AUTCON-01687; No of Pages 12

Automation in Construction xxx (2013) xxx–xxx

Contents lists available at ScienceDirect

Automation in Construction
journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/autcon

Development of BIM-based evacuation regulation checking system for

high-rise and complex buildings
Jungsik Choi a, Junho Choi b, Inhan Kim b,⁎
a
College of Engineering, Kyung Hee University, Republic of Korea
b
Department of Architecture, Kyung Hee University, Republic of Korea

a r t i c l e i n f o a b s t r a c t

Article history: Recently owing to the increasing requirements for the improvement of qualitative factors of BIM-based design
Accepted 10 December 2013 projects, it is necessary to develop an automated checking and evaluation process for the BIM data. Regulation
Available online xxxx information is an important factor for initial architectural design evaluations. The purpose of this study is to de-
velop an automated system that designers and owners can check the evacuation regulation compliance of BIM
Keywords:
data. In this study, the scope of applied regulation information is confined to evacuation regulation, as high-
Automated checking system
Building information modeling (BIM)
rise and complex building design has high priority and is critical on adequate disaster prevention systems and
Quality check egress routes. To achieve this purpose, the authors have investigated case studies of BIM-based regulation
Evacuation regulation checking process and illustrated the possible mechanism for the process through evacuation regulation analysis.
High-rise and complex buildings Based on the presented methodology and scenario of the proposed automated evacuation regulation checking
Industry foundation classes (IFC) system, the authors developed a prototypical system, called InSightBIM-Evacuation.
Open BIM © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

1. Introduction environment, such as the industry foundation classes (IFC),2 which is

Communication between numerous participants is essential on
collaborative projects, because the various design stages of the archi-
tectural process involve the collaboration of many disciplines. The
management and utilization of the information that is used to com-
municate in these complex and diverse processes are very impor-
tant. In particular, the design information that is generated in the
early stages of a construction project is utilized and modified in the
follow-up stages. Thus, systematic management is required in all
the construction stages [1]. Recently, in the construction industry,
the complexity and size of buildings have been increasing the uncer-
tainty and decreasing the reliability. Furthermore, the specialization
and departmentalization of the construction industry are increasing.
In addition, the demands for collaboration with various disciplines
are increasing. Open building information modeling (BIM)1 could
be one of the solutions to handle these situations [3]. Software can
be communicated using a neutral format throughout the open BIM
an international standard [5]. BIM-based parametric and intelligent
building objects can represent properties such as function, structure,
usage, and regulation information. BIM is especially useful for checking
the regulation using building object properties such as the characteristic
and relation information for various disciplines [6,7].
The delivery of the BIM data is mandatory in advanced countries,
and these countries are promoting the automated checking for BIM quality,
including compliance with the regulation [8]. For example, Singapore has
developed a BIM-based automated regulation checking process through
the software FORNAX [9] and has built a construction administration
system, CORENET [9]. The SMARTcodes [10] project in the USA has struc-
turalized the regulations of the International Code Council (ICC) and
developed automatic code compliance checking systems. In particular,
regulation checks through an automated regulation checking system
can reduce errors, time, and the inefficient use of human resources
through objective verification [11].

2
Industry foundation classes, IFC, are the main buildingSMART data model standard.
⁎ Corresponding author. The IFC format is registered by ISO as ISO/PAS 16739 and is in the process of becoming
E-mail address: ihkim@khu.ac.kr (I. Kim). an official International Standard ISO/IS 16739. IFC can be used to exchange and share
1
Open BIM is a universal approach to the collaborative design, realization and operation BIM data between applications developed by different software vendors without the soft-
of buildings based on open standards and workflows. Open BIM is an initiative of ware having to support numerous native formats. As an open format, IFC does not belong
buildingSMART and several leading software vendors using the open buildingSMART data to a single software vendor; it is neutral and independent of a particular vendor's plans for
model [2]. software development [4].

0926-5805/$ – see front matter © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.autcon.2013.12.005

Please cite this article as: J. Choi, et al., Development of BIM-based evacuation regulation checking system for high-rise and complex buildings,
Autom. Constr. (2013), http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.autcon.2013.12.005
2 J. Choi et al. / Automation in Construction xxx (2013) xxx–xxx

Fig. 1. BIM-based quality assurance process plan in Korea [12].

