for Requests for Information (RFIs).  It

The Thermal Imaging Camera for the Prevention of Covid-19 on Job Sites?

 

Three months later, social distancing rules are softening and the reopening of businesses allows us to feel the beginning of the economic recovery

 

However, the rules of the game have changed. What can entrepreneurs do to protect their staff on construction sites? After the handwashing stations, the plexiglass on casters and the two-meter sticks, the thermal camera now arrives.

Just like at the grocery store, the check-in process at entrances of buildings or job sites often involves a long queue. In addition to being frustrating for some, this new reality has a direct impact on the productivity of workers and therefore on the profitability of businesses. Some giants such as Amazon have decided to tackle the problem using thermal technology.

For several months, the online sales giant has been trying to speed up the verification process in its warehouses using the thermal camera. The goal is to be able to detect the presence or absence of fever in workers since it is one of the main symptoms of Covid-19. To do this, a thermal camera is installed in front of the warehouse entrance door and sends the information on the screen of an operator. On the screen, it is possible to see in real time the body temperature of each, allowing to quickly identify a worker with a symptom of fever. According to workers, this method is much faster and involves less human interaction, unlike the traditionally used infrared thermometer.

Although the use of this technology is still not widespread, it is still a measure implemented at airports in Asia, following the SARS epidemic in 2003. The health of workers and the healthiness of workplaces is now being an even greater concern, other large companies like Tyson Foods and Intel Corp are following suit. So the question arises: is this a technology that we could adopt on our sites? One thing is certain, this crisis will have brought out our creative side in order to redefine our working methods.

What do you think ?