In 2012 the U.S. Institute of Building Documentation (USIBD) was founded to bring together the various stakeholder groups (owner/operators, architects, engineers, contractors, surveyors, brokers, and others) to promote and facilitate building documentation as a distinct industry; establishing standards, guidelines and best practices to foster excellence in the productivity, quality and safety of the documentation process. 

The USIBD has released three quarterly Cornerstone Reports based on surveys of building documentation professionals to help profile the industry.  One of the questions asked of the building documentation professionals responding to the first survey is how frequently 3D imaging is used in the building documentation industry.  Three-quarters of respondents said their clients used 3D imaging in just 25 percent of their projects.  Nearly 75 percent of respondents said they expect client use of 3D imaging to increase by 50 percent in the next year.

The USIBD is developing a library of building documentation standards utilizing existing standards and augmenting them where necessary.  It is also developing specifications intended to address all stakeholders’ and project needs.  The USIBD is simplifying the process of qualifying professionals by providing the key factors and their significance to properly qualify building documentation professionals.  It is also developing Request for Proposal (RFP)  Templates generated by industry professionals to ensure that owners requests are clearly and professionally communicated.

The USIBD has just released four building documentation standards/specifications.

3D Imaging Specification

Provides guidance and protections to those individuals or organizations soliciting proposals from providers offering professional building documentation services for 3D imaging, typically laser scanning.

Level Of Accuracy (LOA) Specification

A reference or guideline that enables professionals in the Architectural, Engineering, Construction, Owner (AECO) Industry to specify, with a high level of clarity, the accuracy and means by which to represent and document existing conditions.  This is related to Level of Development (LoD).

Request for Qualifications (RFQ)

Provides guidance and protections to those individuals or organizations wishing to qualify providers offering professional building documentation services

Request For Proposal (RFP)

Provides performance based criteria to ensure the client (Architect, Engineer, etc.) obtains the desired deliverables

These documents/specifications are available to download for free through March 16, 2015.