Fig. 1 shows the BIM-based quality assurance process plan in They submit the BIM model and IFC model after error checking and
Korea [12]. This process can be classified as quality assurance by modification through a BIM assurance process. The owners receive the
designers/architects and as quality assurance by a BIM quality center. results of the quality assurance through the BIM quality center and
The designers and architects create BIM data using BIM support tools. approve the final permission [13]. In this study, the authors have

Fig. 2. InsightBIM–Evacuation interface.

Please cite this article as: J. Choi, et al., Development of BIM-based evacuation regulation checking system for high-rise and complex buildings,
Autom. Constr. (2013), http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.autcon.2013.12.005
 J. Choi et al. / Automation in Construction xxx (2013) xxx–xxx 3

Table 1
Overview of related research.

Researcher Focus of research

Eastman et al. [14] ▪ Investigation of requirements and case study for rule-based design check
▪ Suggestion for major challenges of regulation checking
– Verification of code checking
– Rule checking system as a design development support system
Martins et al. [20] ▪ Development of LicA—code checking tool for regulation
▪ Development of LicAXML—database
▪ Application to design water system
Pauwels et al. [18] ▪ Application of semantic web technology as a way to solve the limitations of IFC
▪ Development of a semantic rule checking environment for building design and construction
Tan et al. [13] ▪ Proposition of building information model extensions, called EBIM, for building envelope design based on the building code
▪ Development of prototype system for evaluating the hygrothermal performance of an exterior wall
Ding et al. [21] ▪ Development of means of encoding design requirements and domain specific knowledge for building codes
▪ Implementation of automated regulation check system using EDM [22] and SMCa[24]
Kim [25] ▪ Development of rule-set for regulation check for emergency elevator and fire safety zone based on SMC
▪ Development of rule-based checking modules for the evacuation regulations of super-tall buildings
a
Solibri Model Checker (SMC) is used to analyze BIM models saved in the IFC format for potential problems, conflicts, or design code violations. It also includes visualization,
walkthrough, interference detection, model comparison, collaboration, and quantity take-off capabilities [23].

developed a BIM assurance process and support system with a focus
on evacuation regulations.
The various quality checks are performed using the BIM-based
checking software. However, there are problems such as the lack of a
BIM-based quality assurance process [11,13,14] and requirements
[1,15,16] for quality checks, and a lack of functionality in the automated
quality checking system [17,18].
The purpose of this study is to develop an automated system that
allows designers and owners to check the evacuation regulation compliance
of BIM data through the BIM quality check process in BIM-mandated projects.
3
In terms of designers, the guidelines and application process are
presented for the creation of BIM data; and, in terms of owners, the
criterion and a way to apply the automated checking system are pre-
sented for legally checking the BIM data. In this study, high-rise and
complex buildings are the target.
The scope of the applied regulation information is confined to
evacuation regulations, because high-rise and complex building de-
signs have a high priority, and adequate disaster prevention systems
and egress routes are critical. In the evacuation discipline, an automated
regulation checking system makes it possible to ensure the quality of
high-rise and complex buildings' BIM data. In addition, time, cost, and
manpower savings can be expected through the automated evacuation
regulation checking of BIM data. The methodology of this study to
achieve this purpose is as follows.
• The authors have investigated case studies of open BIM-based regula-
tion checking processes.
• The authors have suggested an open BIM-based quality checking
process and scenarios. The suggested quality checking process has
been applied to assess the quality of the evacuation regulations
using an automated evacuation regulation checking system. This
scenario can be utilized as a guideline for presenting a method for
defining regulation properties to improve the regulation checking
accuracy in the system and the BIM data.
• The authors developed a prototypical evacuation regulation checking
system called InSightBIM–Evacuation and used it to verify the results
of an evacuation regulation check. Fig. 2 shows the InSightBIM–
Evacuation interface. This system concludes a BIM model view,
property information & pre-check results, and evacuation regula-
tion check results.
3 early application. However, there are disadvantage involving the limita-
In Korea, the BIM is applied mandatory in the new public building which costs more
than 50 billion won since 2012, and it is planned to be applied in all the public buildings
in 2016.
2. Related works
An aspect of BIM, quality control, encourages the correct utilization
of data, while a quality check can check the validity of the physical,
logical information to increase productivity. The quality check
criteria based on BIM can be classified as physical information quality,
logical information quality, and data quality according to the goals and
objectives of the quality check [19]. The logical information quality
checks the requirement properties of building objects and space routes
for evacuation according to the relevant regulation in the BIM data [5].
The authors investigated cases with the goal of automatically checking
the regulations and logical criteria (Table 1).
In addition, the practices applied to the actual work after the devel-
opment of a national regulation checking system are as follows:
SEUMTER [26,27] is an electronic system that enables the automation
of all the processes and various documents related to architectural
and housing administration services in Korea. CORENET [9,28] focuses
on the development of a set of infrastructure and industry projects in
order to provide governance to business infrastructure, so as to
facilitate the submission, checking, and approval processes for electron-
ic building plans. CORENET consists of an e-submission system and inte-
grated plan checking. Integrated plan checking is an automated
checking process for IFC-based files and leading-edge systems that can
integrate an expert knowledge of regulations, artificial intelligence
(AI), and building information modeling (BIM) technologies. The
SMARTcodes project [10,29] has developed automatic code compliance
checking for I-Codes at the international, federal, and state levels. The
automated code compliance check takes a building plan, which is repre-
sented by the BIM, and automatically checks for code compliance using
model checking software (MCS). The GSA [30,31] developed a system to
automate the fusion of the technology BIM data expressed by the guide-
lines that are used for the planning, design, construction, maintenance,
and management of a court building. In the planning stage of the court
building, the GSA analyzed the space program for the proposed design
and the level of security of the space design, which were delivered in
BIM data from the architects using BIM technology (Table 2).
As cases of BIM-based quality checking for regulation checks, data-
bases and automated checking systems have been developed using
various methods to systematically manage the regulations. The com-
mercial quality check software SMC is widely used, and the others are
self-developed. SMC can be used to develop additional rule-sets in the
Java API environment. It is easy to develop a prototype system for
tions of API modules and the dependence of SMC. Therefore, the authors
have developed a BIM-based regulation checking system in a special

