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1) | How long is the course and what will be taught? |
The course runs from 9.30am to 2.00pm. The participants will go through hands-on tutorial using software to compute Buildability Scores. Every participant will be given a computer to work on. |
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2) | What is the course fee? |
The course fee is $100 for a participant from an SIA-Member firm and $150 for non-member. |
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3) | Will you be running similar courses at other than SIACAD Training Centre? |
Understanding the theory of Buildability trained by BCA personnel are conducted at CITI, Braddell Road. |
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4) | Which CAD engine can be used for SIACAD eBDAS? |
This module was written on IntelliCAD and hence is the recommended engine. It has been tested on R13, R14 and A2000. Several users have installed and used it on A2002 with ADT3.3, A2004, A2006 and A2007. |
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5) | What kind of computer system do I need to run SIACAD eBDAS? |
As long as your CAD engine is working fine, SIACAD eBDAS will be be able to work efficiently. |
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6) | Besides the CAD engine, what else is needed? |
The final output is generated as an Excel spreadsheet or OpenOffice.org Calc. This requires Excel 97 and above or OpenOffice to be available in the computer. However, for normal computation, you do not need to have Excel or OpenOffice installed. |
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7) | I don't have SIACAD 1.8, can I use this eBDAS module? |
The eBDAS module includes a version called SIACAD Lite. This comprises of automation tools like walls, doors, windows, slabs and openings – more than sufficient to create / edit drawings that can be used for BDAS computations. However, it doesn't include advanced features like GFA/Floor Area computation, A&A Tool, Layer Sort etc. |
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8) | I already have SIACAD 1.8, why should I add this eBDAS module? |
It expands on your existing software. Besides Buildability, you can now make use of our BQ features. You can generate lists of components in your drawing such as doors, windows, sanitary fittings, furniture etc. The GFA module is also further enhanced. Note these features are only available if you already own SIACAD 1.8 and are not available in the SIACAD Lite version. |
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9) | My drawings were done using SIACAD years ago. Can I use this for eBDAS or BQ? |
Yes, as long as it was done in CP83 layering (which is inevitable using SIACAD), you can compute Buildability or BQ. |
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10) | My drawings aren't even done using SIACAD, can I still do eBDAS computations? |
As long as your drawing is done in accordance to CP83, you can use this eBDAS module to define / apply Wall or Structural Systems and from there compute Buildability. |
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11) | Must the drawings be in CP83 for this to work? |
In theory, not necessary. As long as you have done your drawings in a structured manner e.g. Walls, slabs, roofs, doors and windows in the correct layers, any layer standard will work. However, you have to create a Layer Definition file for SIACAD to understand your layering standard. |
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12) | I am in M&E and don't require to do BDAS, why should I attend this course? |
You may want to make use of the BQ features for counting sprinklers, smoke detectors and other components. We actually spoke to several M&E users during the development process and included such functionalities there. |
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13) | I am an Interior Designer, tell me why this eBDAS module can be of use to me? |
Again, for the BQ portion. You can count / summarise the fittings, furniture in your drawings. You can also create symbols, e.g. furniture, fittings, on the fly and as long as they are in the right Layer, you can immediately get quantities from it. |
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14) | Which Code of Practice for Buildability does this eBDAS module support? |
This eBDAS 2.0 module supports COP 2004 and COP 2005. However, as we know it now, a few firms are having projects submitted before 2004 and hence have to use the earlier COP. As yet, we do not have plans to support any COP before 2004. Furthermore, BCA have sent out a circular on 27 Sep 06 to the industry on the new minimum Buildability scores and changes to the BDAS which takes effect from 1 Jan 2007. |
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15) | What is the difference between COP 2005 and the earlier versions? |
The Minimum Buildability Score for COP 2005 is increased by 3 points except for Institutional and Others Category. School
Category is also added. |
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16) | Will the use of eBDAS increase the size of my CAD drawing? |
We make use of the user-defined field of the Layer Name to store System Information. This adds only 4 bytes to each unique Wall or Structure System used in the drawing. All in all, we don't expect your drawing size to increase by anything more than 100 Bytes (not kilobytes). |
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17) | Can I add new Wall / Structure systems for computations? |
Yes, you can add user defined systems easily. This is limited to a maximum of 5 user defined systems per project. You are advised to consult BCA if you intend to have user-defined systems. |
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18) | What is the biggest hurdle in using existing drawings for eBDAS? |
Wall Openings. In the new COP 2005, as long as your door or window is not full-height, you have to measure the openings as walls. The new version of SIACAD eBDAS prompts you when you add a door or window and fills in with walls if the opening is not full-height. For existing drawings, we have included a utility to automatically fill in door/window openings. However, this will work only if the door/window blocks are inserted in the correct layers. |
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19) | Where can I find out more about the Buildable Design Appraisal System? |
You can read about the Buildable Design Appraisal System from BCA's website at http://www.bca.gov.sg/BuildableDesign/buildable_design_bdas.html. |
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20) | Where can I get the Codes Of Practices On Buildable Design? |
You can download the Codes Of Practices On Buildable Design from BCA's website at http://www.bca.gov.sg/BuildableDesign/buildable_design_codes.html. |
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