One of the most energy-intensive facilities requiring a comprehensive and well-optimised cooling system is the data centre. Air containment across the data centre is a key thermal management and energy-saving strategy that enhances the performance of data centres. The majority of modern energy-efficient data centres use some type of air containment. The primary advantage of aisle separation and containment is the decrease in the air temperature at the server inlet by reducing the mixing of hot air with cold air. In order to ascertain the volume of literature relating to corridor insulation, we conducted a literature review. Currently, there have been numerous articles regarding the application of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis, however, publications delineating the integration of building information modelling (BIM) principles for corridor separation are still limited. Research specifically targeting data centre corridor insulation is somewhat limited. As a result of this analysis, the most common methods used to isolate hot or cold aisles within a data centre were identified. To determine the most effective type of corridor insulation, the BIM family was created in Autodesk Revit. The model includes 15 telecom cabinets containing information technology (IT) equipment, eight inter-row air conditioners, and one UPS. The model was used for the CFD analysis of the air temperature in different zones of the room. Visualisation of the results using gradient temperature distributions at different levels provides a complete picture of the microclimate formation in the room and allowed the advantage of the hot aisle isolation scheme to be demonstrated.

Building Information Modelling (BIM) involves management efforts, tools and applications for enhancing information flow and, therefore, productivity of projects; adoption of BIM and the increasing use of digital technologies (e.g. data centers) in construction and operation of buildings, as well as in maintenance can transform the way how the industry works. Telecommunication cabinets equipped with large number of components of different types are inevitable parts of data centers having a significant influence on the efficiency and the reliability of data centers. Since the layout of equipment inside telecommunication cabinets is crucial in data centers and the ideal location of equipment inside each cabinet can be unique, an algorithmic and automated process is necessary for the cabinet façade scheme design; manually created diagrams can lead to errors. Furthermore, precise and up-to-date pieces of information about the special layout of equipment in each cabinet are also important for the further operation and maintenance. As an answer to this challenge, a BIM-based approach and method are presented in this article that can result in significant cost savings. When designing data centers, special attention must be paid to the location of telecommunication cabinets, the design of cable routes, and the layout of equipment inside. The novel cabinet family for BIM technology-based method has been developed for the improvement of data center design. Cable trays plug-in can lead to higher quality and efficiency of construction and the facility management as well. The main goal of the case study: optimization of the design process of structured cabling systems (SCS) in data centers (DC) using new additional BIM capabilities. The novel dynamic cabinet family have several distinctive features: the ability to select in the properties which equipment will be inside the cabinet and which unit will occupy; possibility to change and add equipment inside the cabinet; creation of cabinet façade scheme based on equipment inside the cabinet; automatically created specification; Cable tray plug-in can improve and automate the design process in the following areas: place trays depending on the installation method (wall, floor, ceiling); place elements of the trays (hangers, consoles, racks) in a user-defined interval; place tray connectors based on selected connector type and tray type at user-selectable spacing; adding a tray cover and a partition in the tray properties; automatically created specification of all cable trays elements. The model created in BIM can be used for further operation and maintenance. To reach it, each of the elements or groups of elements contains a unique number that allows to bind its parameters and geometry for further export and use in the production model.

Building Management Systems can be used for effective monitoring, management, planning, and improving the quality of work on large objects (office buildings, factories). Moreover, these systems can reduce costs during the operational phase. One of the technically complex and expensive facilities in which functions of Building Management Systems are used are data centers. To achieve a high level of efficiency at the Facility Management stage, it is important to work with data centers from the design stage. Data center design issues can be solved using Building Information Modeling, but during the transition to the operation of the facility some problems arise, namely the correct data export for Facility Management, the connection of real sensors with the model, and the receipt of data. All of these also affect the efficiency of the data center systems management. This article introduces a novel methodology for interconnecting Building Information Models with real sensors in data centers, which can provide a basis for further optimization. Furthermore, it can result in a more efficient operation in the operational phase. The proposed method is implemented and the experience gained as a result of the application is described.

In the area of structured cabling systems, optimization, i.e., reducing design errors, mini-mizing the need for rework, and increasing overall design productivity, is a critical factor in both design and maintenance. Traditional CAD methods exhibit 12% cable length miscalculations, which our script methodology mitigates. This paper presents a novel approach to the use of scripts in low voltage cabling systems, with a particular focus on the automatic routing of cables based on modeled cable paths. The proposed approach enables the automated construction and calculation of individual cable routes, as well as the comprehensive storage of associated parameter data. The methodology is discussed at conceptual level, with ideas presented at code and user levels. The effectiveness of this methodology is demonstrated through a case study conducted in the context of a real-world project.

Reduction of design errors, minimisation of rework and the improvement of the design productivity are key factors in building engineering systems (including structural and architectural solutions, ventilation systems, sewerage systems, water supply and heating systems, power supply systems, and communication networks). These goals can be achieved with a complex approach that prioritises the design of different building engineering systems in the model during the design phase, in order to provide a consistent design for different building engineering systems. The paper presents a novel approach for the application of plugins in building service systems with the elimination of collision in the focus. Collision reduction actions in this methodology are categorised into three levels: the code level, which pertains to plugin developers; the algorithm level, which relates to BIM coordinators; and the user level, which concerns engineers performing the check. This new systematic approach to collision resolution prioritises maintaining the consistency of collision detection across different systems and storing all information about each collision. Collision checking is based on several key factors, such as complying with the sequence of checking systems, excluding irrelevant collisions, and setting tolerances when joining system elements. The aim of our approach is to automate and expedite not only the identification of the intersections but also the subsequent work with it throughout the entire project life cycle. The results are demonstrated by a case study conducted in the frame of a real project.

BIM (Building Information Modelling), a term that is drawing the attention worldwide in the construction industry and governments, is a complex concept that involves management effort, tools and applications for enhancing information flow and therefore productivity for projects. This article pretends to briefly explain BIM, its advantages, challenges and potentialities while considering the current adoption of the concept in some countries. Furthermore, the article includes suggestions for the implementation of BIM in an organization as well as in projects and a list with some useful tools for this purpose.