Please cite this article as: J. Choi, et al., Development of BIM-based evacuation regulation checking system for high-rise and complex buildings,
Autom. Constr. (2013), http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.autcon.2013.12.005
4 J. Choi et al. / Automation in Construction xxx (2013) xxx–xxx

Table 2
Overview of regulation checking systems [14].

Development agency Project Target codes/rules Checking platform

Korea, MOLIT SEUMTER Building code (e.g., fire prevention check) ArchiBIM server
– Fire partition
– Fireproof
– Regulation of firewall
– Site
– Building scale
– Usage
– Building structure
Singapore CORENET Building code (e.g., BCR, BFA, fire code) FORNAX
– Access to and exit from buildings
– Fire safety requirements
– Sprinkler provision
– Environmental health requirements
– Vehicle parking requirements
– Waste and drainage provision
– Gas services in building
USA, ICC SMARTcodes Building code (e.g., IECC 2006) DA's SMARTcodes for SMC, XABIO
– Window and door assemblies
– Sealing of the building envelope
– Insulation and fenestration criteria
USA, GSA Circulation and security (e.g., U.S. Courts Design Guide) SMC
– Occupant circulation

program environment to apply the suggested methodology in this
study.
3. BIM-based evacuation regulation checking process for high-rise
and complex buildings
In this study, the authors have suggested the application process
and various element technologies for open BIM-based quality
checks for evacuation regulations. In the case of IFC, expandable de-
velopment methods such as the structuring of evacuation regulation
and the definition of property information have been suggested for
reflecting the evacuation regulation information. In addition,
scenarios that summarize the regulation checking methods and
results reflecting the BIM modeling requirements and automated
regulation checking system have been suggested to improve the
reliability of the evacuation regulation checking results.

Fig. 3. Quality check process through open BIM-based evacuation regulation checking system.

Please cite this article as: J. Choi, et al., Development of BIM-based evacuation regulation checking system for high-rise and complex buildings,
Autom. Constr. (2013), http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.autcon.2013.12.005
 J. Choi et al. / Automation in Construction xxx (2013) xxx–xxx 5

Table 3
Summary of Korean evacuation regulations for high-rise and complex building application.

