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www.mcac.ca
T
he success and growth of compa-
nies in the mechanical contracting 
sector in Canada is greatly due to 
innovation. Like so many other sectors, 
the advent of new technologies such as AI 
and robotics are the keys to innovating 
and improving company processes. While 
steps like this will fuel growth in the com-
pany, it has to be realized that innovation 
is also a tool that businesses must explore 
to be competitive in todays marketplace.
The timeline for new technologies being 
introduced into the construction industry 
like many sectors is becoming shorter 
and shorter. Without an internal plan to 
look at and incorporate new technology 
into the business, companies will simply 
fall behind and be at a disadvantage from 
a competitive standpoint. Because of 
the current shortage of skilled labour in 
Canada, the integration of technology 
into a company’s processes is becoming 
a necessity to get the results mechanical 
contractors are looking for to continue 
growing their businesses into the future.
Building Information Modelling (BIM) 
is playing a key technology role in the 
construction sector, and the most recent 
versions of BIM offer a wide range of 
options to companies who want to 
innovate and take advantage of this tool. 
One of the most innovative aspects of 
BIM is the collaboration between the 
various partners on the construction 
jobsite and how this contributes to the 
efficiency and success of a project. 
BIM’s enhanced collaboration approach 
means improved decision-making and 
superior project outcomes. Real-time 
communications with all project players 
leads to a more effective use of time, and 
we all know time is money!
BIM: Transforming the Industry
“BIM is transforming building project 
management, enhancing collaboration 
& reducing construction industry costs,” 
according to a Construction Digital 
article published in November 2024. The 
publication goes on to say that BIM is 
“transforming the industry by providing 
a comprehensive digital representation of 
physical and functional characteristics of 
buildings and infrastructure.”
BIM is being recognized as using 
innovative ways to design, construct and 
manage projects as well as impacting 
conception, execution and maintenance 
of the building. At the centre of its 
processes is the creation and management 
of a great deal of digital input about a 
specific building. Going further than the 
traditional 3D modelling, it now uses 
data concerning costs, schedules and 
project materials, as well as looking at the 
maintenance needs of the building.
INNOVATION PROGRESS  
IN MECHANICAL CONTRACTING 
BIM’s success is founded on incorporating 
advanced technology in its most up-
to-date software, such as AI, generative 
design and virtual reality, as well as 
augmented reality. The use of this 
technology allows BIM to upgrade the 
whole project cycle including enhanced 
collaboration, better simulation for  
energy efficiency and AI-enhanced 
maintenance forecasting.
Some of the innovative measures also 
include automatic clash detection (the 
process of using software to find where 
components or systems in a digital 3D 
model overlap or conflict) and virtual or 
augmented realities for walkthroughs. 
These measures can reduce costs and 
improve accuracy.
Four Key Areas
The key areas where BIM is innovating 
with its latest software are design, 
collaboration, efficiency and  
facility management.
•	
Design – Detailed 3D models to 
enhance design understanding, 
augmented and virtual reality  
tools and AI algorithms to drive 
generative design.
•	
Collaboration – A single platform 
for all project partners in real time, 
improved communications and clash 
detection in advance of construction.
A look into the innovation and work of BIM and MCAC
WARREN HEELEY

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