Building Information Site and Bar/QR Codes

Note: a QRcode reader would be useful to read the codes to understand the usefulness of accessing data for Facilities Management.

After capturing data about buildings, the information generally gets stored in an AMIS (Asset Management Information System) for use for forecasting and managing assets. These systems are usually sophisticated and not easily used.

There is basic building data that could be of use if accessed from site. So if a tradesperson was sent to do a job that site specific information could be obtained quite easily.

One method of doing this is to use a mobile phone or Tablet with a Barcode scanner app. There are many free barcode reader apps for all the different Operating Systems.

Using the Scanner you can read either Barcodes or QR Codes. These can be simple URL links or even Text Data. This is easier than typing in a URL link path.

This one takes you to a website with all the plans, 2D & 3D of the property and data sheets and is good for larger devices such as tablets. LINK HERE.

Barcode/QR scans can be located discretely in Door Jambs where they are easily scanned and are not particularly noticeable.

So you could have, at the front door, the House/Unit data, external areas of roof/walls etc and external information as well as Owners contact details. If it is in the door jamb then access to the building is required before the data can be read, adding a level of security to the information.

Each room can have room data shown as well. This can be in simple form, as well as a link to a Floor Plan or building details. This can extend further to plant items or other equipment that you want to give maintenance data to the tradesperson so that they have knowledge of the plants performance or documents relating to its maintenance requirements including drawings and datasheets

Here is a simple link to a revit created room panorama :

Laundry

Another method is to use the QR Code to only show specific room Data , in the case below it is quntities and fabric and finishes of room surfaces and openings. This is useful for basic quantification. Note the far richer QR code as it is conveying far more information.

Another method to aid this is to have a code for the Floor Plan, so that all the room numbers/names are correctly identified (this can cause serious confusion when work is done on one room but logged against another room (or even building or unit)), so having correct codes is very important. This one links to a 2D pdf of the house floor plan:

12

If the information on your building is richer, then you can go to specific room data sheet information relevant for each room as per example below. LINK.

These are architectural examples , but the information can be extended to other aspects of the building such as services etc.

Note that on Room Data Sheet I have looked to incorporate the Building/Unit/Room Code (just above the title) so that if work was done in that room the contractor could scan in code.

These examples are using a static website or captured text for displaying information. The Scanner codes could be linked directly to a live Web Hosted Database so that up to date information can be downloaded regarding the elements, such as adding condition to the mix, which would be very useful to allow tradespeople to update condition data on buildings when they visit to do work.  Also it would be useful to supply and log information on what work has been done either in the room or on the piece of equipment.

I also wrote a short post on testing Barcodes.

There is also a page about these on my Demonstration Site.