Check list Regulation Condition Criterion

Checking a high-rise and complex
building
Analysis of fire compartments and
firewalls
Analysis of evacuation safety zones
Analysis of escape stairs and
exit routes
Analysis of emergency elevator
Architects enforcement
(Article 2)
Architects enforcement
(Article 46)
Architects enforcement
(Article 34)
Regulation of the evacuation
and fire proof construction
criteria (Article 9)
Architects enforcement
(Article 34)
Architects enforcement
(Article 90)
– Over 50th floor or over 200 m in height
Floor below the 10th floor
Floor above the 10th floor
For high-rise buildings
Direct stair leading to the evacuation
floor or ground floor (below the 2nd
floor or above the 5th floor of the building)
From all parts of the living area to the
direct stairs
For height of building over 31 m
Division within each 100 m2 floor area
Division within each 200 m2 floor area
Installation within each maximum 30th floor from ground
level
(Vertical routes) Directly connected to the ground floor or
evacuation floor
(Horizontal routes) 30 m or less walking distance
The maximum floor area is Installation of more than one
less than 1500 m2 elevator
The maximum floor area is Installation plus one elevator
more than 1500 m2 for each (more than 1500 m2
and less than 3000 m2)

3.1. Suggestion for quality checking process
As shown in Fig. 3, the automated evacuation regulation checking
environment based on open BIM can be constructed using a BIM data
and checking system that is developed according to application scenarios.
The quality check process using the open BIM-based evacuation regula-
tion checking system is as follows.
(1) The designer expresses a design plan with the evacuation regula-
tions and application requirement scenarios using the BIM
modeling software. In this case, it is necessary to define the
object's properties for the quality check.
(2) The high-rise and complex building BIM model that was created
using the BIM modeling software is exported to the IFC format.
(3) The BIM data is checked according to the quality checking criteria
such as the evacuation regulations. The automated regulation
checking system accurately and efficiently evaluates the quality.
(4) The designer continually revises and reviews the design until the
design requirements are properly reflected in the BIM model
through the quality checking criteria. The owner will be able to
perform a more accurate and rapid evaluation through these pro-
cesses of the designer.
(5) The quality checking results can be summarized in a report.
3.2. Analysis of evacuation regulations
Korean regulations related to evacuation are contained in Article
49 to Article 53 of the “Building code.” The “Regulation of the evacua-
tion and fire proof construction criteria” is defined for the purpose of
technical standards regarding fire protection and evacuation of a
building. The “Special law on disaster management of complex build-
ings and coordination of high-rise and underground” was recently
established to handle the evacuation of high-rise and complex build-
ings [32].
This study deals with the Korean evacuation regulations, with high-
rise buildings as the application targets for the development of automat-
ed evacuation regulation checking systems. In order to apply the Korean

Fig. 4. Definitions of properties for applying evacuation regulations.

Please cite this article as: J. Choi, et al., Development of BIM-based evacuation regulation checking system for high-rise and complex buildings,
Autom. Constr. (2013), http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.autcon.2013.12.005
6 J. Choi et al. / Automation in Construction xxx (2013) xxx–xxx

Table 4
Scenarios for checking installation of fire compartments and firewalls.

Classification Application procedure Content

Model Modeling
System Checking the model
according to the regulations
Judgment of legality and
resulting output by comparing
analyzed results
High-rise building modeling with
space and firewall
Definition of space and firewall
property set(PSET)
Checking the architectural model
Checking the compartment of the
area unit
Checking the compartment of the
story unit
Checking whether the fire
compartments are fireproof
Main checking item
Detail checking items
▪ Defining a space properties for fire-compartment analysis
▪ Defining a “Department” of space property as a “Fire Partition”
▪ Defining a “Combustible” of main structure Pset as a “False”
▪ Defining a “Combustible” of “Pset_WallCommon” which surrounds the fire
compartments, as a “False”
▪ Checking the total GFA through space objects (more than 1000 m2)
▪ Checking the incombustibility of the main structure (combustible value)
▪ Compartment within each 1000 m2 total floor area (lower than 10th floor)
▪ Compartment within each 200 m2 total floor area (higher than 11th floor)
▪ Checking the compartment of a single floor (except 1st, 2nd floor)
▪ Checking that floor height equals the height of the space
▪ Checking whether an incombustible wall surrounds the fire compartments
(combustible value)
▪ Name of check: Analysis of fire compartments and firewall
▪ Result:
– Normal: Fire compartments are installed properly.
– Error: Fire compartments are not installed properly.
▪ Name of check: Checking the fire compartments in target building
▪ Result:
– Normal: Fire compartments found in target building.
– Error: Fire compartments not found in target building.
▪ Name of check: Checking fire compartment by area unit
▪ Result:
– Normal: Fire compartments by area unit have been installed according to the
installation criteria.
– Error: Fire compartments by area unit have not been installed according to the
installation criteria
√ Fire compartments by area unit installation error: 5 places
√ Error items (example): Space 1 (300 m2) exceeds floor area criterion (200 m2).
▪ Name of check: Checking fire compartment by story unit
▪ Result:
– Normal: Fire compartments by story unit have been installed according to the
installation criteria.
– Error: Fire compartments by story unit have not been installed according to the
installation criteria.
√ Fire compartments by story unit installation error: 7 places
√ Error items (example): Space 1 (12 m) exceeds height criterion (6 m).
▪ Name of check: Checking whether the fire compartment is fireproof
▪ Result:
– Normal: Fire compartment is a fireproof structure.
– Error: Fire compartment is not a fireproof structure.
√ Fire compartment by fireproof structure error: 7 places

