Systemic Challenges to Maintaining BIM Tool Data Quality in the Canadian Nuclear Power Landscape

Abstract

To provide clean, affordable energy, Canada is pursuing the expansion of nuclear power generation through the life extension of existing facilities and the planning of both small modular reactors and new large builds. Building Information Modelling (BIM) tools may aid with this expansion due to their potential to deliver efficiencies throughout a facility’s lifecycle. These efficiencies have been demonstrated globally in various industries; however, they have not yet been proven within the Canadian nuclear industry and its regulatory framework. Potential savings that are anticipated with BIM tools are based upon the assumption that the impact of Canadian regulations on their use are negligible, which may prove false. This paper serves to identify and discuss aspects of the Canadian regulatory framework that create systemic challenges to the long-term maintenance of data quality for BIM tools. Remedies to these challenges are offered from both a regulatory and owner/operator perspective.