Peter Caplehorn, the new head of policy at the Construction Products Association (CPA), has pledged to push for greater standardisation of BIM data among product manufacturers.
Caplehorn is the former technical director at design practice Scott Brownrigg and also chairs the BIM4Regs government group, launched last year to work on integrating building regulations and health and safety standards into BIM technology. He has also been involved with the government’s BIM Task Group, charged with plotting a route to implementing collaborative 3D BIM on major public projects by 2016.
Caplehorn, who also takes on the position of CPA deputy chief executive, told CM: “Now I will be looking to build some real momentum in the CPA’s BIM4M2 Group [the BIM for manufacturers and manufacturing group], to ensure that manufacturers are informed, organised and prepared for the government’s Level 2 BIM deadline to ensure they can grab hold of any opportunities available."
BIM4M2 was set up to support the work of the BIM Task Group and its members include a mix of manufacturers, including SMEs and multinationals, as well as consultants and content providers. Its aim is to get the UK construction product manufacturing sector recognised as a world leader in the integration of BIM and manufacturing technologies.
"I will be looking to ensure there is greater standardisation of BIM object data. It is vitally important we have a structure to work to and that the data is properly presented and organised to maximise clarity because the whole point of BIM is to enable projects to work more precisely and efficiently."
Peter Caplehorn, CPA
Caplehorn added: “I will be looking to ensure there is greater standardisation of BIM object data [product data properties, such as material, colour and environmental specifications etc]. It is vitally important we have a structure to work to and that the data is properly presented and organised to maximise clarity because the whole point of BIM is to enable projects to work more precisely and efficiently so that designers can properly predict the performance of a completed building.”
In his new role, Caplehorn will also examine how regulations affect the CPA membership, and how product innovation is supported as the economy picks up. “There is clearly room for more innovation and we need to ensure this is encouraged in terms of policy and investment,” he told CM.
The chartered architect has 33 years’ experience in the sector and has been involved in several other industry and government programmes, particularly on the technical and health and safety side. He is the deputy chair of the Building Regulations Advisory Committee (BRAC) and currently chairs CB, the British Standards Institution’s strategic committee for construction. His main focus recently, apart from BIM, has been on the new CDM Regulations and future building regulations.
Caplehorn’s work as a designer has largely been in the commercial sector on projects including offices, housing, schools, industrial plants and airports.
Commenting on his appointment, Dr Diana Montgomery, chief executive of the CPA, said: “I am very pleased to be able to appoint such a strong candidate to take over this role. Peter brings a wealth of relevant experience to the Association and he is well known within our industry as a great advocate of good construction practices. I look forward to introducing him to our members and for him to get stuck into helping the Association champion the role of construction product manufacturing and distribution.”
Caplehorn added: “For many years I have worked closely with product manufacturers and the supply side of the industry. I am delighted to be joining the CPA to further these relationships and support this valuable sector. As a practical designer I understand the need, and also the frustrations, this part of the construction industry faces. I’m looking forward to helping with the challenges and opportunities ahead.”
He continued: “The CPA has a pre-eminent membership with links to government and all significant construction organisations. There are so many areas where we assist the industry for everyone’s benefit. This is a hugely worthwhile role and I am really excited to be driving it forward.”