evacuation regulations to an automated regulation checking system,
the sorting of regulation items that can automatically be analyzed
using a computer should be a priority. The selected evacuation regu-
lation items place a higher priority on regulations that are required
in high-rise and complex buildings compared to general buildings
(Table 3).
PSETs (e.g., Pset_WallCommon), where additional properties are
defined for building objects, along with a methodology for defining
additional properties. The PSETs and properties for applying the
evacuation regulations are shown in Fig. 4.
3.4. Proposition of scenarios for applying evacuation regulations

3.3. Structuring evacuation regulation
Regulation checking criteria and methods should be defined
based on the relevant regulations for an automated checking system.
The defined regulation checking criterion should be coded for the
regulation check by linking the BIM data and regulation. The auto-
mated regulation checking progresses through the identification of
the targets and contents of building objects in BIM data compared
with the regulations. The BIM property information contains the
names, materials that have further applicable information for vari-
ous disciplines such as a regulation check. This property information
is utilized to determine the quality check results in the quality
checking system. IFC provides the definitions for additional property
information through the development of a property set (PSET) in the
extension of the concept model for the definition of additional attri-
butes of the BIM model [33]. The buildingSMART provides basic
The BIM data are created to reflect the required property informa-
tion, and the regulation checking system checks the suitability of the
regulation criteria through the defined properties in the BIM data. The
regulation checks are divided into 1) checks based on a grasp of the
building object's property information such as the location and quantity
and 2) checks involving calculations based on the regulation checking
criteria. In order to increase the reliability of these regulation checking
results, scenarios that can create suitable BIM data and offer regulation
checking methods for a system are needed.
3.4.1. Checking based on grasp of property information for regulation
checking criterion
An analysis of fire compartments and firewalls is performed in the
following procedures. The criteria and procedures should be reflected
in the BIM data and the regulation checking system (Table 4).

Please cite this article as: J. Choi, et al., Development of BIM-based evacuation regulation checking system for high-rise and complex buildings,
Autom. Constr. (2013), http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.autcon.2013.12.005

Table 5
Scenarios for checking escape stairs and exit routes (system).
Classification Application procedure
Vertical routes Checking the model according
to the regulations
Judgment of legality and
resulting output by comparing
analyzed results
Horizontal Checking the model according
routes to the regulations
Judgment of legality and
resulting output by comparing
analyzed results
Please cite this article as: J. Choi, et al., Development of BIM-based evacuation regulation checking system for high-rise and complex buildings,
Autom. Constr. (2013), http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.autcon.2013.12.005
J. Choi et al. / Automation in Construction xxx (2013) xxx–xxx
Fig. 5. Flowchart for checking installation of fire compartments and firewalls.
Checking whether the refuge floor is installed
Checking the connection of direct stairs
Checking the connection between direct stairs
and refuge floor
Checking item
Checking whether the refuge floor is installed
Checking for escape stairs and exits within
target floor
Checking the distance between escape
stairs, exit, and each space
Checking item
7
Content
▪ Checking whether evacuation safety zone module is executed
▪ Creating the reference points for each direct stair (center)
▪ Checking the distances between reference points and floor height
▪ Defining the reference point of refuge floor
▪ Determining connection with adjacent floors (start point is refuge floor)
▪ Checking whether vertical route ends at a refuge floor
▪ Name of check: Analysis of installation criterion of escape stairs
▪ Result:
– Normal: Escape stairs are installed properly.
– Error: Escape stairs are not installed properly.
▪ Checking whether evacuation safety zone module is executed
▪ Checking that “FireExit” of space property is “True”
▪ Checking that “Department” of space property is “escape stair”
▪ Checking that “FireExit” of door property is “True”
▪ Checking the distance from the outermost point to the escape stairs
and exit
▪ Definition of node by space property
▪ Name of check: Analysis of exit routes
▪ Result: Distance from each space to exit is proper
– Exit error: 7 routes
– Error: The distance from the escape stairs
(Space. 1) to Space. 20 is 30.51 m. This is 0.51 m longer than the criterion
for the walking distance.
8 J. Choi et al. / Automation in Construction xxx (2013) xxx–xxx

Table 6
Types of nodes.

Type Description Image

Door Node Center point of door

Open Node Center point of virtual wall (open edge)

Corner Node Offset point of vertex point that exists at polygon's outermost edge

Outermost Node Farthest point from the door point

Fig. 5 shows a flowchart for the installation criteria checks for the
fire compartments and firewalls of an area unit in the regulation
checking system. In this flowchart, it is possible to compare the prop-
erties of IFC and determine the compatibility based on the regulation
criteria.
3.4.2. Checking through calculations based on regulation checking criteria
Regulation checks based on a calculation algorithm are required
for more specific and various automated regulation checks. The
scenarios applied to the system development are described in
Table 5.
In case of the exit route, the definition of a node for defining the
route in the building is necessary. Taneja et al. [34] presented the
requirements for developing automated route navigation within a
building, and represented a graph network for building spaces
and spatial connections using a Geometric Topology Network (GTN)
in IFC files. In this study, a node was defined at the centerline of
the route. Lee et al. [35] defined a computational method for
measuring the walking distances within buildings based on a
length-weighted graph structure for a given building model. A uni-
versal circulation network has been implemented as plug-in soft-
ware in SMC. In this study, a node was defined using the path of
the offset distance as the movement of people in the space. Ruppel
et al. [36] analyzed the path required in the event of an emergency
in a building based on BIM. In this study, a node was defined in a va-
riety of ways (e.g., Door to Door, Mesh, Quadtrees, Straight Skeleton).
Lee [15] analyzed the flow line to a destination via a valid space
from the starting point to the destination. This was classified using
the True Validation Space, False Validation Space, Unidentifiable
Space, and Potential Validation Space to find the path interference
and flow line.
The exit routes that were used in this study consisted of paths that
were determined by using the open BIM (IFC) to find the distance
from the farthest point of each room to the door and escape stairs and
exits. The authors have defined the “node” of each “space” and marked
the path by searching for the start space point and end nodes. There are
a variety of ways to define the nodes, as shown in Table 6. These node
combinations were applied in this study.

Fig. 6. High-rise and complex BIM model using KBIMS library.

Please cite this article as: J. Choi, et al., Development of BIM-based evacuation regulation checking system for high-rise and complex buildings,
Autom. Constr. (2013), http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.autcon.2013.12.005
 J. Choi et al. / Automation in Construction xxx (2013) xxx–xxx 9

Table 7
Property definitions of evacuation regulations by item.

List Property definition

Analysis of fire compartments and firewalls
Analysis of evacuation safety zones
Analysis of escape stairs and exit routes
Analysis of emergency elevator
▪ Defining a “Department” of space property as a “Fire Partition”
▪ Defining a “Combustible” of main structure Pset as a “False”
▪ Defining a “Combustible” of “Pset_WallCommon” surrounding the fire compartments, as “False”
▪ Defining a “FireExit” of “Pset_SpaceFireSafetyRequirements” as “True”
▪ Defining a “Department” of space property as a “Safety Zone”
▪ Defining the escape stairs' “FireExit” property of “Pset_StairCommon” of IfcStair as a “True”
▪ Defining the outward exit's “FireExit” property and “IsExternal” of “Pset_DoorCommon” of IfcDoor as a “True”
▪ Defining “IsCombustible” of “Pset_FireRatingProperties” of IfcBuilding as “True”
▪ Defining “FireExit” of “Pset_TransportElementCommon” as “True”

4. Usage cases and verification of proposed BIM-based automated
checking system
In this study, the BIM data were modeled by using a BIM standard
library for the verification of the automated checking system. The prop-
erty information of the evacuation regulations was defined in the BIM
data. The complete high-rise and complex BIM data was used to check
the evacuation regulations through InSightBIM–Evacuation, which was
developed in this study. The results showed whether the BIM data
was suitable for evacuation regulations and verified the checking results
through the applied scenarios.
4.1. High-rise and complex building BIM data modeling
The BIM data were modeled using the pilot version of the standard
library KBIMS (Korea BIM Standard) v0.9, which was made public at
buildingSMART Korea [37], and the Autodesk Revit Architecture software.
The KBIMS library has a total of 152 objects of the Autodesk Revit
Architecture and Graphisoft ArchiCAD software for the application of
high-rise BIM libraries [38]. The BIM data were based on the real build-
ing design for a high-rise and complex building currently being con-
structed in Korea, although the final design is significantly different
from the design represented in this BIM data. It contains the walls,
slabs, columns, beams, doors, curtain walls, stairs, etc. The plan and
shape of the high-rise BIM data are shown in Fig. 6. The total number
of stories is 107, and the model was designed to allow for checks of its
compliance with the evacuation regulations for the high-rise and
complex buildings.
4.2. Reflecting property information for evacuation regulations
The property information that was utilized to judge the results of the
regulation check was defined in the BIM data according to the applica-
tion scenario. The property definition for each item of the evacuation
regulations is shown in Table 7. Fig. 7 shows a sample definition for
“FireExit” property of the evacuation regulations for the door object in
Revit Architecture.

Fig. 7. Example of property definition for evacuation regulation checking system (FireExit).

Please cite this article as: J. Choi, et al., Development of BIM-based evacuation regulation checking system for high-rise and complex buildings,
Autom. Constr. (2013), http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.autcon.2013.12.005
10 J. Choi et al. / Automation in Construction xxx (2013) xxx–xxx
4.3. Results of regulation check through automated evacuation regulations
checking system
The authors have developed a prototype system in order to verify the
methodology and scenario for the proposed automated evacuation regu-
lation checking. The system was called InSightBIM–Evacuation. It has been
developed using Visual Studio2008, and the viewer function for the repre-
sentation of the shape information utilized OpenCascade6.5.4. In order to
accurately control the data information of IFC-based open BIM files, the
IFCEngine DLL [39] was used as an IFC parser. IFCEngine DLL is a library
written in the C language of the IFC file W/R engine that was distributed
by TNO. In addition to simply read the IFC data, the IFCEngine DLL can also
provide written and visualization outputs of a 3D object, which can be
visualized or calculated by the graphics processing unit.
The following examples are the results of applying InSightBIM–
Evacuation, which was developed and applied to the study of evacuation
regulations. The applied results were checked to determine whether the
BIM data had suitable criteria for the evacuation regulations based on the
applied scenario.
The first result focused on the installation criterion of fire compart-
ments to check whether the regulation criteria and property informa-
tion were suitable. Fig. 8 shows the installation error of the fire
compartments criterion for fire resistance. It can be displayed with the
number of errors and the error list and confirmed visually with the cor-
responding error compartments when the errors are selected. Specific
compartments for area/story units were set up, but legal errors occurred
during the fire-resistant construction of the compartments. Errors can
occur when the property information is missing or entered improperly.
Users can reduce errors by identifying the scope and target of the prop-
erty information because the property information differs with the
target of the regulation checking.
The internal applied algorithm included in the regulation checking
system was used to find the second result based on criteria for the escape
stairs installation and exit routes in this study. Fig. 9 shows the checking
results for the errors in the escape stairs and exit routes. The escape stairs
Fig. 8. Results for checking fire compartment and firewall installation criteria (installation error for fire compartment of fireproof structure).
Please cite this article as: J. Choi, et al., Development of BIM-based evacuation regulation checking system for high-rise and complex buildings,
Autom. Constr. (2013), http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.autcon.2013.12.005
of the vertical route was installed legally. However, an exit route walking
distance that exceeded the exit route criterion of the horizon route was
found. All the errors can be checked graphically in this system.
4.4. Benefits and contributions
The BIM-based regulation checking system can reduce the inefficient
use of time and human resources, and minimize the errors. The errors in
the checking results could be minimized by improving the quality of the
regulation checking system to allow it to check the requirements and
criteria automatically according to the application scenario, as present-
ed in this study. In addition, architects and designers who wish to check
the design themselves or the owner should be able to access the system
through the step-by-step approach of the detailed results.
The following expected benefits can be achieved when automated
checking is achieved through an open BIM-based quality checking system.
• The automated evacuation regulation checking system uses the in-
ternational standard IFC format and makes it possible to check the
BIM data consistently and correctly. It is possible to reduce the man-
power and cost losses by shortening the time spent in the process of
checking the regulations if hands-on workers perform a preliminary
check of the regulation suitability of the high-rise and complex BIM
data, which include a massive quantity of information.
• The authors suggest the possibility of extending the automated
checking system in the BIM-based quality check process. A quality im-
provement of the BIM data in the design stage is expected when specif-
ic checks for various disciplines are suggested and implemented.
• The authors presented the methodology for automated checking sys-
tem development. This methodology can be utilized to reference data
in liaison research such as the application of additional regulations.
• In the case of checking the criteria of exit routes, the various
simulations of the evacuation exit route analysis can be extended
using related calculation algorithms.
 J. Choi et al. / Automation in Construction xxx (2013) xxx–xxx
Fig. 9. Result of checking for escape stairs installation and exit routes (exit route error).
5. Conclusions and future works
The design information that occurred throughout the construction
industry includes a various and massive information. In particular,
the regulations that are applied at the design stage should be assessed
and checked to ensure that the design meets the related design require-
ments. In addition, continuous checks in the design or development
phase must be made to ensure that this continues to be true with the fre-
quent design changes. However, a BIM-based quality check cannot be ful-
filled systematically because of the lack of an automated system and
detailed guidelines, despite the significance reorganization of these sys-
tems and the widespread assessment of design information.
The authors have presented the development of an open BIM-based
evacuation regulation checking system for high-rise and complex build-
ings as improvement method for these problems. The results of this
study are summarized as follows.
• The authors have developed a methodology and technologies for im-
proving the design quality with a focus on the evacuation regulations.
By applying it, the expansion possibilities for various disciplines can be
verified.
• The authors have suggested an open BIM-based quality check process
with a focus on the evacuation regulations. Architects and designers
are able to evaluate the design quality frequently while they are cre-
ating BIM data to reflect the design. The owners are able to evaluate
the design quality according to the standardized method. These re-
sults provide the opportunity to change the existing BIM research
focus from quantitative to qualitative.
• The authors have suggested a scenario that can be applied to BIM
modeling and in the development of regulation checking systems. De-
pending on the methodology of the development scenario, various
regulation items can be added. Scenarios are definitely required in
order to apply a standardized BIM as a BIM guide. Therefore, it is es-
sential liaison work, not only for automated regulation checking, but
Please cite this article as: J. Choi, et al., Development of BIM-based evacuation regulation checking system for high-rise and complex buildings,
Autom. Constr. (2013), http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.autcon.2013.12.005
11
also to develop the guides for expandable applications within other dis-
ciplines in the future.
• The authors have presented a methodology and environment for the
development of the open BIM-based software. It is expected that sys-
tem developers could refer to the technical information data for expan-
sion applications in their disciplines.
In this study, the scope of the applied regulations was limited by some
of the items of the evacuation regulations related to high-rise and com-
plex buildings. This caused difficulties with the practical application of
the evacuation regulations applied in this study. To remedy this, the appli-
cation scope of the evacuation regulations should be expanded.
The definition of the properties information from a user is very
important because most of the regulation checks are based on the prop-
erty information in the BIM data. As shown by the problems seen in the
application results, the user's input errors are a significant proportion of
errors. Therefore, interface software that allows users to input and mod-
ify the property information directly in the BIM data/IFC format without
BIM modeling software is required. The regulation checking items are
simply listed in the applied scenario; detailed evaluation quality
checking criteria and a related detailed checking-list should be devel-
oped for systematic and accurate quality checks in the future. In
addition, it is necessary to develop new modules for additional
regulation checks and re-define the scope of specific evacuation
regulations.
Acknowledgements
This research was supported by a grant (13AUDP-C067809-01)
from Architecture & Urban Development Research Program
funded by Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport of Korean
government. This research was supported by Basic Science Research
Program through the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF)
funded by the Ministry of Education (No. 2013R1A1A2065654).
12 J. Choi et al. / Automation in Construction xxx (2013) xxx–xxx
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